On the Ziplocs…I love storing extra snacks in them, because you can zip them up and they don’t smell or fall out.

Also, snacks—I go to the store/mart with family and let people get whatever travel snacks they want, then do the same when we get there. My kids often don’t like the plane food, and once there the time change means people might be hungry at night or other unusual times. I never snack at home but traveling, having snacks can save the mood on a car drive, hike, tour, etc. hungry people are grumpy people

I take Illy instant coffee and some kind of latte packets. Often hotel or AirBNB coffee is horrid and nobody wants to go out while others are still sleeping, etc. these are a lifesaver honestly. The Illy packets are better than 95% of drip coffee too.

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Anonymous wrote:always pack a deck of cards ziploc bags, all the OTC meds, and if w kids a ball and balloons.

What do use the Ziplocks for?

NP, but anything and everything. Leftovers, toiletries, wet stuff, tiny stuff you don't want to lose, protecting items when it rains. I don't even go out locally without Ziploc bags!

FFS, let's try to use less single-use plastic, not more.

I’ve been using the same travel Ziploc‘s for at least five years

Same!

My mind is blown.

I have a big bag of all sizes of used ziplocks that we only use for travel. Can't do without them!

+1, I just reuse until the seams rip. Recycle and get a new one.

Anonymous wrote:Store your electricity adapters/converters in your suitcase at home. Otherwise you can end up not knowing where they are and buy new ones you don't need.

+1
I also store my travel neck pillows, baggage straps, space savers vacuum bags and hand pump in the suitcase. I always carry space saver vacuum bags and it is amazing. It not only creates a lot of space but it also protects from your clothes from getting soiled if your suitcase is opened or cracked.

Create your own itinerary by going to the most expensive travel touring websites and checking out their itinerary. It gives you a fairly good idea of not only what all you can see in a given time and location, but also how much time to allocate for travel to another site etc. You can also do all your bookings in the same hotels or similar hotels.
Then, look at several youtube travel vlogs about the attractions so that you know what you are going to see and the history behind it. You will get more out of the vacation and you will know what to spend money on.

Also, use a washi tape/duct tape with an eye-catching design on it, and stick a tape on all sides of your luggage with it. Using the same tape roll, similarly put tape on all your other luggage. It allows you to identify your luggage instantly, and other people also become aware that the luggage is yours. When travelling in a large group, it prevents thieves from stealing your luggage. Also, airtags in all luggage and hand baggage.

A good place to buy momentos are the supermarket.

I agree on zip locks. If you are checking anything liquid like shampoo etc. Squeeze the excess air out and double bag it in zip locks. DD travels with a ridiculous amount of beauty products and has da explosions. Double bag protects against a tube or bottle not being completely closed or bursting.

Trains.

1. In Europe check for upcoming strikes and check for strike changes. Avoid traveling right before or after a strike as delays and cancellations still happen. Guaranteed trains aren’t guaranteed to be on time. Have a back up plan to stay an extra night and rebook.
2. Read the instructions. Some lines make you check in online, Some don’t. You can be fined for not checking in on some lines.
3. Have your phone fully charged and all battery packs fully charged before going on a long train through mountains.mit will drain your battery.
4. Get on the right car and the right train. Some trains split and go in different directions.

Other packing tip.

Yes to packing cubes. If anything they make it so much easier to get things in and out of the suitcase.
Bring clothing that dries quickly in a dryer. If you are planning on doing laundry, it can take forever for heavier clothing to dry. European machines aren’t as powerful.
Bring Dramamine, Tylenol, advil, Imodium, NyQuil tablets, Sudafed,neosporin, bandaids.
Bring extra socks and one extra pair of shoes if you have room.

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Anonymous wrote:always pack a deck of cards ziploc bags, all the OTC meds, and if w kids a ball and balloons.

What do use the Ziplocks for?

NP, but anything and everything. Leftovers, toiletries, wet stuff, tiny stuff you don't want to lose, protecting items when it rains. I don't even go out locally without Ziploc bags!

FFS, let's try to use less single-use plastic, not more.

I’ve been using the same travel Ziploc‘s for at least five years

Same!

My mind is blown.

I have a big bag of all sizes of used ziplocks that we only use for travel. Can't do without them!

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to Disneyworld over Thanksgiving.

Or Disneyland/California Adventure around Christmas.

This is a general tip that could apply to other things in life- but I think a huge things is to Stay off social media.

Someone is always traveling and sharing about their experience. If you like traveling, your feed will inevitably end up including lots of travel related suggestions. It is a vicious cycle where you start wanting to travel more, need the vacations to be more elaborate, and/or get less satisfaction when you actually travel. You get back home from vacation and immediately start wanting to travel somewhere else. A lot of this is subtly impacting you. Staying off will absolutely allow you to enjoy the travel you are able to do more. Plus- it will free up your time. Win win.

Really good tips here. My favorite DCUM post! Here are mine:

1 US airlines offer credit if you must cancel. European ones don’t. Consider taking a US airline to Spain rather than Iberia.

2 Trip insurance. Never a bad idea; essential when you have older parents.

3 A walking tour, even a pay what you wish one, offers a good overview. Concepcion’s paid walking tour in Seville is great.

4 A HO HO bus can make sense some places: Glasgow.

5 Google International Greeter and try a free walk if your destination offers a Greeter.

6 I have not had a problem booking through booking.com, but I don’t trust their hotel reviews as much as Trip Advisor’s.

7 Visit supermarkets even if you’re not cooking. They are a museum of life and there are some good souvenirs there: cookies, tea, chocolates.

8 Many fine arts museums are not as good as the National Gallery, Hila. museum of Art, etc. so don’t feel obliged. The architecture may be the best part.

9 Consider department stores now that downtown lacks them. Good places for lunch sometimes, too.

10 other countries lack Trader Joe and people can appreciate their 99 cent totes. Fairly Packable, too.

11 do not miss 7/11 if you are in Japan. really. Mind-blowing choices to eat compared to here.

12 Expect Coke Zero rather than Coke Light in many towns in Europe. It tastes like Pepsi. But don’t look for Pepsi in Atlanta: you won’t find it.

13 You can eat in Spain before 9 pm.

14 Peggy Guggenheim in Venice and Guggenheim Bilbao are better than the Guggenheim in N.Y.

15 There is nothing wrong with getting a guide for half a day in a place where you cannot read the language.

16 Good advice about checking local holidays.

17 Fallingwater, Auschwitz, Anne Frank, The Great Wall are must sees that live up to their reputations. Mona Lisa doesn’t.

18 Online ebooks make packing light much easier.

19 Bug repellent and sunscreen are a good idea in many places.

20 Always look for weddings. Shinto brides and Scottish grooms are something to see.

If you’re visiting a city, always stay in a central location with plenty of restaurants and things to do within walking distance. The last thing you want to do on vacation is waste time commuting from a cheaper hotel on the outskirts of town.

Splurge for the best accommodations you can afford, but only when it makes sense. I’m not going to spring for ultra-luxe accommodations in a major city because I’ll rarely be in the room. However, on a beach vacation, I will definitely book the best oceanfront suite so I have the option to lounge on the porch or balcony instead of spending all day on the sand.

Don’t plan more than one major activity (sight, museum, etc.) per day to allow plenty of time for relaxation. If you’re up for more than one then go ahead and do it, but don’t schedule it.

Take a nap or lie down for an hour or so in the afternoon so you’re refreshed and energized for the evening.

Anonymous wrote:My kids wear glasses and do not have Contacts. My travel advice is to always bring a second pair of glasses, even if they’re not the exact prescription. One vacation, my son lost his glasses swimming in the ocean (he had chums which didn’t work) and it basically ruined the trip.

100%. I keep my previous pair for this purpose-if they get lost, it’s no big deal since they aren’t my “real” pair.

Corrective goggles are also good for this though-they won’t fall off and you can open your eyes underwater.

My kids wear glasses and do not have Contacts. My travel advice is to always bring a second pair of glasses, even if they’re not the exact prescription. One vacation, my son lost his glasses swimming in the ocean (he had chums which didn’t work) and it basically ruined the trip.

1. If traveling to Europe on red-eye, definitely agree with booking hotel the night before (calling to tell them you will be late) so you can roll in and get some rest. I can't sleep on planes.
2. If you are checking bags, make sure that in your backpack/carry on, you have your pjs and a change of clothes. that way, even if you have all the luggage, you don't have to root around in big suitcases for the first day clothes, especially when tired. and, you are covered if your luggage is lost.
3. packing cubes
4. carry a laundry bag and if you are gone for more than a week, doing laundry is worth it.'
5. if you have teens, manage your expectations of screen time. I've found that we have a much better time if we have ground rules. Our rules are: you can be on screens if we are driving (we take road trips) but when we are doing something, phones off. on the flip side, if we plan so that there is an hour or two of downtime, our kids are happier and we are happier, We give them their screen time and my husband and I get a cocktail, relax, etc.
6. pack water bottles. one thing we have noticed is that there is sooo much waste with plastic water bottles so we just pack our own water bottles to fill up.
7. this is a luxury and a bit more a pain to plan but we like to rent a car and have road trips so we fly in and out of different airports and return the car to the different airport. it gives us a lot more freedom of where to go.I don't mind the extra step of planning because I think its worth it.

Get a contact lens container and fill it with eye and night cream or other serum you don’t need to bring a lot of.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:always pack a deck of cards ziploc bags, all the OTC meds, and if w kids a ball and balloons.

What do use the Ziplocks for?

NP, but anything and everything. Leftovers, toiletries, wet stuff, tiny stuff you don't want to lose, protecting items when it rains. I don't even go out locally without Ziploc bags!

FFS, let's try to use less single-use plastic, not more.

I’ve been using the same travel Ziploc‘s for at least five years

Same!

My mind is blown.