Packing Light

Packing Light is more art than science. There are some experts who recommend taking packing light to an extreme. Only one change of clothes so every night you are washing out what you wore that day. The next day you wear your other set of clothes while the ones you washed dry.

I don't like to wash clothes that often while traveling. I am tired after a long day of sightseeing and clothes don't always dry as quickly as you would like. You can pack a reasonable amount of clothes and then perhaps once a week wash out some of your clothes in the sink or find a laundromat.

Here's a list of a reasonable amount of clothes to take for a 2-3 week vacation to Europe in the Spring or Fall.

• Shirts
• 3-5 T-shirts or camisoles for layering
and

• 3-5 long sleeved shirts/blouses (one slightly dressy, to wear when you need to look a little more dressed up)

• Sweaters
• 1-2 sweaters
and/or
• 1-2 sweatshirts
  
  Packing Light Tip. Take an old sweater or sweatshirt and discard it just before the end of your trip.

• You can always buy a sweater as a souvenir if you need another one.

• Pants
• 3 pairs of pants
• One decent pair for dining at a nice restaurant or going to a concert.
• At least one pair should be water resistant.

Hopefully all are quick drying.

• Wear a fourth pair of pants on the plane.

• Shoes and Socks
• Wear one pair of shoes.
• Pack only one other pair.

Both should be comfortable for walking.

• Take 4-5 pairs of socks.

These are easy to wash out in the sink but depending on the type of socks you bring, they may take several days to dry.


• Pajamas/nightgown/robe
• My personal favorite is scrubs like the ones worn by doctors and nurses. They make great pajamas for traveling.
• They are durable, not too warm and not too hot.They look decent enough so that you can answer the hotel door and not be embarrassed or even run down to the lobby for that essential first cup of coffee without getting dressed.

• They come in all kinds of colors, styles, and patterns.

Packing Light Tip. You won't need a robe.

• Underwear/bras
• Disposable underwear is great for a long trip.
• You can wear it once and then throw it away.

It can also be washed and reworn once or twice if you prefer.

Packing Light Tip. It comes packed very tightly and takes less space in your suitcase than most regular underwear.It also creates a little extra room in your suitcase on the way home.

• I usually take enough disposable underwear for about half the trip and take regular underwear for the other half.
• Wear one bra and take one or two more in your suitcase.

You can wash them very quickly and easily in the sink and they will generally dry in a short time.

Packing Tips for Air Travel

What to wear?

1. Remember when deciding what to wear on the plane that you will want to coordinate these clothes with the rest of your wardrobe so you can mix and match items.
2. Choose something comfortable. You will be wearing these clothes for a long time. If you are lucky you will be sleeping in your clothes on the plane.
3. The temperature on planes can change significantly. Yow may be warm while the plane is on the runway but cool once the plane is in the air so be sure and have a sweater in your carry-on.
4. Wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on. Not only for security but also on the plane. Your feet will tend to swell during a long flight and you will be more comfortable if you remove your shoes. Bring a pair of old socks or light slippers to wear on the plane. They will also help to keep your feet warm.

Packing Light Tip. Bring/wear a waterproof windbreaker or jacket so you don't have to pack it in your suitcase.

What to pack in your carry-on?

• Documents
You'll want to carry your boarding pass and passport on you. Here are some other documents you'll want handy:
• Color print out of the first 2 pages of your passport.
• 2 passport size color photos
If you lose your passport, it will be a lot quicker to get a replacement if you have these 2 items.
• Rental Car Confirmation
• Hotel/B&B Confirmations
• Other types of confirmations
• Map or directions to Hotels/B&Bs
• Flight Itinerary
• Traveling Companion Flight Itinerary if different from yours.
• Trip Itinerary
• Receipts for any prepaid travel arrangements or tickets

Packing Light Tip. It's convenient if you organize these in some kind of folder. Put them in the order in which you will use them.

• Food/drink
You can't depend on the airlines to feed you these days so pack your own snack. It doesn't need to be a feast just something simple to fill you up.
• Fruit - Apples, clementines, grapes, bananas are easy to take.
• Cheese and/or peanut butter You will need to spread the PB on crackers or bread thinly and pack the jar in your checked luggage. PB is considered semi-liquid and not allowed in your carry-on.(
• Crackers, bread, bagels, or muffins
• Nuts, trail mix
• Dried fruit - apricots, apples, raisins,etc.
• Chocolate or other candy (small amount)
• Meal Replacement or other snack bars
• Water, Soda, or Juice (you will need to buy these after you go through security.)

• Entertainment
It's a long flight to Europe from the States or Canada, especially the West Coasts. Even though most airlines provide in-flight entertainment, you might want to bring your own.
• Books, magazines
Packing Light Tip. Pass these on to someone else or give them to the flight attendants when you are finished with them.
• Crossword puzzles, sudoku, etc.
• Electronics (see list of valuables below.)

You won't be able to use your electronics until the plane reaches 10,000 feet and you will have to put them away shortly before landing. (again when the plane reaches 10,000)

• Valuables
It's best to leave most of your valuables at home. Here are a few you will probably want to bring. If you won't be using them en route you can pack the USB cables, and power chargers in your suitcase. If you think you might need them, pack the chargers in your carry-on.
• Camera
• Cellphone
• GPS
• Laptop or Netbook
• Electronic reader
• MP3 or similar player
• Prescription Drugs and OTC medicine
Be sure and take enough of your prescription drugs for the entire trip plus a few extra days worth in case you have a problem.

It's best to take them in the original container. You might also want to bring copies of your prescriptions from your doctor.

• Pain Relief - Aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol
• Anti-biotic ointment
• Stomach remedies - Pepto Bismal, Immodium, etc.
• Band-Aids
• Cough Drops
• Eye drops (if you have dry eyes). These will need to be placed in a 1 quart plastic ziploc bag along with any other liquids. (maxim amount you can take through security is 3 ounces per liquid.)You will need to keep the bag out of your carry on until you pass through security.

• Change of Clothes
You don't need a complete change of clothes but a few items might make life easier if your checked bag is lost.
• Underwear and socks
• T-shirt and/or long sleeved shirt.
• Toothbrush, deodorant, toothpaste (will need to go in your ziploc bag)and any other essential toiletries that can't easily be replaced.
• Pajamas or nightshirt, if you have room. (Just in case they don't find your luggage for a few days.)

Packing Light Tip. Leave enough room in your personal item/carry on so you can add your purse or small day bag after you go through security.

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