Oh yes....Duct tape.. never travel without it. It was even mentioned & needed on a season of The Amazing Race.

A sense of humor for when things go wrong is essential.....

Before leaving:A good map is essential to have the feeling of your destination, for planning i use www.tratoz.com and i never never never forget to empty my memory cards.

Ounce on the road: Smile, smile, smile....i was in Japan last may losted 2-3 times and i got help with just a smile and absolutely no verbal communication.......same in Austria the year before

Thanks folks. Keep them coming.

Here's a travel thing I often do, especially when travelling during the wetter times of the year -- I line my suitcase(s) with a large 'garbage' bag - ensuring it's one that's big enough to totally line the bag, and fold over from all sides, thus enclosing all my clothes, etc.

Having arrived where I'm going only to find clothes inside wet from poor baggage handling at airports, I've found this trick really helps to prevent such.

It works great when travelling with just a carry-on as well, especially when you have to walk to your mode of transportation, or from it to hotel, and etc.

Bottomline... don't lose your passport, money, credit cards, plane ticket confirmation number, or hotel reservations. Really anything else (camera, clean clothes, etc.) is just icing on the cake.

Have copies of all your reservations/passports/ATM cards/Credit Cards, etc. (hard copies and electronic). Have them on your email and/or a flash drive. If traveling with a group, make sure more than one of you has copies. Call your bank and credit cards before and tell them where you will be to avoid freezing of your accounts. Order money from your bank prior to the trip, so you have money when you land for taxis, etc...one less worry. Take plenty of hand wipes. Bring some laundry detergent to do some wash in the hotel on long trips. Double, triple-check your dates/times. Have coins on you at all times in Europe/Italy..most bathrooms are not free. Pack snacks from home, you never know when you will be starving and nowhere near food (we pack cheez-its and granola bars). Have enough clothes/items in your carry on to last a few days, in case your luggage is lost. The most important items are your passports, tickets, and money. The rest you can get by without (for a bit). Careful planning and preparation is the key to a smooth trip! Remember you are in a different country representing your country. Smile, be polite and respectful. Have fun!!

Put your swim trunks in your carry on. Pack light.

>>Double, triple-check your dates/times.<<

That would seem obvious . . . yet we have a current trip report over on the Europe forum where a mother/grandmother/two very young children missed a looooooong haul flight. They showed up at the airport and apparently had never looked at their flight times. Had to re-book a different flight for $$$$$

Thank you all for this wonderful information. I especially found the suggestion to put 1/2 of my clothes in husband's bag and visa versa. Great tip.

Also, I am new to the forum, and have asked ? but don't know how to get answers. Your help is appreciated

dannat - what are you talking about? You do have answers.

Take a very small first aid kit, you really don't want to be in a country where you can't say, "aspirin or Benadryl" if you need it.

Learn a little of the language. Instead of saying, "do you speak English?" Learn to say, "I'm sorry but I don't speak..." People are more likely to help you if you try.

Yes! spca is right. Always bring some new comfy socks for a trip. Don't forget moleskins.