This is a great thread.

And Travelnut, you and I were related in a past life! As organized as I am, I was still able to add one of your 'things' to my list (held the mail, but forgot to hold the newspaper!) Well done.

((Y))

Emergency rolls of toilet paper and toilet seat covers. Travel size packets are available at drug stores. I recently returned from a 16-day cruise on the QE2, with stops in Portugal, Spain, Senegal and the Canary Islands. I was surprised to find poor public restroom facilties even in the modern cities like Lisb

Grrrr! Not sure why my posts have a tendency to get cut off; I must have a wayward finger. Anyway, I was trying to say that restroom facilities were poor to abysimal (Dakar) on my recent trip and my little Charmin roll and toilet seat covers really came in handy. I passed the roll onto some fellow excursion passengers on two separate occasions.

Also, earplugs are a handy item. On the QE2, there was a steady engine noise (like something loose banging against the side of the ship) that bothered a lot of passengers. I even overheard people discussing it at mealtimes. But I was able to sleep through it because of my earplugs. Of course, their purpose was to drown out my father's snoring,but they proved useful for other noises, too.

I'm organized compared to many others; however, I don't have an extensive list and will definitely use this info. There is something missing from this list, a neck rest and light blanket for the long flight. Don't use airline blanket...yuck :)

travelnut I want to travel with you! I will use your list for my next trip!

Thanks, Travelnut -- I've also printed out your list and will use it next time... if there is a next time. I'm having both knees replaced April 17th.

Then you'll be as good as new!

First aid kit (bandaids, antibiotic creams, etc.), the foam inserts from Dr. Scholls to make your feet more comfy after long days of walking.

A journal to write down your thoughts and how you feel about the places you are visiting. Keeping a journal will also help you to remember those wonderful little cafes and restaurants you visited but may have forgotten the name of by the end of your trip.

Great thread! bookmarking

Turn off hot and cold water taps to the washing machine. My laundry room flooded when I was gone and the water ran over onto the adjacent hardwood floors.

Hey, Ilovetotravel29, you are so right about the journal. My husband says he's grateful I'm a journaler because we have refered numerous times to journals from previous trips as we plan this one.

Last trip I also took a glue stick for attaching business cards from restaurants, shops that have items you might want to order when you get home, new acquaintances, etc. as well as tickets stubs and small paper souvenier items in my journal pages.

Travelnut...we leave Friday for Barcelona and I am traveling also with red, black and purple!!

Thanks to all for the list...I had to add bunion pads and moleskin...(bad feet)

nice thread, thanks for reviving it.

VS

Hi! This is my first time to post anything. I have been hanging out here for awhile getting some great tips for my first trip to Europe. I will be packing in a 22" carry-on so I need all the help I can get with packing! Thanks for all the suggestions.

Here's one very important item. While traveling in Norway last year I had some credit cards stolen and wish that I had taken along copies of my card numbers plus the numbers to call in case they came up missing. I would also have some extra credit cards as backup kept in your room. Also I had only one ATM card and and it didn't have the "Plus" symbol on the back and didn't work in most ATM machines. I have since mentioned this to my Credit Union. I also make up a calendar which has my trip schedule plus necessary contact phone numbers incase something turns up missing. On a trip out of Vancou

Here's the rest of my reply.
Here's one very important item. While traveling in Norway last year I had some credit cards stolen and wish that I had taken along copies of my card numbers plus the numbers to call in case they came up missing. I would also have some extra credit cards as backup kept in your room. Also I had only one ATM card and it didn't have the "Plus" symbol on the back and didn't work in most ATM machines. I have since mentioned this to my Credit Union. I also make up a calendar which has my trip schedule plus necessary contact phone numbers incase something turns up missing. On a trip out of Vancouver Canada my friend accidentally left her purse on the top of the car behind us as we were loading things into the trunk of our car. Our trip schedule was also in the purse and the police called to the next city that we were going to report that they had her purse, and a shop owner had found it and turned it over to the Police. We were lucky and had noticed it missing and returned and called the Police who had it and returned it to us.

*** I always pack a new nightgown:) ***
Janeyre, I LOVE this idea. This was one of those Doioioing! moments. It's funny because I'm not real big on pajamas but the thought of coming back to your room after a hard day being a tourist and climbing into a new and pretty nightgown sounds so comforting. Thanks!

what to pack and do at home before a trip http://tinyurl.com/juhdm
universal packing list
upl.codeq.info/index.jsp

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If travelling to Paris, take a 1" x 1" picture for your Carte Orange

If travelling without spouse, but with kids, another post recommended taking a notarized letter signed by spouse stating you may take the kids out of the country