By Julie Bonnin

Vacation, all I ever wanted; vacation, had to get away  – The Go-Go’s

So you’ve been humming a little tune, dreaming about your perfect summer trip.

The truth is, even the worst vacations start out this way – nobody intends to spend free time and hard-earned money on a trip that falls flat. So often, it’s the little things that make the difference between nirvana and a negative experience.

What you do or don’t take along can make or break your trip.

Do you really want to set off across the country with a moody teen-ager whose iPod has lost its charge? How romantic will it be if your sweetheart has to face the consequences of drinking untreated water during your island getaway? Don’t your friends and family deserve to have the coolest new toy at the beach? And isn’t your last night on the islands a reason to splurge on the latest resort wear?

We’ve dreamed up four kinds of summer trips, and then given you a shopping list. Whether you’re going to take a family road trip, jet off to a romantic island getaway, get everyone together at a family reunion or just chill at the beach, we’ve got the goodies you’ll need to make summer of ’08 one you’ll remember for all the right reasons. Happy trails!

Family road trip

Ah, the family road trip, an iconic American experience that persists even in these days of sky-high gas prices. There’s a reason for that: Setting out in a car with the kiddos – whether whizzing down the interstate or taking a more leisurely route through back roads – is typically the most economical vacation option. And it certainly beats airplane travel when it comes to helping kids get a sense of the size and scope of this big country, as opposed to magically zipping from one spot to another.

But you do need to plan well for things to unfold happily along the way. You can let even the littlest travelers help pull their own weight by having them strap on an adorable backpack filled with toys, snacks and other essentials for a long journey by car. Cupcakes & Caterpillars has a cute mermaid pack in purple, pink and bright green for little girlies, or a colorful sports themed backpack for boys (each $26).

Another take on this idea is the Kids Car Organizer XL ($35.99, pictured above) from Family Travel Gear.  This one is designed for the back seat.

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