Are you heading to Kauai soon? You likely have a few things in mind when it comes to packing for your trip. From swimsuits and snorkel gear to flip flops and floral shirts, packing for your trip to Kauai definitely calls for a suitcase filled with tropical vacation essentials. 

Kauai Culture

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and is definitely the lushest and most laid-back. Covered in beautiful rainforests, rugged mountains, and stunning beaches, Kauai is a dream destination for travelers who love exploring the outdoors or relaxing on the beach. 

The overall vibe of Kauai is very carefree, and the island definitely encapsulates the Aloha spirit. Some people refer to it as having a laid-back ‘surf-town’ vibe. People are friendly, chilled out and not pretentious. It is one of the more remote islands of the Hawaiian chain and not as busy. In fact, you’ll find that the nightlife scene is pretty quiet.  

Packing for Kauai – What to Leave at Home

I have visited Kauai on numerous occasions only to find that I’ve overpacked for my trip and could have left a few things at home. There are many lists out there telling you what to pack for Kauai, but I thought it would be super helpful to let the ladies know what to leave at home! 

Here are five things NOT to pack for your trip to Kauai. 

1. High heels

You really won’t need high heels to go anywhere in Kauai. I’ve traveled with high heels on numerous trips to Kauai and have never once worn them. If you really do want a little bit of height, I would recommend going with some cute wedge sandals. 

2. Fancy jewelry

Kauai is super laid back. Therefore, you’ll feel pretty overdressed if you’re wearing large, glittery, standout pieces of jewelry. Save some weight in your luggage and leave the fancy jewelry at home. Opt for a few of your favorite jewelry items that you wear daily and you’ll be good to go. 

3. Formal dresses

By now, you likely see a trend forming in this list! Kauai is very casual – don’t bother packing any fancy dresses. You’ll do much better with a couple of cute sundresses or comfy skirts. 

4. Jeans

Kauai is a tropical island and the weather is very hot and humid. Even during the rainy season or cooler nights, you likely won’t want to be confined in a pair of jeans! If you’re going to bring long pants, pick something lightweight and comfortable. You’ll likely end up only wearing them on the plane.

5. A heavy bag of makeup, hair accessories, and toiletries.

All of us ladies know that the majority of baggage weight comes from toiletries and shoes! When traveling to Kauai, be assured that you won’t need a lot of makeup or hair products. Stick to the very basics and know you’ll fit in and feel comfortable with a very casual look!

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In the past couple of years, I’ve discovered using packing cubes in my suitcase to stay organized and save space. They help you pack lighter when going to Kauai, especially because you’ll be saving a lot of weight and space by leaving unnecessary items at home.

Have you been to Kauai? Let me know if there is anything you’ve taken with you that you could have left at home!

Things to do in Kauai with Kids.

How to Not Get Sick from germs on the Plane.

The post What NOT to pack for Kauai. appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

How to pack light when flying with kids.

Flying with kids, especially younger children, makes parents cringe a bit – or a lot! Kids come with a LOT of stuff, and keeping them happy and busy while waiting in the airport or traveling on the plane can cause a bit of worry. What ends up happening is the kids’ carry on bag gets filled with so much stuff that it becomes heavy or even hard to keep track of the items inside. Worst yet, the parents are the ones who end up carrying their kids’ carry on luggage. 

It doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve spent many years traveling with our kids, and I can finally say I have packing the kids’ carry on bags down to a science. It’s taken a lot of practice, so I thought I’d share some tips on how to keep those carry on bags manageable.

Traveling with Children: Must-Have Items in Kids Carry On Luggage

What I’ve learned from years of traveling with kids is not to overpack their carry on luggage. Firstly, we always allow our kids to bring one of their favourite small stuffed animals and their blanky. Having these comfort items helps them relax or even sleep on the plane. 

After that, there isn’t a whole lot of space for toys, so instead, we opt for one or two small travel-sized activities. Our experience is travel-sized Play-doh is always a hit and allows for some creativity and fun. Or small ‘surprise’ packs containing crayons and activity books allow for the excitement of opening them and doing some engaging activities. Any other small toys seem only to take up a minute or two before they get dropped on the floor or lost under the seats. So, I would say to leave those at home.  

Finally, it is so important to have a change of clothes, including underwear packed in your kid’s carry on. Drinks get spilled, and other accidents can happen. Worst case scenario, luggage gets lost, meaning the extra outfit you packed is the one your kid can change into for the next day or two while you wait to be reunited with your checked bags. 

Relax the screen time rules.

If you worry about too much screen time, remember, it’s okay to take a short hiatus from that rule when traveling. Your kids will be completely fine if you allow them more screen time than usual just for travel. You will be calmer and less anxious when flying with your kids if you embrace technology as your friend! Using technology also means you don’t have to pack as many other items to keep them busy for those long flights. Just remember to take breaks and they’ll be just fine!

So, be sure to pack a tablet and some kids headphones and load up with movies and games that will keep your kids entertained on the plane. Many airlines now have an app you have to download to the devices that allow you to connect to a large inventory of movies and tv shows.

What kind of carry on luggage is best for kids?

In the past, our kids loved the idea of having their own rolling suitcases. What we found is that they would get tired of handling them, and us parents would end up having to take over. Recently, we switched to mini travel backpacks for each of our kids, and they are much happier. The bags fit easily under the seat, and we also made sure to choose packs that had different compartments to keep items organized. 

Here is a packing checklist for your kids carry on luggage.

1. Favourite stuffed animal and blanky
2. Change of clothes, including underwear and socks. Put these items in a large Ziploc bag; that way if there are any spills or accidents, you’ll have somewhere to put the old clothes. 
3. Snacks. Again, put these items in a large Ziploc bag to keep them together. I recommend things like granola bars, mini cookies, mini crackers, fruit snacks, and other kid-friendly favourites.  
4. Tablet and headphones. 
5. Small activity such as travel-sized Playdoh or surprise activity package that includes pencils or crayons
6. Gum, chewy candy or lollipops for take-off and landing
7. Small refillable water bottle you can fill in the airport after you’re through security.

Other things that you should bring on the plane are wipes or hand sanitizer and medications such as children’s motion sickness or pain relief. Those items should go in your own carry on bag. Remember, take a minimalist approach to your kids’ carry on bag and just bring the essentials! You’ll save the trouble of extra weight, lost items (that cause a lot of tears), and the stress of having to keep track of all of it. 

Is there anything you bring on the airplane for kids that I’ve missed? I’d love to hear from you, leave me a comment below! 

Best Beaches in the World for Kids

Tips for Flying with Baby

What is the best age to travel with an infant?

The post Kids Packing List – How to Pack Less in Carry On Luggage appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

If you’re packing for a trip, it can be tricky to try and remember everything you need. When you’re flying, it’s important to have a strategy in case your luggage gets lost, which happens all too often these days! Lost luggage is so frustrating, especially if it takes a couple of days to arrive or you are moving on to a destination that is away from your arrival airport.

Rest assured, if you pack your carry-on with essential items, you will be less stressed if your luggage goes missing for a day or two.

What to pack in your carry on? Here are some key things to take with you on the plane!

1. Glasses and contact lenses
   If you aren’t wearing your glasses already, be sure to take them with you in your carry on. Also, pack your contact lenses and case including extra pairs if you use disposables.
2. Sunglasses
   It’s important to protect your eyes and, especially for sunny destinations, you’ll be happy you have your sunglasses handy when you walk out of the airport!
3. Clothes
   If your clothes are packed away in luggage that doesn’t arrive, you’ll be happy to have some extra clothes packed in your hand luggage. Have at least two easy outfits that will work for exploring your destination.
4. Underwear and extra socks
   If the airline loses your luggage you’ll still want some clean underwear to change into. They don’t take up a lot of room and you’ll be happy you have them!
5. Shoes
   Bring a pair of shoes to change into if you don’t want to spend the next day or two walking in the shoes you wore on the plane. For warm climates, you’ll likely want to pack your sandals or flip flops in your carry-on.
6. Medication
   Be sure to bring your go-to pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil and any prescription meds you are currently taking.
7. Toothbrush
   A toothbrush doesn’t take up a lot of room in your hand luggage. If your suitcase gets lost, you’ll appreciate still being able to brush your teeth after a long travel day. Better yet, take along a travel sized tube of toothpaste too!
8. Deodorant
   Long days of travel and overnight flights can leave you feeling less than fresh. A travel sized deodorant will help fend off unwanted odors!
9. Hand sanitizer or wipes
   Airports and planes are known for being the germiest public places. Stay healthy by keeping hand sanitizer and wipes handy in your carry-on luggage.
10. Makeup
    For the ladies, remember to take the makeup items you can’t live without in your carry-on or purse! Whether it’s concealer, powder or your favorite lipstick, you’ll feel much better knowing you have them with you instead of tucked away in the suitcase that accidentally went to a different country! Sephora has a great selection of travel sized makeup products.
11. Chapstick
    The air is so dry on a plane and having lip balm or chapstick handy will keep your lips moisturized.
12. Important documents and money
    Don’t forget to pack your passport, ID, credit cards and money in your carry-on. Stay organized with a handy travel case or passport wallet that can keep it all in one spot.  
13. Electronics
    Remember to take your phone or tablet in your carry on. Don’t forget your headphones!
14. Sleeping mask and neck pillow
    For those long haul or overnight flights, you’ll be much more comfortable with a travel sleeping mask to block out unwanted light and neck pillow to take the edge off those uncomfortable airplane seats!
15. Chewing Gum
    Gum helps with plugged ears and painful popping on take off and landing.

This Carry On Checklist Will Give you Peace of Mind!

Knowing you have these important and helpful items in your carry on will help keep you feeling at ease when you are traveling. Ask any traveler about the time the airline lost their luggage and you will hear how much stress it caused when they didn’t have a back-up plan!

Every airline has different rules for carry on luggage weight and restrictions. Travel and Leisure has this great cheat sheet for carry on size and weights for many airlines. You should still be able to fit all of these items if you strategically pack them. The most important tip is to look for things that are lightweight and travel sized!

I hope this list helps you on your next trip! Did I miss anything? Leave me a comment below!

Hey ladies! Here is a great packing list for your all-inclusive vacation!

The post What to Pack in Carry On Luggage appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

It always surprises me when I travel with other people such as family members or friends and they don’t have basic medications with them. I wonder…how the heck could they not be prepared for the worst-case scenario? I suppose it seems a bit OCD on my part, but I really think it’s important to always have few medications in case illness strikes when on vacation! You just never know how hard it will be to find even the basics such as a painkiller!

Here are 5 medications to pack for your trip.

 1.     Pain and fever relief medication.

Bring what works best for you, and your favourite brand(s). Whether it’s Ibuprofen (such as Advil) or Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Better yet, pack both. In some cases, you can alternate both types of medications. Be sure to talk to a doctor or pharmacist first.

 2.     Anti-diarrhea medication (ie. Imodium)

Foreign foods and travellers diarrhea can strike at any time! You’ll be happy you packed an anti-diarrhea medication so you can get off the toilet and still enjoy your vacation!

3.     Stomach remedy such as Pepto Bismol tablets

New foods and the general stress of travelling can cause nausea, indigestion or stomach troubles. Having a stomach remedy will provide you some much needed relief.

4.     Motion sickness relief (ie. Gravol)

Part of the fun of your journey includes planes, trains, boats and car rides, but they can bring on motion sickness. If you’re prone to motion sickness or unsure about a particular long ride ahead, motion sickness relief medication will help and there are many options to choose from.

5.     Antihistamine medication and/or creams for bites, stings or allergies

Foreign insects or even certain types of foods or spices can cause inflammation. Having an antihistamine handy will give you some relief.

 A Travel Medical Kit is a Great Idea Too!

Better yet, beyond these 5 must-have medications when you travel, packing a handy travel medical kit is a great idea! You can throw in other items like band-aids, eye drops, insect repellent and so on. Yes, it will take up a bit of space in your suitcase and you may not have to use it, but you will be thankful you have it when illness or injury strikes on vacation.

The post 5 Medications You Should Always Pack When You Travel appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Are you heading on a family beach vacation with your kids? Before you get to relax, you have a few things to do! Okay, ‘a few things’ is probably an understatement. As a mama, I know first-hand that it’s a LOT of work to pack for a vacation with the kids. Rest assured, soon you’ll be on the beach with a cocktail in hand and won’t have to worry that you forgot anything.

Here is a great packing list of what to bring for your kids on a beach holiday.

I’ve compiled this travel with kids packing list from experience of travelling with my two girls since they were born. We’ve been on many family vacations including Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, and Europe and our experience is there are some basic things we need to pack regardless of where we go. This kids packing list is geared toward children aged 2 and up, as babies are a whole other list that I’ll get to another day! (Diapers, wipes, bottles, pacifiers oh my! You need a private jet to carry all that stuff with you!)

Packing List for a Beach Resort Vacation with Kids

1. Underwear. Always bring double the underwear than days you are gone. Kids go through a lot of underwear!

2. Sleepwear. Most resorts have air conditioning, so opt for sleepwear that is light but cozy. Cotton is best for hot countries.

3. Sundresses (for girls). So easy to slip on and off, plus light and airy for those hot temperatures!

4. Shorts and tees. Always bring 2 extra than you think you need. Things get wet or dirty and your resort may not have laundry service (or it will be very expensive!)

5. Lots of swimsuits. Always bring at least 4-5 bathing suits. In humid climates things seem to take forever to dry, so having extra suits for your kids is smart!

6. Swimsuit covers for the girls. Most resorts require guests to wear a cover when dining and that goes for the kids too. Covers are also great to cover those shoulders from the hot sun. Walmart or Justice always has really cute swim covers and they are fairly inexpensive.

7. Flip flops or easy slip-on shoes. Shoes that are easy to slip on and off are great for the kids to wear on the beach or around the pool.

8. Sandals or comfy shoes. Great for the kids to use for excursions or evenings.

9. Water shoes. Water shoes or even Crocs are a must for beaches that have rocks in the water.

10. Inflatable pool toys. I always recommend packing a couple of inflatables for the pool. They don’t take a lot of room in your suitcase and provide a lot of entertainment for the kiddos. Usually you are able to buy inflatables at the resort or a store nearby, having a couple of small items with you will be a saving grace when you arrive!

11. Pail / shovels and a few small beach toys. We usually bring a pails and small beach toys for our kids. In our suitcase we simply pack clothing in the pails so they don’t take up a lot of room. This provides a lot of fun at the beach and saves you from hunting around the resort trying to buy something. Plus, I think the last thing you want to do after hours of travelling is go shopping!

12. Blanky and favourite stuffy. If possible, bring a few small items that are your children’s lovies. These will provide a lot of comfort as kids are so little and travelling can be hard on them. Being in a foreign country, the days of sun, sand and swimming will tucker them out; their lovies will soothe them!

13. Hats and sunglasses. Bring at least 2 hats and 2 pairs of sunglasses. Hats get wet, sunglasses get lost. You will be happy you have more than one of each!

14. Load up your technology with favorite shows / movies / games. If you are travelling to a country that has a native language other than English, do not count on the television in your hotel room to have programming in English! If your kids enjoy watching a show to relax, or if you need that distraction for some down-time, plan ahead and load up your phone / tablets with some good shows or games that your kids can relax with.

15. Travel sized activities. You can get some really fun, travel sized games, crafts and activities from any dollar store. Travel sized play packs, colouring books or even PlayDoh will keep your kids busy in restaurants or when they need some quiet time after a busy day. Crayola makes some great travel products, as well as MasterMind Toys has great travel section.

16. Wipes and sanitizer. Those little hands love to touch everything! You can get travel sized wipes from any drug store or department store. Pack a few of them in your luggage, and also pack a couple small bottles of sanitizer. Be sure to wipe the plane seat arms and trays down too! It will help with keeping your family healthy while you travel!

17. Sunscreen and after-sun care. We have found that some of the sunscreen brands here in Canada do not work the same as in tropical countries. I recommend speaking to your pharmacist or skin-care expert about the best brand. Better yet, when you arrive to your resort find a place to purchase sunscreen from that country whether it’s in a local store or the gift shop. Even though it’s more expensive, it will protect your children.

    Here is a great article about the issues with sunscreen. Worst Sunscreen of 2018 for Kids Have Innaccurate SPF Labels.

    Further to that, this article explains why you should reconsider using sunscreens from North America.

18. Travel packs of laundry detergent. The last thing you want to be doing on vacation is laundry, but carrying a few small travel packs of detergent will help you in a pinch for washing kids bathing suits, underwear or any stains out of clothing.

19. Kids medication such as Advil, Tylenol, Gravol, eye drops and anti-itch cream. Many countries do not carry the same medication brands that we do here in Canada. Be proactive and bring your own brands. I would also advise on bringing extra medication in case your child gets sick or has an ailment and goes through it quickly. This has happened to us a couple of times when we’ve traveled and it was difficult to find the medication that we needed for our child.

20. Mosquito repellent and anti-itch cream. All that sunshine and fun comes at a price, mosquitos or sand flies! Do not leave home without some sort of kid-safe mosquito repellent and anti-itch remedies if they do get bitten.

One last thing, for kids that are younger, it’s worthwhile bringing a light umbrella stroller for the airport or longer walks exploring around your destination.

Have you travelled on a beach vacation with your kids? What would you add to this packing list? Leave a note for me in the comments below!

Hey girl! Are you heading to an all-inclusive resort soon? Here’s a great packing list for your all-inclusive vacation!

The post What to Pack for Your Beach Vacation with Kids appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions in this article are my own.

All-inclusive vacations are a great way to be able to explore new places in the world without having to worry about all the logistics of finding flights, booking a hotel, getting transportation, looking for good food, and figuring out activities. All-inclusives are pretty much a great way to unplug the brain, relax, and be pampered!

If you’ve booked an all-inclusive trip and perhaps have never been to this type of resort, there are a few things you should know about what to pack. I’ve compiled this list for the ladies to get an idea of what to wear around the resort.

Here is a packing list for what to wear on an all inclusive beach vacation for women.

This list has been designed based on a one-week beach vacation to an all inclusive resort. 

1.  4-5 Bathing Suits

The more bathing suits, the better. I suggest at least 4 or 5 that you can rotate throughout the week. Think of your bathing suit as your daytime wear, so treat this as an ‘outfit’ for the day. You will likely just get up, throw on your bathing suit and a cover and live in that until evening. The reason I suggest so many is that your wet bathing suit will not dry as fast in a humid climate, so if you were planning on washing it and hanging to dry, it usually takes a couple of days for it to be fully ready to wear again! One of my favourite places to shop for swimsuits these days is La Vie En Rose. 

2.  4-5 bathing suit covers 

Your bathing suit cover is part of your daytime outfit, so you will likely want to rotate it. Cute bathing suit covers are great for walking around the resort, going into the dining areas, and will protect you from the sun. Plus, there are so many fabulous styles and prints right now, so they are fun to have! Covers and sarongs are also super easy to pack because they are so lightweight and can be folded up to take up a tiny amount of space in your luggage!

You don’t have to go to a specialty store for covers. I seem to always find cute and affordable swimwear covers at Ardene, Walmart, or even on Amazon!

3.  3 shorts or skirts and tops

Shorts and tees or tanks are so comfy. You can use them in the daytime if you decide not to wear your bathing suit, if you go off the resort, or head out on an excursion. They are also great for a casual dinner or a sunset stroll on the beach.

4.  4-5 sundresses

Sundresses are so versatile! Use them in the daytime or even wear over your bathing suit instead of a cover. You can also wear a cute sundress if you’re going to explore outside of the resort or just lounging around. Dress it up in the evening time with some jewelry and wedges or sandals when you’re going for dinner.

5.  2 dressy outfits

Depending on what your resort has to offer, such as fancy dinners or dancing, I would suggest packing at least 2-3 of your favourite ‘dressier’ outfits that you make you feel like a million bucks! Whether it’s a dress or skirt and top, make sure it’s something comfortable and lightweight for the hot climate.

6.  Hats and Sunglasses

I always suggest bringing at least 2 hats and a couple pairs of sunglasses to protect your head and eyes from the sun. Hats get wet and sunglasses get lost, so be sure to have at least a couple of options to rotate. They don’t take up a ton of room in your luggage, you won’t regret having options.

7.  Flip flops

You will live in your flip flops, especially in the daytime! I would even suggest bringing two pairs of flip flops. When wearing the same flip flops day after day, your feet may get sore, especially if you’re spending a lot of time walking around or on terrains such as sand, cobblestone, and grass. Changing your footwear will give your feet a break!

8.  Beach Bag

Pack a nice, large beach tote or beach bag to pop-in your towel, book, sunscreen and other beach or pool essentials. I would suggest something lightweight and thin material or mesh that dries quickly. Heavier canvas takes a while to dry and starts to get moldy after a few days.

9.  Small purse

Leave your large purse at home and let minimalism take over! A small purse, wristlet, cross-body bag, or even a stylish fanny pack is easy to carry and compact. At an all-inclusive resort, all you really need is something you can throw a bit of cash in, lipstick and other small essentials in for a day or evening out strolling around your resort.

10.  Light sweater or scarf for cooler evenings

Even in the hottest countries, I’ve run into unusual weather systems or cool evening breezes that have dropped the temperatures causing a bit of a chill. Or another issue is air conditioning in indoor spaces that leaves a few goosebumps. Don’t forget to pack something to throw over your shoulders and keep you comfortable!

Of course, be sure to pack lots of sunscreen! If you’re planning on going into the ocean, be sure to use reef-safe sunscreen.

Have I missed anything on this list? Let me know what you like to pack for your all-inclusive resort vacation!

Don’t forget to pack these 5 medications when you travel!

The post What to Pack for All Inclusive Beach Vacation: A Guide for Ladies appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.