Be inefficient – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Look, I know everyone tells you how efficiently they can pack, rolling their clothes, tucking socks into shoes, squeezing every inch of space out of their suitcase, but you’re going on vacation. The last thing you want to do is spend the last few hours of your vacation cramming everything back into a tightly packed suitcase and then figuring out that the three souvenirs you bought don’t fit.

Save yourself the trouble and pack loosely for your outbound trip so that packing for home is quick and easy.

Use the time you save on one last margarita instead.

If the shower cap fits, use it (for your shoes) – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Unless you’re my grandmother (Hi, Grandma!!), you probably don’t use the shower cap provided at some hotels for anything whatsoever. But, that little plastic cap with the elastic ring can be very useful when packing your bags.

Shoes are often cumbersome and tend to get in the way when trying to maximize your luggage. Take the shower cap from your hotel room (or one you’ve previously stolen from a hotel room) and open it up. Put your shoes inside it and the elastic will hold them together, making them much easier to handle and pack/unpack.

Pack for easy access – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

When packing for a long trip, it’s essential to pack items for easy access. You don’t want to rummage through your luggage each time you need something.

Placing items that will be least used — or used last — at the bottom of your suitcase or bag will help eliminate “bag rummage.” Think of the order in which you’ll use items and pack accordingly. Items used frequently or that will be used the soonest should be packed near the top.

When packing small items, pack them in containers inside luggage so they don’t end up at the bottom of your bag.

[Ed’s not: this is useful for carry-on luggage, as well. You don’t want to be digging through your day bag trying to find a pen to fill out the immigration card.]

6 essential items to be sure to pack – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

After you print your tickets and grab your passport, the next thing you need to do is pack the following six items:

  1. A power strip or extension cord (most rooms only have ONE power outlet).
  2. A shoe hanger for extra bathroom storage. Counter space is limited.
  3. A bungee cord to hold open the balcony door.
  4. A bathroom air freshener.
  5. Ziploc bags, so you can take room service food on shore excursions.
  6. A large Plastic mug or plastic cups.

Bring a collapsible cooler for easy dining out – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

An investment of a few dollars saves countless travel bucks!

A collapsible fabric cooler takes basically no room in your luggage, since it flattens when packed. Easy-to-carry coolers have shoulder straps, and some may even double as backpacks. Many coolers store wine upright; half of the top flips up to accommodate the taller bottle. Expensive snack items and beverages bite into travel funds, but one trip to the hotel ice machine and one stop at the local convenience store add up to extra cash. These coolers can turn an ordinary picnic lunch into a wonderful travel memory.

Bonus: you can use it as a dirty clothes hamper at the end of your trip!