Subscribe to RSS
What should you take with you on a trip? What will you need? How much in the way of clothes should you bring with you?
Norway Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Almost everyone asks these types of questions when preparing to travel. Even veteran travelers can agonize over the answers, depending on whether their trip is for business or pleasure, a long or short one, where they are going, and what they will be doing when they get there.
So, what does one do? Do you customize your packing for each type of trip? Well, to a certain extent, you must. If the trip is for business, you will have to take what you need with you in the way of clothing suitable for the purpose, and any other items, such as laptops, mobile phones, briefcases, or documents, etc. If your trip is an informal one, strictly for pleasure, then your style of clothing will obviously be different as well. The location also figures into this. What you would wear in autumn in Norway certainly isn’t what you’d wear in Bermuda in summer. Of course, when you are mixing business with pleasure, then you really have problems, because you have to pack for both eventualities.
Aerial Photo of Bermuda, photo Courtesy of Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Bermuda
Despite whatever advice blogs, websites, or travel pamphlets may give you, there is one constant, one rule, or maxim that the sensible traveler should always abide by if they want an easy and fun trip. To use the old cliché, “He who travels light travels fast,” pretty much sums it all up.
Case in point; have you ever been on a tour where the women lug along huge suitcases (ones that I wonder how they get by with airlines, because they are so big) and even other bags besides? If no porters are about, they struggle with their luggage, unless someone else offers to help them. An astute traveler knows not to carry so much baggage. Remember, you aren’t only carrying it to and from airports and hotels; you are probably going to have to haul it in and out of taxis, busses, train stations, and subway systems. And those last two often mean several flights of stairs will be involved. What’s more, relying on strangers to help you move your luggage about isn’t necessarily a good idea. They just may run off with it!
So traveling light is your best option. One reasonable-sized suitcase, one with wheels, and an extendable handle is the best way to go. It’s better to just launder your clothes occasionally, rather than try to haul along a whole wardrobe. Go for the layered look. It’s a practical way to handle changes in climate, rather than dragging along heavy jackets and overcoats.
Besides this one suitcase, you will need an overnight bag. This is handy for while you are in transit. The bag can hold emergency items and valuables. If your luggage is lost, you can even have one emergency change of clothes stored in it. And lost baggage is an increasingly common occurrence with airlines these days. So the overnight bag is a great place for storing your prescription pills, one change of clothing, passports, cameras – anything of value you should always have with or near you. Some travelers will even bring a smaller, empty piece of baggage, such as an extra overnight case, inside the larger suitcase. This is for storing any souvenirs and gifts acquired while traveling. And that’s it! Keep it light. Your trip will be much easier, more fun, and a lot less worry about how to lug all that luggage around with you.
Currate.com Currency Converter with Currency Images for Blackberry and iPhone
You should always carry one other item with you. If you have a mobile phone with browser capability, bring it! Currate.com, the reliable currency conversion website lets you use your mobile to check out the current conversion rates any time. Currate.com updates these rates daily. Their currency calculator also makes quick work of calculating any amounts, whether for cash withdrawals, paying tips, hotels, or whatever you need. So, you can just go to either http://currate.com/mbasic.php, or you can go to http://currate.com/menhanced.php if your mobile phone can deal with more enhanced capabilities. For quick access to up-to-date exchange rates and a reliable conversion calculator, your mobile phone is one piece of luggage you will definitely want to take with you! Well that, and Currate.com.
Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
References:
The Proverbial Traveler
http://www.savvymom.ca/index.php/newsletter/the_proverbial_traveler/
The Travelite® FAQ
http://www.travelite.org/
Packing And Traveling Light Recommendations
http://www.travelite.org/
Learn The Unusual Art Of Traveling Light
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/217342/travel_and_leisure/learn_the_unsual_art_of_traveling_light.html
Traveling Light
http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/send_receive/traveling_light.html
