<p>I’m with you, Shrinkrap. We’re going on vacation soon, and only in the US, and I’ve got my lists of what I need to buy before we go, what needs to be done around the house before we go, what restaurants we may want to go to at our destination, etc. I’m the planner in the family; DH waits to get to the destination before he checks out anything. So everything falls on me. DH will grudgingly help with the planning if I insist. I’ve insisted this time.</p>
<p>The trick is go on a lot of trips, so you could have a lot of practice. My family is so well trained and prepared that we pack the night before. We have sun screens and mosquito repellent around at all time. If going on overseas sightseeing trip, we’ll just throw in what we normally wear. It used to be more stressful when I had to pack for the girls, but now I just have myself to pack for. At work, I usually give people heads up few weeks before hand so if there is anything they need me for, it is speak now or forever hold your peace.</p>
<p>I find it is easier (but maybe not as relaxing) to go on vacation and still be in touch with family and staff. Most people at work know not to get in touch with me unless it is very urgent, so it does give me a peace of mind that they could get in touch with me if necessary.</p>
<p>We are going away for a week this Sat. We won’t start packing until Fri night.</p>
<p>I used to be a major stress case prior to vacations. My H didn’t help as he also stresses big time prior to going away. A few years ago we went on a major trip that was planned by someone else. It was so nice to just pack and go. After that trip I decided that I would try to take that attitude to all my trips.
I am a major planner but have reached the point that whatever I have chosen it will all work out. I now pay for things that in the past I would have done for myself. For example I now arrange with my hotel or tour operator to be picked up at the airport. No more trying to figure out what bus or taxi to take in a foreign country. I might pay a bit more but it is so much more relaxing.
Regarding leaving home. Your H, S and D are grown ups. They will be fine and whatever problems arise while you are away they will figure it out. In reality how much can you do from across an ocean. My last two trips I decided to not pick up any calls from my kids. My H was home and I decided that if they really had a crisis they could ask their Dad. Anything “bad” that might happen will happen whether you are home or away. So go away and really be gone. Enjoy your vacation.
While packing remember that you will probably do a lot of walking when off the boat. Comfortable shoes. When I was in Europe last Converse sneakers were big with all ages of women (though I don’t find them comfortable). Toms shoes are also casual and pretty comfortable. My last two trips I have worn a pair of leather Merrill sandals similar to this.[Merrell</a> Agave Brown Leather - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways](<a href=“Merrell agave brown leather + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Merrell agave brown leather + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)
they are comfortable and you can walk hours in them.
Eats lots of gelato
adding bring a few light weight scarves. they can dress up a simple t shirt</p>
<p>Best travel/cruise advice I got…“take half the clothes and twice the money.” If you forgot anything (except passports LOL) no big deal. You can buy on the ship or while in port, especially in Europe. I used to stress over every detail when we went on trips. One reason I like cruising is that you unpack once and wake up each day in a new city or country…so relaxing! Enjoy–you serve it.</p>
<p>I am with you Shrinkrap ( apparently others as well ! ) I handle ALL the details for family travel… Planning the trip, closing up the house, getting the pet settled, packing clothes. My husband sets out his clothes but does a terrible job of coordinating, so I get involved in his suitcase too. My biggest packing issue is selecting the right shoes and cover ups. Also packing meds and toiletries is a hassle. I hope your trip is wonderful!</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, I hear you! Getting ready to not be at work can be more work than going to work.
One of my friends did a similar cruise recently and she expressed the same shopping worries - turns out many of us had things we were willing to lend to her. Scarves and accessories, suitcase organizers, packable black raincoat, etc. So maybe voice your shopping woes to your IRL friends as well.
One good bit of advice that she got - don’t take anything that requires a different color of shoes.<br>
Enjoy!</p>
<p>Test run tonight. Redeye to Huntsville and back in 48 hours.</p>
<p>Hey shrinkrap, I’m on an eastern Med cruise right now. Just spent the afternoon in Crete. Like you, I hate shopping, so I just do very little of it. The thing is, once you get onboard the boat, the stress will leave you. Then you forget about it all, and only do what you want. If you are on tour excursions, they babysit you through everything. You eat and drink too much (especially last night, where I must have won the worlds worst mom award for drinking and gambling with my 19 year old son…legal on ships out of Europe). Sure, it was a pain to get here, but so nice now.</p>
<p>Some advice you probably already know… Don’t take or wear valuable jewelry. Everything of value goes in the safe when you are out of your room. Wear a money belt, or I just keep a few credit cards and Euros in a buttoned pocket, no bulging wallets. Travel light, forget fancy clothes, a nice shirt and pants are fine for formal night. I’d love to hear about your itinerary too. I know, travel planning is a hassle, but it will all be fine.</p>
<p>In Crete today, a nice gentleman sold me a pretty necklace and told me to enjoy every day, because it goes so fast. He said, “Don’t make problems for yourself. Life is so short.”</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, I empathize. Dealing with all the preparations really stresses me out too. And I worry about work stuff and hand off my duties to a colleague. When I get in that taxi to the airport, I finally relax knowing there’s nothing else I can do.</p>
<p>After the vacation when I get back to the office, invariably my colleague has NOT done the stuff I handed off to him/her, and you know what? There was no melt-down in the office.</p>
<p>Go off and enjoy yourself. When you finally die and they’re reading your obituary, they’re not going to mention what you left undone.</p>
<p>Anyone else stress so much about vacation that going seems like work?</p>
<p>Yes!</p>
<p>In fact, we were going to travel to France this summer to meet our daughter at the conclusion of her study abroad program, and in researching hotels, trying to find something with air conditioning for two members of the family that claim they MUST have it, plus coordinating train travel from one place to another, etc, etc, etc, my husband finding said to me, “If it’s such a hassle, why are we going?”</p>
<p>We decided not to go. We don’t regret the decision one bit.</p>
<p>Well my test run has been reassuring Huntsville airport is looking pretty amazing these days, hotel room at the airport $99 (I am used to SF, La and NYC, and rental car $18/day with no major planning!</p>
<p>Wow… rental car $18/day. That’s lots lower than we get on our annual summer trips to Boston.</p>
<p>It is infinitely more stressful to plan a vacation with your kids (D and her H and S) when they have jobs. I am in the midst of it now. We are going to Turkey in late August (not a great time) but that’s the only time their work and social schedules permit. But I am happy they are willing to spend their vacation time with us parents.</p>
<p>Here’s my dirty secret of enjoying international travel: leaving my husband behind!</p>
<p>He all but ruined Ireland for me when we went three years ago. So, I cheerfully went to Italy without him last year. (Proudest moment… driving a car abroad! Although, I admit it was an automatic and I didn’t drive in any city centers. And no, I didn’t drive in Ireland when we went 
</p>
<p>He never helps with the planning or packing either, and complaining seems to be his way of exhaling. When I’m alone if I make mistakes, I am the only one who has to live with them </p>
<p>One thing I’ve learned about foreign travel… despite the stereotype I think most people LOVE to see American tourists come in. We may talk too loud but we are friendly and otherwise polite and we spend money. There’s some other groups that have far worse reps abroad nowadays.</p>
<p>One thing that tends to add to my stress–and my hope for you is that you are spared this–is the people (including those in my traveling party) who dismiss my concerns, do not participate in planning, insist that planning is unnecessary, etc.</p>
<p>I am not a play-it-by ear person unless I am traveling alone. Coordinating with others who insist on not planning anything ahead is a recipe for frustration for me. I can also go from content to completely miserable over such things as getting somewhere too late to get a seat, or at the height of the crowds, just after the last bus left, or whatever, when it could have been avoided with a little planning.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, some in my extended family view this as a character flaw which should be extinguished by refusing to accommodate me in any way.</p>
<p>I liked the cruise I took with my family because dinner time and place was SET. No negotiation about who was not hungry yet, who didn’t like that restaurant and preferred that one, etc…</p>
<p>Conversely, I almost killed my children at Disneyland.</p>
<p>Disneyland : For me, potentially among the most miserable first world places on earth for a parent. But I did my time there, like many parents, many times o’er. </p>
<p>Conversely, for this trip, just one relative, and she’s full grown, and knows where I coming from.</p>
<p>Traveling is not for sissies, that’s for sure. It’s hard work, actually.</p>
<p>Yep, yep. Used to love traveling when younger because I did care where I stayed or what I was wearing, etc. Now I do! And I sometimes stress a lot. But once I leave the house, all packed and all set, I love it.</p>
<p>As others have said, I keep a travel pack ready to go. It has a toothbrush/paste, deodorant and everything I cosmetically use on a daily basis. So I only need to pack clothes.</p>
<p>I think having lists for where you go regularly is really helpful. It’s probably too late for this cruise, but when you get home, make a list of what was useful and what you wished you had had. Then you’ll be more relaxed for the next cruise. I think simple scoop neck or v-necked t-shirts with skirts and slacks that can be dressed up or down are the staple pieces. And I agree a simple color scheme (like black, beige and/or white) with color from jewelry or scarves is a good way to go.</p>