Packing Prep!

After my weekend away to Paris last month, I feel like I've learned what is good and bad on the city break front.  This month my boyfriend and I are going to Amsterdam for 3 nights (4 but we have an early morning flight so that doesn't count as a day unfortunately).  We leave on Monday 13th October until Thursday 16th which is in a weeks time so I thought I'd share what I'll be doing over the next week to prep for going away! 

1.  Make Lists.

Probably very obvious but list making is a life saver. Make lists about the stuff you're wanting to take, the stuff you still have to do and even lists about things you're wanting to do when you get there! Make sure you have a note of the times of check in and the time your flights leave so it's quick to hand and you don't have to rummage for the flight details if you need a quick reminder. 

2.  Print your damn shit off.

There's nothing worse than not knowing where you're going or what time you're doing it at.  Print your hotel conformation, the flight details and your travel insurance information off.  If you're a member of the EU, make sure you have your European health card on you if you're switching purses for your trip in case you have a nasty accident or your tonsils decide swell up to the size of balloons. 

3.  Don't leave everything to the last minute.

Make sure everything on your list of things you need to do before you go is checked off at least 2 days before you leave so that you can relax and are not rushing about the day before or a couple of hours before you leave.  Pack your suitcase, pack your hand luggage, exchange your money, print your shit, call your bank, and shave your bloody legs in enough time so you're not running around like a headless chicken the night before or like Luke and I were for Paris, a couple of hours before. 

4.  Don't wear the outfit you're wanting to wear on the plane two days before

I'm a culprit of wearing outfits I want to wear on holiday during the week before I go which is a problem cause how quick can you really wash your whole suitcase worth of clothes, right?  Wear clothes you're not planning on taking with you or wear them in time for you to wash them cause you don't want to be taking half wet clothes on holiday with you and they'll stink of damp when you arrive.  

5.  Don't over-pack

I over pack wherever I go, to college, down to my boyfriends for the weekend, and definitely going on holiday! I took WAY too much stuff to Paris with me and I wore about 20% of it.  For Amsterdam I'm going to cut down lots, one day time outfit for the day and one night time outfit.  That's all you need.  Maximum of 2 pairs of pyjamas, 2 pairs of shoes plus the pair you're wearing is more than enough for a city break but DON'T under-pack on the underwear and socks, you can never have too many of them!