1. LUGGAGE :
When packing for a trip that is several days or weeks long then take one FOUR WHEELER rolling suitcase and also a daypack or bag-pack. Always remove the tags from your last trip. Tag or mark your bags to make your luggage easily visibly different from other bags. Add colorful stripes, ties and tags showing your name and tour company (or email and phone number where you can be reached). On the inside of your tag write your name, address, phone number and email. Inside your luggage, put your name and a copy of your itinerary. Leave an emergency name and number. Where possible, use TSA-approved locks that allow your suitcase to be opened without breaking the lock.
2. SHOES :
Bring comfortable shoes especially if you expect to do considerable amount of walking. Two pair of walking shoes are essential in most trips, shopping, touring, or otherwise. One pair can be worn in the morning or first day, and then switch to the other pair in the evening when going out for dinner. This will also give your feet a chance to recover from the fit of one pair. If necessary, consider taking a collapsible “monopod” which can be used as a walking stick as well as a tripod for your camera.
3. MAKE A CHECK LIST :
Writing things down to pack will help you to coordinate outfits. Put down whatever that comes to mind first. Do not think about the whole list of items and then only start writing. For example, if you are thinking about toiletry items like tooth paste or shaver, just write it down. Next you could be thinking about your reading glasses, and so forth. It need not be in any logical order. Just write down as it come into your mind.
4. START PACKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE :
Once you got your list started you can then start doing the actual packing. You must practice packing way before you travel. There’s nothing worse than last-minute decisions. On the other hand there are several advantages to start packing early. By doing so, you reduce the chance of forgeting something. If you find that you need to buy something for this particular trip it will allow you plenty of time to shop for it without being in a rush. For example, you may need a light rain coat for the coming trip and you don’t have one, then you can go buy one without the urgency. If your airline has luggage weight restrictions, weigh your bag to make sure you’re in compliance. By packing early you can plan for such situations.
5. ARRANGING YOUR CLOTHINGS.
Set out all your clothes and make sure every top and bottom coordinates with each other. It helps to choose one or two “theme” colors, such as black, brown or khaki for a neutral and red or blue for an accent color. If you like you can make all clothes coordinate with your neutral color; select shoes, belts and purses to match. If you bring your black shoe you don’t need to bring your brown shoes. Try to plan around your neutral color. The common advice is to roll your clothes. To do this, lay each item out, pull it at top, bottom and sides to eliminate wrinkles, fold it in half and roll it up. Don’t worry because your clothes won’t get any more wrinkled than they would if you had packed them flat, and they will take up less space. Tuck socks, underwear, belts and accessories into shoes. Insert shoes into plastic bags (grocery bags are fine) before you pack to keep your other items from rubbing against the soles. Use travel-sized toiletries and toothpaste, if possible. Store them in a reseal-able plastic bag in case they leak en route. Don’t forget to include a multi plug adaptor for your electrical devices like handphones, cameras and laptops if you’re headed overseas. If possible bring along a tiny travel umbrella. Also remember to put into your check-in luggage such items as liquids, medications, unless you place them into separate plastic bags and keep them at the top of your carry-on bag.
6. WHAT TO BRING ONBOARD :
Plan to wear your bulkiest shoes on the airplane, if you are flying. Carry your jacket on board even if you don’t plan to wear it; jackets take up a lot of room in your suitcase. Always try to leave room for souvenirs in your checked baggage. When shopping, you’ll know exactly how much you can buy, because you’ll know how much room is available in your suitcase. Don’t forget to carry onboard with you, your passport, money, tickets / boarding passes and prescription medication. Make a simple check list for all these items. Call it your “OnBoard CheckList”.
7. GO THROUGH YOUR ITINERARY :
It is very important to have a Travel Itinerary, even if it is for a few days. This is especially so for senior travelers. Most of us, senior travelers, are traveling for pleasure. We want to enjoy the trip. So the last thing we want to do is to be bogged down with the stresses of thinking about what to do next during the trip itself. So first of all, check out the destination that you are traveling. Is there a lot of walking, physical exercise, and down time? This is important in choosing what to take on your trip.For those of us who need it, always bring extra medication. If you are going to be gone for a week, bring an extra week of medication. You never know when a plane is delayed, bus breaks down, or a train is unable to meet the schedule. This insures that you will have ample medication. Also, if you have a list of medications, always carry that with you, in case of sickness or emergency. Make sure that you carry an extra pair of glasses. If you cannot carry an extra pair, be sure and carry your prescription with you. Plan to wear your clothes in layers and always bring an extra light sweater. This is good for a cool bus, or an air conditioned restaurant. Carry a small bottle of water while touring. This will keep you hydrated. You cannot carry this bottle on the plane so empty it before you check in.
8. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY :
Make sure when you are packing, to pack several blouses extra. It is easy to spill something on a blouse, and with extra blouses/shirts you can always replace the soiled one with a fresh one. If you want to, you can also take some stain remover for your clothing. A specialty treated cloth can be purchased in a sealed package, to be used once and discarded. A list of important names and addresses, for emergency purposes, should be placed in the suitcase and in your handbag or wallet. Cell phones should have the designation, ICE(in case of emergency) and the number of your closest kin.It is better to have these essential information conveniently kept with you at all times rather than try to find them while you are on the road.
I do hope the above simple tips will be useful to you in the planning of your next vacation and wish you a very enjoyable trip!
