ladies - bring your own 'feminine products'....

Did you read the lovely post by elvira on 4/9/02. Now here is a woman I could fall in love with if I wasn't so in love with Terry Mckay.<BR><BR>Witty, intelligent, well grounded and radical......in a lovely sort of way.<BR><BR>My best elvira,<BR>Nickie

ttt

Don't use travel agents.

Disregard the above message

topping

Purchase post cards/books of the places you visit just in case you pictures do not turn out OK. My wife made a scrap book of our photos and the post cards, which turned out great.

When visting any major city by car, get up before dawn and go to all the major sites and points of intrest you want to see.You can zip around and park anywhere for a quick review of the area.It was fun to park at the foot of the Spanish steps and see the workmen smash the discarded wine bottels and sweep them up before the tourist returned.It also helps you to get your bearings so that when you return after the rush hour you can drive like a native and know where you are going.

Perhaps everyone already does this, but I've found it quite helpful. <BR><BR>I'm travelling to Paris in October and I've created a Word document called "Paris Notes". Whenerver I see some interesting information I simply highlight it, copy it and paste it into my "Paris Notes". (hotel/restaurant tip, packing tip, shopping info, websites, etc.) Obviously, there have been several from this thread...and all of Fodor's. But I've found snippets all over the place. I now have a 5 page document which will be whittled down. Before I leave, I'll reorganize it by topic and arrondisement.

!great thread!

Use credit cards and debit cards. Don't take traveler's checks.

Send lots of postcards home to yourself. You will have the picture, postmark, stamp, and memory all in one. And you will countinue to receive them once you are home. Great memory maker!Got this idea from Alice Steinbach's &quot;An Independant Woman.&quot; What do you think?

I don't know what to say to the guys, but for the women, don't underestimate the need to &quot;look pretty&quot; even among strangers. Pack light, yes, but don't leave out what makes you feel good when you look in the mirror. Bring at least one pair of cute shoes. Especially in Paris! And of course, bring your wonderful, happy smile.

Elizabeh, I love that idea!! It made me smile just thinking about getting postcards from all my favourite places - I can't imagine how much I will be smiling when it actually happens. Of course, my husband will think I'm nuts!!!

Pack light then remove at least three things from your suitcase. Plan well and then abandon most of your carefully planned itinerary allowing for the possibility of discovering something new! Take two ATM cards in case one of yours gets mangled(as european machines do just as well as those in the US).

After we arrive at our destination we find a place to drink coffee for about a hour before we leave the airport, this gives us time to wake up and plan our next move.<BR><BR>Make copies of your drivers license and passport to your email address.

I buy blank labels and fill those out with names and addresses before I even leave. Then I fill out postcards and attach the lable. No list to carry and I know who I sent postcards to because their name is gone.

great thread!

Do not leave valuables, i.e. your purse, locked in a car even for just a few moments. I can't believe the number of women who do this. It doesn't matter if it is in the glove compartment, under a seat or in the trunk (will cut through the back seat w/a knife)It is a very lucrative business and they are watching you. I know, I was gone 10 minutes and had to replace everything-airline ticket, passport, travelers cks etc. At least I had youth to blame it on...but it wasn't fun!

These are such great tips - just in time for my first &quot;packing light&quot; trip. Thanks everyone!