Some of you know that I just got back a few weeks ago from two and a half weeks in Europe. I am blessed!!! The photo above was taken at a music venue in Barcelona, which was stunning!
We try to take a couple of trips a year, and there are some tips and tricks that may come in handy for you, too.
So far, we have not subscribed to the ‘carry on only’ when traveling to Europe, because most of the time your bags fly free on international flights. But we do take a carry on. For me, it’s just a tote. Inside the tote I have a small zippered pouch with anything that I may want during the flight, earbuds, gum, etc. I take the zippered pouch out at the beginning of the flight, stow the larger tote, and then I don’t have to get up and down out of the overhead baggage hold several times.
I keep certain extras in my bag at all times – mini hairspray, brush, toothbrush, etc. They never get unpacked. If I forget on the next trip, I have the essentials.
Sometimes when we visit another country (or Napa Valley!) we’ll bring home a bottle or two of wine. We slip it inside one of Mr. Coupondipity’s socks, then put a running shoe on both top and bottom of the bottle. This way it’s fairly secure and packaged for the flight home. We’ve never had a bottle break.
Pack a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Enough said.
Pack your heavier items closest to the wheels of your rolling bag. This will help to distribute the heavier weight towards the bottom and make your bag easier to roll.
I always pack a few different sizes of Ziploc bags. These come in handy for a variety of purposes, but mostly for food that may be leftover. Extra rolls and ham leftover from a breakfast buffet? This will make a great sandwich for later. We typically stay in vacation apartments, so we pack picnic lunches on some days. The ziplocs come in really handy.
Pack liquids (shampoo, body wash, etc.) in a large ziploc bag. Additionally, remove the lid of the bottle, put a small square of Saran wrap over the opening and then screw the top back on. This way, if the top accidentally flips open, the plastic wrap won’t let any liquid out.
What are your favorite packing and/or travel tips? Share them with us!
Great travel packing tips! Thanks for sharing!