|
 TM
Learning to pack light -- new regs present challenge
By Anne Garber
Vancouver, BC (Thursday, April 20, 2006) -- What a shock it
was to discover diminishing baggage allowances on our annual trip to Europe last
fall; and it's getting worse! Savvy travellers are finding ways and means to
travel lighter and plan better.
Tips for travelling light and minimizing stress:
-
 Wear
your heaviest or bulkiest pieces: a wool blazer, suit, sweater, boots. But
also dress for comfort. I'll never forget the Princess type I saw boarding a
plane bound for Hong Kong in a linen suit, with stiletto heels and --
honest! -- a wide-brimmed hat. On arrival, she not only looked as though she
had slept in her clothing, but as if someone else had slept on TOP of her,
too.
-
Don't over-pack your carry-on. If it has to be opened
for inspection, you don't want everything falling out. Remember, though that
you are usually allowed TWO pieces of carry-on, which could be a computer
bag and an over-head-bin-size bag, or a camera or camcorder bag, plus
another. Women's purses usually count as a bag, so take a small one that can
be placed inside your official carry-on bag.
-
Take clothes that do double duty, like pants with
zip-off legs for conversion to walking shorts. When we travel, we wear
all-black (including towels, if we bring them), which makes visits to the
laundromat a snap. And no problems coordinating outfits, as everything
"matches."
-
Don't forget the empty spaces inside your shoes. Use
them as places to stuff jewellery and socks.
-
Invest in some travel-sized cosmetic products, or buy
small generic bottles.
-
Simplify your personal care products. Most of us carry
around far more things than the few that we really use every day.
-
Bring a selection of first-aid products, but don't
become a walking pharmacy. Depending on the destination, you'll probably
need little more than sun block, Band-Aids, Aspirin and a diarrhea
medication to combat that common travel affliction. Note: Many medications
are cheaper in Malaysia and in France -- but in the latter country, asprin
is more expensive! We've discovered we can buy a number of prescription
medications (like my husband's acid-blockers) far cheaper in foreign
countries -- and in many, no prescription is required. Carry an empty Rx
container or label to be sure the pharmacist understands the exact drug you
need.
-
Pack an empty thin nylon or canvas fabric bag inside
your suitcase for souvenirs and duty-free purchases.
-
Get rid of old luggage tags. Leaving them on may make
you look like a seasoned traveller but they can confuse baggage handlers.
-
Personalize your bag. A small coloured ribbon tied
around the handle of a ubiquitous black suitcase distinguishes it from other
similar ones. At
evalu8.org, we recommend
BagFinders.
-
If you take your computer, carry it in a plain case,
not one that has the brand name prominently displayed. As travel expert Doug
Dyment of the website
www.onebag.com says, "That Apple label actually says 'Steal me.' ''
-
Maintain a packing list with the items that you should
include. That helps you avoid forgetting necessities but also makes it
easier to keep to the minimum.
-
To make life easier and your check-in faster, dress
defensively. Don't wear any jewellery or belt buckles that may trigger the
metal detector. Even an under-wire bra may trigger it. Wear shoes that are
easily removable.
-
Keep a container of antibacterial hand cleaner in your
purse and use it often. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than illness.
-
A good resource for the dedicated light packer is
The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-On Traveler, by Judith Gilford.
-
For packing lists and other tips, check these websites:
www.onebag.com or
www.travelite.org.
-
The Universal Packing List is a wonderful aid, too.
Anne Garber edits and manages the free consumer-support
website
www.evalu8.org, which highlights Travel, Movies, Books, Shopping, Food &
Retail with impartial, expert-written consumer product and service reviews. You
can write to Anne at:
anne@evalu8.org .
Back to TravelLady Magazine |
|