I am off to Rome in October and will be bringing my "essential item" (my scented candle from home) I find that it helps me unwind after a long journey....I dont travel without it.....Anyone else out there have and "essential item" or am I alone?

Portable shortwave radio. Not for routine listening, but if I see a major event on local TV, or in the press, I want to find out about it in English.

My pillow! It's nice and flat already and then I put it in one of those packing bags that lets you squeeze out the air. By doing that I never have trouble sleeping in a strange hotel!

Gads am I a bore, LOL. But seriously I do not take any unneeded items. Shop in Italy is my motto. I do like to get a flowers for my room after I arrive. Cheers!

Swiss Army knife. The corkscrew alone makes it worth while.

A good bag to wear during the day. I never wear one at home, but Bill Amberg does great shoulder bags that can fit all the nonsense such as cameras/films that a tourist will usually carry.

I don't understand scented candles really. I'd just ask the concierge for one if I couldn't live without it. Isn't it easier just to spray some cologne/perfume around? And pillows? ....

When I travel to Europe (or most places, for that matter), I always bring my little fold-up battery operated fan. I prefer to sleep on the cooler side and enjoy the air in my face. However, the best thing about that fan is that it blocks out some of the noise that the thin hotel walls don't. I don't leave home without it!

Tracy

Cant explain it myself m-kingdom2, just a security thing I suppose..one person I know wont travel without extra shoe laces!

When I travel to Italy, it's tradition for me to bring my well-worn copy of A Room with A View. When I go to Greece, I take the Iliad.

Pausanias--have you ever had trouble getting the Swiss Army knife thru security? I thought they weren't allowed these days.

I can't travel anywhere without at least one book (fiction).

My roll of sports tape - no blisters ever again.

If it will be cold weather, my 'Cuddleduds'.

Swiss Army Knife (unfortunately it now has to be checked),portable wine glasses from REI - perfect for picnics and a small leather purse/backpack - compact but can carry a bottle of wine, glasses, and guidebook.

g33kgrl --

The knife goes into checked luggage, which I always have, unfortunately. I did this in pre 9/11 days too, in the mistaken belief that knives were banned on airplanes (silly me!) I understand that the regulation may be relaxed again soon.

Amen, Swiss Army Knife, mostly for the corkscrew.
M

Never travel without a journal.

Sounds funny, but my slippers. They are the really cheap ones that you can buy at any drug store, can fold flat, weigh nothing, and fits nicely in either carry on or checked luggage. But putting them on after a long day of sightseeing and just kicking back gives me just that little extra touch of "home".

Chele60, that's what I take! While reading the posts, I am thinking about my slippers and how I can't walk around on strange carpets and bathroom floors without them!

DH always takes duct tape, which we always ending up using, and of course his trusty Swiss Army knife.

On our last trip he forgot and put it into his carryon. Last minute running around trying to find and envelope, stamps, whatever, to mail it to our house. He gave up and started asking people in the outside area, if they wanted it - it's amazing how many people will turn down a free Swiss Army knife.

Finally one gentleman, asked for his name and address and said that he would mail it back to us. My husband tried to give him money for postage but the man refused.

Me being the worry-wart that I am, I chastised DH for giving a complete stranger our address, and the knowledge that we would be gone. I had visions of returning to an empty house!

DH being a much more spiritual person, said that he knew the man was trustworthy and would do as he said he would. Who was right ......

When we returned home, there it was in our mailbox. A boy and his knife were reunited. We immediately called him to than him for being such a nice person.

I always take lots of earrings ... for some reason they make me feel secure (if that makes any sense). They don't take up much room and I love having the option to pick exactly the pair I want to wear. Of course they are costume jewelry, not the real thing, but they are all precious to me. Nuts - maybe, happy - yes.

Nina

I used to bring or buy scented candles because sometimes old hotel rooms have a musty scent or I just wanted a better scent.
But now I just bring a small photo of my children and Pup ((&amp) and whatever belongings I pack.
My husband is with me and that is usually the only essential" item" I really require LOL

Love the slippers idea, afraid if i bring those i will never leave the room.