What to Bring to a Vacation Rental
For an extended vacation away from home and work, nothing beats renting a cottage or house at your destination. Especially if you have children, a summer or winter rental provides the space you need to be comfortable, and often vacation rentals are more reasonably priced than hotels for extended visits of a week or more.
Often when you arrange to rent a vacation home, you will find the major necessities are there at your disposal: a working kitchen, TV, easy access to the beach or mountains (or wherever you happen to be), and utensils. However, if you want to make your vacation more homelike, you may consider a few necessities to ensure that your vacation is fun and safe for everybody.
Here are just a few suggested items to pack for your vacation rental:
Linens and Sheets - While many vacation rentals provide sheets and towels, some people find that bringing a bit of home enhances the vacation and nighttime comfort. To sleep on familiar sheets, even in a strange bed, may ease any worries of leaving the house for a long period of time. Children, too, may feel better to have familiar surroundings, so make sure to bring along a favored blanket or stuffed toy.
Rain and Weather Gear - Regardless of what time of year you travel, weather will be unpredictable. It is always a good idea to bring along a sweater, jacket, or raincoat just in case. If you are taking a winter holiday, be sure to pack for the weather and any spontaneous snow storms.
Safety Equipment - In the event of a power outage, it’s always a good idea to keep matches, flashlights, and candles handy. Not every vacation rental may provide these, so pack some for the trip. A first aid kit is also a must.
Groceries and Water - Especially if you are not certain of your location, bring some groceries for the first few days as you get situated. Canned goods, dry pasta, and drink mixes are good to keep around for quick meals.
Laundry Soap - If you are staying for a while, you will need to do laundry. Bringing your home brand of laundry soap will lend a comfortable feeling to your vacation, especially if the rental doesn’t provide any.
Small, personal touches from home and staples for meals and safety will help your stay in a vacation rental fun, safe, and memorable for the whole family.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance travel writer who has contributed to FlowCushion, the alternating air pressure car seat cushion for travel, for The Camellia Rose Inn, a Gainesville bed and breakfast situated in the historic downtown area, and for VisitCurrituck.com, the official tourism site of the Currituck Outer Banks.
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