Happy summer! I hope you have something fun planned for August. I travel all year around and I have become very opinionated about packing. I thought I would share some tips I've gathered over the years. Sure, we all know about planning outfits and packing light... bla-bla, but here are a few pieces of fresh advice that might not be on your radar:
1. Whatever you do,
avoid packing the night before. I promise this will make a huge difference! I start making piles at least two days and ideally three days before departure. You will arrive at your destination more prepared since getting started early allows you to remember things over time and you will reach your destination less weighed down by impulsive items thrown in at the last minute. Plus, I don't know about you, but whenever I am forced to pack the night before I find it impossible to fall asleep, adversely affecting the next day and making traveling all that more exhausting.
2.
Never unpack. I'm not suggesting you live out of a suitcase but there are certain things that I just leave packed and ready for the next trip. Most importantly a dop kit and make-up bag that I replenish each time I return home from a trip. I just leave them packed and ready, despite the double up in cosmetics / sundries. I never arrive at my destination without some essential like contact solution or deodorant. If you have kids, avoid the midnight run to the pharmacy in a strange town by keeping a kit of travel-size emergency items like baby ibuprofen, aloe, and thermometer all packed and ready too. I also keep travel size games, etc. in a special place in my closet so they are out of daily circulation and they can be fresh / interesting to the kids on trips.
3.
Clear bags in all shapes and sizes! I am a huge fan of these
zippered cubes from the Container Container store. Sturdy, cheap, and fabulous. I use them for dop kits, computer accessories, etc. Plus if you are only taking a carry-on, you can put your 3 oz. liquids in it and easily take it out for security. For extra credit, get a label maker and define the contents which helps when you are repacking. I also travel with a few empty large ziploc baggies which come in handy for not-totally-dry swimsuits, dirty laundry, and the like. And small ziplocs are put to work as a protective layer between my clothes and liquids like shampoos and sunscreens. My favorite kind is Hefty one-zip freezer bags.
4.
Zip ties are a super-light, portable lock for your luggage. I always chuckle when I read a warning not to "leave valuables in your hotel room." I travel with nothing BUT valuables and I couldn't possibly bring all my photography equipment with me every time I venture out, nor would it all fit in the hotel safe. So you know what I do? I take a handful of these
zip ties with me and if I'm leaving the room, I just "lock" up my bags. A thief would have to take my entire bag, which seems unlikely, to steal one of my cameras or my favorite necklace. I also tie them shut when I have to be separated from my camera bag because it won't fit in the overhead. I would know immediately if the bag had been tampered with. Don't forget to pack a nail clipper in an outer zipper so you can get back in to the bag when you need to.
5. If I say this out loud I'm afraid I will jinx it but here goes -- I've never permanently lost a bag with an airline. Seriously never. I think one of the reasons is that I always very
clearly label my luggage. And I'm not talking about a luggage tag. I just get a giant black or metallic
sharpie and emblazon my last name in large letters on the outside. Do it.
6. Technically not a packing tip but a key piece of travel advice:
arrive early at the airport. Once I started doing this I never looked back. You can easily cut down on travel-induced anxiety by taking an extra 30 minutes (over what you would allow normally) to make sure you have adequate time to get through security with your good humor intact. Plus then you have time to grab a latte and a magazine before boarding the aircraft.
Happy trails to you!
p.s. this image was taken in
Positano on the Amalfi Coast.
