I have one- do you know the advice that you should always take photocopies of your passport, tockets, travellers cheques, etc.? Well, why not scan them, and save them on a USB memory key, as a substitute or addition to keeping photocopies? It's compact, you can wear it around your neck, stick it in your cabin or checked luggage- and you can print copies at any business centre of a hotel, or at any internet cafe you go to. Put any e-mails of hotel reservations or travel bookings on there as well. Most USB keys have encryption software so you can lock your data away with a password if you are worried about losing the key.

IPOD!!

LESS. IT is generally what we do not pack or decide to take out of our case just prior to leaving that makes our trip easier and more fun. Other than that...a good book(s).

I always have a heater coil, foldable cup, and a ziplok full of teabags for my morning cup of tea in the room. The heater coil works with whatever electricity is available.

I think that most of the stuff I bring has already been listed, but I'll add that I use masking tape to secure lids on items like toiletries, bug repellent, etc., then pop them in ziploc bags. I don't like things to leak in my ziplocs (ha!). I also pack those pop-up net containers. They don't take any space laying flat in the suitcase and I've used them for dirty clothes hampers and on driving trips when we have toys, for a toy box. Actually, there are lots of things you can do with them. That reminds me; when we go to the beach, I take a big net bag with handles for wet stuff. I don't remember seeing First Aid Kit listed so I'll add it.

What great ideas you all have.

I've added another since a recent trip.

A couple of manilla envelopes (assorted sizes)- self addressed.

I like to collect menus, brochures, programmes etc. but such things are heavy when they accumulate. The envelopes are great for mailing things back to myself at home so I don't have to lug them around.

(I didn't put postage on because 1) I didn't know how much they'd end up weighing and 2) Some were mailed home from outside my home country.)

Everyone has great ideas. Goldilox, I love your idea, and I'm going to do that.

My most important item: earplugs.

1. PACK LESS... start packing a bit before... then start eliminating.. seems that you never wear all you take.
2. Unlocked cell phone..so you can buy chip for the country you're in.
3. Sink washable & quick dry stuff.
4. Acidophilus .. of the best quality.. a must.. keeps the good bacteria working.. to kill anything bad you might ingest unknowingly
5. I pack all liquids, creams, toothpaste etc. in zip-lock bags.. just in case they explode or aren't closed completely.
6. fanny-pack worn under skirts tops etc. Never carry a handbag about towns, cities.. Leave it in your room .. any valuables in the safe.
7. MAKE photo copies of passport and vaccination card. Put in safe.
8. I never take a clock..too heavy.. unnecessary. most hotels will give you a wake-up call and there usually is a clock radio/alarm in the room.
9. always wear Flip flops in asia

re: acidophilus - good call - just make sure the ones you take do not have to be refrigerated. otherwise, you've just wasted your money. You want the kind with LOTS (billions) of active critters, which typically do need to be refrigerated, but there are a few brands of probiotics that don't have to be put in the fridge.

I take 2-3 lightweight molded plastic hangers (the type that are triangle shaped).

Often hotels don't have enough hangers or they can't be removed from the rod (for when you wash things out in the sink). I stick these in the outer pocket of my suitcase, they take up no room, and I leave them behind at the end of each trip.

Acidophilus?? Is this what's in yogurt? Do you need this for travel in Italy?

Someone suggested eating yogurt daily for 2 weeks prior to your trip. Anybody know about this?

hi Maire, We just keep giving you one more thing to worry about, don't we?


Some people eat yogurt or take pill form of acididophilus before &/or while traveling to help prevent or calm stomach upset that may come from unfamiliar foods.

Yes you do, Suze! As always, thanks for the info!

Vodka in the bottled water or Gatorade always makes the long flights much easier.
8-)

Post-it notes (never fails that we end up using at least one, like for leaving a note for chambermaid)

For airports, one of those clear plastic things that goes around your neck & holds photo ID on one side, boarding pass on the other -- never need to go digging in my purse or pocket for either, and if you insert your passport opened to the photo page, you don't even have to remove the passport


I like the little travel tray from www.magellans.com for less than $10 -- it packs totally flat, then you just snap the 4 corners together and it becomes a little tray for your night table that holds change, watch, jewelry, etc. It even has a little side compartment for eyeglasses. This way all my little stuff never gets lost or misplaced. My husband keeps his in the safe so nothing gets left behind.

Swiss army knife with corkscrew and voltive candles.

I posted this on a similar thread on the Europe board. I love my pop-up lighted magnifying glass. It's just a tiny bit bigger than a credit card and great for small print, map reading and dim places.

good novel,small pillow,earplugs, sleep mask, sleeping pills. Everything else you can buy.

Megellan's excellent travel tips:
http://tinyurl.com/jn5zq