Day Trip Essentials: Packing Tips for A One (Or Two) Day Trip
Hi hi wanderlusters,
My last post on what I packed for 10 days in Paris was one that I created for a couple of reasons. First, as I was planning for my trip I truly had a bit of trouble finding a good list of things that would get me through 10 days in only a 10 kg carry-on. I needed a list for the type of girl I am: a free-spirited wanderer - someone who can spend weeks on the road or abroad and someone that wants to do that while traveling really light.
As I planned I found that there's lots of packing lists, however, as a girl that loves adventure and fashion equally the posts I found were of one variety or the other. It was either anoraks and boots for the rainy days and exploring places like the Catacombs or, on the other end the recommendations were high fashion - for a girl that might be traveling to Paris for Paris Fashion Week.
In my case I wasn't doing either, and the feedback from so many of you was that my list was super helpful to you. So, Yay!
This is for the Day Tripper
At your request I decided to create another packing post! This one is for those of you that head out with a friend for a day or two on a whim. You're the type that loves a quick trip to the mountains or a jaunt to a big city equally. So, here we go! Get the full report below.
Packing for a Day (or Two) Road Trip:
A few basic rules
1. Transitional Dressing
Be ahead of the game for swinging temperatures. When road tripping with friends you can go from "ughhh is the heat on full blast?" during long stretches in the car to "omg it's freezing in this cabin!" once you've arrived.
Choose clothing items that work no matter the season: slinky turtlenecks, basic jumpsuits, shirt dresses, denim boyfriend cut overalls, knee length shorts paired with opaque hose... you get the idea. The point is to limit the wardrobe going in your bag, to be comfortable in the car and to be prepared for a variety of temperatures and activities once you make it to your destination.
I love jumpsuits and rompers. Layer a thin black turtleneck underneath for fall or winter, or wear as is in the summer. It's the perfect piece.
2. Maintain Your Health
When I returned from Paris this past week I got sick. And I am 100% kicking myself for it. At home I have a vitamin and juice ritual - I never miss a morning, however when traveling it's sometimes difficult to maintain my usual healthy lifestyle. For Paris I didn't consider that I'd be missing 10 days of my routine. My vitamins didn't make the trip and lots of cheese and chocolate replaced my normal juice regimen. No good!
On day trips my solution is an overnight vitamin kit and a new product from V8®. I particularly love the V8® Veggie Blends: Caribbean Greens, it's an easy, affordable way to get my daily intake of veggies, antioxidants, vitamins A, C & E - there's a full serving of veggies in each 8 oz. glass. I pick up my regular vitamins at Walmart and got the V8® there too.
3. Document The Trip
For shorter trips it's easy to leave your camera and journal behind. I, on the other hand do the opposite! I so often find that these shorter trips make for the best time to take photos, to make notes of the things I saw and did, to pick little road side flowers to press in my favorite book and those are the things that later remind me of the experience.
I always bring a book. Of course it's good for reading, but I also stash my show tickets, polaroid snaps, museum maps, and pressed flowers in the book, it's so much fun to look back later at what I was reading at the time of a specific trip.
So with that, here's the packing list!
Clothing:
For 2 nights, pack 2 outfits that can be mixed and matched. If you're unsure of what you're evening plans might be include items that can be dressed up or down. Black leggings, a simple oversized tunic, ballet flats or simple sneakers. If you're planning to do yoga or go hiking your sleeping t-shirt can double as your workout top.
Healthy Snacks & Drinks:
Water (bring a canteen to refill), Nuts, Dried Fruit, Protein Bars, V8® Veggie Blends. Avoid getting hangry with your travel partners or having to stop for fast food by ensuring you have all your healthy travel supplies when you leave.
Money:
A Credit Card or two. Remember to alert your bank if you're even crossing state lines.
Cash. I've had crazy things happen - fraud on the only card I brought while traveling abroad, for example - and you'll be glad to have the cash while the bank sorts out things should something go wrong. Plus, it's always helpful to have it when you're traveling with friends to be able to pay for little things without involving cards.
Electronics/Chargers:
Your camera, camera charger, phone, phone charger, back up battery pack (good for car rides when several people are trying to plug into the 1 car charger), headphones (headphones are useful when you’re in the car and need a little solo time, get lost in a favorite album, book or a podcast).
Tickets:
Worth mentioning for those of you that might be day tripping to a show, concert or event.
More useful things to pack for a day on the road:
Umbrella/Rain Gear: Of course this depends on where you're traveling to, however, should a thunderstorm break out or if the sun is beating down you'll be glad you have it.
Paper Maps: I've mentioned this several times in past posts, GPS signals can be spotty and after enough experiences of being routed down dirt roads, I bring a map when I pack for a day trip.
Oversize Scarves & a Traveling Jacket: If you'll be outside or perhaps going to a theater or venue with a pumping A/C system it'll be totally worth having both. I have several Turkish scarves that I wear that also double as blankets or towels too.
So, voila! That's my list for day trip travels. Of course, if I missed anything I'd love to hear from you guys.
Thanks for reading you guys!
Wanderfully yours!
xo,
Andi
I partnered on this post with V8® Veggie Blends.
This feature has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #V8Mornings #CollectiveBias
*opening photo of me shot by Allister Ann day tripping through Montana
