Packing Creative Extras: 2002
While we're fanatic about packing light, we all slip a goofy little extra in. Which soothing, handy, or fun packing extravagances can you justify? Here's what you thought:
Last summer I sat in gum on a venetian vaporetto. I swore that I would bring a small amount of Goo Gone or something that removes sticky stuff with me in case it ever happens again.
Whenever we travel, we always pack a plastic tablecloth (sometimes we pack the ones with the flannel backing,it keeps us from getting wet when we sit) they are easy to store, and a breeze to keep in your backpack, so when the mood strikes for an al fresco dinner, or an outdoor concert, you have the picnic blanket to go. You can just toss it away before coming home to save space
I would have died a thousand deaths of boredom (i'm not joking!) if i hadnt had my mini AM/FM radio with me when i travel. I bought one for about five dollars (Coby Mini Radio), and have gotten hundreds of hours of use out of it, in the US and abroad. it's also really cool to listen to foreign radio stations, esp if you get sick if you read in buses or cars. You don't have cds or cd players to carry or stress over, and if you lose it or it breaks, you can just buy another one.
I never forget to bring: 1. thin cotton sarongs (serve as towels, everything); 2. poly-blend footsies (go shoeless on planes/trains,etc); 3. my Brush-Buddy (suction-cups 2 toothbrushes/razors to tile walls/mirrors)
Even in big cities, it is an absolute must to have your own first aid kit. Long story short, had an experience with a scrape in Greece that got infected because of not having a first aid kit. Some in my group DID have them, but it was a pain to ask them for stuff every day. There's nothing more exciting than having a nurse gasp at your wound and a bunch of people who do not speak your language standing in front of you with scalpels in hand.
A & D Ointment (often used for babys' diaper rash) is wonderful for use as a foot balm in cold weather. For some reason it does help feet to stay warmer (I'm not kidding!)and helps to heal and soothe any sore spots. (It's also a great lip balm). I like to keep a small amount of the stuff in a plastic travel jar along with my other travel gear — all ready to go!
When traveling with a child, bring a medium size Magnadoodle toy. If you aren't familar with this, it's like an etch-a-sketch but uses a plastic stylus to write or draw. My 2 year old was entertained for hours on the plane and on trains. It is light and doesn't take up much room. Also can be used to write down destination address if taking a taxi or used for your picnic shopping list.
Rather than handing out business cards to people you meet along the way that you'd like to keep in touch with, find an informal or whimsical picture you like of yourself, go to a store with a Kodak picture maker and have a sheet of wallet-size pics made from your original. Write your name and address on the back and people will remember who's address they've gotten.
Wherever I travel, I always take along a few photos of my family — either in my wallet or in one of those cheap drug-store "brag books". Sharing photos is one of the best conversation starters. It helped me practice my rudimentary Chinese when I traveled through China in 1992.
Bring a .5L water bottle (I used an old gatorade bottle) to keep with you at all times. It's enough water to keep you hydrated on a afternoon of sightseing or a long train ride. It's small enough easily fits in a sholderbag, purse or large pokets and you can discretely rinse and refill it each time you use a bathroom at a cafe or at your hotel. Water fountains are virtually non-exsistant in Europe so this is an easy way to keep hydrated without spending a fortune for bottled water.
I found anti-perspirant wipes in a Rome farmacia near the deodorant section, which came in handy on the metro when you it's crowded and you start to sweat and your deodorant wears off. I found that fleece is just as warm as a coat and lighter to carry. I use a fleece sweater and light parachute material slicker. Those little scrungie balls for the bath are a light weight alternative to a wash cloth which is non-existent in Italy. I also brought a terry cloth turban for my hair, a sheet just won't absorb long hair. A parachute material fold up tote is a must also, to carry a jacket, camera, etc in when you are in the museums.
We brought along a small instant camera and lots of film on our trip to Italy, France, and Germany. We used it to bend the language barrier on over crowded busses and trains. We would take pictures of our fellow sardines and give them away. It made the trip much more entertaining for all of us. We also used the sticker pictures to help us remember something special about each day (Like my first German beer). We just stuck the picture right into our journals with a little caption. Lastly, and perhaps the most fun, we took pictures of ourselves and stuck our faces on some ummm very European postcards. Our friends at home thought they were great.
Did you know that common household bleach is great for neutralizing the poison in bug bites? My boys' summer camp commander would literally pour straight bleach on chigger (red-bug) bites — it burns at first then gives cooling relief. It works on other kinds of bites, also. I now keep a tiny eyedrop bottle of the stuff in my travel gear — keeping it sealed in a tiny zip-lok and/or medicine bottle. Insect bites can even occur at ritzy resorts! Be prepared! (Pssst! Dr. Pepper can releive the pain of bee stings, too).
If you like to create your own meals by shopping at local groceries and farmers' markets, I suggest bringing a dozen or so "Twisties." They're great for closing the top of a foil or cellophane bag. Zip-lock style bags are always great too. Package everything inside one big zip-bag; it weighs nothing and takes up hardly any space, and your munchies are neat and secure. Mahlzeit!
Everywhere my camera goes, my camera's info booklet goes with it! It takes up almost no room, and provides instant HELP! for a novice photographer like myself. When there's nothing else to do, just reading the manual again refreshes your memory. Also, don't forget to take an extra camera battery in a tiny ziplok bag.
i had so many days ruined by blisters my last trip to europe. the perfect solution is to wear either (in order of cost)nylon knee high panty hose, nylon/spandex trouser socks, or silk sock liners. they will wick sweat away from your feet, keep your feet really warm, work as a cool layer when the day heats up and your socks are too much, and your socks just glide over them, not rub on your feet. not even rough wool hiking socks. i bought kathy lee trouser socks at wal mart and went on a four month trip from new york to australia and lots inbetween. no matter what the weather, socks, or shoes, i had blissfully comfortable dry and blister free feet. they also wash out in the sink, dry quickly, and are easily replaceable.
For those loooong plane-trips is compact slippers (like Tai Chi slippers). Invaluable things I like to buy after I get there, use, and leave behind: — paper towels — pump-soap for the bath sink — spray-bottle of glass cleaner
It was great to have a GPS unit, especially in Venice and Rome. It would be extremely easy to get lost in the small streets and alleys. We went directly to each sight with hardly any wrong turns. Particularly, in Venice this was great, since you could get away from all the tourists be traveling along the smaller streets. Not a bad thing to have while hiking in the Alps either.
I pre-number the film cassettes before I leave home. I then make a list of the numbers from 1 to x. The cassettes are taken out at random, the placed on the number list in the order of use, along with the general subject. I don't list every photo taken. For processing, the bags are numbered in the order of use, so I know which photo was taken where: Env.# City Caasette # A bit of work, but I have never had any trouble with identification.
I take a single bed sheet to Europe so I can use it instead of those hot comforters they use for bed covers.
I tote along a small mascot to liven up my photographs. Last time I took along a 2" high plastic Smurf...who posed for me at several Greek archeological sites. Having my Smurf along forced me to take photos from unusual and, needless to mention, humorous perspectives. Sure, you'll have to brave a few curious stares, but it will make you stronger, right? And your friends will have fun trying to find your mascot in your photos!
Shop the school supply section of almost any store, especially this time of year. The various mesh, nylon and vinyl zippered pencil cases you will find are great for organizing and containing all sorts of small items, from first aid to toiletries to emergency repair kits...or even pencils and pens (plus postcards, stamps, addressbook and a small notebook)! Many have sturdy metal grommets meant for fastening the case inside a three ring binder, but you can use any sort of clip or mini carabiner to fasten the case wherever you want.
Two ideas I used in Italy. #1 bring a crayon and good weight paper. I used them to take rubbings. (ask first-but no one ever said no) I took rubbings of everything from churches to park benches and fountains. They make wonderful gifts with a rubbing of the church and a picture to go with it. Which brings me to the other hint. Put a blank address label on your film canisters so after you take a roll of film you can put the date snd or subject matter you took (eg. rome feb.20 to sorrento feb 24) so you remember when you get home and can develop them as you wish.I also put labels on several ziplock bags and would put little items from each city (and put city name on bag) to bring back and used them in the scrapbook.
Flat-packing (i.e. not a roll) duct tape — I found one at Wal-Mart (in the hardware section) for under a dollar. Hundreds of uses (mending anything from shoes to rucksacks). Magellan's sells one for about 4 times the price, and they claim to be the only to carry it.
I made my own "Travel Booklet" each time we visited Europe, containing our daily itinerary, a description of sights incl.their opening hours, address, Metro stop, etc, a short vocabulary list for basic phrases, Photo check list (to keep a perspective on photo-taking), addresses of hotels and those on my post card list also important numbers of everyone at home that I might need to contact in an emergency (Dr, bank, etc.) and blank sheets to keep journal notes on. It was about 4x6 with just a staple in the corner. This has always worked well. I now LIVE in Europe and get lots of company! I LOVE surprising my guests with their own personalized booklet to help them get more out of their trip and have a valuable keepsake.
New skin is liquid bandage, it is pakaged like nail polish & applied with a brush. It has antiseptic in it, so all you have to do is wash the wound & apply. By the time it wears off the wound has usualy healed. I can be found in most drug stores & markets.
You want to know what I would never miss in my luggage? Those tiny yellow ear plugs (ear no tone or whatever name they have...) If you are on a noisy campground with hundreds of tents around or in a hotel/ motelroom, where it seems the walls are thin like a sheet of paper — just plug them in and at least you can think of sleeping... if you really can is another thing... Oh yes, and they also serve well in the airplane — when small kids run around and scream all the way from the states to Europe... (did you ever realize the power they need to have, to run around for 14 hours or so?).
My husband & I just returned from the Germany/Switzerland/Austria tour. On a scale of 1-10 it was a 15! Next time though... I'll bring: Twin flat sheets (not supplied and european quilts are cozy but way too hot in the summer. We took the coverlet off the quilt). I'm glad I brought: Wash cloths (not supplied and so nice to have), a tiny flash light(for nighttime trips to the bathroom), and a travel blanket (didn't have to worry about using the "clean" airline one. It was nice to snuggle on the bus. I WON'T BRING: EXTRA STUFF! (Fabreeze, wrinkle spray, etc.) Never used 'em. Besides, it was so much fun going into the local markets. Also, the cloth grocery bags they sell make great souvenirs!
1) An immersion heater and all the food I can make with boiling water — coffee, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate, soup. 2) A small spray bottle. Filled with water, I use if for taking wrinkles out of clothes (don't pay for wrinkle remover sprays — this is even better), cooling off on a hot day, and freshening up a limp hair do.
My husband and I never travel without our herbal remedies. We always use Nature's Sunshine brand laxative (called LBS II) at bedtime, and take Food Enzymes to help digest greasy or "unusual" foods. The enzymes also help to settle a sick tummy by digesting whatever is causing the problem. Our sons have taken them on camping trips for years.
My best and most constant travel friend is my sturdy travel mug with lid. I love espresso but my perfect morning starts with a big cup of coffee carried to some beautiful spot. Second — a couple of bungee cords are great for all types of emergencies. Now my observations — There is no better way to revive after a hot, dusty day than to scrub up with your Dr. Bronners and your loofah. You will be ready to enjoy the nightlife all night. And always carry moleskin — even if you have the perfect shoes and have never had a blister. You will out of commission just as fast if your less prepared companion gets a hot spot. Save the day for him (and yourself.)
A couple things we always do: Take your favorite music (make a travel tape or burn a CD of your favorite travel music) We have done this many times, sing along type stuff, for us it is usually Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary, but I guess we are a bit older than most of the posters) When we are traveling around the countryside by car, be it Switzerland, Normandy, Scotland, or Ireland, the scenery is much better when accompanied by your favorite tunes. Later when you are home, when you hear that special song, you are transported to a beautiful travel memory! We also carry a foldable collapsable soft duffel bag, found it at a luggage store, about the size of a hardback book, but when we get to europe, it stays in the trunk of the car, and dirty laundry starts filling it, ultimately we have another entier suitcase to allow for travel purchases
A red umbrella! It has an obvious rain protection use, but if you're on a hiking or motoring trip especially in rural or low-trafficked areas, it can double as an emergency 'beacon' or as a road triangle if you need to pull over. It's a big, bright noticeable signal and does double duty.
I have found the little plastic bags the European hotel bathrooms have for women's "feminine products" are perfect for wrapping each of my toiletry bottles separately and reducing the risk of any spillage in my bag. Granted, if you haven't been over there yet, you'll have to make do with the ziplock bags. But once you're over there and have accumulated the little bags, save your ziplocks for more important things.
I bring along a few trinkets (like enamel pins) from my home area. They make great gifts to the friends you make along the way. I pick these up on sale, trying to spend less than $1.00 each.
In Mexico, most locals don't use disposable plastic bags to bring their groceries home, they use the same plaid plastic mesh bag for years and years. These bags (and their handles) are very sturdy, take up almost no room, and weigh nearly nothing. I have seen them for sale in the US in many places for $3 or so. I have used them in Europe for years, for everything from trips to the food market, carrying heavy items (the rounded handles won't dig into your hands) to hanging over the shower nozzle and letting the contents drip dry. They look exactly what they are meant to be (a market bag) and don't attract a second look. I'll never go on a trip to Europe without one.
The one item my husband and I appreciated the most was a tiny combination lock used to secure the contents of the main compartment of our backpack. (Be sure to get the combination lock, not the keyed lock, as it is too easy to lose a tiny key.) Even though we wore our moneybelt at all times, there were still certain items we carried around that we didn't want to have stolen: camera, expensive souvenirs, one of Rick's guidebooks, etc. It gave us incredible peace of mind to know that we could lock them in the backpack and not have to worry about them in the least. Yes, it was kind of a pain to keep locking/unlocking every time we wanted to get something out of the backpack, but it was worth the effort when someone tried to steal from us once. We were on the Paris Metro, and there was a commotion of teenagers near where we were standing. When we got off the train, I noticed that someone had opened the zipper to the smaller, unlockable compartment on the outside of the backpack. Since we didn't keep anything valuable in this smaller area, the would-be thief got away with nothing. All of our stuff in the locked area stayed safe, and we didn't have anything stolen from us during our 3-week trip.
After a long day of touring I like to really pamper my feet. I travel with a portable foot bath and a soothing foot lotion. The foot bath container folds flat, is lightweight and just blows up with a few breaths when needed. I can read, write post cards or plan my next day's adventure while my feet are happily soaking in hot water (without being a bathroom hog)!
Paperclips! We take a dozen or so of both the standard and larger sizes. The can be bent into hooks or used to secure zippers on luggage in a pinch. I'm sure there are other uses, and so far they have not been classified as dangerous weapons in our carry-ons.
I always take a few "zip-close" plastic bags (several sizes) and clothespins. The bags are good for everything from yummy baked goods you just couldn't finish to storing the huge pile of credit card receipts we generate. The clothespins are useful not only for hanging sink-washed laundry (dries faster than when doubled over a hanger or shower curtain rod), but also for closing bags of chips or cookies to keep them fresh and spill-proof.
Just returned from a trip to Spain and can't believe how glad we were again for bringing an old favorite: sheets of "moleskin". Adhesive felt that is always found in the foot care aisle. We used it on those "hot" spots on shoes to prevent blisters, on any sores or cuts, on the inside of straps that might rub, even to size a too big ring. Just bring a small pair of scissors and cut a piece to fit. A staple for backpackers forever!
Today at Walmart, I found a Johnson and Johnson First Aid Kit To Go. It's so small but really helpful. It has three moist towellettes, one smal packet of anti-bacterial ointment, 12 round bandages, 8 regular size bandages, and 1 gauze pad. They're only $1.00 so i bought two. They come in very handy little boxes, and I plan on taking one camping. When I do travel abroad, I will bring a small thing of antacid, asprin, and other meds in small containers to go with it.
Pack a kilt pin which has many uses such as wearing in a scarf, holding a broken luggage strap together etc. and is stronger, larger and more attractive than a safety pin.
The past two years, we have packed our bicycle helmets and have gotten great use of them. They take up little space since things can be packed in them, and there are many daytrips that are wonderful by cycle. Our recent trips include the Danube trail from Melk to Krems, various moutain and valley trails in Switzerland, and trails that cover every tourist sight in Helsinki. To plan our cycling, we head to the TI office in each town and get a bike trail map and suggestions for good routes. We rent bicycles at the train station or other location the TI indicates, and spend a full day cycling at most stops on our itinerary. It is a great way to see the country-side, eat in little local cafes, and be away from other tourists. Mountains are especially beautiful at 10 miles per hour. We have found most paths to be well marked and many are paved and dedicated to cycles only. While cycling is possible without helmets, most Europeans we encounter wear them, and we are more likely to venture onto unknown trails if we are wearing a helmet.
Wine out of plastic tastes bad to me, so I pack a sturdy wine glass (stuffed with a sock and put in a slipper)in one of my backpack's side pockets. Haven't lost a glass yet, and it often gets special attention on planes.
On my first trip to Europe, I bought a sarong in Nice and it came in so handy, I have taken one ever since! It was perfect for covering shoulders to gain entrance into churches. Worked great for a swimsuit cover-up. I tid the ends to make sleeves and wore it as a light jacket to dress up an outfit for a night out. Also doubled as a table cloth for a picnic, towel for the beach, or shade for car window.
You can make toilet seat covers out of plastic grocery bags — just cut them out using a paper cover as a pattern. They fold up so tiny that several will fit in a film cannister, or just rubber band them together. They've been great in some really disgusting situations. Of course they can't be flushed.
the best travel flashlight i have ever used, is a mini snakelight. it stands up on its own, clips to the key keeper in backapcks, takes AA's, is lightweight, has a very bright wide light, wraps around bedposts (or you can secure it with a rubber band or hairband), once i even hung my foldout toiletries kit from the topbunk and stuck the battery end into one of the pouches and bent it down for a reading light. ill never travel without it.
ive become a big fan of reusing altoids boxes. i use on for my jewelry, since its hardsided, stays closed, and doesnt look like anything but a box of mints. i use another, the new kind of citrus box, as a sewing kit. i also use them to keep small items i pick up and dont want lost or crushed. great for stamps and maybe a backpack first aid kit.
I bring a collapsable 6-pack cooler, cutting board, dish towel and a few plastic utensils. That way, we can buy our picnic at the grocery store in the morning and keep it cool until we find a great spot for lunch.
A couple of essentials — one is our Palm Pilot (the sturdy M100 model that you can now buy for about $50). We can easily store and access our flight, hotel, and train information and important phone and account numbers, as well as our sightseeing checklists. We also enter everything as we buy it so we can easily see where our budget is. No need for a seperate travel alarm (you can set as many reminder alarms as things you tend to forget about), and we can play Scrabble and use a program that does currency and metric conversions. (But, as with all electronic devices — DO carry a printout of the travel information and store it somewhere in your carry-on/suitcase. If you have a battery-powered unit and it is dropped, you only have a few scant seconds to find and put the batteries back in before the memory gets 'wiped'.) Another thing that we cobbled together using some of Rick's products is our "wash kit." Use a heavy-duty ziploc freezer bag and stick in the travel clothesline, a sink stopper you can get at your local grocery store, a small bottle of Woolite, some safety pins, a small sewing kit, a pack towel (for wringing moisture out of heavy clothes), Shout wipes, and nail brush.
Don't take anything full size. If you can't find a specific item in a small size bottle, buy something you can use and save the bottle to refill. You can get small bottles of nail polish at Wal-Mart etc. You can buy n.p. remover in packets or hospitals have packets (if you know someone!). Take a small 1st aid kit-make your own. Mine is in a toiletry bag-take enough to get you through a day or 2-you can get stuff in Europe, a friend got motion sickness tabs for me in Budapest quite easily. Take a bandaid or 2, hand wipes, kleenex and motrin or aspirin with you on your day trips. You never know...of course, I'm a nurse! I found one of those Bucky pillows are great on long plane/train rides. Mine isn't a blow-up which is kind of a hassle because it's bulky, so maybe try the blow up kind. I try not to take anything more than a 20 inch suitcase and a backpack anymore. I do like the idea of buying postcards and just jotting down stuff on them, I can never keep up my travel journal...
A small thing to bring along that can be helpful is a nail brush such as those used by manicurists. Not only can you get the grime from under your fingernails after a day of exploring, but it's a much more effective tool for scrubbing mud splatters off trouser cuffs than the usual "rub the fabric against itself" method.
I spent a couple of days in Rome recently. Great city — but tons of walking-on uneven cobblestone at that! Pack good shoes that you have already broken in. Buy the weekly pass that allows you to travel on bus, metro, and train. Check the schedules, because the trains went on strike and the italians knew, but all of us had to walk!
Ziploc bags are a must and emptly film containers work great if you collect small shells at the beach — or lots of other small things.
I never had a problem with pick-pockets and I carried a back pack the whole time-which is a must especially if you take a camera and other things you don't want to carry.
Getting your laundry done in the hotel can be expensive, and unless you want your underwear starched, they make clothespins with hanger tops and you can wash in the sink easily.
Last suggestion: when you go out to enjoy roma, buy one water bottle and refill at the fountains that are everywhere-watch to make sure that other people are refilling there as well! Saves money! Can't wait to go back!
Things I would not do without on my next trip to Europe: Febreze odor remover, Downy wrinkle remover, and zip lock baggies. Also, bring a small flashlight, because you never know when they might come in handy, like touring the catecombs of Paris or Rome, or if the power goes out in your hotel or on a train...
DRYER SHEETS!!! These babies are flat, and you can fold like ten of them into your bag. When you place your dirty clothes into a ziploc, add a dryer sheet and you're clothes will smell a lot better. I have to agree about Febreeze being not so great. Sometimes the antibacterial one is ok, but dryer sheets will keep everything smelling nice, including luggage, rooms, people... the possibilities are endless! Also too, squash a roll of TP and put it in a baggie. Want to really pack light? Take that half-used roll in the bathroom and save some space.
Dr. Bronner's or campsuds are wonderful soaps and they're biodegradable!
Stuff sacs (easy to make if you can't buy them) are wonderful for everything.
Pillowcases! Use them at night to stuff clothes in for your head, and use it to hold dirty laundry or other things.
For places where you never know if it'll rain, carry a pair of extra socks somewhere dry and easy to get to. Nothing sucks more than wet feet in wet socks. Breeds blisters and fungi.
Contact lens cases will hold pills, lotions, creams.
And of course, my fave, duct tape on a pen, which I think I mentioned previously.
Whoever thought of keyrings as cheap luggage locks is a genius! And kudos on the safety pins on the money belt!
As a seamstress, and if you have access to an iron or high heat, Stitch Witchery works as a temporary way to fix tears etc.
Dental floss (not the fancy stuff, just plain) works as a great thread and will keep your teeth clean!
The Spray Wrinkle releaser that a few companies now sell! Wonderful and quick "ironing" I take it on short and long trips, works great!
One of the best hints I got about packing was to include in our luggage a duffel bag that folds up really small into its own pouch. When we return from our trips overseas, we make sure we put our best souvenirs and other items that we can't replace at home in our carry-on bags, then we put much of our clothing (and sometimes other lightweight stuff) into the duffel bag and check it. We secure the zipper by using a large safety pin to keep the bag from unzipping (we also do this on all zippers of our other luggage that cannot be locked into place). We've never had the duffel bag get damaged by the airlines — we haven't even lost the safety pin! The duffel bag weighs very little and takes up hardly any room when packed in its own pouch, but when opened up it holds an amazing amount of clothing.
On a two month trip through southern Europe, we took several WC packets that we bought from the Magellan's catalog/website. Each packet holds a seat cover, toilet tissue, and a wet wipe. When we needed them, they were as good as gold. The packets are flat and weigh next to nothing. They will always be on our "must pack" list. Packages of wet ones are always handy. We even made fast-friends with a family on a Greek ferry when our wet ones came to their rescue. We also took small packets of Woolite. Each packet had enough Woolite for a sinkful of laundry. (ordered them from Magellan's) We were glad to have a change purse, as we handled coins much more often than we do here in the US.
I use a little combination money clip/wallet, clipped onto my waistband so that the wallet faces my belly. It's just a little larger than a business card and I keep my day's change, hotel key and metro/tube pass in it. Both of my hotels had an in-room safe so I kept my passport, airline tickets, money and valuables locked up there so I didn't need to use a moneybelt this trip. The site for the Hip Clip is www.aperfectwallet.com and I recommend it highly. I've used this handy little wallet on several trips in the past year and it has worked out perfectly. Even when the weather was warm, I really didn't feel the wallet against me.
When I toured Italy what I found to work really well and take up hardly any space are those individual wrapped wipes called WetOnes Antibactiral. I used them to wipe down table tops and especially the toilet seat instead of carrying lots of paper seat covers. A few can be tucked into a pocket or into your daypack. Also Cottenelle Moist Bathroom Wipes are very handy in such times if you aquire traverlers tummy. They also make a great refresher with a quickly disappearing scent for hands, neck, and face after a long sweaty sticky day of sightseeing.
I pack 2 cotton bandanas. Very light weight and dry very quickly after getting wet. I've used mine for: towel, washcloth, sweat band, ponytail holder, neck scarf (warm), hot mat, tablecloth (picnics), napkin (picnics)
A product you might find useful is BagBath, a pouch of 8 soft disposable washcloths saturated with a no rinse cleanser. We use them in the hospital to bathe patients. They can be warmed in the microwave, a sink of warm water, (or sit on a radiator) or used room temperature. They have a pleasant scent and are not drying or irritating to skin. They would be excellent for giving yourself a sponge bath on a long plane or overnight train ride or anywhere water/shower facilities are not available. You can get them at any medical supply store — there are several brands.
I just found a neat product perfect for light packers. It's an insulated hot/cold bag made by thermasnap. I found mine at RiteAid. We used it to isolate our hot food and cold drinks for our July4th beach picnic and it worked great, keeping the food hot/cold for over 3 hours. Best of all, it is very lightweight, very thin, and very packable. It cost 1.99 for the small size. Am planning to pack it to take on our trip to Europe next summer. Should help make our train and picnic meals safer and more enjoyable.
Things like tweezers, nail clippers, and corkscrews are easy to find in Europe. Any pharmacy will carry most of them for a very reasonable price. Plus you won't have a problem with the airlines if you just put that stuff in your checked baggage
None of the 2-3-4 star hotels we stayed in (France, Switzerland, or Italy) supplied wash cloths (just towels). So, pack your own face cloth, or bath scrubber if you want one. Other handy stuff to pack: Medicines, hand sanitiser, wipes, toilet seat covers, and large zip-lock bags for soiled shoes and clothes.
On my last trip to Great Britain I packed a disposable panoramic camera in addtion to my regular camera — it's small but loads of fun for taking picutres of BIG things. Next time I plan to take several. After using up the film you can break it open, take out the film and discard the rest to save a litte more space for souvenirs.
RE women's underclothes: I use ruined pantyhose. During the year, whenever I get a run in one of the legs, I clip off both legs and use the panty part as underwear. I just throw them away and get another (ruined) pantyhose out every day.
We took some packaged hand wipes in a baggie and carried them in our daypack. We'd wash up every so often when we spent alot of time on the train or in other public areas. Nobody got sick and I think this helped. An assortment of baggies (from snack size up to 2-gallon) really came in handy.
I have been saving those silica gel packets found in various boxes of purchased items, for the purpose of keeping them in my backpack. While my pack is not being used, they will help to eliminate odors and moisture, and on a trip, they will do the same. When they need to be replaced — I'll put in some more freebies!
I just returned from my 4th trip to Europe. Each time I pack lighter, but this year I was recovering from a neck injury and worried that the changes in activity, pillows, etc would leave me with a neck ache. The pillow I sleep on at home would never qualify as packing light. Instead, I brought along a self inflatable backrest (lumbar support) from a back store. It rolls up tightly and is very lightweight. At night I would slip it under the hotel's pillow and then adjust it (some pillows are very thin while others are quite fluffy)so that I had a constant pillow height for my neck. This worked so well that it will be a permanent addition to my suitcase.
Also, I've fought back pain for years and struggle with even the smallest day pack. It is necessary to carry a few things like a rain jacket and camera so I've experimented with what to do. This year my husband suggested a backpack that has a waist belt. This was miraculous as it allowed me to change the pressure from my upper back to my waist or a combination. The backpack was larger than I usually carry (and was mostly empty during the day since I only carried my postcards, rain poncho, and camera)at 19 inches tall, but I had no pain. It had to be checked at a few places (Rodin museum, Louvre), but that was free, painless, and gave me some time without carrying it.
Yes, Ziplocs are a must. You can even put water in them, cut off the corner and use it to drink from or as running water to clean things off. Always bring a sewing kit, put in something small, i always use a film canister. dont forget the safety pins and travel scissors. I am a city kid, and always have a messenger bag filled with 'junk' that i find useful. a few examples: superglue- closes small cuts, can adhere to anything and also dab a small bit on your finger and touch an object in a small space to remove (like a coin in a viewfinder!) i even take duct tape and make a smaller roll to bring with me; you can do anything with it! fix shoes, your pack, or even make a handle for a box.... use your imagination. also, last year i found travel wipes very helpful. if you like to travel hard, and take night trains a few days in a row, they work wonders on your feet when you wear sandals. i always bring minimal amounts of clothes and a good amount of items that creatively, can solve problems.
Ziploc bags are a godsend, especially if you're doing any handwashing. Use them to pack any spillables on the way over, then use them up as you go. Putting stuff like socks and underwear in the bags, then sitting on them to squeeze out all the extra air saves a ton of space (and it helps me stay organized!) Febreeze is overrated — just makes your clothing smell bad+like febreeze. a small amount of clothesline and a few clothespins are good, too — and again, the clothesline can double as rope in a pinch. You never know. At least in Greece and Italy, the componants for trail mix are easily found. This makes a nutritious yet filling snack that isn't going to get gross in the heat.
If you are planning to go to Spain for two weeks or so, it is a good idea to have some extra shampoo or other kind of soap detergent in case you would like to wash your clothes yourself, if you don't want to pay for hotel clothes washing. The smaller towns in Spain don't have coin-operated self-serve laundromats, and if there is a laundromat, it will likely want to wash and iron your clothes for you and take lots of time to do so — not good for travellers on a time-budget. Drying clothes also will take time, so be sure to pack any wet washed clothes in plastic and keep them where you will be able to take these out first if you are travelling to another city or something.
If you have prescription medication that you won't be taking a ton of, ask your doctor for bubble pack samples. These conform to the regulations requiring the medication be labeled and often are smaller and more convenient that taking a full bottle.
Hate leaving your passport with hotels? Since many hotels in Europe ask you for your passport when you arrive for registration purposes, make a good quality color copy of your passport. Every hotel I went to was perfectly happy to take a color copy instead of the real thing. This way, my passport was on me at all times in case of emergency (in a money belt, of course). Another good tip is to bring a small nylon bag that either folds up into its pocket or can be zipped up into a very small compression pouch (American Tourister makes one but lots of places sell them cheaper). It takes up almost no room in your bag and can really come in handy for bringing back souvenirs. Also good to bring — one trash bag. Sit on it if the ground is wet or cut holes in it and you have an instant poncho.
I've noticed a lot of people commenting on bringing "lots" of cold/allergy medicine. My advice is just to write down the generic name of whatever it is you think you might need. While you may not be able to find the exact brand name medication overseas, you certainly will be able to find a generic equivalent. Or if you're having trouble finding what you want, show the generic name to the pharmacist, and they'll find what you are looking for. If you're really that worried about finding your favorite medication in Europe, just remember that Europeans get colds & allergies too.
I used my little bottle of Purell hand sanitizer every day. It was so nice to know I could eat even if I had just stepped right off a grimy subway car. Plus the smell is so sterile, it helped me to convince myself I wasn't REALLY as filthy as I thought I was.
I bring some snacks with me on long trips (so I don't raid every concession stand from here to Europe). My favorite snack is good ol' Rice Krispie Treats. I cut them up into bite-size squares and keep them fresh in those handy-dandy Zip-Loc bags (note to self — buy stock in Zip-Loc company). The Krispie treats are filling and just sweet enough that I don't get a sugar high. And Slim Fast makes a great chewy caramel snack bar that's small, but filling.
Consider taking a lightweight collapsible hiking pole. Great for navigating cobblestones, stairs, etc.
I love the little pocket-sized pop-out maps for major cities — they're sturdy, compact and readable, and include clear metro maps and monument locations. To take my Graffiti Wall research along with me, I buy the thin, colorful transparent arrow stickies from an office supply store (the ones usually used for "sign here" on documents) and write the locations of recommended restaurants, picnic locations, off-the-beaten-path sights and great gelaterias on the stickies and attach them to the maps with the arrows pinpointing the exact locations. It's a labor of love before I leave and a pocketful of promising experiences after I arrive. I remove the arrows after I leave, and the maps are as good as new for my next trip, which will soon have many new recommendations from Rick and my Graffiti Wall friends, pointing the way to even more excellent European experiences.
We are 3+ weeks into our 6 week tour of Europe, and the MP3 player has been a sanity saver! Plugging one ear with the earbud/earphone allows me to sleep on the other side and still mask street and other environmental noises. I must also praise our small Olympus digital camers — it is so nice to be able to snap LOTS of photographs without worrying about the cost of film or developing. We did take someone's tip to bring a couple of disposable cameras. Those we tore apart when finished shooting, and are only carrying the exposed film.
Two things: 1. Your allergy meds. If you have allergies at all, no matter how mild, do not leave home without script or OTC meds. I had the worst allergy attack of my life on a business trip to Italy, thanks to an innocent shrub with small white flowers. I spent a miserable ten days until co-workers arrived with the Chlor-Trimetron. The Italian version of Benadryl knocked me on my behind, and I was afraid to try another Italian med. 2. Cotton Bud Travel Toilet Tissue. I found it at Target in the sample section; comes in a plastic case with no center roll so it does not take up much room. I don't mind using the local TP, but often there isn't any. I carry it in my bag on U.S. trips, as well.
I like my vinyl-coated wire clothes hangers, plastic over-the-door clothing hooks which extend out about 3 inches, and tiny spring-clip clothespins (found at the craft store — they are exact copies of the bigger clothespins) for hanging up my freshly washed travel duds. Plus, there's always a door or shower stall to hang my hooks from, whereas there may or may not be a suitable place to hang a flex-o line.
My husband and I are used to sleeping with a fan of some sort going. The "white noise" and air circulation help us sleep, so when we travel, we plan to take along the 11-inch mini box fan that I found at a discount store for about $8. It's alot of bulk for traveling light, but not much extra weight, so we will MAKE room for it! Also, don't forget to bring along an extension cord — I use mine a lot when away from home, and always keep one in my travel gear, ready to go! [editor's note: don't forget a voltage converter and plug adaptor].
For night walks — a small, lightweight flashlight, like the smallest size Maglite. If, like me, you like to buy small breakable items — bubblewrap. I've found especially useful the pieces which are already made into "pockets". Other health items to bring from home — Zicam (homeopathic nasal gel) in case you feel a cold coming on, and Airborne (effervescent tablets) — start taking it before you leave home, continue on the plane, and use before going to crowded places like museums.
I use the notebook to write down specifics about pictures I have taken. Nothing frustrates me more than looking at a picture and not remembering where it was taken.
Dove has a product called Body Refreshers. They are body deodorant sheets to freshen up with when you're hot, sweaty, sticky, etc. I went to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay yesterday (I have an annual pass) and test drove this product. It was a humid 86° and I used the Dove Refreshers after several hours. They worked. Took away the hot, sticky feeling and left a clean scent. They come in 3.5" x 6" foil packets of 15 sheets and sell for a couple of dollars. I think they are a creative nicety for warm weather travelling. With trips coming up to Las Vegas, Orlando and Europe, I'm packing some with me. Happy travels to all!
The little "creative extra" that was my most valuable turned out to be my Tylenol PM. Not only did it help with adjusting to new time schedules, but it also was invaluable for those nights where either: a. sleep was impeded by pain in my sleep my feet/head/back/shoulders hurt from running around with a backpack all day trying to navigate a strange city. or b. the bed/room is located in a noisy place and you NEED sleep due to early &/or rigorous plans made for the next day. I would also recommend a journal and a good pen and a decent book as we spent alot of time waiting for trains and planes and had ample time to fill. I actually read three books in the first three weeks. Another worthwhile extra is a pair of removable sole pads. Preferably ones with gel heels and good arch support. These can be worn for the first half of a day, then when your feet begin to feel tired you can remove them and its like putting on a whole new pair of shoes.
For those interested in bundle packing, go to www.oratory.com/travel/packing.html
I too am a big fan of Dr. Bronner's. The liquid soaps come in about a half dozen "flavors" — eucalyptus and almond are my personal faves — but peppermint seems to be the easiest to find. It's great for blade shaving too(leaves your skin feeling veeery cool) but I wouldn't use more than a drop for brushing your teeth. The aloe vera soap sounds like a better choice for clothes (very little scent) unless you like smelling like a candy cane. The labels are an interesting read too. ... check out http://www.drbronner.com/main.html
Dr. Bronners peppermint soap, available in most grocery/health food stores is awesome. It has over a hundred uses (says so right on the label.) It can be used as shampoo, toothpaste(yuck), laundry soap and on and on. It smells absolutely delicious and always leaves a clean pleasant tingly feeling after washing up. Gotta get some before you leave.
I took a Compaq MP3 player on a 5 week trek across Europe last year and it was the best small 'extra' I packed! Not only did it help pass the time but blocked out noise on noisy night trains and planes. This year it's going back with me for a 3 week trip to Italy. One hint — bring plenty of batteries — I got the Ultra batteries at Costco and since they were so small it didn't really add any extra weight. Also, I purchased a drawstring top microfiber eyeglass pouch for the player. It was great for carrying the ear buds, player and extra batteries, especially on day trips — kept everything together and easy to access.
My litle extravagance is a tiny MP3 player. The 128 meg memory cards allow me to have 30+ songs per tiny card, and the player is about the size of a deck of cards. There are no moving parts, so no skip or bounce when I move. I also have downloaded several books from www.audiobooksforfree.com, so will be able to listen to them at my leisure. Give it a look!
An alternative to small padlocks for luggage is split rings(keyrings that you slide your keys onto). They are inexpensive and easy to find at Michaels or Wal-mart's craft dept. and make a great deterrent against theft without having to worry about re-setting a padlock.
I use good old diaper pins to fasten my money belt to my clothing. They are very secure and gave me a little extra peace of mind, especially if, God forbid, some thief would try to slash my money belt strap. I also bring a small rubber doorstop and jam it under the hotel door.
I always pin a half a dozen or so safety pins to the lining of each suitcase and also to my money belt. The money belt is even more secure when pinned shut and also pinned to the waistband of my clothing. Also, cheesy hotel curtains can be made to actually shut when pinned together. I haven't had a trip yet where I didn't find another use for these handy little devils!
Although I've often looked with envy at the hanging toilette kits in the travel mags, I can't make myself buy one because I have a better solution. For my hanging toilette kit, I bring along one of those small size (8"x6" or smaller) shopping bags with handles that you get when you buy merchandise at boutique-y type stores. For flying en route, I bring along the paper shopping bag folded flat and pack all of my toiletries in a gallon size Ziploc bag. When I get to my room, I repack the items for my "getting ready in the morning" kit into the paper bag. The handles let me hang it off a door knob or hook so it doesn't get wet. When the trip is over, I discard the paper tote and repack all the stuff into the big Ziploc. This is lighter and uses less space than one of the expensive toilette kits.
Before I took the first of my 20 trips to Europe in 1969 I read somewhere that a votive candle could come in handy. So I thought why not and packed a couple with some sturdy holders. Believe it or not on our very first night in Rome, as we were in sight of the hotel on our way back from dinner at Tivoli Gardens, the lights went out ... street lights, hotel lights ... every light ... one of the many little strikes, as I understand, that are frequent in Rome. Flashlights are fine for some situations, and I always carry one of them too, but the candles proved to be a much better source of light as I had not had time to unpack and I also wanted to take a shower. Nice too for those relaxing moments with some wine along with crackers and cheese at the end of a tiring day of touring. Since then I always pack a pair for my trips.
I have been to Europe on three separate trips in the last 18 months and will not leave home without the following items: 2 zip lock bags (snack size, sandwich size, and 2 gall size), baby powder, wet wipes in individually sealed packets, pocket sized tissues, facial cleanser clothes (like Olay Daily Facials), fabric deodorizer (Fabreeze or other), Clorox cleanser wipes in plastic pouch, tiny notebook, several pens, highlighter, money belt, traveler's checks.
Pocket tissues are a must for restrooms where TP and paper towels don't always exist. Wet wipes will save your life because soap often isn't available either. Baby powder helps freshen your shoes at the end of the day. Zip locks are great for keeping postcards, train tickets, etc together. Also for snacks you pick up along the way. Fabreeze helps freshen clothes since everybody smokes in Europe. Make sure you like the smell of whatever you use. Facial cleanser cloths can be used for a quite sponge bath. Clorox wipes are great if you're not thrilled with the cleanliness of your shower.
A little notebook to keep track of train schedules, alternate hotel choices, museum hours. Also great for keeping a travel journal. A highlighter is handy for identifying key places on maps (like your hotel!) A money belt is an absolute must, and traveler's checks assure that you'll always have some money if the ATM eats your card.
Finally, pack everything in one carry on bag and keep your eyes open for a cheap duffle bag once you get there. When you fly home, put your clothes in the duffle and souvenirs in your carry on.
Before leaving on your trip purchase a pack of small plastic cable ties (About $5.00 per pack)the type used to hold electricial wires together. They can be found in the hardware section of most stores.You'll find 100's of uses for them for many types of emergencies or as time savers.They are not reuseable but they are extremely tough.
Special lightweight "extras" which can save your bacon in a myriad of situations are the lowly plastic shopping bags from grocery or discount stores. Folded lengthwise several times, rolled tightly, and secured with a tab of tape, these minute gems can be used at picnics to sit on, put trash in, put muddy shoes in, or used to carry flea-market finds.
One of my favorite packing tricks is to pack some nice soft American toilet paper for the trip. Doing this does three things: 1) it takes up so much room that it keeps me from overpacking; 2) it gives me a little luxury item to use during the trip with very little added weight (European toilet paper, especially in public accommodations, is more than a little rough — and this travel tip has saved me more than once from the dreaded Syrian pit toilets!); and, 3) the toilet paper "reserves" some room in my luggage so that I will definitely have space to bring back all the little souvenirs and tchachkes that I pick up along the way.
2-way radios manufactured in the U.S. are illegal to use abroad, because those channels are used for police & emergency services over there. To get around this, we plan to rent British-made radios when we visit London in May. I sure wish people wouldn't abuse the use of these wonderful devices. The FCC bans extraneous chatter, but people don't know that and treat them like CB radios. For more info, see www.cobraelec.com/faqlist.html
I don't go anywhere without my Photon microlight. It is barely bigger than a coin but I can read maps or books or see the path in front of me with ease. Bought it at an outdoor sports store for $15. Different brands have different features, all are very small and lightweight. They use small watch batteries.
We needed duct tape in Venice when a storm off the Adriatic flattened our tents and broke one of the poles- In Italy duct tape is called 'American tape'-go figure!
Take cold medicine since it is not available in many places in Europe. This is so true as I found out when I got a horrible cold and we used the whole box of cold pills that I had brought along. When we visited the pharmacy we found it was true! NO cold medicine of any kind other than some paracetamol + vitamin C. I ended up getting an awful upper respiratory infection and had to see a Dutch doctor who prescribed some antibiotics and a nose spray. Both worked and after two days in bed I was able to resume our trip. My advice is to take LOTS more cold pills than you think you mights need just in case you do get sick. Thanks again for all your great tips!
Cards and dice help the long plane and train rides go by more quickly, but dice are loud, and easily lost, so I now bring a nylon (also found in leather) snap-together valet tray. Magellans, Travelsmith, and luggage stores sell them. At night you snap the sides together and put your coins, pen, watch, etc, in it, and then it unsnaps and folds flat for packing. It keeps the dice quiet and on the table! And it's fun to ask children and train travellers to join you.
Those of you who, like me, are big napkin, etc. users, should remember to bring some over with you when you go to Europe. Restaurants, etc. don't give the stuff away like they do here. If you buy a sandwich, you get one filmsy napkin. Fast food places give you one or two (max) napkins on your tray — no "all you can take" dispensers.
So many "extras" are determined by your style of travel and your destination(s). But we always find a use for our "mini-office": a snack-size ziplock with tiny post-it notes, highlighter, some paper clips and bulldog clips that double as clothespins and chip bag clips, a tiny stapler, glue stick, even a couple of rubber bands. Just about everything in the bag does double (or even triple) duty and something always saves us (or someone else) time, money or aggravation. It's worth its small weight.
Baby Wipes! Also for the train! I went all through England and Scotland, and I was the only person I saw who would ever wipe down the tray or table in front of me, and it was always filthy. I go to Target and get the ones in the travel-size section; scented or unscented.
For you photographers out there (I am one), bring along a very tiny bottle of window/glass cleaner. It was so frustrating trying to take pictures of lovely scenery through train windows smudged with fingerprints! Buy an empty spray bottle in the cosmetics dept., and fill it up. You'll be glad you did!
The only thing I really wished I had brought with me while traveling through Italy and spain was a lightweight bath-robe! We stayed in quite a few places with shared bathrooms.... For late night streaks down the hallway and early morning showers (to get the hot water) it would have been nice!
I always take a very American paperback novel to read so that when I need a little feel of home, or am tired of reading guide books/itineraries, I have somewhere to escape for a bit. I can always leave it behind for another traveler if I run out of room for it. I like to buy local magazines when I am in other countries to see how things are different or remain the same from culture to culture.
Duct tape has hundreds of uses, such as repairing ripped tents or nylon suitcases, mending broken glasses frames, and even, in dire emergencies, for first aid. I most recently used it to mend a three-cornered tear on my coated nylon rain jacket (I maneuvered it onto the inside of the tear and the result barely shows). You don't have to take a whole roll; wind a couple of feet around a container you're taking anyway (plastic bottle or film can).
we were in Italy for three weeks this summer. we ran out of Pepto Bismol and it does not seem to exist over there. We did see Imodium in almost every store but it's not exactly the same. We could have used more zip lock plastic bags which were nowhere to be found either.