Spring break is under way or going to be for many of us. Then summer vacation will follow.

Here's a great tip. Put your suitcase or carry-on bag in the corner of your closet or room. Everytime you think of something you want to bring- like the duplicate photos to your cousin or that book that you saw on the coffee table and thought that it would be a good vacation book- grab it and put it in the bag. Start this a few weeks before your trip and you'll likely remember all those little things that make a trip great.

I just have one question.....what's a vacation???

Nice one, BL. Hope you get one before long!

That is a great tip, Lea, and my version has been to put the carry-on in the spare room and also put things on the bed, like passport, books, swimsuit if appropriate, travel slippers and so on.

When we were away living in a tiny one bedroom apartment, it was harder to organize this, the way I was used to!

Very good ideas ladies to remember all the little things that make a vacation more enjoyable!

BL: I am with you on that question - What's a vacation? Haven't been away on one in over 20 years! Oh, I've taken a week or so off from work, but I've stayed home and done things around the house! Can't imagine closing up the house and actually going away! Plus, who'd take care of the cat?

sooo true bless! The only time off has been when I lost my job at the beginning of 2010, and the few days off when I had wrist surgery. No money, so no place to go...besides, SO still had to go to work and I was a gimp!

It's been over ten years for me. Hoping to change that in the nearer future.

Vacations are not without their own set of problems. There are several extra tasks added to regular routine just to get ready to leave. There are pet sitters to arrange, research for travel, accommodation, ground transportation [car rental] and local events. The line-ups, security and scans at the airport are not fun. Being strapped in your seat for an hour on the runway waiting for take off is the beginning of a series of new problems that require a good sense of humor even when you're tired.

Murphy's law [anything that can go wrong, will go wrong] seems more important on vacation because you are away from your network and problem solving is more difficult. I just tell myself ...'at least the place isn't on fire! [A friend just returned home, very ill having contracted Norvirus on their cruise ship their very last day. [I never knew this is a huge problem]. A second friend e-mailed this AM complaining about a snow storm in Scotland that is wrecking her itinerary.

So many people are finding resorts are in poor condition or even still under construction. There is a huge issue with bed bugs and other vermin in 4-6 star accommodations. I'd prefer a 'staycation,' sleeping in a bed that hasn't been used by strangers. If I need a change, I'd rather go to a new restaurant. Their most extravagant meal costs less than flight and hotel. If concert tickets are cancelled it's easy to make alternate arrangements here - not so easy is an unfamiliar city.

While I understand your concerns, I was hoping this thread would indeed help people packing for a spring break or other trip.

Organizing a staycation would be a good new thread. How do you plan one so the family feels they have fun and feel rested? Maybe you could start that thread for us.

Does anyone have other tips for preparing for a vacation? It isn't fun to run around at the last minute worrying you forgot something. Thoughts?

Lea, being as travel weary as Cyd seems to be, I would love a staycation, but I would have to transport my home to a parallel universe where the phone wouldn't ring and I would be miraculously oblivious to anything that needed doing around me! But when we were in Europe, it was easy to have a lovely day out without travelling too far. Here, in our small town, we are too isolated and too surrounded by everything going on in the community.

I think staycations work best for people in good cities with transportation and interesting attractions within a reasonable distance, good choice of places to eat out, and a certain level of anonymity. (We do have good eateries here, but always full of local people, lol)

Okay, but for those of you who ARE taking trips, even short ones for spring break or upcoming summer vacation, what are some ways to organize those trips?

I find it helpful to keep a small notebook or use my iPad for notes, directions, restaurant and other info. I like to keep a packing list as well so I don't forget things like electronic chargers, etc.