Bon Voyage: Travel Tips

Bon Voyage - Buon Viaggio - Gute Reise - Travel Tips from a Seasoned Traveler 

by Paula G. Cullison

As a long-time independent traveler, people always ask me for advice. The best travel advice I can give is to PACK LIGHT. I started traveling when I was in college. My first European adventure (12 countries) was during the Summer of 1963.  Since then, I have been traveling nationally and internationally (over 50 countries). For the past two decades (since 2003), I travel with only carry-on luggage.  YOU CAN TOO. 

This is my guide for packing using carry-on for two, three, four, or five weeks with a standard suitcase with wheels that fits in the overhead compartment and one personal flight bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Do select clothing that doesn’t wrinkle (badly) and can be hand washed (drip / dry) in the hotel sink.

YES, if you are traveling for a month, you will have to do laundry along the way. Do check the local laundry’s hours. It is usually drop off early and pick up before closing or pick up the next day. Local laundries welcome travelers, and charge much less than the hotel laundry service. I do not roll my clothes, nor do I use packing cubes.  However, some travelers prefer these techniques. My husband also packs carry-on.

Here is my standard packing list for clothing: 4 pairs of pants, 4 short sleeved tops, 4 long sleeved tops, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 sweater, 1 jacket, 2 silk scarves, 1 shawl, thin nylon raincoat, folding umbrella, pj’s, nightshirt, undies, and inexpensive jewelry … plus what I wear to travel.

This is my handy checklist of TRAVEL Stuff. Remember to pack only small sizes. Hotels provide shampoo / conditioner / body wash / hairdryer.  So, there is no need to pack these. Add your own needed items to the list (e.g. contact lenses, vitamins, medications)

Suggested: 1 small and one 3oz tube toothpaste, 2 travel toothbrushes, dental floss, deodorant, comb, shower cap, talcum powder, disposable razors, band-aids, curling iron,  Q-tips, soap, hand lotion, emery board nail file, paper fan, tweezers, 2” nail scissors, safety pins /sewing kit, shoe cloth, gum, ear plugs, plastic zip lock bags, tissues, 2 thin non-white washcloths, pocket flashlight, socks / slippers, small empty spray bottle, alarm clock, sunglasses / extra eyeglasses, compression socks for the flights, around the neck pouch for money / credit card / ATM card / passport, local currency (Euros / Yen / Pesos), business cards / notebook / travel books / maps, a few rubber bands and paper clips, camera / memory card and batteries / charger, address book / pens / family photos, AZ postcards / small gifts, cell phone and chargers /i-pod /i-pad / noise canceling head phones / conversion plugs / adapters.

Change about $300 at a local bank before you leave. Even though you may not need the local currency, it’s worth having.

There are ATMs in all major cities / airports, so it’s easy to get local currency. Make sure the bank is open when you use their ATM, just in case the card gets stuck in the machine. Use the in-room hotel safe to store your passport, documents, extra cash, cards, etc. Do buy travel insurance before you leave. I found that a year’s worth of travel insurance was the same price as a round-trip option.

Make 3 photocopies of each: passport/airline ticket/itinerary/credit cards/passwords. Leave one copy at home with a friend or relative. Check off items as you pack. You will be less likely to forget anything.  Helpful Travel Sites: Rome2Rio / Booking.com / Hotels.com /  Tripadvisor.com / Viator.com / Google Maps. Download all the apps you might need for airlines, hotels, trains; save photo of passport to phone. Contact your cell phone provided for their international plans; set up a WhatsApp account.

Personal Tip: I pack instant coffee/ powdered creamer/ immersion water heater/ mug / spoon, as I must have coffee when I awake / take a shower, even though I book hotels with breakfast.

Have a wonderful time. There is nothing like traveling. I hope that you will enjoy my travel articles and photographs: www.paulacullison.com Comments:paulacullison@aol.com