✈️ Packing Tips & Hacks to Make Your Trip a Breeze!
Your trip is all booked, your documents are in order, the dog is set to go to the kennel. Now, all you have to do is pack. For many travelers, that’s the most challenging part of any trip, unless you’re just going somewhere overnight and can cram everything into your carryon. But for more extensive trips, packing can be a lot more of a challenge. Hayley Spencer of The Guardian recently gave us some travel packing “hacks” that will save us time, and maybe money, too.
· Ziplock bags. The reliable old kitchen bags are cheap and flexible, adapting to what you want to put in them. Especially when it comes to toiletries and cosmetics, if you don’t happen to already have a special case for them.
· Waterproof tote. If you’re going to be spending time on a beach, this is a must-have, carrying everything you need for the day and keeping it dry.
· A packable yoga mat. Spending time at the gym on the ship or at the resort is high on a lot of travelers’ lists, and if you like yoga, bringing your own mat can avoid the necessity of using one of theirs. You don’t know who’s been lying on them, you know.
· Thin layers. Even if you’re gone for more than a week, packing only a week’s worth of clothes will usually get you through the trip. Hotels and ships have laundry facilities, of course. If you’re going somewhere cold, taking lightweight “technical” coats and jackets that cut out bulk. The best ones can be stuffed into small built-in bags, or are made from down, which flatten and are very lightweight, taking up minimal space in your suitcase.
· Roll your clothes—and use a backpack. If you’re planning to use local public transport while you’re traveling, a good backpack is essential. As simple as it sounds, rolling and separating clothing into fabric tote bags can save a lot of space. Rolling also helps keep creases away, reducing the need for ironing in your room when you’d much rather be at the beach or seeing the sights.
· Color code your clothes. Pack colors and tones that pair well together, so you can mix and match outfits without having to bring along a lot of clothes. If you’re going to be at your destination for a while, consider leaving your own toiletries at home and buying some at your destination.
· Wear sports gear on the plane. Ski trips can be great fun, but the packing can be troublesome. Just going for a weekend? Take only a carryon and save space by wearing your ski jacket and beanie. You’ll need waterproof shoes at the resort, so wear those on the plane, too. Leave your skis and boots at home; rent some at the resort instead. Clip your helmet to your carryon bag.
· Streamline your toiletries. If you don’t want to leave yours behind, at least streamline them, taking along products that double-up for use. You might want to skip some makeup altogether, especially if you’re going to a warm destination. Bring what you can onboard the plane in your carryon, but make sure your bottles are no larger than 3.4oz.
· One device charger per trip. Even if you’re traveling with kids and everybody’s bringing their own devices, minimize the number of charging cords and plug-ins by doubling or tripling up. You don’t want to take up extra space with unnecessary cords, which also means you won’t have to be the family “cord wrangler” every day when it comes time to charge up.
· Clothes that look good crinkled. Two words: linen separates. A shirt and trousers in the same color are lightweight, pack well and can be styled in multiple ways. Pair them with classic foundational pieces like a tee shirt, jeans, reasonably practical shoes and a cardigan, and you’re good to go.
· The wear-everywhere shoe. Speaking of footwear, don’t overdo it on shoes, as tempting as it might be. Unless you’re planning on a formal outing while on vacation, a single, comfortable, neutral pair should be all you’ll need, and as we know, shoes take up a lot of space in a bag.
· Travel-friendly formal wear. But you have a formal event on the trip, you say—a wedding at the resort, or captain’s night on the ship. Learn how best to pack long dresses (for gals) or suit jackets (for guys). There are a few right ways that get the job done, but a lot of wrong ways that will take up excess space in your bag.
· Small and mighty makeup buys. Even if you use a lot of cosmetics at home, that doesn’t mean you have to when you travel. A lot will depend on where you’re going and what you plan to do, but a durable, well-organized toiletries kit is essential. Try one with a hook that can hang on the door of your hotel room’s bathroom. Guys like them, too!
Well, there you go. Hopefully, these hacks will help you become a more organized, efficient traveler. And, it goes without saying, make sure you look everywhere in your room before you check out of the hotel or disembark the ship. It’s easy to leave something hanging in the closet or lying in a drawer, and we all know how things like to slip onto the floor when you’re packing!
Ready to try out these tips? Give us a call, and we’ll give you an excuse to start packing!
Sue Tindell
Your trip is all booked, your documents are in order, the dog is set to go to the kennel. Now, all you have to do is pack. For many travelers, that’s the most challenging part of any trip, unless you’re just going somewhere overnight and can cram everything into your carryon. But for more extensive trips, packing can be a lot more of a challenge. Hayley Spencer of The Guardian recently gave us some travel packing “hacks” that will save us time, and maybe money, too.
· Ziplock bags. The reliable old kitchen bags are cheap and flexible, adapting to what you want to put in them. Especially when it comes to toiletries and cosmetics, if you don’t happen to already have a special case for them.
· Waterproof tote. If you’re going to be spending time on a beach, this is a must-have, carrying everything you need for the day and keeping it dry.
· A packable yoga mat. Spending time at the gym on the ship or at the resort is high on a lot of travelers’ lists, and if you like yoga, bringing your own mat can avoid the necessity of using one of theirs. You don’t know who’s been lying on them, you know.
· Thin layers. Even if you’re gone for more than a week, packing only a week’s worth of clothes will usually get you through the trip. Hotels and ships have laundry facilities, of course. If you’re going somewhere cold, taking lightweight “technical” coats and jackets that cut out bulk. The best ones can be stuffed into small built-in bags, or are made from down, which flatten and are very lightweight, taking up minimal space in your suitcase.
· Roll your clothes—and use a backpack. If you’re planning to use local public transport while you’re traveling, a good backpack is essential. As simple as it sounds, rolling and separating clothing into fabric tote bags can save a lot of space. Rolling also helps keep creases away, reducing the need for ironing in your room when you’d much rather be at the beach or seeing the sights.
· Color code your clothes. Pack colors and tones that pair well together, so you can mix and match outfits without having to bring along a lot of clothes. If you’re going to be at your destination for a while, consider leaving your own toiletries at home and buying some at your destination.
· Wear sports gear on the plane. Ski trips can be great fun, but the packing can be troublesome. Just going for a weekend? Take only a carryon and save space by wearing your ski jacket and beanie. You’ll need waterproof shoes at the resort, so wear those on the plane, too. Leave your skis and boots at home; rent some at the resort instead. Clip your helmet to your carryon bag.
· Streamline your toiletries. If you don’t want to leave yours behind, at least streamline them, taking along products that double-up for use. You might want to skip some makeup altogether, especially if you’re going to a warm destination. Bring what you can onboard the plane in your carryon, but make sure your bottles are no larger than 3.4oz.
· One device charger per trip. Even if you’re traveling with kids and everybody’s bringing their own devices, minimize the number of charging cords and plug-ins by doubling or tripling up. You don’t want to take up extra space with unnecessary cords, which also means you won’t have to be the family “cord wrangler” every day when it comes time to charge up.
· Clothes that look good crinkled. Two words: linen separates. A shirt and trousers in the same color are lightweight, pack well and can be styled in multiple ways. Pair them with classic foundational pieces like a tee shirt, jeans, reasonably practical shoes and a cardigan, and you’re good to go.
· The wear-everywhere shoe. Speaking of footwear, don’t overdo it on shoes, as tempting as it might be. Unless you’re planning on a formal outing while on vacation, a single, comfortable, neutral pair should be all you’ll need, and as we know, shoes take up a lot of space in a bag.
· Travel-friendly formal wear. But you have a formal event on the trip, you say—a wedding at the resort, or captain’s night on the ship. Learn how best to pack long dresses (for gals) or suit jackets (for guys). There are a few right ways that get the job done, but a lot of wrong ways that will take up excess space in your bag.
· Small and mighty makeup buys. Even if you use a lot of cosmetics at home, that doesn’t mean you have to when you travel. A lot will depend on where you’re going and what you plan to do, but a durable, well-organized toiletries kit is essential. Try one with a hook that can hang on the door of your hotel room’s bathroom. Guys like them, too!
Well, there you go. Hopefully, these hacks will help you become a more organized, efficient traveler. And, it goes without saying, make sure you look everywhere in your room before you check out of the hotel or disembark the ship. It’s easy to leave something hanging in the closet or lying in a drawer, and we all know how things like to slip onto the floor when you’re packing!
Ready to try out these tips? Give us a call, and we’ll give you an excuse to start packing!
Sue Tindell
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