Remember, while shorts and tank tops may be perfectly acceptable attire at home, the same may not be true for your overseas destination. Ask your travel agent or take a look on-line.
Roll t-shirts, sweaters, and wrinkle-resistant pants to avoid hard creases or folds. Place these items in packing cubes and pack them around the perimeter of your bag.
Wear your bulky clothes and heaviest shoes on board the aircraft to maximize luggage space and minimize weight.
Collapsible Totes
Bring a collapsible tote that packs flat in your carry-on. In transit, use it for snacks, magazines and paperbacks, etc. When it's time to go home the tote can be used as an extra suitcase for gifts and souvenirs
Because cruises often have dress code requirements, you may need a larger rolling suitcase to accommodate formal wear. Request a packing list from the cruise line in advance.
If you are going to be in an area where local water is a problem, bring an extra toothbrush. First thing in the morning, it's easy to forget and run your brush under the faucet - this way you can toss it and use the spare.
Always have a small flashlight with you. You can use it to read menus in a dark restaurant or navigate in a dark hotel room. The light from your cell phone can sometimes work as a flashlight in a pinch.
Don't forget to bring a hat! Choose a style that has a large brim, is preferably waterproof, offers some sort of ventilation and most of all, is packable.
Pack your heaviest items at the bottom of your bag, closest to the wheels. This will keep your bag from tipping, and prevent heavier items from shifting and causing wrinkles.
Place neckties in the pockets of shirts or blazers that you intend to wear them with. This way, you will be sure you have packed what you need and will know exactly where to find them.
Pack Light
If you plan to travel by train, pack as lightly as possible. Because the train timetables are so reliable in Europe, they are often at the station for a very brief time, and you'ill need to find your car and board quickly.
Pack lightly but tightly. Under packing may cause items to shift in the extra space and become wrinkled. Wrinkling will also occur if the case is packed too tightly.
Take time as you unpack at home to consider which items worked well for your trip and update your packing list accordingly. Examine your luggage closely and make necessary repairs immediately.
Packing Shoes
Shoes take up an incredible amount of space in your luggage. Fill the insides with items such as socks or belts.
Before every trip abroad, pick up postcards of your home town and state. These picture postcards make great icebreakers.
Practical Day Bags
A day bag with a handle is more practical than most purses. It will hold cosmetics, tissues, lip balm, aspirins, pen, map, mini-flashlight, and so on and can be stashed inside your tote.
Bring a simple laundry kit with you so you can do quick washes in the hotel sink. A sink stopper, clothesline and packets of suds are very inexpensive compared to the cost of laundry services.
Scarves can be the ultimate travel accessory as they take up virtually no room and can be so versatile. Use them to spruce up blazers or dresses, as belts and even as head coverings in mosques.
Sensible Shoes
Because of the movement of cruise ships, it is very easy to lose your balance. Bring rubber soled shoes for strolling around the decks and try to bring sturdier dress shoes if possible. Also bring good walking shoes for shore excursions.
Bring a pair of inexpensive slippers, flip flops or shower shoes. They can be used in unsavory shower stalls, as slippers in your room or even on the beach.
When traveling with a companion, pack a change of clothing in each others luggage - that way you'll have something clean to wear if your luggage is lost. If traveling solo, pack a change of underwear and socks in your carry-on.
Travel Tips
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