How much should i pack, No really?

Question

I am going away for two weeks to an all inclusive hotel, and am finding packing a nightmare. There are two adults and three children one of whom is a toddler, and needs nappies wipes etc. At the moment i have 3-4 suitcases but i need some advice for what to pack as i am starting to lose it! The hotel does have a laundry service i believe which i am going to use, and i am going to do some handwashing, but i need help the packing is spiraling out of control! I mean how much such do i really need to take to Turkey????

Answer 1

First things first. Calm down! I know how stressful it is to pack for anything, so I can relate.

You need to make a list for every member of your family. Take into consideration the fact that you will be able to launder things while you are there, so you don't need to take 14 days worth of clothing for everyone.

Each person's list should include:

Undergarments
Socks
Shoes or sandals
Tops
Bottoms
A nice outfit, just incase you go someplace nice, like a fancy restaurant
Nicer shoes to match the nice outfit
A jacket or sweater if it happens to get chilly in the evenings
Pajamas
Robes, if necessary
Swimwear
Swim coverups
All toiletries they will need
Personal grooming items like hair brushes, shavers and blowdryers
Any medications they may need
Amusements, such as books or toys (obviously, this is most important for the kids)

You also need to make sure you have with you:

Camera
Film
Tickets and passports
Money, travel checks, or credit cards
Emergency contact information for those back home incase you should be injured
The address and telephone number for your embassy or consulate in Turkey (I presume you are English, from your spelling)
Your itinerary and any relevant travel papers for the hotel
A guide book
A Turkish phrase book
A mobile phone, in case of emergency
A travel pack of some sort that you can take with you if you go out exploring, such as a hip pack or tote bag
Basic medicines such as aspirin, diarrhea medicine, bandages (basically a first aid type kit)

Since you are going for 14 days, plan now on how many times you want to have to worry about washing clothing while you are there. If it were me, I would plan on two washing sessions, which means you only need to pack 5 days worth of clothing, and each item can be worn three times. (That means you will need to wash at about the 4th or 5th day, and again around the 10th day.) Just so you know, I always pack one extra pair of underwear and one extra pair of socks, because you never know if you are going to need them :) The only one I might pack extra thing for is the toddler, like a couple of extra tops and bottoms, or whatever, as I know they can entirely mess up their clothing if you look away for just one minute.

Now, you know what each person needs, and how many of each item each person needs. Make your list and list each item separately so you can tick it off your list as it goes into the suitcases, like this:

Myself:
Tops:
White cotton shirt, blue t-shirt with trim, etc...

That way, nothing gets missed or forgotten at the last minute. Also, when planning what clothing to take, make sure you think in terms of outfits. If you have, say, a nice peasant skirt that you plan to wear, as well as a pair of jeans, pick shirts that go with both so that you are not stuck wearing set outfits every single day. When my husband and I travel, I try to remember to not pack anything that needs an exact match. You may laugh, but more often than not, we vacation at either Disneyland or Disneyworld, so I will pack all denim bottoms, including shorts, at least one pair of jeans, and one skirt. That way, I know that as long as each of my tops goes with denim, I am fine. I don't have to worry that I have a certain pair of pants that needs a specific top to go with it.

I gave you two sets of suggested lists for things to include; the first one is clothing, and the second one is the things like papers and camera, etc. Pack all of the stuff in your second list in your carry-on luggage so that you have access to it right away. Also, make sure you have things for the kids to do on the plane.

And a couple of other things to consider. Remember that European airports (and our own airports here in the US) have tightened restrictions on what you can carry with you on the plane. Make sure that anything like nail scissors or tweezers or toothpaste is in your checked luggage. I know that they are allowing certain exceptions here for things like baby bottles and medicines like insulin, so you need to call the airline and find out exactly what you can have with you in the cabin, and what needs to be checked. Believe me, nothing sucks like having to toss something because it is not allowed in the cabin. I haven't flown since the new regulations went into effect, but I have flown since they tightened our regulations here in the US after 9/11/01, and I once had to throw away a very expensive pair of folding scissors that I just always keep in my purse for emergencies. You can avoid trouble like that by knowing exactly what you can and cannot have with you.

Make sure to get to the airport early, as you may have a long wait, and expect unexpected delays, which seem to always happen when we least want them to.

Most of all, remember that you are traveling to Turkey, not to the North Pole. If you forget something, don't panic, as chances are excellent you can find an inexpensive replacement where you are going. Just make sure you have the important stuff, like your partner and your kids!

And have a super time, lucky woman! I am very envious, as Turkey is on my I-must-visit-this-place-before-I-die-or-am-too-old-to-enjoy-it list.

Be well, be safe, and have a great time :)

Answer 2

Travel Lite is an expression born from necessity. Take enough for 3 days [maximum] & recycle/clean what you need as you go! You & the other adult should be able to share a large case & one large case for the children. The idea of back-packs/totes for the older children to augment their shared case could be used & you & your partner could suppliment your items with totes, too As far as the 'nappies wipes etc', sounds like a diaper bag to me. So we've got 2 suitcases, 4 totes & a diaper bag. What's yer question? Oh Turkey? Skip it! Stay in the civilized world!

Answer 3

If you have a set of scales then do this.

Pack your suitcases with what you think you need.

Put them on the scales and weigh them.

Usually airlines will only allow 20kg of luggage within the price of the ticket, any more and then you get charged more.

If you dont mind paying for more luggage then when you wiegh your bags, and this is important, make sure they are no more than 32kg per item. Why is this important? because they will make you take stuff out of the case and put it into one that you will have to buy at the airport, right in front of everyone else (if you do not want to lose your place in the Q.

The whole 32 kg limit is for baggabe handlers lifting heavy weights.

you can easily take 100kg of luggage, so long as you pay for it and it is in denominations of 32kg.

Will M

Answer 4

focus on enough extra clothing for various temperatures of climate for kids. Take less for yourself and oother adult since you would probably ot get as dirty as the kids and perhaps you may get a chance to shop and want to have some space for your finds. Minimze taking alot of toiletires or cosmetics for yourself-use what hotel gives you even if its not your favorite shampoo-who cares. Take conservative items since the country you are visting has different standards for what's considered trashy-like forget the sleeveless lowcut /skin tight or shorts-unless you are at the beach or poolside /nightclub then OK. Dont take valuables more than what you have to. Consider taking some special non perishable food items in small containers-lunch packing sized...to supplement hotel food for the toddler so you can avoid stomach problems or him/her getting fussy due ttoo many unfamiliar items..

Answer 5

so,just take 3 pair clothes -3*2=6 . so their will be 6 pair of dress for adults.

3 pairs for children so 9 pairs. For the toddler u can take some nappies in a hand bag. so total=u willl have 2 bags and 1 hand bag.

Answer 6

for the kids take just tshirts and shorts and go to the airport in warmish clothing that they can wear to come home in- youll spend most of the time in shorts/trunks/bikinis because of the heat and all these can be rinsed thru at night and be ready to wear again the morning after-im sure u can buy nappies so just take enough for a few days. ive just come back from malta with 2 adults and 3 kids and we took 2 medium sized cases and still didnt wear most of the clothes cos of the heat-good luck x

Answer 7

Pack as light as you can and leave space for anything you pick up out there. Make sure you have spare swimming togs. T-shirts are important too, they get dirty quicker than shorts/trousers. If you find you don't have enough of something you can always buy it out there. If you're kids are sensitive and require certain brands of things then make sure you're prepared because certain brands may not be available out there but other than that, take the bare minimum.

Answer 8

Eat whole eggs like 5. Not egg whites, the whole egg. in the morning. When you crave Junk drink water. I keep 16oz by me all day. Refill it like 6-10x a day. Im waiting to do **** when I am done with middle school because I don't have **** to worry about. And honestly I am doing English and Math refreshers during the summer because It helps with my skill is those two areas. Tuna for lunch. Nice Protein shake for dinner.

Answer 9

You shouldn't need to take too much - remember, most of your days will be spent in swimwear. And as for nappies & wipes - can't you buy some out there?

Answer 10

Are you going for two weeks or two months?! Prioritise your packing...pack your absolute essentials first then decide what to add next and keep asking yourself do I really need that...most good si zed hotels usually have laundry facilities. Enjoy your holiday and remember...RELAX!!!!!

Answer 11

Two huge suitcases should really be enough! The limit that the airline gives you (for luggage) is really reasonable and you shouldn't need more than that.

ps. no, I don't work for any airline! ;)