FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
United

Summer Festival Planning Means Packing Must-Haves for Comfort

by Debra Bokur

Aug 4, 2019

Pojoslaw | Dreamstime.com

Listicles

You’ve made your festival selection, loaded your GoogleMaps, checked the tires on the car and filled your cooler with your favorite drinks and snacks. You’ve even remembered to put the folding beach chair or portable hammock in the trunk — but festival pros know planning doesn’t stop there. Here’s what you need to bring along to make the most of those sunny dog days:

 

Style-Forward Shades With Cool Features

The Premium Collection from Sunski has polarized lenses and great new shapes including the Andiamos and Vacanzas styles that channel the elegance of coastal Italy. Each and every pair of sunglasses from Sunski boasts polarized lenses and planet-friendly sustainable elements such as proprietary SuperLight recycled plastic resin locally sourced in the United States. More local sourcing: Every style of sunglasses in the Sunski collection was actually designed by the company’s San Francisco-based team.

 

A Hat to Top Off Your Look and Protect You From the Sun

Newport. Photo: Tenth Street Hats

Newport. Photo: Tenth Street Hats

Full disclosure: My great-grandmother, Marie LaRose, was a milliner in France, making beautiful hats in an age when women weren’t supposed to have jobs. Wearing a hat is literally in my DNA, and I’m unlikely to ever apologize for the amount of headwear in my closet (it’s impressive, I assure you). And, if you’ve ever suffered the non-joy of a sunburned scalp, you don’t need to be told why a great hat is non-negotiable, especially if you plan to settle into your best outdoor music fest lawn chair for the better part of a summer day. Tenth Street Hats has you covered, with a heady (get it?) selection of styles for men and women that ranges from casual to pretty and posh. The family-run company utilizes the skills of designers and craftspeople who meld vintage elements with cool style, using only top-quality fabrics and fashioning the headwear on rare millinery equipment. My favorite Tenth Street style is the Diego boater in Toast, because it’s breezy, packable and lets me peek out from beneath the brim.

 

Something Cute and Functional to Pull Back Your Hair

The new hair rule (I just made this up, but it’s still true) is you can never be too old to wear your hair in a ponytail. Pulling your tresses back with a plain hair tie is simply too boring for a big festival weekend, though — which is where Madison & White comes in. Its selection of Healthy Hair Ties come in Newport White, Venice Slate and Malibu Nights, are completely vegan and were produced sustainably with cruelty-free standards. They’re made from the same custom Madix fabric the company uses to produce pillowcases — a technical blend that helps reduce hair damage, plus (in the case of the pillowcases) reduces sleep wrinkles and helps skin and hair retain moisture.

 

Creamy, Soothing Organic Moisturizer

Outdoor festivals can wreak sun havoc on skin, so pack some powerful, protective potions to keep the world smooth. Rich, lightly scented organic whipped body butters from Garner’s Garden are concocted from raw, unrefined ingredients and come in gorgeous scents that include Ginger Clove, Lavender, Lemongrass and Grapefruit Tangerine Citrus. There’s even an unscented version, and the multiple sizes mean you can stash one in your travel kit or day bag, keep one in your car and another at home.

 

A Sleek, Eco-Friendly Beverage Bottle

If you don’t stay hydrated, you’re going to be too thirsty to enjoy the music, the art and the entertainment. Be proactive and bring along a bottle from Mizu. Bonus: The food-grade, stainless steel, double-walled, vacuum-sealed, insulated construction means you can keep your coffee or Earl Grey tea hot in the morning, and your water or mango-hibiscus herbal tisane cold in the afternoon. The company was founded by Olympian and X Game medalist Jussi Oksanen, inspired while on a film shoot in Alaska to create a product line that met his own reusable, non-plastic demands — hence the company’s slogan “Enjoy the Journey, Leave Nothing Behind.” Check out Mizu’s smoothie-friendly, stainless-steel straws with removable silicone marbled tips to take along with you.

 

One Perfect Tote to Hold It All

The only tote bag I’ve come across that’s roomy and sturdy enough to hold all my essentials (which means anything I’ve decided I can’t live without for the day, night or weekend), is beautifully made and makes me smile when the couple in front of me blocks my view of the stage is my Teddy the Dog Nauti Dog Boat Tote. First, Teddy the Dog wears sunglasses and is featured on the bag’s patch logo; next, this canvas bag has generous space, a zippered top, exterior pocket, integrated handle and a cloth-lined interior with a zip compartment. It can even be monogramed so no one’s tempted to take your Teddy away.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Destinations / North America
Jun 23, 2025

Beat the Heat at These 2 Family-Approved Miami Splash Parks

In South Florida, family travelers can expect not one but two acclaimed splash parks perfect for cooling down and having fun this summer.

Destinations / North America
Jun 20, 2025

Bucket Brigade Beach Tours in Galveston, Texas, Teach Kids to Respect the Beach

A summer vacation in a laid-back beach town sounds like a dream come true for family travelers, but add in fun and educational activities for kids and you’ve got a sure-fire winner on your hands. Galveston delivers on these components and ups the game with Bucket Brigade tours, giving your family the perfect place to relax and have fun with a healthy dose of responsible travel mixed in.

Destinations / North America
Jun 20, 2025

Frisco, Texas, Launches Summer Family Fun Sale

This summer, family travelers seeking a vacation that won’t break the bank should look to Frisco, Texas. This city just launched its Summer Family Fun Sale for a limited time, giving families savings of up to 30 percent off a variety of accommodations.

Hotels
Jun 20, 2025

Rosewood Mayakoba Launches Family-Friendly Summer at Rosewood Program

Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, invites family travelers to experience a season of personal connection with its Summer at Rosewood program.

Destinations / North America
Jun 19, 2025

Have a “Sundae” Funday at Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top Railroad

A new, unique adventure at East Broad Top Railroad awaits family travelers this summer. The little engine arrives at Orbisonia Station to welcome families on a sweet, hot fudge sundae-filled adventure that perfectly mixes summer fun with education. On select Sundays (including June 29, July 20 and Aug. 10), take a vintage train ride filled with delicious ice cream sundaes. The Sundae Special experience departs Orbisonia Station at 3 p.m. for a 90-minute, 9-mile ride through Aughwick Valley, Pennsylvania.

Hotels
Jun 19, 2025

Italian Dolomites’ Resort Perfect for New Parents

You might not think of traveling in the first few months after your baby is born, but a luxury resort high in Italy’s Dolomite mountains has designed a family getaway just for new parents.