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The ultimate packing list for vacation

 

How to Create the Best Packing List for Vacation:
The Ultimate Vacation Packing Checklist for Any Occasion

You’ve reserved the perfect vacation rental home and planned some fun things to do to make the most of your getaway. But there’s always that final, somewhat daunting task that comes right before the actual vacation: packing! This doesn’t have to be stressful, since forgetting something isn’t typically the end of the world. Most of the time, convenience stores within driving distance will have what you need. That being said, it always feels good to be prepared – and it’s a relief to have everything you need as soon as you arrive. Below, you’ll find helpful tips to help you prepare the ultimate list of what to pack for vacation in West Michigan.

What to Pack for Vacation: Overview

Getting Started: What to Bring to a Vacation Rental Home
Vacation Grocery List Tips & Tricks
Sunny Days: Beach Vacation Packing List Ideas
What to Pack for Vacation in Cold Weather
Packing for Two Weeks vs Packing for a Weekend Trip
Your Ultimate Guide: What to Bring on a Road Trip
Additional Resources: Stay Up-to-Date on Capsule Packing, Trending Travel Essentials, Pet Checklists, and More

 

Getting Started: The Essential Vacation Packing Checklist for a Vacation Rental Home

 

Here’s a basic list of what to pack for vacation. You’ll no doubt have your own needs, but these are some of the most important items to remember.

Personal Items

Travel Packing Checklist Ideas for West Michigan Vacation Rental Homes

Documents

Clothing, Outerwear, & Accessories

Vacation Packing Checklist for West Michigan

One important thing to consider is the amenities at the vacation rental. For example, what gear you will need, or whether or not you will have access to a washer and dryer. Additionally, you might find even more ideas on our designated Packing Checklists + Hacks section on our Pinterest. For example, you’ll see examples of the capsule vacation wardrobe method.

Household Supplies & Products

Pet Supplies: Dog Travel Checklist

If you’re interested in finding a pet-friendly vacation rental in West Michigan, check out our list of Pet-Friendly Getaways Along the Lakeshore.

Entertainment

Electronics

Travel Packing Checklist for Families

Health & Wellness

First Aid & Emergency


Experience Ultimate Comfort and Stress Relief with BVW Unsalted Vacation Rentals
Trust Your Vacation Packing List to Supplement Existing Amenities

Wash cloths, toiletries, and soap are provided on site

BVW Unsalted Vacations provides a starter supply of toiletries, as well as professionally-laundered hand towels in each bathroom.

When you book a vacation rental home through BVW, many of the standard household items are already provided for you. These include laundry detergent pods and dryer sheets, if your home has a washer and dryer. BVW Unsalted Vacations also supplies hand soap, dish detergent, trash bags, bedding, bath towels, and beach towels. If your home has a dishwasher, then dishwasher pods are also stocked in the home for you. You can also expect to find kitchen towels, dish soap, and dish cloths.

BVW Unsalted Vacations provides one roll of paper towel and three rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom to get started. Depending on the length of your vacation, you may need to use more.

Remember to pack extra toilet paper and paper towels!

You can also expect to find a hairdryer, iron, and ironing board in our vacation rental homes.

Best of all, our support staff is available seven days a week to respond to any questions or concerns that may arise. In other  words, you don’t have to move nearly as many belongings to our vacation rental property – Please call our direct line, and we will come up with an idea for you.

*Our kitchens contain standard equipment, including pots and pans, plates, utensils, microwaves, and toasters. However, if your meal planning hinges on a specific item (such as a certain brand of skillet), make sure to bring this item with you!

Vacation Grocery Packing List:
Overview & Resources

Of course, many people just want to eat out on vacation. After all, isn’t exploring local eateries part of the fun? However, cooking in your vacation rental home is a great way to spend time with loved ones. Having food on hand also allows the various members of your group to snack and eat meals when they individually want to.

First, decide roughly how many meals you want to prepare in your vacation home for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This will help you determine how many meals to prepare. For example, if you plan to eat out for five of the seven nights, then you’ll only need to plan two dinners. Then, make a list of ingredients for each recipe in every meal. A little meal planning will go a long way!

Planning a vacation is meant to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, but the stress of packing and meal planning can often take away from the experience. Therefore, we suggest following the advice from the experts at Wander.com. In other words, keep it as simple as possible! The goal is to choose hassle-free meal plans and to budget for eating out at least once a day.

Vacation Grocery List: Staples

5 Genius Ideas for Your Vacation Grocery List:

According to Wander.com, it’s best to keep meal prep as simple as possible. In other words, he breaks the vacation grocery list into five parts:

Additionally, many other bloggers have provided templates for vacation grocery lists:

Vacation Packing Checklist for Food: Tips

First, make sure to have the address of your vacation rental. Then you can do a quick Google search to locate nearby grocery stores. Depending on where you stay, there might be plenty of options. But if you’re staying in a more secluded retreat, there may be less options.

 

Beach Vacation Packing List:
BVW Unsalted Vacations’ Essential Packing List for Lake Vacations

 

Although many items in the above list include essentials for a Lake Michigan beach vacation, check out this list below for a quick recap:

Family Beach Vacation Packing List Tips

You can save space by renting gear upon your arrival. Just make sure to make arrangements ahead of time. Our Travel Blog has several articles with information about local rentals.

How to Prepare a Grocery List for a Beach Vacation

Related Blog Planning Articles

As you plan for your Summer Getaway, consider the following:

How to Create a Cold Weather Packing List: AKA Your Checklist for Winter Vacations in Michigan

 

What to Pack for Vacation in Michigan: winter boots, hats, gloves, scarves, skis, and sleds

If there’s one thing to love about Michigan, it’s the incredible variety of the seasons! And luckily, there are many fun things to do in Michigan year-round. However, your packing list for vacation is going to be very different in December than it is in July. We hope this cold weather vacation packing checklist below will eliminate any stress as you prepare for your upcoming trip!

Remember, many snow equipment, such as skis and snowshoes can be rented. You can also find the highest-quality cold weather gear at Travel & Leisure’s Comprehensive Cold Weather Packing List. This will give many specific examples! Another great resource is this cold weather packing checklist and shopping guide by The Insatiable Traveler.

Vacation Packing List Ideas for Various Events:
Packing for Two Weeks vs Packing for a Weekend Trip

 

Without a doubt, packing for a weekend and packing for two weeks is a little different. The lists below includes some key things to keep in mind as you pack for your vacation in a rental home, depending on the length of your stay. (Don’t worry, you’ll find resources designated for precisely two weeks vs a weekend trip vs 10 days!)

While it might be tempting to pack everything you might ever possibly need for a long vacation, remember that stores exist for a reason. You can also use services like Instacart or Doordash to have groceries, supplies, and restaurant meals delivered right to your doorstep

Getting Started: The Essential Vacation Packing Checklist for a Vacation Rental Home

Ready to hit the road and make memories? We’ve got your back! This section is the ultimate guide to everything you need for an epic road trip, from must-have essentials to nailing that perfect travel day outfit. (In a hurry for more road trip outfit ideas? Scroll down past the list of essentials.)

If you’d like inspiration for the perfect road trip, check out Your Perfect M22 Michigan Highway & Scenic Drive for the ultimate guide.

We all dread delays and breakdowns, yet they’re almost a given on long drives. Whether you’re battling bad weather or car troubles, being prepared is key, especially if you’re journeying to Michigan from afar. Remember, you’re not just packing for your destination but for the adventure that gets you there too. And let’s be honest, enjoying the journey is half the fun, right?

Road Trip Essentials

Road Trip Food & Grocery Packing Tips for a Flawless Vacation Packing List

Although there’s nothing fancy about road trip food, there is great satisfaction when you’ve carefully collected what you need.

What to Wear: Planning Your Road Trip Outfit While Packing

Picking your travel day outfit should be fun, not a chore! Let’s keep it simple and comfy. Think breathable fabrics like cotton, nylon, or linen to stay cool on the go. Loose and cozy is the way to go, but hey, if jeans or leggings are your jam, rock them! The goal? To look chic and feel great, all while nailing the road trip vibe.

Consider these travel day outfit expert ideas for maximum comfort:

 

Vacation Packing List Resources, Templates, & More: Keeping Up with 2024’s Travel Trends

 

If you like to be prepared, and you love checklists and templates, then this is the section for you! Make sure to follow our Pinterest board titled “Vacation Packing Checklists.” This is where you’ll find gems such as a vacation rental grocery shopping list, or tricks like “How to Pack 2 Weeks in a Carry On.” Additionally, you’ll find travel day outfit ideas for both road trips and air travel. Road trip essentials are also important, as are beach outfit ideas.

For more specific Summer Packing List ideas, make sure to follow the Unsalted Vacations’ “Summer Vacations in Mi” board. Here, you’ll find plenty more beach trip packing list ideas, including summer vacation outfit ideas and capsule packing tips.

Lake Michigan Vacation Rentals with BVW Unsalted Vacations: Rent Your Getaway Home Today

With the correct vacation packing list on hand,  vacation planning can become a stress-free and enjoyable experience! We’ve covered all the essentials, from clothing to toiletries to entertainment, to ensure that your vacation is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Remember, it’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so don’t be afraid to pack a few extra items. As we like to say, “better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

So, whether you’re off to one of our elegant beach houses or settling back in a rustic, secluded cabin, use this checklist as your guide. As Albert Einstein once said, “the only source of knowledge is experience,” so go out there and create unforgettable memories.

Safe travels and happy packing!

 

 

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