Welcome to the first edition of Terrific Travel Tips where the blogosphere reveals to you the secrets to carefree and easy travel! It’s not likely that there will be a seond edition, but first edition just sounded hopeful, so I went with it.
I once traveled to Europe with an iron in my suitcase. It’s true. Not a travel iron, but a full out iron. It was important to me in those days that I not be wrinkled. Now that I’m 48, I’m perpetually wrinkled and I don’t care any more. I embrace my wrinkledness. As well, I’ve become a more proficient traveler since those days and today, I”m going to share with you one or two pearls of travel wisdom. First, dont’ pack an iron.
Now that that’s out of the way.
First of all, I never check luggage. Never. I have a roller bag that will fit in the overhead and then I carry on a backpack that contains my laptop and various and assorted electronics. I carry a small wallet-style purse that I tuck into my carry on bag and that’s it folks.
As far as packing, I choose a neutral color (usually black) and then pack only separates and light-weight things that will layer up and all go together. If I am going for a week, I pack enough for a week. If I’m gone for two weeks, I wear’em all again and have even lived to tell about. Havings said that, I’ve never opened my suitcase upon arrival and been thrilled with what I found therein, so don’t listen to me.
So then, I have two tips.
First, one of the things I don’t like to do without when I travel is my Sea Breeze astringent. But with the new TSA regulations on the amount of liquids a passenger can carry on, I’ve had to get creative. So, what I do is I take several of the flat cotton pads (one for each day I’ll be gone) and put them in a small snack-sized zip lock bag. Then I pour in just enough astringent to saturate them. I press out all the air out of the bag until it is as flat as a pancake and then I seal it up good and tuck it in my cosmetics bag. Not only does it not count towards my 3-ounces of liquid, but it also takes up a lot less space in my bag.
The liquids that I do have to carry on, I put all together in a zip lock bag which I put in the front pocket of the suit case so that as I’m going through security, all I have to do is pull the zip lock out of the front pocket and plop it in the bin and then wait to be violated by a TSA agent wearing rubber gloves and weilding a magic wand.
My second tip is this: I save all the shower caps that I get in hotels and I use them to cover the shoes I put in my suitcase to keep them off my clean clothes.
That’s it! Now tell me, whether by plane, train or automobile, what are your terrific travel tips?
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Terrific Travel Tips! Participants
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daring one says:
Okay. I love the astringent tip. I will tuck that tip away in a zip lock back and squeeze all the air out of it.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:23 am
midlife mommy says:
I too used to pack an iron. I would like to hear how you would pack for a cruise — that is really a challenge. I use those bags that you can push the air out of to limit the space that it takes in the suitcase, though it doesn’t help with the weight of the suitcase at all.
* * * * *
Packing for a dual-function trip in one carry-on suitcase is a challenge because you’ve got to pack casual clothes as well as that dress up outfit with shoes that you will wear ONE time — and that’s where slinky fabrics are your friend. On a cruise I usually take black skirt/pants of some sort and a sparkly top and then glitzy earrings. I have a black sarong that I can use at the pool or as a shawl. It’s good enough. ~ Antique Mommy
October 21st, 2008 at 6:01 am
Deanna says:
On my recent trip to California I did not check any bags either. It was a last minute decision, so I threw what I could in the bag. I didn’t take any liquids. My daughter has all that stuff. I slipped on my slip-on shoes and thought going through security. There was NO ONE at the Savannah airport when I got there. About 5 people in the security line. I got picked for a full search! I think the woman who searched me used to be a proctologist. I swear she was about to ask me to bend over. Got searched again at LAX on the return trip!
October 21st, 2008 at 6:37 am
Meg @ SpicyMagnolia says:
I love the idea of using hotel shower caps to wrap shoes in…that’s awesome! I plan on using that tip on our next trip.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:36 am
The Roost says:
My fault, I totally forgot to blog on this today and I had some really good tips on travel with kids. I am saving it for the 2nd addition! I loved you tips though and totally agree with the carry on! Thanks for doing this!
October 21st, 2008 at 7:51 am
Shelly W. says:
I love both of your tips! Thanks! I linked up–if anything you’ll maybe like the photos I’ve posted.
I talk travel every Tuesday, so this was perfect for me! Thanks again.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:39 am
Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck says:
I linked to a post from last month on my blog…its my best traveling-with-kids advice ever. This is a great idea!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am
Kay says:
Love this!
I just use Target bags for my shoes. I guess I’m not creative enough to think of the shower cap thing. LOL
October 21st, 2008 at 9:30 am
Sarah at themommylogues says:
I’m traveling to a couple of out of town weddings in the next month. No flying, but I’m still using the astringent tip!! Brilliant!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:33 am
Gretchen says:
Oh, Sea Breeze! You take me back to 7th grade. Now, I’m too dry, but I luuurve the smell.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:40 am
Beverlydru says:
This promises to be lots of fun. I’m hoping to zip around on major travels – virtually – through your carnival. Thanks for doing it!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:48 am
Kathy says:
A guy I work with has the best idea. He and his wife pack one (1) change of clothing in a great big suitcase, then go on a shopping spree when they get to their destination. Their son is less than a year old, so they have to pack more stuff for him — enough to get him through the flight and through the shopping trip.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
Sarah Solomon says:
Love the travel tips–especially about putting the liquid on the cotton pads! I hate checking bags, but I always end up checking because of the liquids that I carry.
Do you bring a blow drier or a hair straightener when you travel? That also takes up a bunch of weight/space.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:17 am
Linda says:
I am with you…carry on bag only!
Love your tips! I will be going to Florida for Thanksgiving week so I will actually use some of your tips.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:18 am
kiy says:
Great tips, AM. I never would have thought of either but I am adding them to my packing list (it’s not a pretty sight when it comes to my love of packing lists!). I linked up, looking forward to visiting everyone and learning more.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am
Traveling Soon | Mom's Toolbox says:
[...] holiday travel not too far away, and because I heard there is a travel carnival at Antique Mommy, I thought I’d share these posts with you again today so you can tuck them away for when you [...]
October 21st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Amy @ MomsToolbox says:
Great tips! And thanks for hosting this! Our kids (ages 2,5, and 7) are quite the little travelers. We’ve really enjoyed taking them places. Some families hesitate to go, but as my husband has pointed out a few times, you are going to have melt-downs at home, too– why not have them in exciting places and explore the world at the same time?
October 21st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Jenny 8675309 says:
Cracked up on the shower caps. Never thought of that…thought of other, more obnoxious things to do with them, but nothing as creative and useful as your tip!
October 21st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
zoom says:
You took an iron… to Europe. Girl.
I am a checker of bags. I just am. I like it that way.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Elaine says:
I don’t have any great tips since I am no expert traveler but I would like to THANK YOU for posting this before I go on a trip on Thursday! : )
Excited to read some of these!
October 21st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
jean says:
Ok, I love having access to an iron. I check if the hotel will have one and if not, I bring my travel iron. Sorry. I’d give up jewelry, makeup and underwear before giving up the iron. Sorry I said underwear.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Minnesotamom says:
Great tip! I am going to try to remember that next time I fly…
October 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pm
edj says:
Ok this snuck up on me, but I made it! It is still Tuesday, right? (looks around)
I wonder if we would be good traveling companions?
October 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
edj says:
um…why does my Mr Linky have a smile? Cuz you’re so happy to see me? How sweet.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Jennifer says:
Great tips! And a great idea for a blog carnival. Who couldn’t use some helpful travel tips??
Thanks!
http://sugarmommyof4.blogspot.com/2008/10/camp-out-out-house.html
October 21st, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Roxanne says:
Those are some great tips. I never thought about the cotton/astringent/ziploc combo OR the shower caps for shoes.
Cool.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Addie says:
Love the astringent and shower cap tips. Brilliant!
My only tips would be: #1 If you’re 18 and going to the Bahamas don’t forget your blow dryer. Surprisingly, the Bahamian people don’t have a need for such devices and will charge $40 for a $20 dryer.
#2 If you do buy the $40 dryer don’t be surprised to return to your room and find that you didn’t actually forget your blow dryer after all!! Did I mention I was 18?
October 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Jennifer says:
Okay, I could not believe my eyes! “No” I thought, “It couldn’t be….could it? THE Antique Mommy came to MY blog, read MY measley travel tip, and then commented?!?! And she LIKED it?” I am truly humbled!!!
I feel like I shook hands with a celebrity.
I’m so glad you stopped by! I would love to have you visit again.
And, BTW, that was only my second experience with Mr. Linky. I hope I followed all the rules! Sorry if I missed something!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Kerrie says:
I have been able to compress a week’s worth of travel into one courier bag and that includes my laptop computer, power pack, digital camera and sketching materials.
I roll all of my clothes into tight little burrito shapes; this both compacts the clothing as well as keeps it fairly wrinkle-free. I also only wear one pair of shoes the entire time – usually a pair of mary jane crocs – though if I needed high heels those would be packed at the bottom.
I am a fairly makeup free person, so I don’t worry about much more that mascara and Burt’s Bees colored lip stain. I also only bring a comb and an assortment of hairbands.
All of my packing experience comes from being a motorcyclist and you have to pack light when you do a week-long trek on two wheels.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
apathy lounge says:
*sigh* I so seldom travel that packing isn’t necessary for me. Maybe that’s why I always carry a backpack. For practice.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
minnemom @ Travels with Children says:
Looks like I missed the carnival, but I see a lot of great tips here.
Mine would be to always have snacks in the trunk of the vehicle, because you never know when you’ll find one more fun thing to do or when your kids will decide they’re hungry.
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Mariah says:
I missed the Mr. Linky…but I just did a post to play along. Always looking for blog-fodder!
October 24th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Verry Sherry says:
Me too. I just endured a trip worth sharing tips…I’ll link back to you AM. Mr. Linky’s gone home, or maybe hopefully for him he’s taken the tips and gone on a trip!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:27 am