Thursday, December 20, 2007

Packing Tips for the Traveler

See full post here.

To Carry
A day bag with a handle is more practical than most purses. It will hold cosmetics, tissues, lip balm, aspirins, pen, map, mini-flashlight, and so on. Zippered compartments protect sunglasses and money. It can also be stashed inside your tote.

Avoid Wrinkles
Roll t-shirts, sweaters, and wrinkle-resistant pants to avoid hard creases or folds. Place these items around the perimeter of your bag.

Baggage Limitations
Be aware that tour companies (and different Countries) may impose stricter baggage limitations than the airlines. Ask in advance.

Bulk Up
Wear your bulky clothes and heaviest shoes on board the aircraft to maximize luggage space and minimize weight.

Collapsible Totes
Bring a collapsible tote. When not in use, it packs flat in your carry-on. Aboard planes and trains, use it for snacks, magazines and paperbacks, camera, folding umbrella, etc. When it's time to go home the tote also serves as an extra suitcase for gifts and souvenirs

Consolidate Toiletries
Men and women traveling together need to consolidate toiletries whenever possible. For example, 1 man's razor with separate blades and a small bottle of shaving oil will suit both parties.

Door Stoppers
Bring a door stopper with you for hotel stays. Some models even offer an alarm feature. Note: Some foreign hotels have doors that open the opposite direction so you may want to pack a motion alarm as well.

Dress Code
Because cruises often have dress code requirements, you may want to travel with a larger rolling suitcase to accommodate formal wear. Request a packing list from the cruise line in advance.

Extra Toothbrush
If you are going to be in an area where local water is a problem, bring an extra toothbrush. First thing in the morning, it's easy to forget and run your brush under the faucet - this way you can toss it and use the spare.

Fast Dry Underwear
Save luggage space and bring a few pairs of fast dry underwear that you can wash in your hotel sink and that will dry overnight.

Flashlights
Always have a small flashlight with you. You can use it to read menus in a dark restaurant or navigate in a dark hotel room.

Hangers
Folding or inflatable travel hangers can be useful in the event that you need to dry out laundry in your hotel room.

Hats are a Must
Don't forget to bring a hat! Choose a style that has a large brim, is preferably waterproof, offers some sort of ventilation and most of all, is packable.v

Heavy Items
Pack your heaviest items at the bottom of your bag, closest to the wheels. This will prevent heavier items from shifting and causing wrinkles.

Label Inside and Out
Make sure that your bags are labeled inside and out in case your outside tags are removed in transit.

Long Underwear
Pack a set of silk long underwear. It is lightweight, packs into a tiny space, insulates in cold weather, and doubles as pajamas.

Make Your Bag Stand Out
Make your black rolling luggage stand out on the carousel with brightly-colored luggage tags or stickers.

Manila Envelope
Pack a large manila envelope on the bottom of your suitcase. This can be used to either store miscellaneous papers such as tickets, postcards, receipts and guidebooks or even to mail them back home to save room in your case.

Mix and Match
Try to pack clothing that you can mix and match. Choose a neutral color as a base for slacks or skirts and add colorful pieces for variety.
Citron Black Silk Pants (Plus)
Jet Set Tunic
Three-Quarter Sleeve Blouse
Textured Silk Print Tank
Citron Tank (Plus)

Moleskin
Moleskin can be a life saver. Because you tend to walk more than usual as well as wear the same shoes over and over, blisters are almost inevitable. Be prepared by bring packets of moleskin with you and hopefully, you won't need it.

Old Clothing
Pack some old clothing that you can leave behind if necessary. That way, you will have more room for fun items on the return trip.

Pack Light
If you plan to travel by train, pack as lightly as possible. Because the train timetables are so reliable in Europe, they are often at the station for a very brief time. You will need to find your car and board yourself and your luggage as quickly as possible.
Fleece Travel Jacket
Magellan's Museum Jacket
Women's Washable Suede Shirt
Men's Washable Suede Shirt
Cotton Comfort Set

Pack Tight
When packing your suitcase, try to pack lightly but tightly. Under packing may cause items to shift in the extra space and therefore become wrinkled. Wrinkling will also occur if the case is packed too tightly.

Packing Organization
Pack items in bags or pouches inside your luggage. You can easily locate and unpack items and use them to get organized.
Mesh Cubes
Affinity 24" Frameless Expandable Rolling Upright
Small Packfolio
Large Packfolio

Multi-Purpose Tool
Be sure to pack some sort of compact multi-purpose tool that includes a screwdriver, scissors, tweezers, etc. Keep it with you at all times.

Packing Reflections
Take time as you unpack at home to reflect on which items you packed worked well for your trip and update your packing list accordingly. Examine your luggage closely and make necessary repairs now.

Packing Shoes
Shoes take up an incredible amount of space in your luggage. Fill the insides with items such as socks or belts.

Pill Cases
Compartmentalized, opaque pill holders (like our Vitamin/Pill Cases) are great for carrying small jewelry (earrings, necklaces). An added benefit is that they are very inconspicuous.

Protect Your Feet
Travelers tend to walk more than normal because it's the best way to see the sights. Pack new socks with well-cushioned soles rather than older socks that have become thinner with wear and the most comfortable, well-broken-in shoes you own no matter what they look like. Comfort comes first!

Protect Your Shoes
Protect your shoes and clothing by packing shoes in some sort of shoe bag. If they are special shoes you plan on wearing infrequently, such as evening shoes, pack the socks or stockings you plan to wear with them in the bag as well.

Quick Laundry
Bring a simple laundry kit with you so you can do quick washes in the hotel sink. A sink stopper, clothesline and packets of suds are very inexpensive compared to the cost of laundry services.
Flexo-line

Raincoats
Instead of an umbrella, pack a raincoat. It can double as a robe or a windbreaker and takes up less room. Women's Waterproof Rain Cape Unisex Waterproof Poncho

Scarves
Scarves can be the ultimate travel accessory as they take up virtually no room and can be so versatile. Use them to spruce up blazers or dresses, as belts and even as head coverings in mosques.

Sensible Shoes
Because of the movement of cruise ships, it is very easy to lose your balance. Bring rubber soled shoes for strolling around the decks and try to bring sturdier dress shoes if possible. Also bring good walking shoes for shore excursions.

Sewing Kits
Make sure you pack a sewing kit so you can make quick repairs on the fly. Safety pins and rubber bands can be very useful as well.

Shortwave Radios
If you are going to be traveling to a non-English speaking destination and must stay current on world news and events, bring a short-wave radio. These can help you tune into English broadcasts in either short-wave or AM/FM bands.
AM/FM Shortwave Emergency Radio with Mobile Phone Charger

Size Limitations
Find out what the luggage size limitations are for the airlines you are traveling on. Their carry-on allowances are becoming more restricted and you may find that the standard 22 inch suitcase is not allowable anymore.

Slippers
Bring a pair of inexpensive slippers, flip flops or shower shoes. They can be used in unsavory shower stalls, as slippers in your room or even on the beach.

Smooth Out Wrinkles
Bring a can of fabric relaxant to smooth out wrinkles in your clothing. It can also remove odors and static cling. Wrinkle-Free Fabric Relaxant (3 oz)

Spare Eyeglasses
If you depend on prescription eye wear, bring an extra pair of glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses. Pack them in a hard case or shoe so they don't become damaged in transit.
Quilted Dual Eyeglass Case

Stains
Bring a reliable, compact stain remover so you can be prepared for any situation. Make sure it can tackle a variety of fabrics and stains. Stain Eraser Janie Spot Cleaner

Swap Clothes
If you are traveling with a companion, pack at least one change of clothing in each others luggage. That way, if one person's luggage gets misplaced, a change of your own clothes will be available.

Tissue Paper
Placing tissue paper between folds in your clothing may eliminate wrinkles.

Toilet Kits
Use a toiletry bag designed for travel that has features such as mesh pockets so you can locate items easier and a hook to hang over doors.
Flat-Pack Organizer
Men's Grab & Go Toiletry Kit

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a necessity. Make sure you understand all the details of what it does and does not cover before you purchase a policy.

Zip-Top Bags
Pack a few plastic bags (preferably the zip-top kind) for storing damp items such as laundry that hasn't dried yet, washcloths and wet shoes.
Zip-Top Bag Set

This blog post was found on Moneymakingmamas.blogspot.org

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