Pack 10 Days in Your Carry On!

Pack Like a Pro

Packing a bag takes skill. To many people it can be a work of art. Utilizing space and being spot-on about what items to include can take years to perfect. Below are a few tricks of the trade to help you become a Master Packer!

Consider the weather and what kinds of activities you’ll be doing: Visit weather-related sites to check out how the weather will be at your destination. Ski trip? Pack thermal underwear, wool socks, ski clothes and ski goggles. Beach-bound? Pack a swimsuit, sandals, hat and sunglasses.

Buy travel-size containers for your toiletries: You can always drop into a local shop to restock if you run out. Seal up containers in airtight plastic bags to prevent contents from leaking into your suitcase.

Coordinate your wardrobe with pieces that mix and match: Choose 2-3 color schemes (neutrals are always a safe bet) so each item can work with more than one outfit. Dress in layers so you can adapt to changing temperature.

Call the hotel prior to leaving home to inquire about items that come with the room (hair dryer, iron, robe, etc.): Otherwise, pack travel-sized items. If you're heading overseas, don’t forget to bring the right plug adapter.

 Pack clothing using the "roll" technique: Lay two or three items on top of one another, smooth out and then roll them up like you would a sleeping bag. This saves space and helps prevent wrinkles. Always zip zippers and button buttons.

Organize your suitcase: Place your garments in the order in which you plan to wear the items. Wrap breakable items, like jewelry or glass, in socks and tuck inside the shoes in your luggage. Fill corners and edges with shoes and other cumbersome items. Top off with lighter items.

Protect Yourself From The Sun

Protect yourself from exposure to the sun's rays and reduce your risk of sunburn, skin cancer, and heat stress:

• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection before you go outside, even on cloudy days.
• Reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating or after staying outside for more than two hours.
• Wear clothing, sunglasses, and a hat with a wide brim to protect exposed skin.
• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

6 Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know

Packing is pivotal. Forget an essential item and you're left disappointed and scrambling to find the nearest store in your destination. Pack too much and you end up disorganized, burdened with heavy bags, and hemorrhaging money to pay for pricey airline baggage fees. So we thought it best to revisit the most basic—and most useful—packing rules. 

1. Roll, don't fold.

Many travel experts—including backpackers, who must stuff months' worth of clothing into a pack the size of a box of wine—agree that rolling is superior to folding. Tightly rolled clothes take up less space than folded ones. Plus, they're less prone to getting deep wrinkles from fold creases.

2. Make a packing list

When it comes to packing, procrastinators fall short. Start your packing process days or even weeks ahead of your departure date; this gives you time to craft a complete list, plus purchase any additional items you might need for your vacation. Creating a packing list is a fail-safe way to ensure that you never, ever forget to bring something important.

3. Know your airline's baggage-fee policy

Figuring out the airlines' tricky and befuddling baggage-fee policies is key to any budget-minded packing strategy. While most airlines permit travelers to check at least one bag on international flights, the majority of U.S. carriers charge big bucks for bags checked on domestic flights.

4. Use your personal item wisely

It's standard for airlines to permit each traveler to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard planes. This personal item is subject to specific size requirements (these vary by airline), but something like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack is generally acceptable.

5. Wash your clothes on the road

Laundry facilities are one of my favorite parts about staying in vacation rentals. If you know your accommodations will have free laundry facilities, you're golden. You can wash and wear just a handful of outfits for the duration of even very long trips.

6. Pack dual-purpose garments

If it's two-in-one, it's one less thing to pack. Dual-purpose items, such as pants that turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a travel pillow are worth their weight in airline baggage fees.