7th in the "Are you ready to check-off “Visit my Clan Homelands” on your bucket list?" series
Packing clothes and accessories seems easy enough but these days there are so many accessories to make packing even more efficient for saving space in your bag as well as organizing it so it doesn’t become a disaster going in and out of it. As mentioned in my last blog, shorts are not always the best attire even in the summer seas
on but here is another tip: Jeans aren’t the best type of pants to take as they weigh and are thicker than casual pants such as kaki or chino (cotton) pants. If it is a colder season, taking a pair of think long johns covers the need for layering instead. I usually take 4 pair of cotton pants with 2 shirts for each color for a 11-12 day trip. The other item you don’t need to take is lots of shoes! A lot of walking is majority of time in the UK can be uneven pavement/sidewalks and grounds. I recommend wearing hiking boots on the plane and just taking them off during the long flight and using slippers or sock booties over your socks and then pack one pair of nice but still casual shoes. If you feel you need to dress more formal, take only one outfit and pair of shoes to go with that outfit.
This covers your basic everyday wear for your trip, other than undergarments and socks. So how do you maximize your space in your bag is next. Packing Cubes! They will make your life so much easier when traveling, whether you have a carry-on or full-size suitcase. Tired of the jumble of clothes in our suitcases. I was constantly looking for undergarments or socks that were buried in some hard-to-find corner of a suitcase. I honestly just felt constantly unorganized. That’s no longer the case since I started using packing cubes over 7 years ago. I love that packing cubes make it easy to find undergarments and other small items, without tearing apart the entire contents of a suitcase. Most sets come in 4 different sizes. The secret is to r
oll each piece of clothing and then place in the appropriate size packing cube. I use my large cube for pants (I have had up 7 pairs rolled in it), medium for shirts and possibly pajamas, then the smaller ones I use for undergarments and socks. Note: I just lay the socks in the cube with the undergarments, I don’t roll each pair together as this makes each pair more bulky to pack. I have 3 sets and can use up to 2 sets in a carry-on size bag that I check-in and then I use one for the actually small bag or backpack that I carry onto the plane and put in the overhead bin. This cube of clothing is in case of emergency if my checked in bag is either delayed or lost at my destination. The last small bag you may have separate from your packing cubes may be your toiletry bag. Try to keep your items to a minimal in 3 – 5 oz. containers such as your shampoo, conditioner and etc. Buy the travel size soaps, toothpaste and mouthwash as you can always buy more while on vacation and it is saves on weight for more important items. Your smaller carry-on bag or backpack, you would pack that one cube of emergency clothes, medications, all your electronics, travel folder and any small snacks you want for the plane ride. Ladies, try to use a small baggallini type of travel purse that will hold a small flatter wallet, cell phone, gum, lip balm, sunglasses, etc. Men will usually have their normal tri-fold wallet. Remember, all the real important items after you check in will go into your money belt that you should wear at all times on your trip (except while sleeping but it will be quick accessibility in case you must evacuate quickly from your accommodations. I blogged about this occurring to me once in Edinburgh while staying at a Ramada Inn and the fire alarm went off at 11:30 p.m. at night.
My next blog will be on other items you should consider packing that do not take up any room in a suitcase as they are pliable but will be a necessity while walking around whether inside or outside. Stay tuned !