Adventures in Travel Packing part II

Last month I discussed the trials and tribulations of traveling with a large, somewhat heavy suitcase. This month I continue with the theme of travel packing.

Having researched, I have found that the lightest luggage out there is a 24-inch, 6.5 lb. case.  I was able to pack for a month in one that size, although mine was about 10 lbs. That is a major difference. But since I was able to get everything in that size, I don’t need anything bigger.

Now that the luggage has been taken care of, the next hurdle is what to pack.

Personally, enough underwear and socks to last my stay plus one extra in case of flight delays is essential. If you don’t wear socks, you have that much more room.

My rule of thumb is three days for each shirt and three or four days for each pair of trousers. If you’re more fastidious than that – or a sloppy eater – you might want two days each. If you need an outfit for each day, this specific blog is probably not for you.

I don’t recommend wearing the same thing two days in a row. Your clothes need time to air out.  Also, you may not want people to notice you’re wearing the same outfit you wore yesterday.

  The sniff test can help determine whether or not your clothes are acceptable – along with whether or not you have any obvious stains on your clothes. Last month I mentioned spraying your clothes with Febreze. I noticed their commercials now recommend the same thing.

In addition to clothes, I recommend a washcloth – a flannel for the British reader. Maybe it’s just me, since I prefer baths, but if I take a shower where the shower head is attached to the wall, I find it difficult to get completely rinsed everywhere, so a washcloth is a great help. Unfortunately, washcloths are one of those things that have fallen out of favor, at least in Europe, so most hotels and B&Bs don’t provide them, although most places do provide towels.

A washcloth is also helpful if you don’t like those air hand dryers in public washrooms. Many places no longer have paper towels. I find the air dryers don’t actually dry my hands, and I end up using my shirt as a towel. Washcloths are also more environmentally friendly than either paper towels or using the electricity for the dryers.

Of course, as with anything else, if you don’t find washcloths useful, don’t bother. But if you do bring one, I recommend a zip-lock bag to store it in, in case you have to pack it before it’s dry.

Speaking of things to dry yourself off with, you might also want to pack a towel. While they are usually provided by B&Bs and hotels,  if you’re using youth hostels or some other uber-cheap place, or if you plan to go swimming during your travels, you may want to pack a towel.

And while you’re at it, pack a bathing suit, just in case. If you don’t plan to swim, don’t bother.

When choosing what clothes to pack, know your country’s climate. My vacations have generally been in late spring or summer, so a winter vacation might require bulkier clothes and a bigger suitcase.

Most of Europe would usually be warm or hot in summer, so shorts or capris are suitable for women most of the time, and a couple of pairs of lightweight trousers, especially for evening.  If you’re going somewhere dressy, a pair of dress trousers and a blouse that won’t wrinkle easily, or a non-fussy dress are easy choices.

If you do decide to bring shorts I recommend that shorts be at least finger-tip length, especially if you’re touring places of worship.

Tops can be whatever you like to wear, but it should be noted that in some countries, if you’re visiting places of worship, women are expected to have their shoulders covered, so if you plan to wear sleeveless tops, bring a shawl or sweater for these visits.

 In a few countries, the places of worship have loaner shawls, but without knowing how many other people have worn that shawl, or when it was last laundered, I’m not sure I’d want to borrow one.

Men should pack a combination of shorts and lightweight trousers, depending on their style, and golf or polo shirts. Casual trousers and golf shirts are generally as dressy as is necessary in most places. If you’re going somewhere dressier, a dress shirt, dress trousers, sports coat and possibly a tie might be in order. But leave them home unless you know you’ll need them.

 I’ve been told that nothing makes one stand out as American faster than T-shirts and jeans, but I don’t think this is true any longer, considering the number of Europeans I’ve seen dressed this way. I think it’s more what’s written on the T-shirts that makes one appear especially American. My recommendation is to steer clear of political statements on clothing.

The UK and Ireland are generally cooler in summer than other places in Europe. However, it’s important to check the current weather. When I went they were experiencing a drought, and the temperatures were much warmer than average. While I packed a couple of pairs of shorts, some of the trousers were a bit too warm. But on one day when it was particularly cool, I was thankful for the long sleeve shirt I packed.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for rain. While an umbrella is always in my suitcase, wind can make it useless. If you carry a day bag/backpack, a poncho that fits over you and your backpack is a good idea. They make great ones that fold into a pocket on the front of the poncho, which makes it very compact.

An alternative (and a good idea anyway) is a waterproof windbreaker. It’s usually enough for chilly evenings, and doesn’t necessitate an extra rain coat.

Shoes are a major part of the packing process. If you have dress clothes packed, you’ll likely need a pair of dress shoes. Additionally, a pair of slippers or flip-flops is a good idea in just about any country. I usually pack a good pair of comfortable shoes for walking. I pack them because I want to wear an easy pair of slip-ons to get through TSA at the airport.

If you have a good pair of walking shoes that also happen to be slip-ons, or if you simply don’t care about having to take extra time with shoelaces on top of everything else at the airport, then you can get away with one less pair of shoes. But depending on how long your vacation is, a second pair of shoes for touring isn’t a bad idea.

Jewelry: less is more. Unless you’re going somewhere dressy, you don’t need it. If you typically wear a bracelet or necklace of some sort, bring only your usual – or you’d probably be wearing it anyway, so it won’t take up any room. If you have pierced ears, two or at most three pairs are more than enough. I recommend putting them in some sort of pouch so that they’re all together and easier to find.

Where you pack your things is also important if you have checked luggage.

I only use my phone as a back-up camera, and I usually bring a laptop/tablet mainly to download my pictures before I forget where they were taken. So I have a carry-on for camera, laptop, phone and sundry small things, such as toothbrush and toothpaste for overnight flights. Wet wipes to clean off your feet after going through TSA isn’t a bad idea.

On my latest trip,  my flight was delayed, so I had to take a different plane to get to Dublin. With a delay you’d think there would be no luggage problem. Not so.

I got there but my bag took an extra 12 hours to arrive.  So, now I recommend packing a change of clothes (at the very least, underwear) in the carry-on.

It’s also a good idea to make a list of everything you plan to pack. Check it frequently as you pack. Check off items as you put them in your bag, and ask yourself if you really need each item. Once everything is packed, put a copy of that list in your carry-on in case you luggage is lost. You will need to be able to list what was in it. It’s also a good idea to leave a copy of that list at home.

As far as packing, there are many theories about what is best. Some recommend cubes, others rolling clothes and still others, vacuum bags.

I use a combination of these. I don’t find that rolling clothes keeps them from wrinkling, but they do take up less room that way. Vacuum bags can be difficult to flatten for the trip home unless you can find a means to vacuum out the air.

It’s important to find what works best for you. Try different methods in a pre-vacation run-through. A method can be great for compacting things, but miserable when you’re trying to find them. Packing depends on what is comfortable for you.

And lastly, don’t forget to have a great vacation.