Some things from my basic list:

- Earplugs
- Bubble wrap
- extra zip lock bags (good for storing receipts and business cards)
- Journal
- Corkscrew
- travel size alarm clock
- Of course: passport, credit card, ATM card, some cash

Monica

I always travel with a corkscrew and my set of Riedel "O" wine glasses. They travel well and I always have a nice glass to drink out of.

My sense of humor - indispensable! Gets me through some not-so-perfect days.

I always make room for extra lip balm, tiny scented candle, traveller's first-aid kit, compact umbrella, iPod and compact speakers (instead of alarm clock), plenty of zip-loc bags...and some of these things I wind up not needing, some I always do.

But I'm really lost without a knife. A Clip-it Delica has been a fixture on my keychain since well before the days when you could fly with a knife in the cabin with you if the blade was under 3-1/2 inches. It's so useful that I feel like a hand is missing when it has to be left behind.

After many unsatisfactory replacements I finally found a tiny Eddie Bauer knife with a built-in button light. It goes in a checked bag, of course, but now I have both emergency light and a great little blade in a very compact package that looks nothing like what it is. Wouldn't travel without it.

A credit card sized flat pocket magnifier is handy for road maps and other things with very small print.

Flashlight
Corkscrew

And a little multi-tool (Swiss Army?), which my husband put to good use in taking apart a bathroom drain in Nice to retrieve a contact lens.

(It was the first day of the trip and I didn't want to have to use my extra lenses so soon. The way things were going at that point, I might have been out of contactts by the time we got to Avignon).

Byrd

Oh, and I forgot to add, I now always take one of those flat rubber sink drain stoppers!

Byrd

After our trip to Paris a few months ago, I will never travel without the "Magic Cream."

Okay maitaitom, I must ask -- what is magic cream? What am I missing?

My primary needs, in no particular order:
Camera with lots of memory
Comfortable shoes
If flying coach (from California it's a long way to Europe) I want my blanket, pillow, and (new) lumbar support. Just bought the lumbar support last week at a travel store and tried it out on a flight and it worked great! It straps around the back of the seat and two or three puffs is all that was needed to inflate it.

great walking shoes; my camera; and Rx's just in case I get sick.

It's not essential at all, but I haven't taken a trip in 10 years without a bag of Twizzlers.

Hehe. I know that's not what you were going for, but they are always with me.

They are great for the flight and while sightseeing.

Hmmm, now I'm trying to figure out how to take all of these cool suggestions in my carry-on and fit in clothes too. ;-)

a sense of humor.

You've gotta tell us Maitaitom - we also want some if it's magic works on:
Getting upgraded on the plane
Getting a suite instead of a room
Keeps re-filling the wallet
Never lets you feel tired or worn out so that when you get home it doesn't feel like you REALLY need a holiday !

SUNSCREEN! Waterproof too, in case I forget an umbrella.

My husband!

"Magic Cream"....not that stuff for pediculosis I hope!

My iPAQ, of course. Why?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34474486

Also a small "Leatherman" tool.

Small notebook & pens to record experiences, thoughts, etc. Plus, it's kinda fun to pretend to be a food critic taking down notes about a restaurant. Maybe it's all in my head, but service seems to improve when I taste something, then write down a note (usually about something completely non-food related). It's a lovely little world I've concocted in my imagination!

Looking at your watch and writing down something while waiting for the next course seems to have a salutary effect, also. gt;