Heading to the beach is a typical part of summer plans; however, Cruise Planners Land and Cruise Vacation Specialist Sandra Dugan of Bristow, says arriving prepared will help residents maximize their enjoyment and keep expenses down.
“By packing wisely, you can avoid unnecessary trips to stores at your destination, where supplies are typically more expensive,” Dugan said.
First, travelers need to check the forecast and choose clothing that will accommodate a wide range of activities and weather conditions.
“It’s not always all fun and sun,” she said. “Besides packing for the sunny skies, be prepared for drops in temperature and poor weather.”
Besides the swimsuit, she recommends packing an umbrella or poncho, as well as a sweatshirt or wrap and some pants.
When the sun is shining, it’s also important to keep protected, so a cover up, hat and long sleeve shirt are also essential.
While lounging on the beach is what most residents look forward to, keeping occupied should also be a consideration.
“Consider activities for the whole family, so everyone can enjoy their time at the beach,” she said.
Therefore, one should pack beach pails, snorkels and masks, water toys, frisbees, balls, beach games, and flotation devices. E-Readers such as iPads and Kindles with preloaded reading material will also help you cut down on the space taken up by books. Also, if you want to set the mood with music, grab your mp3 player or smart phone, some headphones or a bluetooth speaker.
“Packing bags and baggies will keep your electronic devices safe from the water,” she said.
Every beach pack should contain the obvious items like sunblock, a travel cooler, and towel, but also include insect repellant and a first aid kit that contains Band-Aids, Benadryl, hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic ointment.
“Make sure you pack chargers for your phone and camera as prices for these items may be exorbitant at local stores,” she said.
Ensure your travel documents are in order, such as license, passport, and health insurance information, and that you have a stash of cash for emergencies and credit or ATM cards for everything else.
A trip to the beach is all about the perfect combination of sun, sand, weather and preparation.
Sandra Dugan and her husband Duke are Northern Virginia natives; they have lived in Bristow since March 2001. In light of their love of travel, they purchased a Cruise Planners/American Express Travel franchise and began providing superior customer service to travelers. "We love engaging with our travelers and finding the perfect vacation for them," she says.
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