Make a copy of your passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, credit cards (both sides), and any other important documents before you travel. Give those copies to a relative or close friend before you leave. In case these documents are stolen or lost, you will have copies to use to get the originals replaced.
Have you ever used those space saving bags inside your luggage when you travel? They shrink the clothes in them by removing the air. If you are taking bulky sweaters, jackets, or any items that take up extra room…these work great.
You can buy the travel version of these that don’t need a vacuum to operate. Or, you can try it on your own with large zip topped bags. Fill the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. You will be amazed at how much space you can save.
What happens when your suitcase is stuffed full and there are still a few leftover items that need to go in it?
Try zipping it closed, standing it up, and then re-opening it. You may find there are a few spaces without anything in them…corners, spaces between shoes, etc. It just may be enough space to fit in those few items still left on your bed.
You’ve probably read that if you roll your clothes before placing them in your suitcase, you will be able to fit more. Plus, clothes don’t wrinkle as much.
Those are true for me. There are some other tricks that work for me as well.
Layer thin sheets of tissue paper on your clothes before you roll them. For some reason my clothes wrinkle even less than just being rolled.
Try stuffing your shoes with smaller items. Socks, underwear, belts, and t-shirts are some items that fit nicely in shoes. If you lay your shoes on their sides, you can also maximize space.
Where are you going in 2014? In January, I’ll share some travel places that would make a great trip in 2014.
Let me know about your plans…
Think about packing a wide mouth travel mug in your carry on bag. Make sure it is one with a screw on lid.
Use it for the obvious…water or coffee or tea. But, it can serve a whole lot more purposes than just liquids.
Transport your sunglasses in it…they won’t get crushed. Pack delicate souvenirs to bring home. Store your extra cash in it in the bottom of your carry on bag. Keep your cords for your travel gadgets in it. Toss the extra change in it so it doesn’t weigh down your pockets.
If you’re traveling with kids, put their crayons or markers in it. You can even roll up some drawing paper and put in with the crayons. Or, put their snacks in it so they don’t turn into crumbs.
I’m sure there are plenty more uses…what do you do?
Do you have a favorite travel tool? One favorite could be your Swiss Army Knife. It has so many different tools in one handy piece.
We’ve used it as a screw driver, a corkscrew, a knife, a file, and so much more.
Be careful when packing it. Chances are, you won’t get it through security. Put it in your checked luggage to be sure it arrives when you do.
When packing your gadgets, do you include a small pair of travel binoculars? They don’t take up much room and aren’t heavy.
They’re great for looking at things far away or outdoors. Now, think about using them indoors as well.
When we were in a museum in Italy, looking at the painting of the last supper, we were not allowed to stand real close. Understandably. Yes, it was close enough to see the whole painting. But, some of the details might have escaped us without the binoculars.
Ceilings in churches often have paintings, frescoes, or mosaic tile works…especially in Italy. Using the binoculars gives you a different perspective or the work involved on the ceiling.
Sometimes, hotel staff, concierges, travel guides, or other people have provided special service when we travel.
For instance, the concierge who moved us to a different room…on the concierge level. Our original room was right next door to some people with some noisy puppies. Cute…but noisy. We didn’t have concierge status at that hotel, but he was making up for our noisy neighbors.
Then there was the server at a restaurant who brought us the chef to explain his recipe when I asked her to compliment the chef on the dessert.
These and other special treatments are part of their job…and much more. Sometimes a simple thank you is not enough. A fellow traveler takes a small pack of decorative post cards with her when she travels and writes a thank you before she leaves. Then she gives the thank you to the person the next day, or after the meal, or a little later. It’s unexpected and a nice gesture. And, it looks better than using the hotel stationery!
More on traveling like a tourist…