flygirl

Given that the trip I took last week did not have the best weather - I was very glad for some items I packed. For instance, I took little slippers along which I don't usually bother with. Given that my B&B had old hardwood floors, it was a nice thing to have - it kept my tootsies warm and kept any possible splinters at bay. I also took (as a last minute thought) a pair of comfy old pants that I wouldn't have worn "out and about". I had jammies, but it was nice to have something NOT jammies to lounge in, with a pot of hot chocolate, cookies and a book, after several hours of being in the chill and rain. At the time I packed them I thought "is this a good use of luggage space" and in the end it was.

It got me thinking - what do others take along as "creature comforts" on trips? This doesn't have to be a winter/bad weather destination trip - what items do you take along that may not be "necessities" but that you really like to have with you?

I still remember on a backpacking trip eons ago (so long ago that I stayed in youth hostels...) a girl who packed in her small pack a full size bottle of Chanel No. 5. I don't believe she had even packed her makeup but she had that perfume! At the time I thought storing a jar of Nutella I had bought on the trip, in my pack, was a luxury... but it definitely made an impression. I now travel with perfume but it's usually the little samples you get when you buy perfume. I've heard of people who pack small candles for a nice scent in their hotel, and I've seen those who take their favorite pillow (this I will NEVER understand - just, uck).

So, how about you - what makes you feel good to have in your pack?

carolyn

I take my neck pillow for the plane. The next time we go to London, my daughter and I have decided we will buy fresh flowers the first day for our room even if we have to stash them in a Coke can.

adrienne

I also take a neck pillow and find it's useful for dozing on buses and trains and for support when the hotel only gives one mushy pillow.

I carry scented body lotion rather than perfume, especially after my bottle of perfume was broken in my suitcase and the suitcase was permeated with the scent for the entire trip.

My special Fragonard soap travels with me.

Travelnut

My wine kit, coffee kit, and powder bubblebath.

MelJ

<b>My husband.</b> Good for leaning on in the plane, getting in and out of overhead bins, watching luggage when you need to go to the airport bathroom, wearing a daybag with maps, water, camera, etc., carrying money, holding my hand, snuggling at night, running for coffee in the morning... need I go on?

MademoiselleFifi

little laptop computer.

yk

I bring:

inflatable neck pillow & eyemask for the plane ride
ear plugs
definitely slippers - I hate walking bare feet in hotel rooms or apartments!
scented travel candle

for fall/winter/spring, I always pack my wool hat and wool gloves even if I don't need them. I HATE being cold!

Apres_Londee

Yes to perfume! I don't take slippers but I have this pair of pink fuzzy socks with grips on the soles to wear around inside my hotel room or apartment- I only ever wear them on trips, never at home. I like buying fresh flowers too, and nice bubble bath if I have a tub.

JeanneB

I have a little baby blanket, fleece on one side, satin on the other. On the plane, I ball it up and use as a pillow or around my neck.

In hotels, I put it over the bed pillow. The fleece keeps it from moving around and the satin is nice to sleep on.

Jean

For the plane, noise-cancelling headphones and my MP3 player.

MelJ, what are you and your husband doing in the overhead bins? ;-)

rialtogrl

I brought one of my pillows on the last trip - it was bulky, but light and I was really happy I had it. I left it behind (I need to buy new pillows, anyway.)

I always bring a set of Riedel O glasses to drink wine and water out of. I hate plastic cups.

yk

If space weren't such a premium for me (I travel with carryon only), I'd love to pack this Eddie Bauer Down Travel Pillow & Throw set with me on my trips!
http://tinyurl.com/yen7e2v

MelJ

Jean: LOL--good catch! And I was an English major...

Iowa_Redhead

My favorite shampoo and conditioner. I have long hair and hate the thouught of relying on what might be provided in a hotel or what I could find in a supermarket. It makes traveling carry on only for any length of time difficult but it's well worth it.

Depending on the trip I often take a pair of fleece lounge pants. Perfect for around the hotel room/apartment and then slip them off put on silky jammies for bedtime unless it's frigid. They're great for running to vendo land or the ice machine in the middle of the night.

MomDDTravel

Oh I like that YK.

Last December when we went to Paris flying from LAX - CDG - I brought my real pillow with me. I was VERY glad I did. We were not in business class and it was so helpful to have for my 12 year old and I to sort of smush between us to sleep on. It was worth the bulk. I knew we were in one apartment for the 10 nights - so lugging it around was not an issue.

I always bring a blanket. I am such a homebody gypsy if there is such a thing. I love to travel and enjoy every aspect of the new people, places, things, but I hate not having my few things, like my pillows, bed... blankets.

I bring those fuzzy socks usually and toss them after the trip because they get sort of gross after a few washes. They work well for dd to wear on the plane as well.

Virgogirl

I bring a flameless candle to set on the coffee table in the evenings at whatever RCI condo we're staying at. It makes our living room seem cozy and no flame to worry about if we fall asleep!

yk

MomDD, we actually saw that Down Travel Pillow & Throw set at the Eddie Bauer OUTLET store several weeks ago. The outlet store was selling them for real cheap - I think less than half the regular price! I must admit, it took a huge amount of self-control & restrain NOT to buy it!

nancythenice

MelJ - do you loan out your husband? (Just kidding). My greatest luxury was traveling with my 27 year old son who never got tired of hauling the bags or driving - bliss.

I have a travel pillow that is the in the shape of those countoured foam pillows (which is the kind I use at home)but only about 1/3 as wide. It is like someone cut a regular pillow into thirds. It is covered in velvety fabric, and rolls up to fit inside a leatherette cover, about the size of a large water bottle. The case has a strap, and I can clip it on my carry on luggage, or my purse. It is great on the plane, for sleeping, or as a cushion for sitting, and also helped me survive the slab-like italian pillows we encountered often. I think I ordered it from Travel Smith a few years ago.
I also enjoy a nylon robe - doesn't take up much space but adds a bit of warmth and modesty - better than just lounging at night in a nightgown.

Here is what I am going to add next time: a small battery powered reading light for hotel rooms with inadequate bedside lamps.

november_moon

I bring my pillow if packing light isn't an issue - staying in one place or renting a car for travelling around, definitely if we are going on a car trip. I love my pillow and I always sleep better with it. We've always done this in my family. First car trip my husband took with us, he laughed when he looked around the van and saw us all with our pillows

I also always bring something to lounge around in - some sort of yoga type pants, comfy tee and good socks.

Margaretlb

I bring one of my large, wool shawls (about 24" x 48") which I use as a blanket on the plane (rather then that recycled, linty blanket)and it also doubles as an extra warm layer if needed (for my winter trips)and a handy "throw" when in my room reading/resting. I also bring epsom salt - just a small jar for soaking sore feet (got to use that bidet for something). I bring a beat-up pair of sweat pants for the room and a pair of hotel slippers (weigh next to nothing and can be discarded before coming home). And my CD player with extra batteries and plenty of CD's.