I love to travel and even more than traveling I love packing. I read somewhere once that planning a trip is half the fun of it that is my mantra as I making packing lists and dutifully plan out my trips. However usually when I arrive somewhere I am pulling the most enormous suitcase in history, my sightseeing plans go out the window and I turn into some hippie who will happily put my hair up in some sort of white-girl turban, throw on an old t-shirt and pass the afternoon drinking beer in the sun (without sunscreen! oops!) and go home without seeing a single sight before eating dinner and going out dancing, The next day usually means drinking an enormous bottle of water and lathering myself in after sun cream. But I digress, knowing my tendency to overpack I have read loads of packing and travel tips which range from ridiculous (no way I am bringing one of those nasty fleece jackets. I'm not climbing a mountain) to useful (baby aspirin the day before flying). With winter holidays, spring break and summer vacay coming up here is my compilation of good and not particularly useful travel tips!
DO
1.) Take baby aspirin (or daily low dose) the day before and of your long haul flight. Have you seen those nasty leggings you have to wear if you get a blood clot? Must be avoided at all costs!
1.) Take baby aspirin (or daily low dose) the day before and of your long haul flight. Have you seen those nasty leggings you have to wear if you get a blood clot? Must be avoided at all costs!
Have you ever ended up somewhere after 24 hours of flying, your luggage is lost and you have nothing in your carry on but an extra scarf? Not nice.
3.) Pack a light carry-on
Why are airports always so enormous? Just when you've walked 25 miles and think your gate must be just around the corner you realise that you are only half-way through the journey to your gate!
4.) Dress in layers and bring a blanket
I love the LUG blanket and pillow I got for Christmas but any kind of blanket will do and is worth the extra space in your suitcase. Airplanes are freezing and if you've ever had to spend the night in Heathrow (or any airport for that matter) you will be eternally glad you packed it.
5.)Be true to yourself
It sounds like a cliche but traveling should be fun, even if you are traveling for work if there's something you really want to have a long-bring it, if every travel guide is telling you to bring something you would never wear/use-leave it! It's not the end of the world if you over or under pack and ultimately life is too short to spend loads of time sweating what to bring or not bring.
I love the LUG blanket and pillow I got for Christmas but any kind of blanket will do and is worth the extra space in your suitcase. Airplanes are freezing and if you've ever had to spend the night in Heathrow (or any airport for that matter) you will be eternally glad you packed it.
It sounds like a cliche but traveling should be fun, even if you are traveling for work if there's something you really want to have a long-bring it, if every travel guide is telling you to bring something you would never wear/use-leave it! It's not the end of the world if you over or under pack and ultimately life is too short to spend loads of time sweating what to bring or not bring.
Don't
1.) Make a packing list
This is a bit of misplacement because I always make a packing list, I'm only putting it here because these are rumoured to help stop you from overpacking, however proceed with caution-if you're like me you just make more room on your packing list if you accidentally buy something you also want to bring.
2.) Bring things you "might wear" or "might need" . If it doesn't fit in your suitcase and you haven't worn it recently at home you probably aren't going to wear it abroad. If you arrive there and suddenly are wishing you had brought a tub of leg wax or an extra dress remember that you there are shops where you are going and those things will be available wherever you are going and probably on the cheap!
3.)Roll Your Clothes, Pack in Ziplock Bags, etc. These things aren't particularly useful in my opinion. If you're going to be moving around you'll have to keep repacking and how much space is really saved by doing this? Also I've read somewhere about "bundling" where everything sort of gets rolled together. I can't imagine how useful this is, what if you want some jeans that are at the bottom of the bundle, do you have to redo the whole thing? If anyone has done this and recommends it, let me know. My opinion? Roll some items but otherwise pack normally.
4.) Pack Bulky Travel Guides
I love the travel section as much as anyone but if there is one thing you don't need on your trip it is a heavy travel guide. If you have a smartphone you can get all the information you need there and transit and street maps as well as tourist information are available at your destination. If you want to bring something in print I suggest a guide from hostelworld.com which has great little travel guides. Or, as I do, buy the book ahead of time, read the highlights and leave it lying at home to impress guests!
5.)Bring miniature products (if you're going for a long trip)-Yes, little shampoos are adorable but if you are checking a bag pack a full size shampoo (and conditioner in one) etc or wait till you arrive to buy products there. Why? It will be cheaper and free up room in your carry on.
4.) Pack Bulky Travel Guides
I love the travel section as much as anyone but if there is one thing you don't need on your trip it is a heavy travel guide. If you have a smartphone you can get all the information you need there and transit and street maps as well as tourist information are available at your destination. If you want to bring something in print I suggest a guide from hostelworld.com which has great little travel guides. Or, as I do, buy the book ahead of time, read the highlights and leave it lying at home to impress guests!5.)Bring miniature products (if you're going for a long trip)-Yes, little shampoos are adorable but if you are checking a bag pack a full size shampoo (and conditioner in one) etc or wait till you arrive to buy products there. Why? It will be cheaper and free up room in your carry on.
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