This is that time of the year when the schools are closed and when you plan those long family vacations. Planning and packing for these summer holidays can certainly be interesting, but can cause pain in the wrong places if you do it wrong. This definitely applies to one element of this season, which is the heat and the humidity. While you can certainly mitigate it by carrying everything with you, we all know that it is bound to be the worst possible option. And which is why I have come up with these 10 packing essentials for your summer holidays. These bare essentials do not take much space in your travel luggage and will ensure that you have nothing to worry about the elements during your summer vacation. If you have elderly travelers or people with mobility issues, you can also look up this article about planning an accessible holiday for additional inputs and tips.
1) Sunglasses
Wherever in the world you end up going to, in all probability, you are bound to be greeted with bright sunshine during your summer holidays. And that is why you need to carry with you a good pair of polarized sunglasses to protect you from all the UV radiation and to ensure that you see the beauty of the places you are visiting without worrying about the glare and the haze. This becomes very important when you are on mountains, next to ski slopes or next to water bodies.
My choice: Oakley, Ray Ban or Maui Jim Polarized Sunglasses
2) Hydration pack or Reusable Water Bottle
All of us know that we need to stay well hydrated during summer, else we are bound to fall sick. That is why I recommend carrying a small hydration backpack (like how the cyclists carry) or a reusable water bottle with you at all times. You can fill in the water at your hotel before leaving for your exploration and then top it as needed. This also helps in reducing the plastic burden on the environment.
My choice: CamelBak Hydration pack
3) Probiotics and Prebiotics
I have noticed during my travels that people usually suffer from stomach bugs during the summer months. This could be either due to the quality of water they drink or due to the fact that our digestion becomes weaker in hotter weather. And that is why I recommend that you carry probiotics and prebiotics with you. These are healthy gut bacteria that the body loses in extremely hot weather. These are available in pill form and can be carried easily. You can eat them one hour before or one hour after your meals on the first signs of uneasiness.
Look up this article of mine if you are looking for first aid kit packing ideas.
My choice: VSL3 (worldwide presence) and Actigut (Available in India)
4) Comfortable Cotton Wear
These days, everyone including me seem to be carrying and wearing DryFit and ClimaCool gym wear during our travels. While these are super easy to use and carry, nothing beats the comfort and cooling effect of cotton clothes during a warm summer day. This natural fabric is a must have in your summer packing list. You can carry full sleeve clothes for very hot weather or simple loose clothing for regular summers.
My choice: Cotton T-Shirts, Cotton Pants and Cotton Shorts
5) Head Gear (Hats or Caps or Bandanas)
Our heads are affected first during a hot day and that is why most of us carry hats, caps, bandanas, turbans or scarves to protect us from the heat. While wide brimmed hats made from natural fibre offer the best respite from the sun, they can be quite tricky to carry around. Foldable cotton hats are ideal as they are usually easy to carry and can be washed.
My choice: Buff, Middle Eastern style Scarves or Bandanas
6 Neck Gear (Scarves or Buff)
A lot of us remember to protect our head during a hot day, but forget our necks and hence end up with a red or burnt neck. This is why you should carry a headgear that also protects your neck or you wear a buff or scarf to protect your neck.
My choice: I prefer a Middle Eastern style scarf that not only protects my head, but my neck too.
7) Sunscreen
Sunscreen is something that all of you might be using during your summer holidays, but the key thing to remember here is to select your sunscreen SPF based on the location that you are visiting. SPF 15 and SPF 30 are good for regular city walks, while SPF 60 and SPF 90 might be good for mountains and coastal environments. SPF 120 might be best for real high altitude destinations, such as the Himalayas. Do remember to wear waterproof sunscreen in humid weather and chemical free ones in case you are entering a natural water body with fishes and living creatures.
My choice: I don’t burn easily and hence don’t use sunscreen lotions.
8) Flip Flops/ Breathable Sneakers
Flip flops are the norm if you are on a beach holiday. They allow you to stay cool and get wet, but if you are planning summer holidays inland, then you would need good quality sneakers that breathe well. Some brands have shoes that cater to this specific need.
My choice: Adidas breathable sneakers and simple rubber flip flops.
9) Electrolyte Drinks or Oral Rehydration Salts
In spite of protecting ourselves well and in spite of drinking enough water, we might still get dehydrated. This could be due to your consistent walking in the sun or simply because of the heat and the humidity. While drinks like Gatorade are good during such times, I prefer electrolyte salts as they rehydrate you the proper way in record time. And since they come in tiny sachets, they are very easy to carry. All you have to do is open a sachet, add it to a glass of cold water and simply drink it.
My choice: Electral Oral Rehydration Salts
10) Swim Wear
We humans love the water and when the temperature rises, we seem to go in search of it. It could be a hotel swimming pool, a lake, a river or the ocean. We simply want to jump in and cool off. But, for that you need the right wear or else it can create a different set of problems. Swim wear from brands such as Billabong, Rip Curl, QuikSilver and others are light, dry very fast and come in fabulous colors and designs.
My choice: Rip Curl board shorts
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