“…Take half the clothes and twice the money” [Travel Tips: Basic Packing]

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." - Susan Heller’s saying is a great travel packing advice!

Greetings all!

I actually enjoy packing and unpacking. Packing is exciting because of the anticipation of the upcoming trip, and unpacking reminds me of the trip I just took. Today’s post is on basic packing, and I will cover interesting packing ideas at another time.

My two basic packing tips are to use travel vacuum/space bags and to pack light!

My absolute packing must is a travel space bag set which is a fantastic space-saver! I use the Ziploc brand (sold in many stores in the U.S.) because it seems more durable than the others I have tried.

No longer you need an actual vacuum – technology has advanced in the past couple of years and you just roll the bags to compress them! The new bag looks like a large sandwich bag with an extra perforated area on top. If you are going to have multiple hotel stops on your trip, you can decide in advance what to wear daily – then pack several days’ worth of clothes in a travel bag, label it with the dates, and unpack your bags in order. I have not tried this method myself but I can see its benefits, especially if your destination has consistent weather. 

Carry-on vs. checked luggage? Carry-on means no wait at the baggage carousel and no chance of baggage being delayed or lost. The disadvantage, besides the limited space, is rolling it with you at the airport and getting it into the overhead bin. Always check the airline luggage rules for dimensions and weight. For example, Air New Zealand currently allows carry-on luggage not exceeding 15 lbs (7 kg) - so even with a very light carry-on weighing 5 lbs, you can only pack 10 lbs worth of stuff. If you have a smartbag, beware that certain types are being banned by many airlines. 

https://www.orbitz.com/p/info-other/airline-fees.htm

http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/airlines-banning-smart-bags

If you do check in your luggage, make sure you have one change of clothes in your carry-on. Keep all important items (documents, money, jewelry, medicine, etc.) in your personal item as some airlines might require you to check your carry-on at the gate. 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/gate-checking-separates-passport-from-traveler

Here are my packing basics:

·    Clothes and shoes: Do not overpack, bring layers, and make sure your items mix and match well and do not wrinkle.

·    Purse and daypack: I really like Pacsafe crossbody anti-theft purses, as well as Baggallini purses. I highly recommend a daypack or a medium-size backback for your daily activities. There are lots of new devices to keep your documents and money safe (Neck/Shoulder/Waist Security Pouch, Hidden Pocket Wallet, etc.). Foldable nylon mini bags are handy for souvenir shopping.

·    Toiletries: Make sure to pack in TSA-approved-size containers! Some hotels do not provide conditioner or lotion and, of course, if you are staying in an Airbnb, you usually bring or buy your own. Bed Bath and Beyond and Target in the United States have amazing travel sections so check them out!

·    Medicine: For peace of mind, I bring a mini pharmacy with me with the hope that I will not need it. I pack prescription medications, hand sanitizer/antibacterial wipes, Neosporin, aspirin, cold medicine, stomach medicine, antibiotics, sleeping pills, water bottle (I like the ones that can hold hot/cold liquids), band-aids, etc. I always bring activated charcoal which might help treat a food poisoning. I also like Arnica cream for sore muscles and bruising.
         - Check for anything unusual about your destination: in Peru you might
           need high altitude pills, and in India - something to calm your stomach.
           

·    Miscellaneous: Sunglasses and sunscreen, a hat, a scarf, a light umbrella. In hot and humid destinations, I wrap a damp bandana around my neck to keep cool and prevent heat exhaustion. There are other similar products (e.g., Kool Tie) but I prefer a bandana (so many pretty options!) as I can also use it as a hand towel in the washrooms.

https://www.rei.com/product/807983/carolina-mfg-paisley-bandana

https://www.rei.com/product/691097/kafkas-kool-tie

Just writing about packing makes me excited about preparing for the next travel adventure!! What are your basic packing tips? Drop me a line!