Packing

Packing is usually something we all try to ignore until the very last moment, but first let me advise you: start early.  Second, I’m going to say what everyone else says.  Pack light! And I mean that.  Yes ladies, that means we’ll have to make some sacrifices, but believe me, you’ll definitely be glad that you did.

Clothing

The majority of your luggage will be clothes, naturally.  When packing your clothes, it is important to think about how these clothes will be clean, if you’re going to on a trip long enough that you’ll have to do laundry.  For instance, dryers are rare in Nice, so everything I own has to be hung to dry.  Pick clothes that will dry nicely and quickly.  If you’re not sure how your clothes will look after hang-drying, give it a test run at home.  I would also suggest packing clothes of like colors, preferably dark (to avoid bleeding colors when you wash them), that can be easily coordinated with all your other pieces.

In certain countries, especially for women, it is important to consider what you will be wearing on your trip.  This is both for your safety and to help you blend in.  For instance, shorts are rare in Europe, and in some places (like churches) they are not permitted.  For women, it is important to note the country you’ll be visiting.  Wearing revealing clothes can leave you vulnerable to unwanted attention.   If you plan on going some place nice on your trip, where more formal attire will be required, pack something that is wrinkle resistant.

Always pack shoes you feel comfortable walking in for at least 2-4 miles at a time.  I try to follow the two-three shoe rule, depending on the expected weather.  Women, avoid heels unless occasions require them.

Scarves can be helpful in both the winter and the summer.  In the winter, this is obvious, but in the summer, use light scarves that pack small to add simple enhancements to your wardrobe, instead of packing an excess of jewelry.  When packing jewelry, it is important to pack as little as necessary.  These items are easily stolen or lost, so I try to limit myself to what I wear everyday: a ring, a watch, and a necklace.

Women, consider the following guidelines when packing for any trip longer than a week.  Men, obviously omit items/tips that do not pertain to you.

• 1 pair of walking/comfortable shoes
• 1 pair of sandals (weather permitting)
• 1 rainproof jacket
• 2 pairs of shorts/capris (shorts aren’t allowed in major cathedrals, but capris are OK)
• 2 pairs of pants (one dressy, one casual)
• 1 belt
• 1 swimsuit (packed in a plastic bag)
• 4 pairs of socks (cotton blend)
• 5 pairs of underwear (silk, lace, or micro-fiber dries quickest)
• 1 extra bra
• 4–6 shirts (long/short-sleeved, various colors)
• 1–2 light cardigans for layering
• 1–2 skirts (wrinkle-resistant)
• 2 dresses (optional)
• scarves (to wear with clothing)
• 1 pair of pajamas

Electronics

I usually try to pack as few electronic devices as possible, to avoid loss or theft.  Only bring what you absolutely need.  The following items I always pack with me.

• Cell phone
• Camera
• iPod or MP3 player

Of course, always remember the chargers to these items, otherwise they turn into paper weights during your trip, or you have to spend money on a new one- neither of which are fun.

Though I prefer to travel without a laptop (since mine is a little dated and therefore heavy and bulky), I do understand its necessity for business travelers or those who have school work they need to attend to while they’re away.  If you do need to bring your laptop, I recommend buying a case of some sort for it, preferably one that doesn’t scream “I’m a laptop, please steal me.”  Though it is important to keep your laptop protected, try not to make it obvious that you have one with you while going through airports or checking into hotels.  Losing your laptop can prove to me more of a hassle than a few hundred dollars down the drain, considering the amount of personal information most of us keep on them these days.

Now, though I would not say that this is a necessity, I did bring my Kindle on this trip.  I am an avid reader, and it was considerably more practical than packing 6 months worth of books.  But its important to note, with every additional electronic device comes more responsibility.

As far as blow dryers, curlers and straighteners, it varies from person to person.  I almost always pack my straightener, but almost never use it.  This is because I usually prefer to spend my mornings in bed rather than spending time primping for the day.  If these are part of your daily routine, consider what will be available to you when you arrive.  Blow dryers are often times in hotel bathrooms, so if you can eliminate this from your list, thats a considerable amount of space saved.

If you are traveling abroad, there are two things you need to be aware of when bring electronics: voltage and the plug type.

American electronics are made to run on 100-120 volts, and European electronics run on 200-220 volts, give or take.  A lot of electronic devices made now are “dual-voltage” ranging from 100-220 volts.  If you have these, you will be okay in Europe.  However, if you don’t, you’ll need to get a converter in order to use your electronics, which can run you anywhere from $30-$50.  Without a converter, your electronic devices can become damaged once you plug them into outlets in Europe.

Changing your plug is considerably easier though- there are small adapters that you can bring with you that can convert your American plug to one that can be used it Ireland, England, or continental Europe.

Toiletries

I’ll be honest, this is what I lose the most sleep over when I have to start thinking about packing.  I don’t know why, but its true.  There are a number of things to consider when packing your toiletries, the first of which being the type of luggage you will be bringing: checked, or carry-on.  If you’re checking your luggage, you have significantly more leeway when it comes to what you are allowed to bring with you.  However, if you’re carrying on your luggage, airlines still limit you to 3 oz bottles, all of which have to fit in a 1 qt clear plastic bag.  In this case, I find that the travel size section in your local Target or Walmart has the best variety when searching for travel-sized toiletries.  Whether your checking your baggage or carrying it on, here is a list of things I never go without:

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss/mouthwash
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Shower gel/shower poof
• Face wash/moisturizer
• Body lotion
• Sunscreen
• Hairbrush/comb
• Deodorant
• Razor (non-electric preferably)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Nail clippers/tweezers
• Mini-First Aid kit
• Prescriptions
• Hand sanitizer

Money & Security

One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the years is how to keep your important documents organized.  While traveling, you have a number of important things with you: passport, credit cards, drivers license, plane tickets, hotel reservations, etc.  What I’ve found to be most helpful is this: carry only what you need.

While at home, I usually care a large purse filled with pens, books, a large check book wallet, various other items and a vortex that goes straight to my bedroom.  However, when traveling, especially if by air, I find that it is most helpful to leave the big purse at home and bust out the smaller cross body purse.  Cross body hand bags are extremely useful in airports, because they keep your hands free, and all of your important documents are close to your body.  I even find that it fits underneath my peacoat when traveling in the winter.  Inside, I carry a smaller passport wallet (that contains only the identification cards I will need while I’m away, my single credit card, and my health insurance card, and a little bit of cash), my plane tickets and hotel reservation information, a pen, a small notebook, a small pocket dictionary if traveling to other countries, and my cell phone.   Thats it.  The less you take with you, the less likely you are to lose something important, because you’ll be better organized.

Men, obviously the chances of you picking up the latest cross body hand bag is pretty slim, so I suggest keeping everything you need in a passport type wallet as well.  If all of these items don’t fit, keep them safely tucked away in your carry on luggage; someplace easily accessible to you, and not strangers.

Packing 101 in a nutshell

• If you’re not going to wear it more than 2 or 3 times, don’t pack it.
• Pack light, and opt to wash your clothes more frequently.
• If you can, buy items (like toiletries) when you get there
• Keep your money and documents safe by keeping them close to the body and well organized.