FainaAgain

Free slippers at the airports? Where? How come I never seen them?

TxTravelPro

I fly out of DFW and they are in little baskets at several points along the security check area.
I have seen them at other airports, too.
They are not the best... since they are designed to be one size fits all BUT having them is nice when you don't want to use your own socks or walk barefoot at hotels.

SpeedBuggy

Any ideas on travel can openers? Or do you just buy one at your desination when you pick up an ice chest?

Does anyone know if those collapsible ice chests would work on a vacation?

TxTravelPro

The word slipper may be misleading.
Maybe they are better described as disposable slipper/socks. Kind of like the ones they use at hospitals.

FainaAgain

I will look for those in September, thank you, TX, it's a good idea to wear in a hotel room and toss.

CaliNurse

Debi, thanks for starting a great thread!!!
And thanks to all for tips.

I bring a few bright yellow r marker pens. Highlighting saves time sorting through needed info like flight locator numbers, particular restaurants listed in tour guides (or Fodors Forum print-outs) etc.
Maybe this is kind of a "duh" suggestion, but i never thought of it til recently!!
Faina, I'll bring some hospital slipper-socks to our next GTG . (Shh, don't tattle on me!)

mpf

There are scented candles in the can, that you don't need to light to have your room scented. This week I've had to feed dogs and pick up the mail at my daughter's house while they are on vacation. They have a small candle in a can which has scent that goes through their whole house. Next time, I'm taking one of those for those musty hotel rooms.

alijay

I may be digressing slightly here but a friend and I recently travelled through the Pyranees from the Atlantic to Med on a Honda 1100 motorcycle. Being loaded down with baggage spoils being on a bike, (and it was risky having to leave everything unattended when we stopped to wander around on foot), so I sent a huge suitcase full of clean clothes by DHL to our final destination. When we arrived (having used our minimal supply of undies/socks en route) we had clean clothes for our 2 week stay. During the last couple of days I got the hotel to launder everything and sent it back to the UK by DHL while we returned through to mountains (in clean clothes!) to Bilbao.

NatureGirl19317

Good evening!

This was a great idea-Ive learned lots of great ideas so I though Id share one of mine:

I think having a nice, complete packing list is important b/c, if youre anything like me, you sometimes forget the most obvious things-and dont realize youve forgotten them until you totally need them!! Hahah!

Im easily excitable so the anticipation of a trip is almost as much fun as taking it! So…I actually like making a new packing list for each trip I take! BUT, just to be safe, I do have a complete packing list tucked away that has everything I could possibly need for any given trip and I like to compare the new list with that complete list to make sure I havent missed anything. So typical that I always miss something!

So the point of my convoluted travel tip is to compile a complete packing list to which you can refer for all future trips!

suze

what i DO take:
extra clothes in carry-on bag
snacks for the plane
small flashlight
extra watch
earplugs
valium
sewing kit
extra pair of prescription glasses
phrase book
3x5 notebook
2-3 plastic hangers
corkscrew
a couple sarongs

what i do NOT take:
towel
over-the-counter medications
umbrella
rain coat
first aid kit
journal
guidebooks
maps
clothes line
clothes pins
fabreeze
spot removing pens
laundry soap
travel iron
hair dryer
curling iron
ipod
laptop
cell phone

SpeedBuggy

WHAT? No one answered my can opener question?!?!

L84SKY

Okay Speedbuggy
I'll answer...
I always keep a can opener and utensils in an earthquake kit in my car. But I never take one on a plane. So it depends.
How do you like that for a non-answer, that you've had to stay up late for?

tovarich

We always take photo copies of all the important documents and keep them in a different place away from the originals(pasports- identity cards-plane tickets-medicine prescriptions...)Greetings from BelgiumPaul

Stephanie

I'd say if you are going to any major city in the USA just wait until you get there to buy your toiletries, save your shampoo and conditioner if that is a specialty item to you. Too much junk to hull around IMO.

egret

In response to the not taking over the counter medication with you--I was on a flight and started to get a sore throat and a runny nose. An hour into the flight, it was getting worse and I think I was starting to fever a little.
I thought "great, my trip is ruined" and then I remember I had Sudafed Severe Cold in my carry-on. I took two caplets and asked for juice, and by the time we landed I was completely better. It saved my trip. I also would not be caught without Pepto Bismol or Immodiam caplets.

momlyn

My best travel tip- bring a few fabric softener sheets! If you have a sensitive nose and are going to a beach area- or a less developed country- you can tuck one near your pillow and sleep better without that awfull mold smell (I've heard of trips spoiled by septic or other nasty smells too).

They're also supposed to help keep ants & mosquitos away, but I can't vouch for that. I do know that you're luggage will smell good

Zip lock plastic bags in various sizes are my second favorite tip- usefull for everything from dirty shoes to separating your underwear from his, or bringing home that special free memento (think sand, shells, rocks) . No need to buy those expensive packing bags either. Just fill an extra large ziplock bag with your clothes, sit on it- and zip. Without the air it takes up half the space. You can use some of the extra room to carry a spray on wrinkle remover- in a plastic bag of course.

suze

SpeedBuggy- Buy that can opener at your destination or pack it in your checked luggage. Are we talking car trip or plane?

bodi

I also use ziplock bags for washing clothing. Smush clothes in soapy water in closed Zip, soak/rub rinse, drain and press to get out as much water, then hang to dry. Emergency blankets to cover car windows keep much cooler, parked and while driving. Grocery ready to eat foods, fruit,vegys,salads etc. Chai, tea, coffee etc consentrates to flavor water.notebook for gas/mielage,food expenses, lodging and notes. Photographs of everything. Gloves in case needed and walking shoes.

SpeedBuggy

Thanks, suze and L84SKY. We usually buy one at the destination, but this year we fly into Jackson, Wy, which is not known for its low prices. lol

I guess we could pack some things we'd buy since we will have to buy an ice chest there. Now I worry about going over the weight since all items with substantial weight (liquids) now have to be checked. Ordinarily we leave whatever we've purchased with someone special at our last destination - they've always seemed blessed by the drinks, cooler, food, etc.

If someone has a better idea on how to do this, please post.

Thanks, again!

roadlesstraveled

Suze - I have to ask, why no umbrella or raincoat?