Table of Contents: Packing.
Luggage.
Other Packing Secrets/Tips.
Shoes.
Things to Keep Real CLose.
Currency.
Put It In Writing.
Day Luggage.
Packing Electronics
Optional Items.
Does it Still Fit?
The first step in packing is to take out and dust off your attitude. If it is old, set in its ways, get a new one.
Something sad for me is when I see people go elsewhere trying to find somewhere like where they live. If you are looking for your house, STAY HOME. Dorothy Gale made it real clear I think, “There is no place like home.” So stop looking.
That way, you don’t have to complain that all they serve in China is Chinese food. (a real complaint I have received) I have heard similar in Italy and Greece about their local food.
Then there was a guest on the street in Bordeaux, France complaining that the hotel didn’t have any “American wines.” Why Dionysus (god of wine) didn’t smite him right where he was standing is still a mystery to me.
Spoiler Alert – Guess what language the French speak? And shame on you if you don’t at least learn “Hello” and “Thank You” in the local speech.
The people, the food, the wine, and yes, the scenery is why we should travel. Not just one of the above.
What the World Needs Now
So, celebrate Chinese food in China. Sip Bordeaux wines in Bordeaux. Revel in Italians singing of love (or maybe their shopping list, my Italian is not that good). Be jealous; the Spanish take a 2-hour lunch. But NEVER “hate.” (a word too much in use these days) a person or place for being what it is.
Be ready for foods, drinks, traditions, public behavior, normal day-to-day activities that are different from your own. They are neither good nor bad (don’t hate); they are different. A bad attitude can destroy the best trip.
And just maybe, we could replace a few “hates” with “not my favorite” “or least favorite.” And follow that with, “But I’m glad/it’s a blessing, I am seeing, tasting, hearing, feeling, smelling that.
When packing, make sure to put in a big case of patience. Everything else, pack sparingly. Think of the situations at home that pop up daily and test your patience. Now take that same situation and drop it into a new location, possibly with a new language, new customs. You will face the test. It’s up to you to pass or not. (Choose to pass.)
LUGGAGE.
I have run the gamut, from 7-8 suitcases to a carry-on and laptop for two+ weeks on two continents. I can tell you one is SO much better than the other.
Wheeling off the plane, you bypass the luggage carousels. You see them teeming with people who are firmly standing in front of them and not willing to budge. Right into the short customs line, you go. Then the short immigration line. You are out to transportation while others are still climbing over luggage. Or worse, starting to realize their luggage went on a different trip.
Although International flights often include one free bag, many local airlines don’t. Trains, city buses, even taxis do not comfortably accommodate large cases or several of them.
Unless you have a luggage assistant or a tour that includes luggage handling, you are going to be carrying it. The fewer bags, the easier it is to navigate. Take into account that not all surfaces are smooth. Some are cobblestone, some broken stone, or no stone at all.
Just like a fish struggling on a hook attracts larger fish, a struggling tourist draws thieves and schemes.
PACKING MINDSET.
Start by throwing out all of your old pre-conceived thoughts about packing.
Phrases like “worst-case scenario” is no longer a part of your vocabulary. The tux, multiple suites, that parka that takes up as much room as a zodiac stay home. Numerous pairs of shoes for every outfit are all in the past.
You will replace, “I might need” with “do I need?” You can purchase something IF the worst-case scenario happens.
Just as you no longer ask broad statements like, “what’s your favorite place?” You need to update, “Will I wear this?” with “Can I wear this more than once?” The answer must be yes before it even comes out of the closet. It also needs to pass the “does it go with more than one other item I am packing?” test. If there is doubt, toss it out.
You are never packing an outfit for half a day again. The slacks and polo you wore today – wear it tonight with a lightweight sweater or jacket over it. Or wear it today, and another night with a vest. People are NOT looking at your wardrobe as much as you wish they were. You can probably cut your clothes requirement in half with that move.
Layer, and if you’re not traveling in a cold season, you probably don’t need a 50-pound jacket.
Pack for one week only. If you are traveling for two weeks, you are going to repeat outfits. If you are on the go for three weeks, get ready to wash some laundry. That’s where the “does it go with more than one other item I am packing” part works.
OTHER PACKING SECRETS/TIPS.
This Years Orange.
Chose a color palette: Black and white, grey and black, blue, and khaki, then all your clothing is mix/match.
Double Duty.
Long sleeve shirts can roll up to look like short-sleeves (weather depending). They should be a blended fabric that takes more to wrinkle. Several synthetic-blend fabrics wash on the fly. So, if I do laundry early in the evening, they are dry by morning.
Convertible long pants with zip-off legs for shorts are a sightseeing-persons best friend. They are not highly fashionable. However, they are better now than they were a few years ago. As religious and memorial sites require a covering over men’s and women’s knees, these can be a great solution.
Quick Drying.
Underwear & socks – in a material that will dry quickly and comfortably. Anyone can wear a blend for seven days. When you get home, you can go back to the all-cotton. Check out the new bamboo clothing. It sounds painful, but it may surprise you.
Bathing Suit – If you are going to a beach/lake destination, yes. NOT if you “might want to swim if the hotel has a pool.” There are numerous quick-drying brands out there these days.
Seeing Double.
Glasses / Contacts – In my quest to downsize, I now have prescription glasses with the lens that tint in sunlight. I only need one pair of glasses.
Even if you do not wear glasses on a chain at home, consider it when traveling. There are few things more painful than reaching for your reading glasses while zooming along on a train. And then realizing they are still on the counter at the station now 40, 41, 42 kilometers behind you. Or, you rush to the railing to see the dolphins swimming alongside the ship. You look down and watch your $500 prescription sunglasses slip off your nose and follow the dolphins into the surf. Protect the face furniture.
If you have a prescription, this is another GREAT thing to add to the “Important Documents” file.
Contacts – take a few extra if disposable, or a backup pair of glasses. You will find the soaking solution at drug shops, so leave the gallon size at home. Buying a small bottle when you arrive also solves taking liquids through security.
Packing Helper.
Today, there are numerous products to help you maximize packing. For example, travel folding boards are heaven-sent if you hate to iron. Some bags suck the air out of clothes and more. Use zip-lock bags instead of hard-sided Dopp or cosmetic kits. But still, packing less, packing smart needs to be your mantra.
SHOES.
Shoes get their section because that’s how important they are. Your feet will either take you places you could never imagine or make every step you attempt a living hell. Do NOT bring new shoes on a trip. Break-in shoes before the travel begins.
You need one good pair of walking shoes for the day. Little to no heal, excellent support, rubber, or other slip-free treads. Ecco and Rockport have reasonably priced walking shoes that are a bit dressier than topsiders or athletic runners.
Your second pair (evening) can be more fun. However, I opt for another sensible pair of walking shoes. Why? I may wish to go out to a restaurant in the old town; this requires walking on cobblestones. I want to attend a dinner in the desert where I need traction on sand or dirt. If a chef invites me to see the kitchen or wine cellar, I want traction on the slippery floor. Mephisto and Cole Hann have shoe styles a little more dressy (and pricey.) In other words, Rockport by day, Cole Hann by night.
In the travel world, there is no place for heels. I have seen too many broken heels and far too many broken ankles due to lousy footwear choices.
If sharing facilities, as you may in hotels with lower prices, I would slip in a pair of aqua socks. They cover the foot a little more from unseen things. They are flexible, washable, and you can wear them to the beach. (multi-purpose). Going to the rocky shores in Europe? Don’t leave home without them.
KEEP FRIENDS CLOSE, SOME THINGS CLOSER.
Some things should never be more than 5 feet from you unless they are under lock. Travel tickets, cash, passport, and any prescription drugs should go in your carry-on. These items should NEVER go in luggage that you check. If possible, keep medicine in original containers, in case you need to replace them. Or a doctor needs to know what you are taking.
A Money Belt is a pouch with a zipper that lies flat against your skin under your pants. Neck Wallets also work. Try to find one as close to your skin color for additional camouflage. It should be lightweight for your comfort.
If you have a safe in your room, use it! Leave everything of value in it and only take what you need for the day. Many countries today only require my passport upon arrival/departure and checking in to a hotel. The rest of the time, it is under lock at the hotel.
What do you need when you go out sightseeing or shopping:
I take my driver’s license.
- Something indicating where I am staying. Postcards of the hotel or ship are great translators if you do not speak the local language. Or have a front desk staff write the hotel name and address in the local language on a paper.
- One debit card
- One credit card (this does not say ALL)
- $100 in U.S. cash (no coins) in no bills over $20. (I probably don’t want that much change in a local currency, especially at their conversion rate.)
CURRENCY.
I do not “buy” the local currency before going somewhere. (You will lose in that transaction)
Upon arrival, most airports or train stations will have one of the major local bank A.T.M.s. These almost always have the lowest fees. Take what you are going to need. Don’t make numerous trips to the A.T.M. You will be racking up charges at the A.T.M. and the bank back home. (both ends. Making that 20 euro cost you an additional $5-$10 on top of the currency conversion)
Local currency – Do you need it? It depends on how many days you will be using it.
One day, probably not. Use U.S. dollars for a bottle of water or postcards and suck up the alarming conversion rate. That’s why I suggest small bills.
Two days or longer, I prefer to use the local currency for purchases under $50: lunch, afternoon tea or wine, half-day tours.
Even without fees, I tend to use credit cards only for expensive items. I have rarely had to contest a charge. However, if it’s for a considerable amount, I want my credit card company behind me.
If you are arriving without local currency, how will you get to your hotel? One choice is to pre-arrange transportation to your hotel. You can prepay before leaving home, and you can tip with U.S. Dollars. After flying all night, this is NOT a completely bad thing. There are group transfers (cheaper, take longer) and private ones (more expensive, quicker) for all budgets.
Then find a bank A.T.M. near your hotel.
Exchanges & Exchange Rates.
Despite how pleasant your hotel staff is, they will rarely have a beneficial conversion rate. Use them to break big bills from the local A.T.M. into smaller bills.
NEVER use an exchange bureau at an airport, train station, or central tourist area. If they advertise “No fees,” it means they will get you with a lousy exchange rate. They are NOT going to lose money on the deal (but you are.)
If you are budgeting yourself at $50 a day for expenses, do the following. Take out $350 once (7 days X $50) and immediately LOCK UP $300 of it. For good measure, lock up your debit card as well. Only carry what you need. You can save 30 – 60 dollars in transaction fees (and time) by not going to the A.T.M. daily.
Note – The A.T.M. is going to dispense the local currency, not U.S. Dollars, so know what the exchange rate is.
PUT IT IN WRITING.
The Gibraltar of the East.
Guide Books.
In the morning, they feel like 10-pound bricks. By 4:00 pm, they are 25 pounds. That just doesn’t fit with my packing light theme. I try to gather all my information early, starting when I develop an itinerary. I put it in note form in a word document. Before leaving, I read over it again to refresh my mind. And I try to edit it down to no more than two pages per day. So for a 10-day tour, I have a maximum of 20 pages of information targeting what I want. At this point, I do not need 5 pounds of paper with every hostel, budget, and family hotel in Germany. I can also find information much faster. With new travel apps and maps coming out weekly, these may even be a thing of the past soon.
Diary / Journal.
I was late coming to this, and I regret it. I can paste some of my early adventures together through photos. However, I am always a little envious of anyone who got ahead early. “Can you believe it was 17 years ago this week we were at that cute bakery in Portofino? We were sampling the fresh warm focaccia bread as it came out of the oven. I immediately see the sun’s rays poking through the trees and shopkeepers sweeping in front of the shops. And the olive oil dripping off the warm bread.
When I’m leading my ThomTours, I like to place a page each night in the guest’s room. It has a recap of the day and a few blanks to fill in. Favorite thing in the morning, favorite thing in the afternoon. Something I learned today. And a few lines just for the guest to put down whatever they want.
You don’t have to be a novelist, just some notes to jog the grey matter later. It’s a beautiful armchair companion years later. When you want to sip a French wine and remember the day you were sampling it in a château. Or that afternoon when you were nibbling on macaroons, warm out of the oven, it’s on your shelf. I suggest leaving these at the hotel until you return. Unfortunately, I know people who carry them around all day. They get heavy by 4:00 pm, they put them down for only a moment, and in a blink, go missing.
Something to Write On.
Sometimes I remember to bring a little pad that will fit in my pants pocket. But often its 2-3 blank pages of paper at the last minute. (FYI – the notepad is easy to keep track of and usually doesn’t get as beat up). Here, I jot down thoughts, a new restaurant/store I have never seen, or wine I tried and want to find later. I often back these up with a photo on my phone, so I know I have the correct spelling. You can try pens, I have many pants with blue blobs on the front, so I use a small golf pencil. There are also apps now for the more tech-savvy amongst us.
DAY LUGGAGE.
Backpacks.
Honestly, I am not in their fan club. They can slow you down. Most major sites, certainly in Europe (but I see it spreading worldwide), make you stop to check bags. This step usually means an additional line. First, for tickets. The second line for bag search or to check the bag. Finally, a third line for the metal detector. This extra line can take a large chunk of time out of your tight schedule.
In many places, you have to check the bag, which is a slight inconvenience. At some, the exit is on the other side of the building, making you walk around to the front to get your bag. This stroll is a MAJOR inconvenience. Here lies a benefit to existing tours (and hotels with central locations). You can leave camera cases, jackets, shopping packages, etc. locked in the transportation while you are touring. Or drop them off in your room nearby.
Even the traveler with experience faces the possibility of putting something down for just a moment. Only to realize later it’s still where they put it, or someone has a new trinket. The fewer things you carry, the less thinking about them you have to do. This habit leaves more grey matter to focus on the incredible world around you.
Day Bags.
If there is just no way around you schlepping every piece of camera equipment you own. Or, if you insist on four books, three phones, two large water bottles, and a partridge in a tree. Put them in a lightweight daypack. Also, I would wear it across your front side.
At many locations, you will need to check these as well. Do you need to carry that much around? Can it not stay on the bus until you get back?
Fanny Packs.
If you have something you no longer need: i.e., your money, passport, I.D., wallet…, put it in a fanny pack. This action is an immediate signal to even the most inept of pick-pockets and thieves to rob you. This pack is a VERY “low fruit” and will not hang there for long. (See note about money belts and leaving essential things in a safe)
Zip Lock Bags.
All my toiletries go in these—liquids in one, powders in another. The things I don’t want powder or liquids coming into contact with (my toothbrush) go in another. With the pressure change on planes, even the best packing can leak. Also, the 2-gallon bags (if you can find them) are great for wet, slightly damp, or dirty clothing. While packing, I toss in 2-3 additional gallon bags for whatever – cell phones and GoPro in rainy weather.
PACKING ELECTRONICS.
Smart Phone.
With each passing week, mobile phones seem to be able to do more; they’re a camera, a guidebook, a G.P.S., you name it. Whereas the latest models do the most, they are also the most popular with thieves. If you have last year’s model lying around at home, think about using it while traveling. Check with your local provider on how to do that. Also, NOTE: Erase or secure any personal information you do not want to share.
Tablets.
If your phone has a 5.5″ display, and your tablet screen is only 1.5″ wider – leave it at home.
Laptops.
Are you planning to work or travel? What do you need from a laptop that your phone cannot do? Specifically, do you need that?
Charger.
An international travel adapter will make your life so much easier. Most will let you charge a phone, another USB device, and a backup battery at the same time. Make sure to get one with multiple plugs (U.S. U.K. E.U. A.U.), so you can charge just about anywhere.
Universal Travel Adapter.
For larger items (laptops, digital cameras), you will need an adapter. For around $20, you can get a 4-in-1, which will work in more than 150 countries. To this, you can add a Travel Power Strip, which will give additional N. American sockets and maybe USB ports. If you have a choice between short or longer USB cables, get the long. Power sockets are always in the strangest locations.
*Hint – My adapter likes to stay in the wall plug. When you are using the same adapter the whole trip, tape the USB cable to the adapter or charger. You stand a better chance of taking EVERYTHING with you when you check out in a hurry.
*Check your electronics out early.
If they are from 2010 or later, look for a label saying 110 – 220 (multiple voltages). If it is there, you are good to go.
From the 90s – 2000s, “travel” items might have a switch you can click from 110 to 220.
Most devices before 1990 are only 110 volts and require a voltage converter. The good news is they are not as bulky as they once were. The bad news, there are about ten steps in buying the right one, and you still run the chance of melting your razor, hairdryer, etc.
If it is more than ten years old, consider buying a new one. It’s time.
PACKING OPTIONAL ITEMS.
Clothesline. – I try to do a little laundry each night so that I can use the hooks/curtain rod already there.
Sink/Tub Stopper. – I rarely have time for a bath. Also, a dirty sock works in the drain if I am doing laundry.
Laundry Soap – I find the hotel shampoo usually rinses better.
Travel Alarm – Between smartwatches, phones, and wake up calls, I haven’t had a clock in years.
Hair Dryer – The few times I have needed one, the hotel has been able to provide it. Note – I no longer stay in hotels below 3-star.
Flashlight – Now, you can use a smartphone.
As a backup, make a list of valuables that you’re bringing (such as cameras, laptops). Including the serial number, make/model.
A photo is worth…
Take photos of everything you pack to serve as a record. These are great for the police (who may speak another language). Also, for your insurance company, in case anything goes missing. It’s not a bad idea to leave a copy in the “Important Documents” file.
Before you get to the last-minute packing, check the Transportation Security Administration’s website. Here you can see a current list of what you can bring on the plane. It will also advise what items need to be accessible, ready to take out at security. Also, what things you can leave in your carry-on. You do not want to be THAT person who holds up the line, do you?
This blog is not the “ULTIMATE” packing list, as no two people are alike. If you use this as a basis, you should get through your trip and back home in one piece.