The Smartest Tips for Travel

I'm still a firm believer in the rolling duffle. It packs more in the same space as a hard case and if you wrap breakables correctly, they'll make it back just fine. I can't wait to enjoy my wine. Also, never leave home without an iPod or major city maps. BF :)

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Packing my outfits in bags (two shirts and one pant). Knew each day what to wear. BN :)

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Taking the small bag and fewer clothes!! LC :)

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I have trouble with my ears and pressure on airplanes. I used ear plugs that you put in before you take off and before you land. They are called Earplanes. You get them at Wal-Mart. They work! No trouble at all. GH :)

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iPod- I never heard the small child on the flight to Paris. I had my iPod on. The kind of ear buds that have the rubber ends block out all noise. I also used them for the movies coming and going. I also did not hear the drunk lady on the flight from London! They were great! GH :)

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I was very glad to have something that smelled good in my travel bag with all of the aromas that we encountered on the plane (you know, the unpleasant ones). I carry a lavender pillow on all my trips, but this time also had a small bottle of perfume that I was able to apply just a small amount of to my blanket to help block out odors that drifted my way. KS :)
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I'm a believer in travel podcasts now! The Rick Steves one on Versailles was fabulous and followed right through all the rooms. Next time I travel I'll be looking for more podcasts...even if I have to pay for them....and that's a big step for me!!! SF :)

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Don't forget to pack your battery charger for your camera! JM :)

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Tie down securely that light jacket instead of draping it over your day bag. I lost my favorite Ralph Lauren jacket when it slipped off my bag without me noticing. MD :)

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Take more than one camera. I took 3 and recommend it highly! Several of us were singing the camera blues--broken camera, dropped camera (it still works!), batteries dead, full SD cards, etc.... TAKE MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU'LL NEED because once you're "there", you'll be consumed with the beauty and you'll want pictures, pictures, and more pictures. It's nice to share photos but it makes you feel extra close to the beauty when you are the one who worked for that perfect angle. The payoff is in the memories that are at your fingertips when you get home. MD :)

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It worked for me to have wet wipes all the time to clean my hands often. There are a lot of hands touching rails and doors, etc. and I don't like all those germs! JB :)

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Using the 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags for my clothes is the best thing I have done. They don't move around in the suitcase and they get less wrinkled. DL :)

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I was one of the few holdouts with a BIG bag (just ask Gary!). Mark my words, next trip my suitcase will be smaller - maybe not as compact as Sharan's, but definitely smaller! JS :)

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I used the "Man Bag" instead of a back pack...less bulky! GF :)

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I wished I had brought an extra memory card and extra rechargable camera battery with me - I ran out of room on my memory card by day two - and I had to recharge my camera battery every night. BH :)

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