Besides clothing and the usual toiletries, what is that something you always put in your suitcase that has come in real handy? For me, it's 2 things. My all-time favourite very useful item is a 6 or 9 foot extension cord because I've been in too many hotels where the mirror is on one wall and the outlet for my blowdryer is way over on another. I also sometimes take an extra 6 hangers because some rooms have only 3 or 4 and I hate layering 2 or 3 items on one hanger.

cork screw of course...

For me it's a little pair of scissors. I always seem to need to cut the tags off of clothing or other items that I've purchased. Also, a lint roller. I can't stand having lint on my dark clothes.

<BR>Yes, the wonderful lint roller!<BR>

For several years I followed a hint I had read about -- throwing in some fabric softner sheets (like Bounce). They supposedly help keep your clothes fresh, and you can use them if you do laundry along the way. But it took me several years to figure out why I seemed to always end up with several articles of clothes with permanent &quot;grease spots&quot; after vacation. I have since learned that the contact of dry clothes against those dryer sheets can cause permanent stains.

PATRIC OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I finally learned somthing in this forum after 3 years.. so thats what the stain was.. I new it smelled yummy..

I pack evthing I don't mind getting stolen in my carry on suitcase. like.. hold up let me check.....insect repelents and books..

<BR>Never leave for Europe without:<BR>Swiss army knife (corkscrew inc.), <BR>travel alarm clock - for those _early_ flights home, <BR>flashlight, especially if you rent cars.

I gotta have my pillow. It's ok, you can roll your eyes, you should see my husband roll his eyes at me everytime I grab it up for the trip.<BR>Oh yes, and I take some old washcloths - cause we usually stay in 3 stars or under that may not have washcloths. I take old ones and leave them behind. And the 3rd one is a small jar of hazelnut creamer.YUM!

Earplugs!

Duct tape and extra ziploc bags.<BR><BR>Baker, or anyone, regarding using an extension cord, can you just use any regular one with an adapter or is there a special type that must be used overseas?<BR> <BR>Thanks,<BR>Melissa

Another pillow person. And maybe not a &quot;useful&quot; item, but pictures of my dogs, so I won't feel so sad when my vacation is drawing to an end.

Small bottle of Febreeze for freshening up clothes, and large ziplock bags. Always use both at one time or another.<BR><BR>Oh, and the ever present corkscrew....never leave home w/o it.<BR>

These things live permanently in my suitcase, are never even unpacked: Extra, gallon-size and sandwich-size Ziplock bags (for everything from wet laundry to organizing trip mementoes like brochures and tickets), candle &amp; matches, flashlight, photocopy of passport, travel alarm clock.

In addition to my never-leaves-the-suitcase pack (with eyeshades, earplugs, travel clock, and booklight), I always carry a couple of the claw-type hair-grabbers, not just because I need them for my hair but because they come in handy for things like closing the motel/hotel drapes ALL the way, as impromptu clothes pins, and leaving notes for traveling companion on lampshades!<BR><BR>(I've posted this before on a similar thread started, I believe, by Elvira, but I'm unable to pull it up via a search -- seems gone.)

A lead lined bag for my film. So far I have had good luck with my film and photos.

wet-naps. Ya just never know!

Hi<BR> In addition to the above always take my electric converter/adapter kit, a couple of travel packs of tissues, some Q-tips, band aids, and 10 ft of string.<BR><BR> Thanks Brahmama for the washcloth tip.<BR><BR><BR>

A mailing tube, for posters, etc.

For longer trips ( especially if the shopping factor is high - I pack a duffel bag that lays flat. <BR>I put it on the bottom of my suitcase, and then for the trip home, all the dirty clothes and shoes go there, and the new stuff goes in the good suitcase. Just be sure to bring a lock or cable-tie to keep the bag from opening. <BR>