| With today's heightened security in airports, | | | | plan to visit and the length of your absence |
| it is perfectly natural to want to have your | | | | from home. How many changes of clothing are |
| luggage with you when you travel. You want to | | | | necessary, and what types of clothing can you |
| be certain everything you packed for your | | | | expect to wear? Sometimes, you might find you |
| business trip or vacation arrives intact, and | | | | have packed too much for a trip, resulting in |
| vigilance can guarantee that. For extended | | | | wrinkled clothing upon arrival. Or, you might |
| trips, however, travelers are likely to pack | | | | find you have packed too many formal items |
| more, ultimately forcing them to check in | | | | for a trip that didn't require it. |
| some of their luggage. | | | | |
| | | | Before you open your suitcase, determine |
| It is important, therefore, to know what to | | | | exactly what is on the itinerary. Consult |
| keep with you at all times when you travel, | | | | weather reports for your destination and, if |
| and how to pack a case that must be loaded | | | | possible, research attractions and |
| into a plane's cargo until you arrive at your | | | | restaurants for any dress requirements. If |
| destination. In the event your luggage should | | | | you are headed to an all-inclusive Caribbean |
| be lost, it is necessary to keep the most | | | | resort, you might find all you need is your |
| important items with you at all times. | | | | swimsuit and one nice outfit! Check with your |
| | | | hotel in advance, too, to determine what |
| Identification: Your passport, your driver's | | | | laundry services are available or nearby. You |
| license, any and all picture ID cards should | | | | may be able to pack half as much if you have |
| remain on your person. When you pass through | | | | such access. |
| airport security you will be required to have | | | | |
| identification ready for inspection, and it | | | | Accessories: Do you really need to pack an |
| is important that is stays with you and is | | | | iron? Can you live a few weeks without your |
| not packed away in a case that won't be | | | | laptop? Despite the gadgetry designed to make |
| readily at your disposal. If you are | | | | our lives easier, it is not difficult to find |
| traveling abroad and are using a passport, be | | | | that too many gadgets on a short trip will |
| sure to make copies of the identification | | | | prove to be aggravating. Thankfully, as |
| page in the event your passport is lost or | | | | hotels evolve even the "economy" |
| stolen. Keep one copy with a relative or | | | | accommodations offer enough amenities so |
| friend at home, and keep extra copies with | | | | travelers need not pack everything and the |
| you in different places so you will have one | | | | kitchen sink. Coffee makers, irons, hair |
| ready if needed. | | | | dryers, and other home necessities are made |
| | | | available, though it is always a good idea to |
| Insurance cards are also necessary to have on | | | | check with your hotel to see what is offered |
| you, in the event of a medical emergency or | | | | and what is not. For those traveling |
| accident (especially if you are renting a car | | | | overseas, if you need to take electrical |
| for your trip). | | | | appliances, make sure you have the proper |
| | | | adapters so the plugs will fit. |
| Money: This includes paper, traveler's | | | | |
| checks, and credit cards. In this age of | | | | Personal Grooming: When we forget things like |
| electronic transfer, you might not think it | | | | soap and shampoos, those little bottles at |
| necessary to carry traveler's checks, but | | | | the hotel are a blessing, yet you might not |
| they are good to have if you are going | | | | feel there is enough to suit your needs. Does |
| abroad. Always remember the possibility that | | | | this mean you should pack economy size |
| foreign ATMs might not accept American bank | | | | bottles of everything? While the large |
| cards, same with certain stores and | | | | bottles are nice, they are not always |
| restaurants. A short supply of paper currency | | | | necessary for a trip, and sometimes those |
| (no more than a hundred dollars) is good to | | | | bottles can prove dangerous. Packed with |
| have also for immediate money exchange once | | | | clothing, there is always the risk of damage, |
| you reach your destination. | | | | and opening your suitcase to find every |
| | | | outfit soaked with mouthwash and smelling |
| It always helps, too, to have a few dollar | | | | minty fresh. |
| bills handy for tipping. Keep a few dollars | | | | |
| in your pocket to pass over to a clerk or | | | | Determine what essentials you need to pack |
| valet when needed. This prevents you from | | | | – shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, etc. |
| having to dig in your purse or wallet in a | | | | – and pack in a suitcase with a |
| crowd. | | | | separate compartment. Medium size plastic |
| | | | bottles, no more than ten fluid ounces, is a |
| Itinerary: Know where you need to go quickly. | | | | good gauge. Make sure the bottles are not |
| Have a small map, itinerary, or direction | | | | completely filled, in the event of |
| sheet with you to expedite the arrival at | | | | temperature changes in cargo that may cause |
| your hotel. Whether traveling domestically or | | | | the plastic to expand or burst. Better yet, |
| overseas, you want to appear confident and | | | | pack all bottles in an extra plastic bag to |
| inconspicuous so as not to catch the eye of | | | | help ensure protection from leaks. |
| any possible scam artists who prey upon | | | | |
| out-of-towners. If you are unsure of where | | | | Knowing what to pack and how much is |
| you need to be, seek assistance at the first | | | | beneficial to your enjoying a vacation. The |
| information booth immediately. | | | | less encumbered you are by luggage, the less |
| | | | worry of damage, theft, or loss. |
| Clothing: Consider the trip, the places you | | | | |