Pack This, Not That: Vacation Rental Houses
Whether you’re headed to a beach house or a mountain retreat, here's what you need to pack for a fully-stocked kitchen, bathroom, and more.
By Amy Ahlberg
Aidan/Flickr Commons
Morning coffee or tea
Don’t forget to bring
your favorite coffee or tea along, as well as coffee filters. And if you're not sure about the quality of the pipes or the local water, pack a few liters of spring water as well.
Source: MidwestWeekends
Iñigo Cañedo/Flickr Commons
Knives
Since so few rentals have
well-sharpened knives, bring some from home. Consider bringing a chef’s knife
for big cutting jobs, a paring knife for small jobs, and a serrated knife for
tomatoes and bread.
Tip: Slip knives into a used paper towel roll, or wrap with paper towels and secure with a rubber band.
Source: MidwestWeekends
Joe King/Flickr Commons
Cupboard cooking basics
If you're driving to your destination, you can pack a few cupboard
mainstays from home (and avoid buying new pricey ones at your destination). A black pepper grinder, good sea salt, olive oil, and your favorite vinegar
will make all the difference in the simple dishes you’ll whip up using local seafood and produce.
Tip: Write down a list of meal possibilities before leaving home. You’ll avoid
making repeated trips to the local market if you’ve considered everything
you’ll need to in order to cook—both the staples you’re bringing from home,
and the fresh items you want to buy locally upon arrival.
Source: Cooking Light
Kyle May/Flickr Commons
Other tools and gadgets
Depending on your dinner-making plans and how well the
rental property is outfitted, consider bringing the following: cutting boards,
can opener, corkscrew, or an ice cream scoop.
Source: Cooking Light
Casey Fleser/Flickr Commons
Flavor enhancers
Bring snack-sized resealable bags containing any favorite spices
or herbs you’re going to be using in small amounts. And depending on the
shopping options at your destination, consider bringing items like olives,
capers, lemons, and specialty cheeses, as well.
Source: Cooking Light
Gavin Tapp/Flickr Commons
Don’t forget baking supplies
If you plan to make fruit pies or cobblers using farm stand
finds, bring along flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and baking soda and powder from your cupboard—it's no fun to buy a whole new box when you have a full box at home.
Source: Vacation Lists
Dan4th/Flickr Commons
Get ready to grill
If your rental will have a charcoal or electric grill, bring
along grilling essentials such as a bag of charcoal, matches, a meat
thermometer, and tongs.
Source: MidwestWeekends
Dan4th/Flickr Commons
Storing it away
You'll need lidded
plastic storage containers, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil to wrap up and store leftovers, as rental properties rarely
have these items.
Source: MidwestWeekends
Josh Mormann/Flickr Commons
Kitchen cleanup kit
Make cleanup easy by packing items like garbage bags, paper
towels, paper napkins, dishtowels, dishwashing liquid, and a kitchen sponge.
Source: Vacation Lists
Horia Varlan/Flickr Commons
Bathroom basics
You’ll probably need to bring bath towels, hand towels,
washcloths, and beach towels. Don’t forget to pack a few bars of soap for the bathroom
shower and sink, as well as a few boxes of facial tissues. And be sure to bring extra
rolls of toilet paper—you don't want to have to worry about not having a roll when you first arrive.
Source: MidwestWeekends
|| UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||/Flickr Commons
Bedding
Inquire as to
whether your rental supplies bedding. If not, you’ll need to bring blankets,
sheets, and pillowcases. Sleeping bags might be a good idea for getaways to
cooler climates. And consider bringing your favorite bed pillows along, too.
Source: MidwestWeekends
ARNOLD Masonry and Concrete/Flickr Commons
Fuel for a crackling fire
If your rental has a fireplace, you might want to bring plenty of old newspaper and matches; find out if firewood is
provided.
Source: MidwestWeekends
TheLivingRoominKenmore/Flickr Commons
Other helpful items to have
If you have room in the car, consider bringing the following: Folding chairs, board games, flashlights or head lamps, a night
light, and an electric fan or two.
Source: MidwestWeekends
