How to plan and pack for your next holiday | Confessions of a Reformed Packer | Styling You

How to plan and pack for your next holiday (plus 2018 e-book update)

Nikki Parkinson Fashion, Travel 54 Comments

Sponsored by Allianz Travel Insurance

Every time I start to feel even slightly smug about putting together a travel capsule wardrobe, I quickly remind myself that it’s a slippery slope back to the recent history of my over-packing days.

I’ve no desire to become one of those incredible women who can travel for six months with just carry on. Hats off to you if that’s your thing. Me? I want a travel capsule wardrobe that works without my going over the luggage limit or getting bored with my away-from-home clothing options.

To achieve that takes a little planning but, trust me, that effort will not go unrewarded once you reach your destination.

For me, the holiday planning is all part of the excitement and anticipation of being on that escape. I love nothing more than going down the rabbit hole that is the internet looking for inspiration and ideas for what to do at the chosen destination but also for the types of clothes and accessories that will best suit that destination at the time that I’m travelling.

The formula I use for packing is one that can be adapted and applied to every destination and type of holiday. It’s not complicated. If you follow all the steps it’s quite liberating. I can’t ever imagine returning to my bad old days of throwing everything into a suitcase, sitting on said suitcase to get it closed, and hoping that I’d packed what I needed.

Want to get that formula? It’s all in my e-book.

Last year I released my e-book, How to plan and pack for your next holiday (confessions of a reformed over-packer) and I’m excited to let you know that it’s had a 2018 update and an expansion with some new chapters.

Buy my e-book HERE

Throughout 2018, I’m also excited to once again be working with Allianz Travel Insurance to share more packing and planning tips with you.

I’ve been doing my own travel prepping and booking as well. This year we have trips to Bali and Japan planned and booked. We’ll also be doing some weekend drive getaways and a girls’ weekend away in between.

Travel will always be a part of our family’s life. I grew up with travelling parents – teachers who took off around the corner or around the world as soon as the bell rang on the last day of term.

There were road trips to visit cousins in Melbourne, caravan park holidays at Hervey Bay and many overseas adventures for two adults motivated by the opportunity to visit somewhere new or re-visit a favourite destination.

Making memories with my family and friends is a priority for us. Material things can come and go but thinking about the pinch-me moments while away from home, the knowledge that there is a big, wide and wonderful world out there filled with different history, landscapes, people and cultures … that’s the magic of travel and why we do it.

If one of your goals in 2018 is to travel more, then make sure you read my e-book, I’ll have lots of ideas for you.

Get the 2018 edition of Confessions of a Reformed Packer (how to plan your next escape) HERE. 

How to plan and pack for your next holiday | Confessions of a Reformed Packer | Styling You

Why travel insurance is as important as your passport

For me, I don’t book a holiday without first taking out travel insurance. Often the time of booking flights and accommodation can be long before the time of travel and you can never be certain of what might happen between then and showing your passport at customs.

I then want to take off knowing that if someone in my family needs it, I’m backed up with help from my travel insurance company. For my last three international trips – to Europe, Hawaii and to Bali – I’ve chosen and paid for Allianz travel insurance. I also take out Allianz travel insurance for any domestic travel or road trips we do.

Obtaining Allianz travel insurance is a simple and easy process. I select and purchase my cover online. I’ve found that the insurance cover is competitive in price for the inclusions I select.

For me, it’s about having peace of mind when we travel. I want to know that if anything goes wrong that my family is backed up through medical help or simply help with extra accommodation or replacement belongings should something be stolen.

When our son was sick six years ago while in New York, we weren’t concerned by the potential expense should we need hospital treatment. And when I book holidays in advance, I do so with the knowledge that if unexpected cancellations occur, I’m covered.^

In short, I don’t leave home – or book a holiday – without it.

Book with Allianz Travel Insurance online HERE. Enter STYLINGYOU to receive up to 10% off Comprehensive Travel Insurance*

So, tell me, have you got travel plans for 2018? Where are you headed?

10 things to do and see on a short stay in Rome, Italy

Disclaimers

*Discount based on standard premium rates and applies to International Comprehensive policies only. Please note some discounts may have already been applied to premiums when a product is purchased through a certain channel (for example, online) (Original Discount). In such a case, the greater of the discount offered under this voucher and the Original Discount will be applied. Discount applies to standard premiums only. No discount will be applied to other premium components such as pre-existing medical condition cover.

Allianz Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance, on behalf of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708. Any information or advice here does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available at allianz.com.au before buying this product.

^Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please see the Product Disclosure Statement for more information. Any information or advice here does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you purchase a policy, Allianz Global Assistance receives a commission which is a percentage of your premium – ask them for more details before they provide you with any services on this product.   

Comments 54

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  2. Hi Nikki, Off to Europe in August/September and have just had a read of your e-book. Some great ideas here. Thank you. Am wondering if you used the powercube with adapters in the countries you went to? It obviously worked okay? I have been reading about certain electronics not working with adapters…. Am a little confused. Did you take any hairdryers, straighteners etc with you? Thanks for taking the time to answer. Regards Karen

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  3. This is a really helpful ebook, great job and thank you Nikki. I really wanted to check out your blog after I saw you at the Somerset Liturature Festival, amazing job, so inspiring.

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  5. Hi Nikki
    Thank you for the discount on the book, I have downloaded it, read it and made some notes for my packing list that were not included before. We are off to NZ for 10 days on Friday to celebrate the finish of my studies and the 1 year anniversary of my partner being cancer free! The capsule wardrobe idea is one I have been wanting to work on for myself at home for a few months and this trip is the impetus needed to make that happen.
    Mish 🙂

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  7. Hi, I don’t have a Paypal account – does this mean I can’t download the ebook? I seemed to have managed it last time okay. I haven’t been able to do it this time at all, despite trying all suggestions. Anna R

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      Hi Julie, the code is case sensitive so make you’re you’re not using a capital. That will bring price down to $0. Then you’ll have to Go to PayPal, add in details, once processed (there isn’t a charge), you’ll be sent an email, with the link to download. If the email doesn’t arrive, please check your junk folder. If still no sign, email [email protected]

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  9. Hi Nikki,
    Thanks so much, I just downloaded your ebook. So good, I love it and so generous of you to share. We are heading off to Spain at the end of this month, then doing a Mediterranean cruise finishing in Italy where we will do more travel before heading off to Dubai and spend some time there, then coming home. A lot of your tips I already use but I hadnt thought of the packing cells, so will give this a go. Once again thank you and happy travels.

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        Hi Fiona, the code is case sensitive so make you’re you’re not using a capital. That will bring price down to $0. Then you’ll have to Go to PayPal, add in details, once processed (there isn’t a charge), you’ll be sent an email, with the link to download. If the email doesn’t arrive, please check your junk folder. If still no sign, email [email protected]

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  11. Thanks Nikki for the updated version of your packing guide. My partner turns 50 later this year and you gave me the idea for him to choose his ‘Festival of 50’. He’ll celebrate with a party to with friends & family at home and possibly a weekend away with ‘the boys’ and then off on a overseas trip with our kids & I over the next summer holidays. At this stage we’re off to England to visit family & see some sights, Austria/Italy or France to ski, probably Spain and a couple of days in Singapore to break the return trip up. It’s still a long way off and only in the early stages of planning but already looking forward to it. Cheers Rachael

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  12. Oooh so timely, getting ready for a trip to Scotland is proving to be my most difficult packing situation EVER! Thanks Nikki

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  13. I’ve applied the discount code and it reads 0 but I can’t get past that point. It is not going through to PayPal

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  15. Hi Nikki
    I am having trouble downloading this, I have put in code then go continue shopping, I am not sure what I have to do.

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    1. Jane, I had the same issue. Click “Paypal” instead of “continue shopping” and I think this should work.

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      1. thank you Blythe. I was having trouble too till I tried your tip of clicking “Paypal. Then I received an email with instructions to download it.

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  17. Hi, I’m trying to go through purchase of it through PayPal and it’s not redirecting back to your shop after I click continue in PayPal to show purchase complete. I’m trying to purchase from my iPhone. If I could get some help to get it through that would be great! From Anna

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      Hi Anna, if on your phone, open the link in Safari. the code is case sensitive so make you’re you’re not using a capital. That will bring price down to $0. Then you’ll have to Go to PayPal, add in details, once processed (there isn’t a charge), you’ll be sent an email, with the link to download. If the email doesn’t arrive, please check your junk folder. If still no sign, email [email protected]

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  18. I’m having problems downloading ebook. I get to putting in discount code comes up zero but then says continue shopping or pay viapaypal Both don’t take me to a screen to get ebook. Takes me nowhere.

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    1. Just go on the Paypal icon and act
      as if you were buying it and follow the prompts. It pretends that you are paying actual money and then you get to the end where it says you paid 0.00. Then the book is emailed to you. Mine just arrived.

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      Hi Meredith, If on your phone, open this link in Safari. Yu’ll have to Go to PayPal, add in details, once processed (there isn’t a charge), you’ll be sent an email, with the link to download. If the email doesn’t arrive, please check your junk folder. If still no sign, email [email protected]

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  19. We’re off next month for a big jaunt to the US, Canada, Cuba and Europe. Thanks for the reminder about insurance, definitely need to get that sorted now. Thanks for the discount x

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  20. I am off to Vietnam (Hoi An) with 8 other lovely women to celebrate a few 50ths (including mine!!). Absolutely cannot wait. The next trip I have in my mind is to Canada and Alaska to continue the festival of 50!! Agree totally that travel insurance is a non-negotiable.

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  22. Hi Nikki, will download the e-book, but will be interested in your packing ideas for Japan. We are there for a month (April/May) including a 9 day cruise and would love some advice.

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  23. Hi Nikki I’m trying to buy your packing guide but seem to be having difficulty purchasing it! I clicked on the link in the blog post above and when I enter the code packeasy100 and click apply it just clears it and doesn’t apply the discount. Not sure if there is an issue here? Thanks 🙂

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    1. I too am having the some issues downloading the eBook. Although when I apply the discount code, it takes the cost to 0.00 but now Im unable to find the eBook to download. Carolyn

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    2. Hi The discount code is working now – yay! Do you have to then click on paypal and enter credit card details even tho the amount is $0? Thanks Karen

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      1. Yes, I’m having this problem too. There is no ‘proceed to checkout’ option after applying the code. It just offers ‘continue shopping’ or ‘paypal’. Do we go through the paypal rigmarole for a $0 transaction?

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        2. Hi Nikki,
          I am having the same problem. The discount code brings it back to $0 but can’t seem to checkout without putting in credit card details.
          I am so grateful for your great offer as it is very generous of you to offer the e-book for free until Sunday. I cant wait to read it! I will definitely try again later but wanted you to know. Thanks for all your great info Nikki.
          Cheers
          Nikki

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          Hi Stacey, click got to PayPal and yes, you’ll have to go through that way. I apologise but this is normally a paid product so this is a 100% discount for a limited time, so it needs to process that way. Hope it’s worth your troubles.

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  24. Hi Nikki, Happy Friyay 🙂 Agree absolutely with travel insurance, we had booked to go back to Bali last October, then Mum got sick and was in and out of hospital. We got every cent back from our insurers. I think one of the best things about holidays is the packing, so exciting. Have a great weekend x

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