Travel Tip Tuesday

Never over pack! Not sure what amenities your hotels or cruise ships provide? Ask! First check their web site or any confirmation paperwork you have. If you can't find it there e-mail or call them. This way you don't fill your suitcase with unnecessary items like shampoo, shower gel or blow dryers.

I stayed at a hotel in Venice, Italy that said the rooms were supplied with a hair dryer. Well, what it should have said is there was one hair dryer at the front counter that you could borrow. Just one… for all to share. I was glad it was a small hotel and it always seemed to be available. I chalked it up to lost in translation, but it worked and I never went out with wet hair.

Safety Sunday

Now, I truly don’t believe the world is coming to an end soon, in 2012 or any time in my life but it does not hurt to be prepared. In the light of the recent tragedy in Japan many people have been asking me about a safety survival kit. With a little research, here is a list of what I’ve come up with. I also believe that a miniature version of the below list should be kept in your car and suit case while traveling. As always, be safe, be smart and have fun!

Emergency Supply List:

Start with a large water resistant tub that locks well. You will want to have enough supplies to keep you alive for at least 72 hours.

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Pet food, extra water, collapsible dog bowl, and sanitation bags for your pet
• Battery-powered / hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries, Light stick
• Whistle to signal for help
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food
• Household non-scented chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – Diluted 1/9th bleach/water = disinfectant. Or 16 drops per gallon to sanitize drinking water.
• Personal hygiene items including soap and toothpaste
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Various sized Ziploc bags
• One emergency blanket per person and pet
• A 20 foot or longer nylon rope

In large space-saver plastic bags (the kind that you roll the excess air out of to save space):
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• One towel per person or pet

In large Ziploc bags:
• Matches & lighter
• Paper and pencil
• Dust mask (one per person) to help filter contaminated air
• First aid kit and a first aid book
• Local map
• Cell phone with chargers
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Cash and change
• Important documents i.e.: copies of insurance policies, ID and bank account records
• A pack of cards or other small activities

Be ready by doing these three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and learn about the different types of emergencies that could occur and the appropriate responses.

Travel Tip Tuesday

Get a collapsible hamper for trips like cruises or if you are staying in one hotel and you are doing laundry. They usually fold flat and take up very little room in your suitcase. It also makes transporting your laundry to the laundry room a breeze.

Speaking of laundry, if you are going on a cruise pack your quarters in a baggie and use them for laundry. Cruise ships often run out of quarters in the laundry room. Don't forget to pack your own dryer sheets either; they are costly in the vending machine.

Also, try to collect free samples of laundry soap or buy the travel size (3 oz or less) to bring with you. This will also save money. If you are checking luggage (which I don't recommend) you can fill a plastic water bottle with laundry soap. If it's the liquid kind make sure to put the bottle in a baggie too. You don't want soapy clothes.

Travel Tip Tuesday

Don’t take the whole book. I love buying travel guides, but typically only find a few pages that I really want to take with me. Like a list of recommended restaurants or sites that you want to see. Photocopy the important pages to pack and leave the rest of the book at home. Once you are done with those pages, recycle them or give them to a traveler that has just arrived.

Buy a composition book. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap on back to school sales. Staple a few envelopes inside and you have a perfect travel journal with pockets to hold museum tickets and mementos for cheap.

Travel Tip Tuesday

Pack like a boy scout, but don’t pack the whole medical kit. Here are a few things you should never leave home with out.  I like to get the single use size and put a few of each in my bag.

Ibuprofen or aspirin

Antacid tablets

Band-aids

Topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin

Sunscreen and bug repellant

Anti-diarrheal like Kaopectate

A small flashlight

Collapsible drinking cup

Travel sized package of tissues

Anti-bacterial wipes

Stain eraser pen

Travel Tip Tuesday

The little black dress

A black sleeveless cotton dress is always the first thing in my suitcase.  It could be worn in a multitude of ways. 

During the day:

Great for sightseeing on a hot day.  The light cotton will keep you cool.  Add a bright colored shawl for sun protection or going in churches. 

Going to a nice lunch or upper scale resort?  This dress is the perfect option to still look classy but not be over dressed.  Add a pair of summer sandals to keep the look casual.

For colder weather try a pair of leggings and boots with a black jacket. 

Hanging around the pool on a cruise ship or on the beach at the Ritz?  A pair of flip flops and a sun hat makes this dress the perfect option.

In the evening:

Dress up with a pair of black heels and a nice necklace.  This is perfect for a cruise dinner or night out on the town.

For a little more formal look add a black beaded shawl and hand clutch.