Thanks guys! :-) I knew I forgot something! lol...I forgot to put my umbrella in my suitcase. Never go to Europe without an umbrella! ;-)
Thanks again. What would I do without you! ;-)

Minimeike - thanks for starting a most amusing post!

It seems that there is planning - and then there is PLANNING !!!!!

I have never made a list to travel. I double-check I have passports, tickets and assorted documents which may be required.

And I ALWAYS make sure I have a spare pair of contact lenses, and because I love a glass (or 3!) of wine my corkscrew is NEVER forgotten.

Then I consider the weather, and pack as I think fit. I ask someone to feed the cat and hamsters. I lock the windows and doors, try to remember to turn off the heating/hot water but it's not the end of the world if it's left on, maybe pull out a few electric plugs, and that's it.

Anything essential I have forgotten to pack can be bought elsewhere, or I can do without it for a few days. Except for the children..... I try not to forget them, although there are always a few times each holiday when I wish I had....=D>

But remember... to be a good Fodorite, you have to be able to fit all of the above into a suitcase or duffle bag no bigger than 22". ;)

Degas' list is absurd and an embarrasment. He did not even include pork and beans or smoked sausage!
Some of the longer lists have freightened me due to their complexity.

Platz, I was rudely escorted off an Air France flight once after me and the LW enjoyed a vat of my special baked beans and deep fried chicken gizzards. It was the cabin pressure that worked against me, that and the terrible lack of air flow. Never again.

It is Europe: They don't have washcloths in the hotels. Better pack your own.

Take out the garbage before you go and make sure the house is clean and tidy. I hate coming home to a mess!

To Travelnut: exemplary planning. One supplement only needed for Australian travellers: a jar of Vegemite.

To Kaybe95: I understand and expect 'self-catering' to mean all that stuff is supplied. I certainly want it to be there each time I check in to a Ferienwohnung in Germany.

Harzer

<i>&quot;To Kaybe95: I understand and expect 'self-catering' to mean all that stuff is supplied. I certainly want it to be there each time I check in to a Ferienwohnung in Germany.&quot;</i>

We have not found that to be the case with properties we have rented. They have the basics like pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, etc... But not the kitchen essentials I listed.

..condoms but then again I am an optimist

I don't like deciding what clothes to wear to work the next day, much less what to put in a suitcase for 10 days. That's why I keep a detailed list (don't necessarily take it ALL), stick to black, red, purple for the most part, and only take carryon. I can spend all my time planning the fun parts and just stick to the plan for the 'business' part. Works for me/us.

Well, I want to print this post out to show all my travel buddies that I'm not the only OCD traveler in the world!

No one mentioned their Palm...which stores a lot of this information from one trip to the next.

Also, I'm sure you do, but if you put this list on the computer (I use Excel) you can look back at what you packed last time for a similar trip, and you already know what you have...with a few tweaks, you're all set for the new trip!

Now, I'm going to print this out and settle down for a lovely evening with a glass of wine and update my packlist for Paris, Florence &amp; Venice '05

:-)

Travelnut &amp; MaureenB you are hired! For families - thermometer. I keep my list on the computer &amp; add/delete as needed per trip. I print portions of the list for the kids to pack themselves, with quanties of clothing. Minimeike - thanks for this, I also forgot the umbrellas, we really don't use them in Colorado.

MaureenB ! where is it that milk is still delivered?

Degas, a small bottle of Odor Eliminator (obtained from your local hospital) will save the day next time.
And anyway, I don't think it was the smell that got 'em, it was those books.

Nobody has mentioned to take along a handsome, well built young man to carry your bags and for some light evenings entertainment.

Schnauzer,
Where do you get one of those? And is there a large selection? (Nothing too used please!)

I have a selection on hand, for the right price I can let you have one. New models coming in every day. (I wish!!)Nice thought though eh?

Travelnut, we live in Denver where Royal Crest Dairy delivers twice weekly. The best milk, fresh from the dairy, and hormone-free. Also cheeses, coffee, some bakery items, eggs, cookie dough, some juices. It's an expensive luxury, but it's worth it. Whenever you realize you're out of something, you can have it delivered, instead of running to the store where you will end up buying a dozen other items. So maybe it might be less expensive, given that. If you like drinking milk, which I do, this milk can't be beat.

We can get milk delivered in western Massachusetts, too.