Avoid Packing Problems

Airlines are feeling the economic pinch and passing costs down to the passengers by way of luggage restrictions. Overseas flights are being limited to 2 pieces of checked baggage. How does one pack these days to make the most of your vacation wardrobe and still allow room in your bags to bring home the bargains you find during your travels?

Luggage Set

Most people pack too much! Pack smart.

Tip #1 - Take 2 suitcases but pack one inside another. Only fill the inside one with things for your trip, and that will allow you the space on the return flight in the second bag for those items you pick up like souvenirs or the clothes you can't resist while shopping.

Tip#2 - Weigh your luggage before you leave. Find soft-sided luggage that is light-weight. You will be surprised how heavy some of those bags are just empty! Avoid the extra charges at the airline scales by knowing that your suitcase is within the limits.

Tip #3 - Pack lightweight items. Think of your clothes in terms of weight. Do you really need to pack a terry robe or do you have a cotton lounger that will double as a cover-up by the pool as well as a robe in the room? When going to tropical countries you should think seersucker, cotton or rayon. They wash out quickly, and often dry on a hanger overnight.

Try to find materials that are soft and "crush resistant", but don't worry, nearly all hotels these days can provide you with an iron!

Tip #4 - Utilize your wardrobe. There are ways to stretch your fashion look, by mixing and matching. Think of colors that work well together so you can mix your pieces as many ways as possible. Also think of ways to get multiple uses out of an item:

Pull a cotton skirt over your bathing suit, tie a soft scarf at the waist, and you are set to shop.

Use a white blouse as a cover-up on the beach, as well as over another top in place of a sweater for cooler days.

Walking shorts are more versatile than "short shorts". They can go to the golf club, the mall or to the night clubs.

A simple sun dress can be worn day or dressed up for evening, and so can a skirt.

Tip #5 - Always pack a simple plastic bag. Use it for any wet garments that need to go in your suitcase, for bringing home your soiled laundry or for holding your dusty shoes

Tip #6 - Speaking of shoes- try to keep it simple. One pair of neutral sandals will take you almost anywhere day or night, and wear your good walking shoes on the plane so that the weight does not go in the suitcase. Your feet will thank you if you have to chase down a taxi, or be on your feet during connecting flights.

Tip #7 - Accessorize! The way to change looks is in the secret of accessorizing. That white blouse that you wore tied at the waist over your bathing suit also looks great paired with linen walking shorts, and a fabulous necklace. The little knit top that you wore yesterday with your shorts, now looks different paired with your skirt and bangles on your wrist.

Tip #8 - As you lay out each clothing piece when you pack, coordinate the jewelry that ties it all together. Think earrings, bracelets, scarf and necklaces that will change each look, or compliment the outfit. Here, too, keep it simple and think minimalism.

Tip #9 - Sample list of a woman's standard wardrobe to pack for 1 week:

2 swimsuits ( one piece and 2 piece)

2 pair walking shorts (neutral colors)

1 light-weight skirt

2 knit tops (1 sleeveless)

1 white or cream-colored blouse

1 pair seersucker or soft knit pants

1 sun dress

PJ's (optional!)

Tip #10 - Concentrate on the experience of your vacation rather than the limitations of your wardrobe. It's all about having fun, and that does not mean stressing over what to wear! The fewer the choices, the easier you will find it to pick an outfit. Besides, there are all those great purchases just waiting in the shops you will visit!

Happy holidays, and bye-bye baggage blues!

Avoid Packing Problems
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Packing for the Perfect Trip: Luggage Tips and Reminders

Call call luggage luggage - suitcases, duffels, luggage, carryon, checkthroughs - every traveler bags to carry around. Here are some tips for a happy armed, no matter where the journey leads.

Luggage Set

Too many bags, or too little? More items of luggage you have (and small), the easier it is to lose one or more, though. On the other hand, if all jam in a couple of huge bags that will be impossible to lift, and the loss of a bag could make a bigDent your holiday. Try to find a middle ground.

Carryon luggage. Even if your carryon can agree on the scanner at the security check, can still be felt in the head or under the seat storage areas. Check with your airline before flying to the specific maximum size - some were larger than others in the form of grants. You are generally allowed one carryon bag plus one personal item such as a purse or briefcase and shopping bags do not count toward the deductible. Federal AviationAgency has useful information on this and other related topics at [http://www2.faa.gov/index.cfm/apa/1079]

Stowing strollers. Parents often ask about checking strollers before they fly. Strollers and infant carriers can be taken to the gate, and checked as you board the plane. The item(s) will be waiting for you when you disembark.

Visibility at the carousel. Sometimes it seems that everyone buys their luggage at the same store, and half a dozen people scramble for the same bag when it emerges at baggage claim. Distinctive luggage tags, stripes of colored adhesive tape, and/or colored baggage straps (available at all luggage stores) all help make your bags unmistakable.

Label your luggage inside and out. Every bag should have a luggage tag. The airline will supply a paper tag if you need it. Include some form of identification inside the bag, too, in case you lose the outer tag.

Checked baggage inspection. As we mentioned in a recent article, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) now inspects all checked airline luggage. In many cases, the luggage goes through a scanning device, but at some airports all luggage must be hand-inspected. The TSA asks that you not lock your bags, as the locks will be removed if they have to inspect your luggage by hand. If you just want to hold the zippers closed, even a simple twist-tie will work. To reduce the possibility of casual theft, buy plastic cable ties at the hardware store -- you'll need a stout scissors or clipper to open them, though (round-nosed scissors are now allowed in carryon luggage). To read more, visit the TSA's consumer web site at http://www.tsa.gov

Split your contents between several bags. If you lose a bag, the airline usually returns it to you within 24 hours, but what happens if your cruise ship departs a few hours after you land? Divide your belongings between several bags, so if one bag is lost, everyone still has at least a few items to wear when your ship sails.

Create an inventory. Make a complete list of the contents of each bag and carry the list on your person as you travel. If a bag is lost or items are missing, the list will make a loss claim much easier. To be even safer, leave a copy of the list at home, too.

Rolling; rolling; rolling. How did we travel before the days of wheeled luggage? A new set of wheeled bags may be one of your most savvy investments. Tall people should beware of short wheeled bags with short handles, though -- they can be murder on your back.

Copyright © Jennifer Marx, PassPorter Travel Press. All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your web site and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links, and the resource box are unchanged.

Packing for the Perfect Trip: Luggage Tips and Reminders
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Packing winter holidays - 7 Essentials to bring any kind of winter holiday

I like the packaging for the holidays. The challenge is to adapt everything you need in this case, being able to close and make your weight limit of baggage allowance. To do this, you need to plan your day and come with flexible elements able to respond more preferatbly need.

Luggage Set

Let's start with your care and makeup.

1 Essential: a jar of Vaseline

2 conductors: a lipstick in a natural color

For winter, you need serious moisture. For the face, hands,lips and all. You can bring a series of journeys, but if you are really short of space and does not have an acne problem, bring a jar of Vaseline instead. You can apply on lips to prevent chapping. Use it on hands and feet to prevent cracking as well. Apply a small amount over entire body immediately after drying after a shower to lock moisture. If your skin can take, apply all over your face to keep your face dry. Wearing a pink lipstick or a coralor fishing lure that and use it as a blush cream (applied with the fingertips) and a lipstick. Note: This is only for people that do not break easily. Do not use lipstick on the cheeks, if you are prone to having pimples or oily skin.

Not everyone can take the Vaseline on his face and rouge on his cheeks. If you can not get all the skin care and makeup you need a set of travel. If the bag is too big trick, you can take content and place in a compartmentbag. Or, if the make-up bag is big enough, you can double as hand luggage to carry other essentials you want easy access to your trip.

Essential 3: thermal underwear

What to Wear? During the winter holidays, no matter what you wear on the outside, you need thermal underwear to block the heat of the body. Get at least three sets and a little mild (in a bottle with a screw cap to prevent loss) to wash them between each port. Or if you do not have time for laundrythen bring a set for each day of your trip.

Essential 4: Your favorite jeans

Bring at least two pairs of jeans. One to wear, the other in the wash. Or your favorite wallpaper made of denim, wool or a material often hot. If you are going to engage in winter sports, get the pants you need for your sport.

5 essential: a jersey dress

Time you want to dress like a girl, nothing beats a jersey dress. Get hot is hot and sticky to wear with the dress to keep your legsfreezing.

6 essential: a warm jacket with a touch of fur.

Faux fur or the real thing, you decide. This fur jacket [http://www.buy-jackets.com/Fur-coats.htm] adds an element of luxury to your look. It can be passed that haughty bouncer to make your stay would not be spoiled because of the rules of clothing.

7 Essential: A pair of thick heeled boots.target = "_new"
It may be warm from head to ankles, but if your feet are not protected by thick soles of snow or icebelow, the cold could make you unhappy.

All this is for occasional winter holidays. If you are traveling for business, see Winter 2008 office [http://www.buyclothing.net/winter2008office.html]

Packing winter holidays - 7 Essentials to bring any kind of winter holiday
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