Packing for a trip – some tips

It’s been a while since I posted a recipe and there probably won’t be a new one till sometime in June.  But there’s a really good reason for it.  I’m not in my kitchen at the moment and plan on not being there for a little bit.  And as the heading of this post suggests, I have some tips for you about packing bags for a trip.

Suite Case

When I travel, I really don’t like to check-in my bag.  It might get lost, items could get damaged, or things could get stolen.  As a result, I’ve been traveling only with a carry-on suite case for the last 4 years.  During that time, I’ve also increased the duration of my trips from barely 10 days to a full two weeks.   Recently, I also started to bring my laptop, in addition to a book I always carry.  I’ve also been able to fit a full-size tripod in this suite case and  I’ve stopped bringing a hair dryer and a curling iron.  (I want to see the city I’m visiting, not spend all my time in the bathroom getting ready.) Then take into account a first aid kit, and emergency med (nobody needs to be searching high and low for meds when you’re not feeling well, especially if you don’t speak the language of the land). But that’s a lot of stuff that needs to fit into a carry-on bag.

So, here’s how I do it and I hope these packing tips will help you:

Rolled up dresses

1. I found a tip on some website a few years ago about rolling up your clothes to save space and get fewer wrinkles in clothes.  I don’t think there are significantly fewer wrinkles, but I can fit significantly more clothes into the bag.  For example, I have 4 dresses, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of pants, 3 pairs of denim skirts, 3 pairs of shoes, several shirt to sleep in, about 10-12 tops,  1 fleece, 1 sweater, 2 long-sleeved shirts, about 5 tank tops, and of course undergarments (and socks).    It seems to work.  I even packed my sister’s suite cases and was able to fit several winter coats and other such heavy items in her suite case (not a carry-on, but still).  That’s just the clothes.  Then there are the toiletries.

2. Toiletries.  I generally take only what’s essential (tooth paste and such), and since only liquids and gels need to be in a special baggie for the airport, that gives me creativity with other things.  For example, I use soap I bring from home for all sorts of purposes.  (If you think you need shaving lotion/gel, look into olive oil based soaps.)  They’re not drying like regular soaps and you don’t need to drag a shaving gel.  Burt’s Bees brand has a shampoo bar which I’ve used in the past but many hotels now have decent enough shampoos so I rarely even use my own when I bring it.  Sun screen now comes in 3 oz packages for the airport baggie, but also in sticks, so it doesn’t have to be in the little baggie for the airport screening.  For lotion, try body butters (they’re solid at room temperature and melt once you put them on).  Sample sizes and travel sizes of many products also exist. As for make up removers, I try to use those makeup removing towelettes.  There are many companies making them now and I just tried a new brand and like it so far, even for every day use at home, not just while traveling.

Opened suite case

3. Shoes.  Bring only what’s necessary.  I typically wear some sort of a sneaker (even in Europe).  There are some that look less like sneakers and I generally go for those.  But I was paying attention to footwear on my last few trips and it’s a mix.  Plenty of people wear jeans and sneakers and plenty of people wear high heels and just as many wear regular dress shoes.  So wear what you’re comfortable in.  I typically bring along some sort of a sandal, something that can be worn on cobble stones, on sand, and on regular streets. Something that looks nice (can be that same sandal), or another pair of shoes for dinner.  I also started to bring flip flops, those that you can pick up for $1 at Walgreens.  I bring them instead of slippers and to wear in the shower (I don’t know how well the bathrooms and tubs are washed and I don’t want to pick up something nasty).

The empty space you see in the suite case above was filled with a laptop and the toiletries bag (the one that doesn’t need to be take out at the airport).  Oh, and don’t forget your anti-static/fabric softener sheets.  They provide a nice, fresh, home-clean scent as well as some static cling protection.

These are some of my tips. I’d love to hear your tips.