My Packing Lessons Learned (or learning)

Thanks, Claudia! One of my best travel purchases ever was a set of folding plastic coathangers from Amazon. They take up very little space and weigh practically nothing. I usually take 3 or 4 on a trip. I wash out "smalls" (as British calls them) and sometimes a top and hang them overnight. Really cuts down on the packing!

sherry_schare

My best purchase is an accordion like set of "shelves". With 3 levels that can hold most of my clothes or packing cubes all I have to do is remove the whole assembly at each location and hang it in the closet. This is perfect for Tauck tours which have multiple locations with short stays in each. It's like have a portable dresser. Of course there was the time that the closet was so narrow that the shelves did not fit in, an open drawer was enough to brace the unit and the rest is history. My guesstimate is that the unit weighs less than 2 lbs and we kow that it folds easily into a 24 inch suitcase.

OurTravels34

This is a fantastic topic that I’ll add my thoughts soon. In reality, we can all agree packing is easier for men than ladies. The argument there is that men’s items weigh more. After all these trips, I still need a packing coach.

Smiling Sam

OurTravels34 - The argument there is that men’s items weigh more.

Especially if you’re 6’6” tall! 😀

Wan

I'm sure I'll think of more later, but check to make sure your favorite OTC products are in fact available over the counter in your country of travel. Take a screen shot in case you have to show it. So many people in Italy speak English but weirdly, not so much in the pharmacies.
I made the dressy mistake exactly once.

gladysorlando984

Great comments Claudia, I learned the packing lesson after 2 trips and the more I travel the less I pack, one dress is enough for me, black pants a a couple of tops is just right for night time,

Claudia. I bow down to you! Awesome!

franlovestravel

While connecting thru Heathrow a few years ago, I learned that our TSA clear quart bag is not the same size as what is allowable in England. My clear bag was stuffed with 1 oz containers and guess what? Security made me ditch several products. So from your lesson number 2, when I returned home I asked the gal at the Nordstrom makeup counter if I could have a bunch of sample size containers. Each little container will hold a generous scoop of shampoo for single use, or conditioner etc. I like to carry on enough for 3 days in case my luggage gets lost. I was amazed how much makeup base one little jar holds-its enough for about 3 weeks! I have very curly hair and can’t use hotel shampoo or conditioner so I have to bring my own. Then I pack the single use jars in a clear pill pouch and Lable the pouch. Works great!
What seemed ludicrous to me was that after I had to throw away my own products staring me in the face was a Boots Number 7 store that was just beyond security! Hummm…..

Any liquids you buy beyond security are allowed on the plane in the UK as far as I know. I sometimes pick up British supplies in England bigger than 3oz/100mls and take then on the plane. I used to use No 7. Makeup.

Great topic Claudia!!!

I have to admit that I am a horrible packer!! I am going to try the "do I really need this" to cut down on the stuff I bring.

Before my first Tauck tour in 2011 to Australia/New Zealand, I learned on the old Tauck forum about the packing cubes and, if traveling w/others, to put items of clothing in each other's suitcase. This came in handy when my mother's luggage didn't arrive for a few days after we did, but she at least had some clothes to change into while she waited for her bag.

For my upcoming Christmas Markets River cruise, I may utilize the wear and throw away suggested by people on this forum. I have a pair of jeans that I was going to throw out, but plan on bringing them and throwing them out over there after getting a wear or 2 out of them.

I also agree that those little containers hold enough product to get me thru a week or two which is great to conserve space.

I'm going to do my best to have space for all my souvenirs from the markets!! :-)

Kathy-529 - Pack a foldable tote bag for those souvenirs and then check your normal carry-on on the way home, and use the foldable tote as your carry-on.

MCD - thanks! I have a small hard shell carry on that I plan on putting in the overhead and have a small Vera Bradley travel bag that I’ll put under my seat so I should have plenty of space….I hope! Lol. I’m also going to Disneyland Paris for 3 nights so I know I’ll be buying souvenirs there, too.

Marla526

What a great topic, Claudia! I am just starting to think about packing for our Treasures of the Med cruise a month from today! I have vowed to not take more than I need this trip….. everything is starting to be folded on our guest bed, and I will pull out or add items depending on the weather forecast a few days prior to us leaving. We have used packing cubes for years and love them.

Another great item for travel is CADENCE magnetic containers. They are small (2 oz?) hard plastic leak proof containers for liquids, creams etc. I found they are enough for at least two weeks. Your post has made me think that I need to take some stuff out of my toiletry kit that I never use! Lighten the load.

Normally my husband and I will pack one larger bag to be checked, and each have a rolling carryon that fits up top in the planes. Those have at least 3 days worth of interchangeable outfits and smalls. Also, I always pack a fold up tote bag and then check everything on the way home!

kfnknfzk

Medium sized medicine bottles work great for storing components for a first aid kit. If you have a rapport with your pharmacist, ask for size 60C or 14C bottles. They also work great for other small odds and ends.
I order travel sized AHA/BHA (alpha hydroxy acid/beta hydroxy acid) and other facial products before each trip.
A good luggage store will also offer an array of travel sized products--razors, shave cream, combs, brushes, deodorant, et al. It took many trips and much trial and error, but we can now fit all our toiletries into my husband's small travel/amenity kit that came with our luggage.
For those who enjoy crocheting, you might wish to make your own tote bags (like what is typically used for carrying produce in European markets). I make them with cotton yarn in various sizes and with different sized mesh openings depending on what I plan on carrying. I will take two on the holiday cruise this year. One for my use and one for the gift exchange.

Claudia Sails

Okay the packing gods must be on my side this week. We received 2 sets of 2 packing cubes and laundry bag. We're a month out from our Classic Italy tour. Not sure if tour date has anything to do with it.

scsmithwy

Packing certainly is a lot of trial an error. One other thing I have found helpful is to keep a list of what I intend to pack and update it once I have packed so I know exactly what I took for each trip. When I get home, I make very detailed notes about what I used and, more importantly, what I didn’t and why so I don’t make the same mistake next time. By keeping a list of what I packed for different types of trips, I have a starting point for a similar trip in the future.

I have a master packing list on the computer that I modify for each trip. I also have a list of what I've packed for each trip. It would come in handy if I lost my luggage and had to file a claim. I have hard copies of my credit cards, insurance cards and ATM card (front and back) that I take on the trip as well as photos of each. (OK, I'm old.)

Smiling Sam

MCD - This guy is looking for you to be in his next commercial. (Just teasing - you're prepared for anything)

Smiling Sam - these are my favorite commercials! I so relate do portions of each one, especially the one when they are at the airport. I always arrive early and have snacks!! :-)

kfnknfzk

MCD - Well done! I do something similar by using pivot tables in Excel. I can summarize/sort quickly based on the parameters I wish to see. I maintain a separate table of airfare prices, airlines and destinations for comparison purposes.

OurTravels34

When I pack I put a white flat bedsheet on the floor and layout my clothes so they hopefully mix and match including shoes and take a slow video of everything. I have a list of toiletries and meds. I take a picture of my suitcase too. I take pics of my credit cards, and essential cards and put them in the hidden section of my iPhone (password protected). I also use AirTags.

Smiling Sam -- I love those commercials! Can really identify.

MarketArt

I learned by accident years ago that security worldwide ignores skincare sample packettes and tiny tubes of toothpaste, etc. when I forgot to put them in the Ziploc. I test this theory now & then and have never had a problem; of course it matters only when I'm not checking a bag. I remember being mid-trip traveling home from Australia when the 3.4 oz. rule went into effect, which made for some frantic repacking at the airport and a bathroom facial (my Ziploc was stuffed with Aesop b/f the brand was available in the US).

And just learned that you can bring a fishbowl, w/fish, onboard:
https://www.rd.com/list/items-over-3-4-ounces-that-can-still-go-in-your-carry-on/

SGF

Great post, Claudia!

I'm usually pretty good packing clothing and shoes, but toiletries is so hard. No matter what I pack, I always seem to miss something. Lately, as a result, I end up packing a "just in case" cosmetic bag which I leave in my suitcase. Antibiotics, cold remedies, bandages, etc. Does take up space, but I don't want to go hunting for OTC meds.

I realized my mistake this summer in Switzerland when my bottle of cough suppressant leaked all over...sticky cherry syrup everywhere. The trick is to bring an unopened bottle! In hindsight, I could have found a pharmacy if I needed that. But I had a tough time finding it in the Galapagos, with a nasty cough, so now I try to bring some along.

I agree that the destination and type of tour has a direct influence on how we pack. I love the fact that most Tauck travelers are not fashionistas and care more about comfort than style. While I don't want to appear frumpy, I am well past caring if I wear an outfit more than once.

On a recent (hot and sweaty) Tauck cruise, I asked our TD if people were dressing up for the farewell dinner. His response - wear what's clean! 😀

MarketArt

SGF, helpful comments, thanks. Kudos for casual but cool in all senses of the word, esp. on vacation.
Note if this link is to be believed, cough syrup of any size is now ok in carry-ons. Who knew?
https://www.rd.com/list/items-over-3-4-ounces-that-can-still-go-in-your-carry-on/

TSA is for US rules and not necessarily the case in airports in other countries.
There is a great article in Wirecutter in The NY Times this morning about travel items, bags, clothing etc

Bonnie88

We are going to Spain and Portugal in October, do we have to bring our meds in the original bottles or can we put them in a daily med organizer?

Smiling Sam

Bonnie88 - do we have to bring our meds in the original bottles or can we put them in a daily med organizer?

Rightly or wrongly, for my 15 tours I've always used the little daily ziplock bags from CVS for my pills. It's easier for me from a packing perspective and from not putting more of the meds at vacation risk than I have to.

I've never had an issue (knock on wood).

Been putting my meds in weekly containers for some time now. Always take a printed list off my hospital/doctor website to show any official that asks. Did take photos of each pill but the generics change appearance I’ve given up on that. Used to take pics of the containers too. Apart from the extra bulk of containers, I don’t want to lose more drugs than necessary. I know you can ask for spare containers from the pharmacy but I go away too often to keep troubling them. If the label is out of date, that might not look official to an agent. I’ve never ever been asked about my meds. None of my meds are controlled drugs and not likely to be banned in other countries. People have mentioned here on the forum thst they have had vitamins taken from them, I think that was Australia. If anyone is taking strong pain meds, or even sleeping pill type things, it”s worth checking about the country you are going to…..you can google.