Sunday, November 26, 2006
Several weeks ago, we presented the Packing Issue, in which we told you everything you needed to know about . . . packing. Naturally, our readers knew even more. We received dozens of suggestions on how to get the most out of your luggage. Here are some of the best.
I have a jewelry caddy that's basically a flat square; when you tie the corners together it becomes a little container about six inches square and 1 1/2 inches deep. I roll my pajamas around it so nothing falls out, then put it on the nightstand for my jewelry, watch, etc. It helps make sure I don't leave my wedding ring in the bathroom or my watch on the table where I might forget them.
If you're visiting people in multiple destinations, buy host/hostess gifts en route. I find I really enjoy shopping for other people when I'm someplace interesting, and you don't have to cart a lot of things at the front end of your trip.
My husband made endless fun of me this, but for a round-the-world trip I printed out my itinerary and all my friends' contact info and had it laminated. It was really handy to consult for flight and phone numbers, and I didn't have to worry about it getting wet or dog-eared.
Liisa Ecola, Washington
Donate to Goodwill or, depending on location, your hotel's staff. Sneakers with some life left in them are infinitely more valuable to Romanian villagers than to anyone who can afford to cross a continent or two to be there. Buy a new pair when you get home.
Invest in pack-small, easy-wash-and-dry clothes from somewhere like http://www.rohan.co.uk/. Ask about laundry prices: Not all are rip-offs. Or use the local laundromat and spend the hour exploring the environs on foot.
Iain Liddell, Harefield, U.K.
Instead of buying expensive packing cubes, I went to a dollar store and got small mesh bags in the laundry section. That way, when bags are opened for inspection, nobody is handling my underwear.
Phyllis Wright, Front Royal, Va.
I always take a thin Gore-Tex hooded jacket (with a pair of leather gloves in the pocket) on my trips. It's appropriate in any kind of weather: Put the hood up if it's raining and you don't need an umbrella; wear a heavier lining underneath and it's a winter coat.
And with all of the cute and interesting costume jewelry, I almost never pack precious jewelry except for the watch and rings that I always wear.
Betsy Northrop, Williamsburg
Invest in good-quality silk long underwear for cold-weather travel. They pack small, are easy to wash out and can be worn under anything, even business clothes or pajamas. It's a good, warm extra layer. Cuddl Duds are nice, too, but not as compact.
Vicki Caruthers, St. Michaels, Md.
Don't take jeans, which become difficult to clean when laundry facilities are lacking. Not only are washing machines hard to find in Europe, but dryers are even less common. Instead, opt for materials that have a quick dry time with or without sun. Zip-off pants are best, doubling as your pair of shorts. Not only that, but you won't be shy when you are standing next to a tempting beach you hadn't planned on changing for.
Anthony D. Paul, Ellicott City
Type up a detailed list on what you'll pack, then pack the list as well. As you pack to return (or leave each stop) check off the items again.
Melanie Dahlgren, Alexandria
My mom in Oklahoma taught me this years ago: As a general rule, pack the larger items first to fit more in your bag. This little trick applies to about everything you load, including a car trunk and even the dishwasher.
Carolyn Fox, Fairfax
I always carry on one nice outfit (a jersey wrap dress looks professional but packs easily), especially when I'm doing business travel. That way, if I have an issue with my bags, I'm not completely unprepared for my job the next day.
Miriam Miller, Washington
I never travel without a pashmina-style shawl. Mine is a cashmere-silk blend that I fold up into a rectangle, slip into a plastic bag and carry in my purse. It's great around my shoulders on a chilly plane, on chilly evenings, and around my neck or over my head in cold weather.
Lois Wilcox, Gainesville, Fla.
I always try to coordinate my packing with the people I'm traveling with, either friends, families or colleagues. If I'm planning generally the same itinerary, I try to work with them so that we each carry one travel guide that we might all have or so we share the full-size sunscreen that is sometimes difficult to find in travel size.
Ingrid White, Washington
We go everywhere with a 22-inch roll-on each. The problem with packing them is that the handlebars go through the bottom of the bags, making them difficult to pack without clothes wrinkling.
We solved the problem by cutting a piece of foam core to fit in the bottom. Foam core is essentially a thin piece of plastic foam sandwiched between two pieces of poster board, 1/4 -inch thick. It is sold in craft stores, art stores and sometimes even the drugstore. It is sturdy, featherweight, dirt cheap and takes up no appreciable space.
At the bottom of the carry-on, we pack lumpy stuff like socks and underwear. Then comes the foam core, creating a smooth packing surface. Clothes pack easily and don't wrinkle. A bonus is that you can lift up an end of the foam core to reach the underwear without disturbing the rest of the clothes.
Alice and Jim Kale, Alexandria
Buy pills in packages like you get in your office medicine cabinet (one-dose packets). This lets you bring a variety of medicine while keeping weight to a minimum, and they have the original labels so no one is suspicious. It is also nice so you remember what all the pills are. I put like medicines in small jewelry-size zip-lock bags so they're easy to find.
Becky Benzie, Denver
I save my basic cosmetics with a tiny bit left in them and take them on a trip. I use up the rest of the makeup, then toss the container.
Linda Stewart, Baltimore
I always end up buying several items that require special packing because they are fragile. It's easy to pop into the local department store and buy inexpensive plastic containers to pack them in. While bubble wrap is good, I can always find a roll of toilet paper to cushion these delicate items.
Steven Dwer, Baltimore
For kids under 6, I always carry an extra outfit, including socks, in a gallon zip-lock bag at the bottom of my carry-on backpack. Wet clothes make little children very grumpy travelers. An extra set doesn't take up very much room.
And don't forget to pack a sense of humor. The times when we have had luggage lost, we ended up with some great stories to tell -- plus those very comfy all-cotton white undies and tees from British Airways!
Laura Broach, Washington
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