I don't really have that many must have accessories, but this thread is interesting because some things people say are must-haves are things I never carry or need.

My main must-have accessories are:
a folding booklight;
music (CD player or cassette player)--I would love to get one of those IPODs; AM-FM small radio receiver;
noise-cancelling headphones (bliss);
a few good books;
travel alarm clock;
earplugs;

and one of those water heater immersion coils with some instant coffee (I put at least 6 tsp into a small piece of plastic wrap and twisttie it) and a hard plastic coffee cup which can be used for boiling. I often must have coffee in the morning before going out so really need that. The plastic coffee cup is lightweight but boilproof (Melamine, I think). Sometimes I don't take the cup because I like to buy a souvenir coffee mug where I travel. As Barb inquired, you can get a European plug 220V immersion coil at travel accessory stores in the US. Franzus makes one I bought at the AAA travel store. I've also picked up 1-2 in Europe when I happened to see one in a discount store but they aren't that easy to find over there.

Christina - What's an "IPOD?"

Nevermind. I read this thread yesterday, but missed the entire IPOD discussion. I'm going to buy a laptop before I join the IPOD club.

My must haves:

ziplock bags
bandaids
protein bars
reading material
nail & footcare items (polish, remover, files, cotton balls, scrub, lotion) I absolutely will not trapse around with undone feet or nails.
ibuprofen

Thanks everyone. You've reminded me of all the things that I have to buy before my trip to Rome :-)

What are/is:

Wrinkle Free?
Woolite packs?
Mole Skin?

hi everyone, i've traveled quite a bit, but never thought of taking duct (duck). For those whose mentioned duct tape as a good thing to bring, could you enlighten me as to what you use it for? thanks, Stan

I forgot to include:

razors (must keep my legs silky smooth at all times)
shower gel (in little bottles)
extra pair of contact lenses

Anything that falls apart and needs fixing: luggage, shoes, camera gear, eyeglasses. I probably wouldn't bother taking it to Paris, but I wouldn't be without it in the 3rd world.

Fun post about duck tape: www.cruisediva.com/duck_tape.htm

Hey Maitai,

Can you also download pics from your digital camera to your iPod, to free up the camera's memory? If so, that would make it absolutely perfect and I'd have to run right out and get an iPod. I don't see why that wouldn't work, but I want to know for sure.

Thanks!!

Duct tape - great link. Who would have thought. ((b))

For MizzEve, Maybe have your nails done at a salon? I mention it only because I've had some really fun experiences doing this, great way to get "local".

Hi Barb, I have not seen the european immersion heaters at stores like bag and baggage. They sell many travel accessories, but not these. I found it at a store in Overland Park, Kansas called the Complete Traveler. It cost about $12.00 if I remember correctly.

Wrinkle Free is a small aerosol spray can that really works on pulling wrinkles out of clothes. Just lay it on the bed. Spray. Wait a second. Smooth. It's a miracle. I use it at home too.

Suze ~ that's a great idea ((i))

Have you been to any salons in Rome?

-travel size feather pillow
-those bags that shrink everything - I put all my dirty clothes in them and compress - leaves room for purchases. I also shrink my feather pillow down to nothing!
zip lock bags - all sizes
-pashmina & jean jacket - I have days and evenings covered with those two!

MissEve-
Mole Skin is sold at most cosmetic/drug stores. I think the type I buy are Dr. Scholl's. It's basically a soft pad with a sticky adhesive that can be cut to size and put on your feet (or on the shoe) to prevent blisters. I've used Mole Skin on my last 4 trips abroad and wouldn't leave home without it.

I saw a couple questions that didn't get answered:
One...do you need a firewire cord to copy music to your computer. NO!!
You need the firewire cord to transfer music from the Macintosh computer to the IPOD.
You can easily copy a cd onto your computer, and then use a "jukebox" software to play them....how it is done would depend on what type of computer you have. I like it because i can just hit play and have my entire music collection on rotation at anytime during the day.
Second, you CAN use your ipod as a
hard drive and store photos or documents. As far as i know, you would still need to load them to a computer, and then copy them to the ipod.
You could use the apple forum to ask if there's a direct way to plug the ipod to a digital camera.