How To Pack For An All-Inclusive Getaway! #BeachesMoms

Later this month we’re headed to Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos.  My family and I will spend 7 glorious days walking one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, eating in as many of the 20 restaurants as possible, splashing in the ridiculous number of pools, and finding new adventures around every corner.  Another reason for this trip, for the second year in a row I’m honoured to be attending Social Media On The Sand and I just can’t wait!  I have SO much to get organized before this trip and the only way to get it all done is to start the packing now! (plus I’m over the top excited and I just really want to start packing)

Over the past few years I’ve learned a packing trick or two and will be putting those to use.  Another one of my biggest travel tips?  Make a list and stick to it!  If you are a true list-aholic (What? It’s a thing)  You don’t just have one big general packing list you have more specific sub-lists.  One for quick jaunts out of the city.  One for family vacations to cottage country, one when you are headed out of the country and the one I am sharing with you today; my list for travelling to an All Inclusive Resort!

Packing List For An All Inclusive Resort

Purse and Carry On:
Passports
Airline, train or bus ticket and confirmation numbers
Parking info/details for at the airport
Copy of your itineray
ID (Drivers License, Birth Certificate if required)
Credit Cards
Bank Card
Travel Insurance Information
Copy of all those important cards. Credit, Passport, Health Cards and Travel Insurance
Cash
A good book/ magazine
Phones and chargers (x4 for us)
Laptop and cords as needed to keep on top of work and school
Business cards
A pen for filling out customs forms
Gum
Lifesavers/Breath mints
Advil for unexpected headaches
Gravol and Imodium for emergencies
Purel (and if you’re at all like me, WetOnes to wipe off that airplane tray. Germs be gone!)
Travel Size Hand Lotion (I like the slim EOS hand lotion, fits in any pocket and meets Airline size requirements)
Personal prescriptions
Copy of any personal prescriptions you may take tucked into a different pocket or wallet. This way if you happen to lose a prescription you will have an easier time potentially getting it refilled.
Powerbar (a powerbar or granola bar can save the day when faced with a two hour delay and no snacks in sight!)
Band-aids (because you never know)
Camera and Charger
Hair Elastics
Lipgloss or chapstick because dry lips on the plane are risiculously annoying
Scarf, not just to be fancy, but because it helps to keep you warm when the plane is uber-airconditioned

Suitcase:
Hair brush
Flat iron or Curling iron if you need it, but really think about this one. That style is not going to last in the humidity!
Hair dryer (but only if your hotel doesn’t have one. You won’t need one at Beaches Resorts)
Hair spray, gel or paste
Hair accessories. You can’t have enough elastics.
Travel sized Shampoo and Conditioners
Make-up
Face moisturizer
Make-up remover (We love make-up wipes, also great if you try to go carry on only)
Night cream (you know, incase you are over 40 and don’t want to look that way)
Razors
Deodorant
Dry Shampoo (my love)
Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss / wax for those with teens with braces
Glasses & sunglasses
Mini First Aid Kit (band-aids, bactine, tweezers etc)
Feminine products
Ear plugs to drown out those hotel noises
Undies / bras/ sportsbras
Tanktops for fabulous layering
Socks, if not for outside then for in the hotel.
PJ’s
Large Ziplock bags -put your lotions and potions in the bags on the way there, and damp bathing suits/clothes in them on the way home

~For the Pool/Beach:
Beach bag
Sunscreen (don’t forget sunscreen for your lips!)
Lotion and Aftersun
Bathing suits (3 styles that you can mix and match will get you through a week)
Sarong/Cover-ups (at least 2!)
Sun hat or Baseball hat
Flip Flops
Beach Bag
~Resort Wear:
Shorts (2-3)
T-Shirts (3-4)
Maxi Dresses for me. Long live the Maxi! (4)
Sun Protective shirt, or dress. I won’t travel without my UV Couture Sunshirt
Swim Shoes if needed – great for if you are doing lots of snorkelling
Sandals
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Capri’s (1)
Yoga Pants (1)
Sweatshirt (1)
Sweater for cool evenings or restaurants (1)
Rain Jacket
Small purse

Special Occasion Items:

*In this case I will be at a conference.  Checking the agenda I will also need the following items
Outfit for nautical themed cocktail party (Wednesday)
Outfit to wear on a Reading Road Trip as we head to a School sponsored by the Sandals Foundation (Thursday)
Backpack stuffed full of items to donate!
Costumes for the entire family for an 80’s inspired outdoor dance party (Thursday Night)
Maxi Dress and Jacket for Conference Day (Friday)
Halloween Costume (Saturday)

My biggest tip of all when organizing for any trip; include the whole family in the packing and try and enjoy the process.  If you forget something? Don’t worry mon!  As long as you have your passport, your credit card and your smile everything will be all right.  Kick back, relax and enjoy that vacation!

See you at the beach!