I’m getting ready for a beach vacation and went over my packing list for the beach.  Upon doing so, I realized I almost forgot my toothbrush.

Again.

While every vacation, business trip, or overnight stay will have unique packing needs, there are a few basic things that you can expect to have to pack every single time you go on vacation.

Because I love you – and figured I might as well make a post of this since I’m having to make a packing list right now – I’ve compiled a list of things I’ll you’ll want to put on your vacation packing list.

Vacation Packing List

(according to Britt)

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By Thomas Brown of UpTake Networks

UpTake, as everyone knows by now, is all about who you’re traveling with and why you’re traveling – if you’re taking a trip with that special someone in your life, we’ll help you find a romantic place to stay and the perfect things to do.  Or if you’re planning a family vacation with your kids, then we’re the site for you.  But what about old-fashioned deals that are based on price?  UpTake has our Feelin’ Broke listings, but what if I want to start my vacation planning based exclusively on price?  At the risk of offending our Prez (sorry, Yen!), I recently took a trip using exactly this approach.

There are lots of players in the travel deals space – Sherman’s Travel and Dunhill to name but two; but I wound planning my recent trip to Seattle with our friends at Travelzoo.  Their Top 20 lists travel deals that would be aptly described as travel steals, as evidence by this gem that I booked:  A three-night stay at the oh-so-hip Hotel Max for just $139 per night.

If you’ve been to Seattle lately, you know this is a fantastic rate, particularly in the fall. But to appreciate what a sweet deal it was, consider what I got:  Located downtown, the Max is just a ten-minute walk from Pike Market.  It follows an approach similar to the Kimpton brand – take an otherwise ordinary hotel and transform it into something chic and avant-garde, simply by taking chances with style, art and design.  Think tons of tomato-red fabric.  Think original works by Seattle artists throughout the hotel.  Think touches that are simultaneously thoughtful, whimsical, and provocative; such as an in-room “Spiritual Menu” that lists not only the predictable King James Bible, but also the Tao Te Ching and the Bhagavad Gita.  Or the “Pillow Menu” I found on my bed, allowing me to choose from close to a dozen varieties.  And tucked away near the mini-bar, I stumbled across an “Intimacy Kit,” complete with (ahem) . . . batteries.

Rates at the Hotel Max are normally around $200 this time of year, so my Travelzoo deal was just that – a real deal.  It so happens that the Hotel Max could also qualify as a romantic hotel, especially for the younger set.  Hmm . . . do I sense a “romantic deals” category emerging?

(From top – the door to my room; more artwork at the Hotel Max, Photo Credit: Eyeliam )

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy”

It’s probably fair to say that you’ve heard of Disneyland.  It was the first of the modern family amusement parks and it is still the best.  Sure, other places might have a few more bells and whistles, but for history, detail, magic and fun, you can’t beat Disneyland.  It is the family vacation.

Disneyland was founded by Walt Disney as an alternative to the existing parks of his time.  He wanted someplace clean and fun where kids could be kids and adults could escape from the pressures of their daily lives.  He wanted a place where reality was checked at the door, or gate as the case may be.  It worked and it is still working today.

Located in Anaheim, California, just south of Los Angeles, the park is popular with both locals and tourists.  It can be visited in one day- one hurried, tiring and frustrating day, or it can be done at a slower pace.  Combine the park with the second gate,  Disney’s California Adventure, the Downtown Disney entertainment area and some quality hotel time, and you can stretch it for a week.

Disneyland is divided into different themed areas, each connected via the hub in the center or the railroad that runs mainly along the perimeter of the public areas of the park.

The areas consist of Main Street, U.S.A.,  Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown.

Each different land offers a variety of rides, shows, shops, dining and opportunities to meet and greet an array of Disney’s famous characters.

Disneyland has numerous spacious and clean restrooms, a quiet area for those with small children, first aid, assistance for guests with disabilities, lockers and anything else one might need while away from home.

Of note for parents traveling with children that do not meet the height requirements on some rides, ask a cast member about a child swap voucher which will allow one parent to ride while the other stays with the kid(s).  Then the second parent may access the same ride through a much shorter line than the main queue.

Updated park hours, ticket prices and special events can be found here.  Driving directions are available here.

Read of my personal experiences at Disneyland here.

All photos by Whit Honea.