I unpack everything when I get to a hotel, unless I'll be spending only one night there. It only takes a few minutes (if you pack as little as I do!) and it eliminates all the jumbled suitcase problems.

If I'll be arriving somewhere late in the day, I may wait until the morning to unpack, in which case I put everything I'll need for the first night (pajamas, toiletries, etc.) in my little personal item bag, so I can get it without messing up my packed suitcase.

I really don't have much interest in compression bags, either. They may save space, but they don't save any weight; in fact they add the weight of the bag.

>>NAVIGATION
I have a US/Europe Garmin. I program in the addresses that I know I will be using prior to leaving the US. When I arrive in Europe and need to head to first hotel/town. etc I just go to the saved places and head out. Saves time and some rental cars still charge you for navigation. My system also warns of upcoming cameras on the road to check speed. Sweden has them about every five miles it seems like. That alone paid for my Garmin.<<<

In most EU countries it's illegal to have this function on. In Sweden, roadside cameras are announced by signs, both the beginning of the stretch, and the end of it. If you're stopped and your radar detect function is discovered it'll be a steep fine...

moosey writes of "the two full-size meals they manage to feed you on a six-hour flight to Europe".

You must be flying better airlines or sitting in a better class of seat than I. We hoard the crackers and cheese from dinner to add some substance to "breakfast!"

I know this is an odd thing, but I find the bug spray wipes invaluable. They work great, easy to carry, goes on so easy and don't smell gross like some bug spray. In Austria and Germany we spend lots of time near the lakes, it gets buggy!

Actually, mosquito repellent of some sort may be a good idea. At least here in Italy, it's very hard to find mosquito repellent with DEET. They're mostly citronella, which is both stinky and ineffective.

Mrs B always take 5 m of string and some electrician's tape, no idea why and it does no harm!

If I have two bags I try and make it so one is not allowed to be opened for the first few days, it just keeps stuff a bit more organised.

I'd use a mobile phone and "here" app, taking another GPS system is just too many toys.

Google Maps (best map app in my opinion) now allows you to pre-download their maps in advance and save them for a month at a time. Once that is done you can use maps for navigation in an area w/out using data. Do this by opening the app and hitting the 3 lines (menu symbol) in the top left corner, going to SETTINGS and then to OFFLINE AREAS. You then hit the + symbol and then zoom to the area you want to download. It's my understanding you can use navigation where your blue dot (current location) is updated over the downloaded maps with almost no data use.

A word on OTC meds -- although you can get meds in other countries, from our recent experience it was far less convenient than in the US. Everyone in our family conveniently forgot to pack painkiller except me (mom/planner/pack mule), which meant that we ran out after just a few days. In the UK, France and Germany, we had a hard time finding the ibuprofen + caffeine combo, sore throat spray and "Tylenol PM" type meds husband prefers.

Locks for luggage--tried to buy a bunch of TSA approved locks but over the years have had to buy more. So now I number the locks and number the keys, so I know which key goes to which lock.

COMMENT RE ABOVE ON LOCKS: I saw an article on travel locks recently and the write recommended using simple lock ties. Take plenty with you. This way you will always know if someone has opened your suitcase. The TSA is supposed to leave a note, but sometimes does not. Regarding the regular locks I buy the ones with a cable instead of a hard hasp...they seem to hold up better. I had hard lock get jammed one time and had to go out late at night to buy some pliers to cut it open. Use only combination locks, no keys. Set all locks to same combination.

GARMIN COMMENT FROM ABOVE: in response to one poster. I do not use a radar detector. My Garmin has that camera ID function built in. I spent one week driving in Sweden and can attest that there is not much warning for any of the cameras until you are upon them and by then it is too late. If you get stopped just put the Garmin under the seat and take your ticket like a man.

This may be a little over the top, but about eight years ago I was on a three-week trip to Spain, traveling through a couple different climates. I brought along only one very small carry-on, so in packing I was very conservative.

One thing I was glad I had packed was a long bit of string and some large paper clips. That was my laundry drying line, and it really came in handy, and took almost no space/weight at all.

1. Less is more. Less travel, more exploring. Less travel, more time for relaxation. Less travel, more enjoyment in general.

2. Find playgrounds for the kids. They need to let out their energy somewhere and what better place than a playground! There are apps to find them.

3. Rent bikes if your kids like biking.

4. Rent boats on lakes for another fun mode of travel.

5. Find hotels that offer playgrounds or areas for the kids to play.

6. Remember: if the kids are happy, you'll be happier as well.