I always had difficulties in the preparation of my travel bag. Generally, I do it in the last moment, but often I forget something: the toothpaste, the sleepers, a pair of shoes and so on. Luckily for some of the things left at home the hotels can help me, in many cases they have toothpaste and sleepers, but for something else I need to visit local shops. Especially when it comes to clothes or shoes it can be hard for me, but in a while, I find the right mood. That’s why I prepared a checklist that I share with you together with my packing tips.
I like to travel with the essential, but especially traveling for business means to have elegant clothes. To be “perfect” for meetings. That is why when I forgot something at home I need to replace it, maybe because I do not have enough shirts or trousers… Why is it hard? Well, Italians are always research for fashion and to be trendy. I have to admit, I am a bit extravagant, so, despite the voluntary to be impeccable during my meetings. I do not always follow the rules of the color matching and I am quite open to some local clothes and habits. Now with the packing tips, it is easier.
Packing tips: why I use them
When I enter a shop the instinct is to search the Italian style. But in some towns, it is not possible, so I start to explore the local fashion. I experiment with a new international style. But this is another story, so it is better to go back to the main topic: the packing tips. So to be sure to make it right, I have my own list. What to bring to my destination?
First of all, I need clothes and I have to consider the season. Including the periods with climate changes. So it is the moment to be prepared for the cold and warm climate. Then I need shoes, it is better also to have sleepers just in case. I have to put toothbrush, toothpaste, and razor. This is the list, part of my packing tips, that I generally use to not forget anything.
Clothes and accessoires
Just for some destinations on my list, there is swimsuit.
The toiletry bag
It is generally good to add something for health, like:
First aid kit (bandages, gauze, adhesives, etc.)
Personal prescriptions (copies of scripts, I usually don’t have problems, but in case…)
Cold medicines and throat lozenges (this is something that often I need)
Hand sanitizer (it is always recommended to be safe in every conditions)
As hand luggage, I have a small bag where I have, for short range, the computer and the different devices. This is part of my packing tips.
Technology
Mobile device and charger (plus a power bank)
Headphones (it helps to reduce the noise during the trip and to not disturb others with the sound)
Camera, memory card and charger
Books
In the luggage, I have always a couple of books. I try to read before to sleep or during transfers if I can. In my packing tips never miss the books. This time I will have with me:
“Hamilton: The Revolution” by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (backstage of a musical)
“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond (2017 Pulitzer Prize)
Documents
Last but not least, the documents. Important for the packing tips. So I have with me what I need to get the plane and to find my room…
Passport (in some cases with a visa)
Frequent flyer card and the others loyalty program cards to get point and benefits
Cash and credit cards
Health insurance card
Travel insurance information
Reservations of the plane tickets and of the hotels, of the transfers and of the rent a car
- Local currency (when applicable)
Now I am ready to leave and to share, during my trip, about my explorations… I hope you will benefit by my packing tips. Don’t forget to check my guides.
It’s time to enjoy the trip!
Wonderful list. I too like to be prepared all the time.
Maybe it is not complete, but I use it all the times, especially travelling for business I need to have everything with me to not loose time. Thank you!
I travel a lot with my family and we have a packing list that we use all the time. Our children have used it since they were about 6 years old. It’s meant that I never have to worry about what they are bringing along as they simply bring the things on the list. It’s very similar to your list. Thanks.
Thanks for your contribute. Well I did it to not forget the things, that for me it is quite common, unfortunately. I think it is useful and more or less there are things in common for each of us, but for sure there are some more personal elements. I am a man and I mainly travel alone for business, so the package list concern my needs. It is nice that your children learned to travel and organize themselves.
This helped me a lot as my trip recently come up. I am waiting for your next post , your post are really valuable.
Thank you! It is useful to have a list, so you can pick all what you need for your travel and do not have bad surprises at your arrival. I will post soon about my trip.
I’m a fitm believer in lists. Best way to ensure you don’t forget anything.
You know, my problem is to prepare the luggage always at the last moment, so to have a list is the only way to not forget anything 🙂
I am a compulsive list maker and my packing lists are awesome!! I have everything on a spreadsheet which is divided into sections (much like the ones you mention) and everything is colour-coded. Every time I go away (mostly to my favourite hotel in Amalfi) I pull up the spreadsheet on my laptop and update it where necessary. It has sections I can check off – things that need to be bought, things that need to be washed/ironed and finally a section where I can tick that it is in my suitcase!!! A bit over the top maybe but – fingers crossed – so far I’ve never got to my destination and realised I’ve left something behind… although of course I can’t resist shopping for more while I’m away…
PS Thanks for following my blog and liking the latest post xx
Amalfi is really amazing 🙂 Well, maybe you are more organized than me, I just made up the list after few bad surprises happened to me abroad because I forgot something at home. When I travel for leisure I generally avoid lists, agenda and so on, but I need some script to remind to me what to put in the luggage, in order to not ruin my vacation.
Thank you very much to you also for your contribute to my post. Cheers
Welcome to that little voice and thank you for following my blog. And even more thanks for your packing list. Very helpful!
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Thank you Margo. It is a pleasure to follow you. That list is useful for me, maybe it is possible to personalize it according to your own needs while you travel, but for me it is for sure the only way to have whit me what I need. All the times, without the list, I forgot something at home.
My luggage was always heavy when I travel but lately I only bring a few essentials then go shopping for new stuff when I reach my destination. I get a feeling of freedom and excitement when I do this.
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Thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience. Yes, you travel light, but then what do you do with things bought? If you bring them home your suitcase will be heavy flying back. If you left them there…isn’t it expensive to do this for each trip?