Besides the obvious things to take with you on a trip abroad:
1. An extra big suitcase to put all of the stuff on all of the lists in!!
2. Safety pins- to pin your pockets together to keep someone else's hand out- and to pin hotel curtains, hems, etc.
3. A pillow cover to slip over the hotel pillow- need I say more?
4. Always carry the name and phone number of the hotel where you are staying and a home contact number when you are out and about
5. I include the name and number of the first hotel in my suitcase when departing at the airport. The airport needs to know where to contact me in case of late or lost luggage.
6. When travelling with someone, carry a picture of that person as well as a copy of the first page of their passport in case anything should happen to them.
7. For people with medical problems and with allergies, type a brief history and list all of the prescriptions that you are taking. Carry in your pocket or purse.
8. Carry two extra passport pictures and a copy of the front page of your passport. In case of a loss, this really aids in getting a replacement.
9. With the above, a big smile and much, much courtesy!!

My sister, because she's willing to do all the driving!

Several feet of bubble wrap

"You should be selling these iPods."

Retail sales was never my forte. I should be getting it in a couple of days.

"But, how do you transfer 200 CDs to your iPod?"

I have already transferred the music from my personal cds into a library on my computer (which is a Mac). There is a port that will allow songs in my library to be transferred to my iPod.

And, I just read that you can also download text, so you could put in Paris restaurant reviews or any other trip info you might need. My business partner is a computer guru, so when I get it, he will show me the easiest way to do all this and I'll pass the info along.
((H))

Clarification of my "disposable' adjective re: pillowcases and face cloths - old, thin, worn ones that I can afford to lose if I forget them and/or they end up being"changed" by the hotel maids.

What a great list...i love fodors and all the great information people are willing to share to make another persons trip better.
IPODS...i love mine, though i didn't take it to europe with me. I didn't want to buy the euro adapter that would allow me to plug it into the wall for charging the battery..as i usually charge the internal battery on my computer.
Your ipod connects to your computer via firewire cord, which is included when you purchase the ipod, and then copy your music(mp3) files onto your ipod. For Mac, it's a simple drag and drop process.
I've been using my computer(s) as a jukebox of sorts for years, so it easy too copy mp3 files to my ipod when i purchased it.
The ipod is native to the Mac, but you can now purchase a PC model.
I bought my ipod at CompUSA because:
You can purchase a warantee that will fix or replace your ipod if it dies, of if you break it.
You can turn in your ipod when the new models come out, and get a newer model at the same pricepoint.
For example, i bought the 5 gig, and was unhappy with the fact that high quality songs take up so much room that i could "only" get around 500 songs instead of the 1000 advertised. I returned it after 6 months and paid the $100 difference between the 5 and 10 gig. Apple doesn't offer that service.

ttt

Absolutely NOTHING that will allow me to even think about answering e-mail while I'm on vacation (let'em contact the other folks at the office!)

Ooooh, I like your response Kismetchimera.....I am picturing Audrey Hepburn. I bet you always look very classy and put together without any effort.

Faina, need to see photo in order to consider offer.

Most important is anything prescription (glasses and medications). Pretty much everything else you can buy if needed.

If you put all these suggestions together into my suitcase, there would NOT be room for clothes (as one poster inquired!).

The best plans for traveling light can be easily laid to ruin, if you start throwing in everything you MIGHT conceivably use on a trip!

OK I admit, I do take a corkscrew and a tiny flashlight.

Must buy iPod. NOW.

Great lists!
Call me crazy, but in my experience, after 4 trips to Europe in the last couple of years- each trip, I find myself leaving more and more "indispensible" items behind, first at hotels as I was leaving, then giving away roadmaps to other travelers at car rental places, I tear the relevant pages out of my guidebooks before leaving,whatever can lighten the load! I leave email addresses behind, except the ones for people I am trying to meet in Europe, and rent a cell phone there for the duration. Traveling light is the best way to enjoy your surroundings! But that ipod does sound tempting........! No, wait, if I had been wearing headphones, I would have missed out on being serenaded with Neopolitan folk songs by friends on the Amalfi Coast!!

so all you need is the firewire cord to load your CDs onto your PC?

Are most of these items listed really must-haves? Or more nice-to-haves in case something might happen no matter how unlikely?

cell phone scrambling devise
whining tourist mussle
address book with wrong addresses
dirty hands
underwear with skid marks
ten year old sun screen
white shorts
Alarm clock set on wrong time
dead batteries
Swiss army knife which will be taken away
Maple leaf

jor, are you Canadian? Hence, the maple leaf...?

I was just curious, because seriously, nearly every Canadian that I meet during my travels either has a maple leaf emblem on their suitcase/backpack or clothes...

why is this...? Are people being really patriotic or they just don't want to be seen as Americans or what?

Sorry if I'm asking the wrong question (perhaps you aren't Canadian)...I've just always wanted to hear an explanation.

Thanks!

Oh yes, and I am definitely going to ask for an IPOD for Christmas now...beats carrying around all those CD's.

Cate22: I don't know about Jor but I met a Canadian in Provence that procurred a maple leaf lapel pin for just that reason -- didn't want to be mistaken for an American. Sad ...

Handiwipes: Instead of a washcloth I bring handiwipes cut in half to use for face clothes. They are disposable and thus don't have to carry around a wet musty washcloth in a plastic bag.

Ozium: I also like to bring a small Ozium orange air sanitizer which I purchase at an auto store. Great for musty rooms and as a bathroom spray.

Gel Bandaids for feet: Never fails, even with broken in shoes, I'll get a blister and these save me. Put them on and can continue to walk without pain. Made in small size for toes and heel size.

Cate22,
No, I am not Canadian! I am a none Canadian who is so sick of seeing Canadians running around with the Maple leaf plastered on everything. I think they look stupid. LOL