Pack With Me for My Trip to France

The other day I pulled out everything I needed to bring with me to France. I have a packing list and I only packed those things. I made a video and maybe you'd like to see it. This is just my clothes. Eric's clothes are also going in this same carry-on.

Yes, I think I take this top on every trip I go on that isn't Vegas.

I know I said I wanted to bring my 16" carry-on on this trip, but I forgot that we need pants and extra shoes for this trip, so I had to upgrade to my 20" bag. Even so, I found that I couldn't close it fully, and I ended up leaving behind my sweater and some pajama pants. I will either wear bike shorts or the leggings I'm wearing on the plane to bed, and I will layer tops if it's colder that I expect. We are only bringing rain coats on this trip, but they are thick, so can be worn as a regular coat, too. 

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I do have a cardigan I'm wearing on the plane, which you can see at the end, and a packable tote (similar to this one) for any purchases I make, so if one of those is a sweater or sweatshirt, I have room to bring it home. Could I have brought a bigger bag or a second carry-on, since there are two of us? Yes, but 1) we're renting the smallest car, 2) it's easier to keep track of less stuff, and 3) we won't need to check a bag on the way home if we buy stuff. I feel good about my choices and know I have everything I need for the weather, even if it pours buckets or is super chilly.

What are some things you always take when you travel?

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5 Reasons To Bring An RV On Your Next Road Trip

Whether you’re looking to explore one of the great routes through the US, the best road trip regions of the world, or you simply want to get out and explore freely and without a plan, there’s nothing like getting out there and driving your way through your vacation. It gives you the chance to explore, up front, many of the sights and spots that you might easily miss otherwise. However, with an RV, you can improve your journey even further.

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A Road Trip With All Of Your Creature Comforts

One of the biggest advantages of traveling by RV is having the comforts of home with you wherever you go. Instead of juggling hotel stays or eating every meal out, you’ll have a bed, kitchen, and bathroom right on board. You shouldn’t underestimate just how comfortable and convenient this can make the trip, especially if you’re traveling long distances or with the kids.

It Can Save You A Lot Of Money

Although road trips may traditionally be less expensive than other vacations, the costs can still quickly add up if you have ot consider hotels, dining, and entertainment. While you should still give yourself a budget to have some fun, RVs can cut those costs greatly, allowing you to cook meals in your own kitchen, bring entertainment with you, and enjoy cheaper accommodation, be it through RV parks or by stopping wherever you’re allowed to camp for the night.

RV Parks Bring Community To A Lonesome Road

Although road trips do offer you the ability to explore and meet some new friends along the way, there’s no denying that they can get pretty lonely at times. By finding RV parks along your route, not only can you get hookups for water, power, and enjoy a host of comfortable amenities, but you can also meet fellow travelers on their own RV road trips. It’s a great opportunity to swap stories, tips, and places to recommend to each other. RV parks are more than a practicality; they can truly enhance your whole trip.

Get Out Into Nature

One of the big benefits of an RV is that it also makes it much, much easier to hit up hiking trails, national parks, and other natural hotspots. If you’re not particularly fond of camping, but you would love the opportunity to get outdoors a little more, then RV parks offer great access, but you might also be able to simply bring your RV to designated stopping points near many of the more popular outdoor stops.

Flexibility And Freedom

When you’re traveling by RV, you’re not tied to hotel reservations or flight schedules. This freedom allows you to design your trip as you go, even more than the typical road trip. Being able to spend the night in the RV means that you’re not always pressed to find the next place to sleep. Wherever you can stop is wherever you can spend the night.

If you love road trips, but you’re looking for a way to really enrich your next one, then taking out an RV could be just the remedy you need.

Top Tips To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler

If you’re thinking of heading off on a road trip but you have a toddler, you might be wondering whether or not this is possible. To be honest with you, it completely depends on what your toddler is like, but most of the time it is possible if you know what you’re doing. There are just a few little things that we would recommend to make this as smooth as possible, ensuring that your toddler doesn’t just feel bored stuck in the back of the vehicle. 

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Let's talk about some of the different tips that we’ve got to survive a road trip with a toddler.

Stop Regularly 

The first thing that we’re going to say to you is that you need to find somewhere to stop on a somewhat regular basis. Of course, this does not mean that you should be stopping every fifteen minutes, but every couple of hours is a good goal to aim for. This allows your toddler to get out and stretch their legs a bit, they can use the bathroom, and they can generally not feel trapped in their car seat.

At the end of the day when you’re done for the night, you need to make sure that you have somewhere to rest that is safe and comfortable. There are plenty of options around, so it’s just a case of choosing one.

Plenty Of Entertainment

On top of this, you need to try and have as many different entertainment options as possible to keep your toddler engaged. You can bring items such as sticker books, coloring books, a device for them to watch some shows or movies on, games that you can play and so much more. 

The more entertainment you manage to sort, the easier it's going to be for everyone. Your toddler is less likely to get bored, which means you’re less likely to end up with a headache. 

Snacks, Snacks, And More Snacks

The last thing that we’re going to include on this list are snacks. Everyone loves a good snack, especially a small child, so ensuring that you’ve got a large pack of snacks is always going to go down well. Of course for meals you will need to stop and get out of the car, but snacks to get you through the day are necessary.

You can pack a variety of options so that nobody gets bored, and if you’re struggling for inspiration then search for the best road trip foods. More than anything though, stick to foods you like!

I hope this helps and you can now see some of the things that you should be doing in order to survive a road trip with a toddler. Is it always going to be easy? No. Are there going to be times where you regret your decision entirely? Potentially. The thing that you need to remember through it all is that you’re doing your best, and that’s all you can do to make this trip the best ever.

What are some of your best tips for traveling with a toddler?