Mama Margaret’s Packing & Luggage Tips for a Happier, Smoother Trip
Posted by Mararet on: 2005-08-23 23:19:15
If you’re a little lady with skinny arms like me, buy an extra light suitcase. I got a sturdy cloth one with solid, indestructible wheels that was 20% lighter than most. What a difference it madeso much easier to hoist up on to trains and lift on to buses!
Pack light to reduce weight. I fill bottles of moisturizer and toner part way to reflect how much I think I’ll use. I take paper backs, not hard cover books.
I carry some heavier things like books in my day back pack while I’m on the road since my back is stronger than my arms. My day pack is roomy so it holds layers of clothes when I’m walking and acts as an overflow when I’m traveling.
Pack only a few clothes that you can mix and match to make several outfits. In Vancouver, there’s a great travel clothing shop, Life Style West at 3068 West Broadway at www.lifestylewest.com where you can see how to pack 54 outfits into a carry-on size, cloth suitcase! I also pack my favourite clothes so I don’t mind wearing them over and over during my trip.
Fold dresses, blouses and other garments that are more wrinkle prone in half and put them last in your suitcase, spreading them to the edges of your suitcase on top layers. I find cotton dresses don’t wrinkle! Sometimes I ask myself why I took my travel iron with me!
Put shoes in plastic bags so dirt from them doesn’t get on your clothes.
Bring spare plastic bags for wet bathing suits or towels and dirty laundry.
Take only one suitcase with wheels you can handle on your own anywhere and one day pack on your back. No porters needed. That’s all anyone needs in my opinion.
If you like shopping, leave room in your one suitcase for purchases so you don’t have to buy a second suitcase in Italy.
Carry your passport and extra cash in a money belt and put only enough cash for that day in your wallet.
If someone offers to help you carry your suitcase up stairs in a train station or onto a train, smile graciously, look them in the eye and say “Thank you, how kind of you”. People feel good when they help you.
Mama Margaret
Italy Cooking Schools
http://italycookingshcools.com
Tel: 1-800-557-0370 within North America or (604) 681-4074
Fax: (604) 681-4909