What to take on a long term hire
Pack, then halve it, then halve it again!
The lighter you travel, the more enjoyable your trip and this is a real opportunity to help you understand just how little you need to be happy and fulfilled.
The essentials take up very little space in the van
- passport, travel and insurance documents for all passengers including the dog!
- vehicle travel documents – we’ll help you with this.
- driving license
- medical records which may be as simple as vaccination information or other important information which is set out in a manner that any doctor of any language can understand. Humans and pawfriends all need this!
- medication for all, including prescriptions or a list of all your medications in case your supply is lost or stolen.
- emergency contact file that could be kept in your phone or in paper form in the glove compartment.
- a copy of your itinerary including details of ferry tickets, hotel bookings etc.
- consider leaving copies of some of the above with us so that we can help if needed.
- road side safety equipment – a requirement of law in many European countries and again, we’ll help you with this.
- Payment cards – keep a spare card tucked away in a safe place (we have a few suggestions but they’d be less safe if we put them on here!)
- Mobile phone and tablet plus chargers and charging packs.
- Travel journal – either on your phone or a physical version.
- Books – consider the e-book option
- One re-fillable water bottle per traveller…….including the pup! Try to fill them at every opportunity.
- A small day ruck sack per passenger, except the dog on this occasion.
- A torch
- If taking a toilet on board its worth starting with a supply of chemicals for it.
- Batteries – a mixed box of spare batteries to fit anything from hearing aids, to torches to smoke detectors.
- Washing line
- Sun cream, sun hat, waterproof poncho and insect repellent
Things for comfort and fun
- camping chairs
- easy dry towels
- pillows, including a travel pillow
- easy dry blanket
- campfire/bbq kit
- games
- plastic boxes instead of suitcases – You can also use the plastic box of dirty clothes as a washing machine!
The rest is baggage as they say
- Clothes can be washed, try to pack things that don’t need ironing or are designed to look creased
- Clothes will be bought as souvenirs
- Shoes, when travelling, should only be practical.
