Thank goodness I brought that on my trip to Europe!
May 25th, 2004, 09:33 PM
#42
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I take a skirt/ pants hanger -- the kind with the metal clips-- for hanging things to dry (or just hanging skirts). I just leave it at the end of the trip.
I couldn't do without a little plastic spray bottle. It's my "travel iron". If something's wrinkled I just spray it lightly with water and hang it to dry-- or blow the hairdryer on it for a minute--Voilà! --wrinkles are gone.
I couldn't do without a little plastic spray bottle. It's my "travel iron". If something's wrinkled I just spray it lightly with water and hang it to dry-- or blow the hairdryer on it for a minute--Voilà! --wrinkles are gone.
May 25th, 2004, 10:01 PM
#43
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Most of the items I take have already been mentioned, but here are a couple we find usefull, a plastic clothes line you get at a travel stores, and a sink stopper. Also a small bottle of liquid soap. This way we can do small laundry when we're somewhere for a couple days.
I never travel without my small down travel pillow. It's actually a baby size. Can't sleep without it on most hotel pillows and it's great on planes. My gortex rainhat and a couple silk scarves also go with me. I've started buying silk scarves as my souvenir from different countries and wear them while I'm there.
I never travel without my small down travel pillow. It's actually a baby size. Can't sleep without it on most hotel pillows and it's great on planes. My gortex rainhat and a couple silk scarves also go with me. I've started buying silk scarves as my souvenir from different countries and wear them while I'm there.
May 26th, 2004, 02:30 AM
#45
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I also find a heavy duty plastic knife/fork/spoon set helpful. It's great for those impromptu picnics. I actually found a set at Walmart, of all places, several years ago that snaps together, which is easy to pack. (Even though it's plastic, I put it in my checked suitcase. (Not sure if airport security would confiscate it.)
Also, one thing I figured it for my upcoming trip is something NOT to pack. I copied down the numbers and customer service numbers of the credit cards I'm taking with me, and I saved it as a "note" on my work computer. This way, if one is stolen, all I need to do is go to an internet cafe and access my work e-mail via the internet and pull up the information. (I never liked having the credit card information written out somewhere where someone could find it.) I also saved a copy of my passport as a .pdf file and e-mailed it to my work e-mail. While I will travel with my passport (obviously), and a copy, I also have a back-up that's accessible to me.
Susan
Also, one thing I figured it for my upcoming trip is something NOT to pack. I copied down the numbers and customer service numbers of the credit cards I'm taking with me, and I saved it as a "note" on my work computer. This way, if one is stolen, all I need to do is go to an internet cafe and access my work e-mail via the internet and pull up the information. (I never liked having the credit card information written out somewhere where someone could find it.) I also saved a copy of my passport as a .pdf file and e-mailed it to my work e-mail. While I will travel with my passport (obviously), and a copy, I also have a back-up that's accessible to me.
Susan
May 26th, 2004, 03:21 AM
#46
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A much cheaper but very effective way to avoid blisters is to pack a roll of cloth sports tape. After a bit of walking, I tear off a piece and cover any foot area that is getting tender. From then on, there is no further development. (new piece every morning).
May 26th, 2004, 05:52 AM
#47
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Calamari: I got the travel pillow from the Land's End home catalogue some years ago. I haven't seen them featured lately. However, another recent thread mentioned that down travel pillows are available through L.L. Bean--the poster said you have to ask about them as they don't show up in the catalogue itself. Good luck.
May 26th, 2004, 07:34 AM
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Hello eveyone, I would like to add my two cents to this thread. As an old "rodie" duct tape is a necessity, bandanas are part of my wardrobe, and my shoes are built for comfort not for style.
Backpacking/camping outfitters are a great source for travel needs. I use campmor.com . They have all sorts of light weight, unbreakable, easy to pack items that are inexpensive and fun to own, such as Lexan wine glasses, knife fork and spoon that fit together and fit your hand, made with stainless steel.
William
Backpacking/camping outfitters are a great source for travel needs. I use campmor.com . They have all sorts of light weight, unbreakable, easy to pack items that are inexpensive and fun to own, such as Lexan wine glasses, knife fork and spoon that fit together and fit your hand, made with stainless steel.
William
May 26th, 2004, 05:01 PM
#51
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Just wanted to add that for people who talked about blister treatment, Bandaid now makes a "compeed" gel bandaid that is available in the US. ( I bought some at Target) Hope I don't need it, but better to be prepared.
May 26th, 2004, 06:49 PM
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Slippers. Take up no room in a suitcase and are oh-so-nice on my feet after a day's walking or a shower or if I get stuck with a funky room. Tuck my tired tootsies into some toasty slippers - ahhhh . . . paradise.
May 27th, 2004, 06:28 AM
#54
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DH always takes duct tape (it's become a little joke). He doesn't tote the whole roll; instead, he wraps a long length of it around a pencil. It's been handy for quick luggage repairs and other unexpected little breakages. I'd never leave home without my earplugs.
May 27th, 2004, 07:15 AM
#55
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I love the idea of pdf'ing those things and keeping them "on line".
I think one could simply e-mail them to one's self say from my real email server to "yahoo"... and that's available all over the world!
Thanks for that tip!
I think one could simply e-mail them to one's self say from my real email server to "yahoo"... and that's available all over the world!
Thanks for that tip!
May 27th, 2004, 08:11 AM
#56
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Antibacterial hand gel!!!
Couldn't live without it when traveling!
Also, a bar of soap (the soap at the hotel is always SO small and is more like "powder bath" soap).... Keep the suggestions coming!
Kelly
Couldn't live without it when traveling!
Also, a bar of soap (the soap at the hotel is always SO small and is more like "powder bath" soap).... Keep the suggestions coming!
Kelly
May 27th, 2004, 08:39 AM
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Slippers - we ended up buying these there halfway into our trip, but kept commenting on how nice it would have been to have brought these with us so we could have had them earlier!
Good map - loved the Rough Guide maps with a small convenient side and a larger more detailed side.
Longchamps nylon tote - these are foldable so they stow very easily in your luggage, and they are a great way to store your picnic items for the day or when you go to the market.
Good map - loved the Rough Guide maps with a small convenient side and a larger more detailed side.
Longchamps nylon tote - these are foldable so they stow very easily in your luggage, and they are a great way to store your picnic items for the day or when you go to the market.
May 27th, 2004, 08:45 AM
#60
We always pack pictures of our home town, house, family, dog, etc., so that when we end up chatting with some locals we can show them our native habitat. It never fails to be a fun thing to do. Even multiple prints sometime - you can write your name etc. on the back for further correspondence should the opportunity arise.
I also print out web pages with hotel, visitor attractions, restaurant recommendations etc. separate pages for each town to be visited, so you can fold them up and put them in a pocket, rather than fumbling with a guidebook in a pinch.
I also print out web pages with hotel, visitor attractions, restaurant recommendations etc. separate pages for each town to be visited, so you can fold them up and put them in a pocket, rather than fumbling with a guidebook in a pinch.
