New Zealand Mirror Travel

Posts Tagged ‘Packing Tips’

Traveling can be great fun especially if it is for a holiday. We all want breaks in the middle of our daily schedules. Going away for a short trip to some place nearby can be a great way to unwind. However, the most important aspect of vacations is packing. What we need on a trip is crucial to make things easy during the trip. There are some easy steps to make sure you take exactly what you need and don’t miss out on anything important.

Make a List

The first step to packing intelligently is to make a list of all the things you think you need. Don’t hold back while making this list as we will be editing them when you actually put those things together. Make sure you have the following as part of your list positively:

? Cash
? Credit cards
? Clothes
? Underwear
? Passport (or any other identification proof)
? Travelers’ check
? Toiletries
? Xerox copies of the tickets

Other than these, you may add a few more things such as your mp3 player, extra batteries for your camera, charger for your iPod and cell phone, and some snacks to munch on during travel.

Use Separate Plastic Packets and Zip Lock Bags

Packing your various items in separate plastic bags is the best way to make things simple and easy for you to deal with. This will help you be quick and organized if you have to go through customs check at the airport. If you are staying at a hotel then you don’t have the space or time to unpack everything in your room and then look through your belongings. Using separate zip lock bags is also very helpful when you are carrying liquid substances such as body wash, lotions and even liquid make up. In case of leakage or breaking out at least your clothes and other important documents will not be ruined if they are separated by bags.

Plan your Outfits According to the Days

Don’t pack every bit of clothing you possess when you travel. Remember, that most of us like to shop for clothes when we go somewhere. Unless you are also planning to buy new suitcases, you may need some extra space to pack in the things you have bought during your vacation. Therefore, carry two extra pair of clothes than you have calculated according to the number of days of travel and the possible events that may come your way.

Keep Money, Valuables in Different Places

Don’t stuff all your cash, credit cards, jewelry, camera, iPod, phone and other expensive object into a single bag. If that bag happens to get lost or stolen then you will have nowhere to go. Some documents such as passport and tickets may be irreplaceable, at least for the time being.

Therefore, compartmentalize them and use more than one bag to put them in.

Always carry enough underwear so that you don’t have to wash them in the middle of your trip. Traveling light makes it easy to move around and reduces the chances of losing belongings. Keep a few extra plastic bags to throw things into.

1. Find Out The Largest-Size Carry-On Luggage You’re Aloud and Buy It

Although you want to significantly cut down on the amount of luggage you take, you should still take advantage of the maximum size carry on luggage you can take. Find out what the average carry on allowance is and buy an new bag to fit those dimensions.

2. Wear Your Heaviest/Bulkiest Items

Ok, so it’s an obvious point, but if you’re taking some bulky items, such as a thick coat, or walking boots, wear them on the plane and free up as much valuable space in your carry on luggage as possible.

3. Create A Packing List — And Ruthlessly Edit

It This is something you can perfect over time. Basically, every time you go abroad create a packing list. Then, when you come home and unpack make a note of everything you didn’t use. Then cross them off the list for next time!

4. Plan To Buy Things At Your Destination

Remember, most destinations will have places you can buy the basics you need to get you by. Need a smarter shirt for an unplanned trip to a fancy restaurant, just buy one at a local store. You’ll also be able to discard these items if you need to before you leave.

5. Decant Toiletries Into Smaller Bottles

For your essential toiletries, do away with the bumper family size bottles and decant rations into smaller bottles. Not only will you save space, but also a lot of weight. And remember the point above — if you run out you can always buy some more.

6. Roll Your Clothes

It’s an old trick but an effective one. Rolling your clothes makes them easier to pack down into the corners of your carry on, plus it can help you avoid the creases created by folding.

7. Wear Clothing With Lots Of Pockets

Remember, you don’t need to carry everything in your luggage. Wearing clothing with extra pockets, such as cargo pants, or those vests that professional photographers wear, you can carry many smaller items and leave space for the bigger stuff in your luggage.

8. Buy Speciality Travel Clothing That Converts

Now you can buy items of clothing specifically designed for travelers. Usually travel clothing has features such as being light-weight, breathable and none-creasing and quick drying, but you can also find clothing that is convertible. Trousers that turn into shorts, or long sleeved items that become short sleeved. By making your clothing work twice as hard, you can save twice as much space.

9. Buy Speciality Travel Products Designed To Be Compact

Aswell as clothing designed for traveling, you can find all manner of accessories that have been designed for traveling and to be compact. For example a travel towel can be a quarter of the size of a traditional towel.

10. Ask Others For Their Tips

If you see someone breezing through check in with just one bag, stop them and ask them how they do it. Most people love to show off how clever and travel-savvy they are, so they’ll be happy to share their wisdom with you!

There’s nothing more frustrating than fighting with overstuffed and over weight suitcases when you travel. But relax, you’re going on vacation and all is well with the world. These vacation-packing tips will help you enjoy the journey so that you get the most out of your long planned for vacation.

What follows are 3 simple rules that will reduce your stress levels and allow you to fully immerse your self in the experience and adventure of your chosen destination.

1. Pack light

Seems obvious but it’s always a challenge to pack as light as you know you should, because you want to look your best when on vacation. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the load and still look great. The first is to coordinate your vacation wardrobe so that every item you pack can mix and match with every other item.

Choose classic pieces with complementary colors as your basic wardrobe – a single pair of slacks, 1 pair of shorts, and a skirt if appropriate. These classic items can be combined with a selection of tops, belts, scarves, wraps and other less bulky accessories to fit most every occasion. And…

By coordinating your vacation wardrobe you will also reduce the number of shoes you need to pack, which is a quick way to reduce bulk. For example, 1 pair of shoes for traveling, a pair of sandals and a pair of flit-flops is all that you really need for a tropical vacation, unless you plan to go on an eco adventure.

And here’s another vacation packing tip that will help you pack light: pack old underwear that can be thrown away after use. That way you’ll free up space on your return trip for the souvenirs you will inevitably want bring back.

2. Don’t pack valuables

If you can’t live without that precious pendent, your grandmother’s ring, or your designer watch, then DO NOT pack them, and DO NOT bring them with you on vacation.

What with the opportunity for misplaced luggage, petty theft, and items you just forget to repack, savvy travelers tend to pack costume jewelry, whether or not their room has a safe. And…

You don’t want to wear flashy or expensive items while you are on vacation anyway because doing so will only attract pickpockets and undesirables.

There is nothing that can spoil your vacation faster than loosing something irreplaceable. So reduce stress and leave it behind, or…

Purchase travel insurance for anything of value that you must take with you, like your camera for example. Your homeowners’ policies may cover items that have been lost or stolen while on vacation.

3. Carry on essentials only

Pack only essentials in your carry on luggage – passport, travel documents, money, a complete change of clothes, your bathing suit, and perhaps a good book.

Delayed luggage, which often gets delivered to you the next day, is a lot easier to tolerate if you are in possession of a change of clothes, your medication and essential grooming tools, money and all your travel documents. This way you’ll breeze through any challenge the journey trough your way.

These tips will help you relax while you are on vacation. If you do, you’ll be recharged and better equipped to overcome challenges when you return home.