Packing Tips

Choosing Luggage:

Consider where, when, and how often you will use the luggage, and by what transportation mode you will use most frequently. Will you need to carry the bags yourself, check them, or use a porter's services

Pullmans are great for smaller luggage styles, and have extending handles and wheels. Duffel bags are less expensive, and are great for casual clothes, since they have very little supportive structure. Some even have hidden straps to make carrying easier. Garment bags are basically carry-on armoires. Backpacks are becoming more popular, and can hold considerably more than they used to. Laptop bags should have good padding, a comfortable shoulder strap, and a secure closure. The best ones are usually found in computer stores.

Consider sturdier fabrics and nylons if you tend to overpack because they can stretch and won't come apart with the luggage handling. And make sure to always test each piece before you buy it.

Packing Principles:

Plan your wardrobe, make a list of what you need according to the events, and check that list repeatedly to make sure you don't miss anything, but also that you're not taking too much either. You can combine several outfits into a coordinated system. Just a few pairs of pants and a few shirts are actually just fine for a week when they're colour-coordinated.

Especially with kids, make sure to try on your vacation clothes before packing, for some things might be too small since last year. Check into your hotel's/cruise ship's laundry facilities to know if you will even be able to clean anything.

Label your luggage inside and out with whatever information and markings/ribbons/coloured straps you would recognize and/or use for identification.

Things I've never considered, but make sense for a toiletries bag, include bath soap, bottle opener, corkscrew, cotton swabs, eyeglass repair kid, first aid kit, hair dryer, laundry detergent, moisturizer, sewing kit, extra shoelaces, sink stopper, wipes, and for the frequent shoppers, bubble wrap, scissors, and tape. And take things that can do multiple jobs such as scented body lotion instead of perfume, and cotton pads moistened with nail polish remover instead of the actual bottle.

Pack the heaviest things on the bottom, or whatever will be the bottom when the bag is upright. Many prefer packing in layers, clothing inside one another.

What to carry on:

travel documents, fragile items, valuables, bathing suit, camera, change of clothing, gifts, guidebook, and work and reading materials.

For vacationing in the city:

Yes, those who don't live in cities sometimes like to visit them. If you opt for a town vacation, make sure to bring comfortable footwear. You'll be doing considerable walking on hard pavement. Bring your camera for those iconic, world-famous buildings especially. Dress in layers, which can come in helpful to take off when it's too warm, and put on when it's too cold, like those frigid over-air-conditioned malls. You'll probably have more of a nightlife as well, so bring something appropriate for your favourite nocturnal activities. And especially in the cities, try not to wear your shiniest bling.

And when you return home, always make sure to have things able to be taken out and shown, and the receipts at the ready. You might not have to show them, but you never know.

So, now that you know what to pack, and where to pack it, you just need to go over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and decide where you want to go!

Top 10 Int'l Cities and Countries/Regions

Top 10 International Cities:

10 Vancouver 1%
9 Puerto Vallarta 1.3%
8 Barcelona 1.3%
7 Venice 1.6%
6 Punta Cana 2.5%
5 Montego Bay, Jamaica 3.7%
4 Paris 6.6%
3 Cancun 7.3%
2 Rome 9.2%

And the #1 International city is.....

1 London 10.5%


Top 5 International Countries/Regions

5 France 9.2%
4 Caribbean 9.2%
3 United Kingdom 12.7%
2 Mexico 16.3%

And the #1 International Country is.....

1 Italy 18.9%

(Europe Total is 40.4%)

So, let's follow the crowd to a foreign country, first stopping to book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com for the best prices!