Do you ever pack indulgences?
 

I am all packed for my departure this Friday. I must admit that I am not usually a light packer, so I have amazed myself by fitting everything into a 22&quot; rolling suitcase and a small duffel bag! I was wondering if those of you who pack light take one or two indulgence items that you don't really need but can't seem to go without. For instance, I can't do without perfumes and Bath and Body Works products, so I have managed to cram some in!<BR><BR>Any examples of &quot;luxuries&quot; you take with you, even when packing light?

Yes! I have an inflatable bath pillow, so I pack it. (One side has suction cups that adhere to the bathtub.) It's so nice &amp; relaxing. If my travels take me to some great buys in perfumes or bath products (as my last one did), I don't have to wait til I get home to enjoy them. And when deflated, the pillow is virtually flat and can always fit into my carry-on, no matter what.<BR><BR>BC

Had to laugh at your thread title, nutney. Way of topic, but &quot;indulgences&quot; used to be sold by the Catholic Church some 500 years ago. Sort of get-out-of-hell-free cards; the more you paid for one, the more sins you could commit. Come to think of it, I've been on a few trips when I could have used some!

Beachbum,<BR><BR>That's funny. I'm not Catholic, but I may have an interest in buying that kind of indulgence! I wonder how much they cost in euro. That reminds me of a blunder I made once when I described someone's wedding as &quot;shotgun&quot;. I just thought that meant it happened quickly! Fortunately, someone pointed out my mistake, so I was able to correct myself. Oops!

I always take scented candles, matches, light bulb rings and aromatherapy oils (for the light bulb rings) with me. They take up hardly any room, and are really relaxing and homely. I usually leave a light on while I am out during the day, with a ring on the bulb with fragrance oil in, then the room smells lovely and welcoming when I arrive back after a hard days sightseeing. Then I have a warm bath in (scented) candlelight...wonderful.<BR><BR>Angela

The indulgence that I take with me is a written confirmation for a room at one really posh hotel.

Yes, a good cigar..

Peanut butter. You can never be too careful. Europe could run out.<BR>Larry J

my favorite shampoo ;otherwise I love picking up the country's fragrances that are made from herbs and flowers'that are not sold here.

lol - I was thinking the same thing beachbum!

They have weird peanut butter in Europe, and it is hard to find.

I pack *every* *single* cosmetic item I normally use but I downsize each into refillable travel size bottles I've collected. No way I'm taking a chance with shampoo or makeup. However, body lotions and nail polish I like to pick up 'foreign' brands along the way.<BR><BR>p.s. Congratulations on the amazing 22&quot; pack. Let us know how great it worked out when you return! Safe travels.

I often pack nice tea bags. Even in great tea countries not all hotels have good tea!

As a graduate of St. Joseph's High School, I had to check in and check out the indulgences! English is such an interesting and confusing language. <BR><BR>I always take my travel candle in a silver container with lid and my initials on the top that my grandson gave me.

My Bose noise-canceling headphones. They take up waayyy too much room but are worth it for the plane rides alone (not to mention for when I end up in a hotel near lots of street noise)!<BR><BR>Strive

Chanel #5.....I will not leave home without it....

I pack super-light (14&quot; suitcase). Even so I bring (for long trips) a full size bottle of shampoo and conditioner, and my hair dryer. I seem to have trouble in Europe finding shampoo that doesn't leave my hair sticky or icky in some way. My toilettries bag takes up almost 1/2 my suitcase. I'm happy with only 2 or 3 outfits - but have to have my shampoo!

kismetchimera,<BR>Yep, it's Coco by Chanel for me! And it's in my suitcase right now.

bedroom slippers

I suppose some people could consider bringing some music CDs an indulgence.<BR><BR>But I don't. :)

Strive:<BR> Do they actually work, I won a pair on a BOSE/AA and don't think they have ever left the box. Maybe next time I will take them with me.

I always take my squishy goose down pillow, no matter how light I pack and no matter where I'm going (although it will not go with me to central America again - waaaay too humid there and the pillow never got a chance to dry out). <BR><BR>I also take my own freshly orasted and ground coffee sealed in ziplocs and some filters so I can make REAL coffee in the hotel coffeemakers (heading to Ireland soon and suspecting that few if any of the B&amp;B's will have coffeemakers in the room but I'll take some just in case).

Well, I don't consider them indulgences, but I do pack an incredible amount of stuff. I always bring my own hair dryer because I've often found them lacking or just not as good as mine (an ion hairdryer that's twice as fast as a normal one) and my curling iron, as well as an extension cord so that 1. I can plug them in at the same time and 2. I can plug them in near a mirror. I can't count the times that the only plug in a hotel room is under the desk or by the coffee maker nowhere near a mirror.<BR><BR>Then, I also like to dress nicely on vacation, so I always end up with several pairs of shoes. I do ok on clothes, bringing just a few items to mix and match, but I like to have a couple of pairs of shoes for walking (because it always feels so good to switch pairs), and one for dinner.<BR><BR>After having my luggage delayed by more than 2 days three times, I'm trying to be much more conservative in what I pack, but I doubt I'll ever get to the one-suitcase stage (we also buy a lot on vacations). Aside from losing luggage, the inconvenience of lugging them around on occasion is worth it to me to be able to have my &quot;stuff&quot;. But I do fully admit I'm NOT a light packer. Guilty as charged!

I like to take the exfoliating sugar scrubs from bath &amp; body works--my legs get excessively dry when I travel! I also like taking samples from Kiehls. Once, my niece saw me unpack all my toiletries and she said, &quot;What is this?! The sample counter at Sephora?!&quot;

Indulgences are what we go to Europe for. Why bring them with us.<BR><BR>Within days dor has new scented oils and earings and we both have swollen bellies.

My &quot;indulgences&quot;:<BR>1. too many scarves (but then they weigh nothing and take up NO room)<BR>2. too many pairs of earrings (also take up no space)<BR>3. one more pair of shoes (if there's room)<BR>4. photos of my kitties!!! (a necessity)<BR>5. 1 article of clothing that is not absolutely necessary but that I want to take.<BR>

For me its usually a book that, really, is a bit too bulky or heavy for my &quot;packing light&quot; days, but that I can't leave behind.<BR><BR>My Mum (although generally fairly adventurous with travel - she once ate sheeps eyes in Saudi Arabia), refuses to travel anywhere without tea bags, a travel kettle and a mug or two. It's marvellous after a hard day travelling!