We have a great check off list as we prepare for travel-house list-to do list-pack list-etc. Last trip as soon as we settled in to our first place I was sure I hadn't unplugged our Bunn coffee maker. I emailed our daughter and had them get in through a window to take care of the problem. Unfortunately when they saw it was "off" they assumed that was okay. When we returned it was almost bone dry! Had our vacation lastest another day or two I shudder to think of what we would have found. Lesson learned, unplug coffee maker is now on the top of the list. Shirley

bookmarking

schnauzer,
now you're talkin'

Blister bandaids are on my list (and about a million other things). Thanks for the good suggestions.

ambien and earplugs!

bookmarking, thanks.

Just bookmarking. Great advice!

Bookmarking

Itty Bitty Book Light for reading in poorly lighted European hotels

I hate to admit it, but I also take a small electric travel coffee pot along with enough American coffee for the trip. Need Java immediately upon waking so coffee pot is essential for me.

gotta bookmark this one :)

I pack a couple of infant wash cloths. They dry incredibly fast and fold up into a tiny ziplock.

As a woman, I'm a big fan of the sarong if you're going somewhere warm. It packs like a dream and can be worn on the beach and out to dinner depending on what you wear with it. Just make sure it's easily washable.

flagging.

Very valuable thread, especially for first timers. I'm leaving in mid-Feb. and already starting to make my lists and lay out the essestials. Thanks to all contributors. Let's keep this site alive.

Forgot to add this amusing note, since I also travel to the BVI quite frequently. It was an article about dressing for rustic living and sailing in the BVI. This guy said he had it down to a science--he WORE everything on his body for the trip. First, no underwear, because you really don't need it if you are in a swimsuit all day. It went like this, from bottom layer out: swimtrunks, shorts and two tee-shirts over that, one dressier button-up shirt over those, baseball cap and sunglasses, Teva sandals, and his toiletries; passport, travel papers, credit cards and camera in one small carry-on.

Can someone improvise a little on this idea for Europe? An interesting proposition and a new twist on "traveling light." jg

I always carry a small battery operated alarm clock - you can never trust hotels clerks to wake you up when you have to make an early flight, and many times the electric alarm clocks provided to not work properly.

I almost missed my flight home because of non-functioning such alarm!

I am a forgetful person, so I've typed up a list of things to take with me, and to do before a trip. I just print one and mark them off when packing, print another one for the next trip.

I don't take new things with me, only the "trusted" ones. Especially shoes. If they feel good, I don't wear at home, save them for trips only.