Vacation Time at Last! Planning a Long-Haul Trip This Year? Have you found your dream destination and are now planning the next steps? With our travel guide, your vacation is guaranteed to be a success! We’ll give you helpful recommendations on the right travel luggage and packing tips to ensure you don’t leave anything important behind. Whether you’re heading to Kenya, Cuba, or the USA – some destinations also require a visa or an ESTA for entry. You’ll find useful tips on how to apply for those here.
Suitcase or Backpack?
Whether a suitcase or backpack is best for your trip depends on your destination and planned activities. If you’re staying in one place for the entire trip, a suitcase might be more practical. For a round trip or multi-stop journey, a backpack is often the better choice. Below is a list of the best travel bags for different types of vacations:
Beach Vacation
Most travelers spend their beach vacation in one place, usually at the same hotel or resort. That’s why taking a suitcase or trolley is often the easiest option. You can pack your clothes more neatly in a suitcase than in a backpack.
For a beach vacation, you typically only need lightweight clothing and flip-flops, in addition to the shoes you wear on the plane. A carry-on suitcase has the added advantage of saving you checked baggage fees and avoiding the wait at the baggage carousel after landing. One downside, however, is that you’re only allowed to carry small bottles of liquids (up to 100 ml) in your cabin luggage.
Safari Trip
Heading out on safari—perhaps to Kenya? Then you’ll likely need more luggage than for a beach vacation. On some safari tours, hard-shell suitcases are not allowed. Soft suitcases and travel bags are easier to stow in buses or jeeps. In Africa, it’s wise to wear full-coverage clothing to protect against mosquitoes and the sun. Be sure to pack clothes in neutral, natural colors for your safari, as bright colors and bold patterns can scare away the animals. A mosquito net is also highly recommended, along with a good camera to photograph the wildlife. A sturdy pair of sneakers or hiking boots is essential. For this type of trip, we recommend bringing a large travel bag or soft-sided suitcase.
City Trip
For a weekend getaway, a small trolley or backpack is usually enough. You can save space in your luggage by wearing a pair of sturdy shoes and a warm sweater while traveling. Check out our vacation packing list before your trip for added convenience.
Planning a city trip to the USA? Then you should buy a suitcase with a TSA lock. This type of lock can be opened by U.S. customs officers with a universal key if they need to inspect your luggage. If your suitcase doesn’t have this lock, it may be forcibly opened upon arrival in the U.S.
Need a Visa or ESTA?
Besides choosing the right travel bag, you should also check whether you need a visa or ESTA. Travel within Europe typically doesn’t require a visa, but if you’re heading to Africa for a safari, you’ll often need one. The Kenyan visa is electronic and can easily be applied for online.
For trips to the U.S., you should also check the entry requirements. German tourists don’t need a visa, but they do need an ESTA. This is an electronic travel authorization linked to your passport once approved.
Have you found the perfect travel bag or suitcase and secured your visa or ESTA? Then it’s time to start packing—and let the excitement begin!
