Clothes

• Regular clothes – these are normal clothes – including shirts, pants, underwear, socks, shoes, etc. Wrinkle free clothes stay looking nicer when traveling.
• Formal clothes – if you hope to go to a fancy restaurant or formal dinner, fancier clothes are desired
• Activity Related – swimwear, exercise clothing, hiking, horseback riding and more. If you plan for going on these activities, bring appropriate gear.

Medications  & Vitamins

• Medications: prescription drugs, cold medications, allergy medications, headache remedies
• Vitamins: if you like having vitamins, packing in small bottles, sandwich baggies, or partitioned containers

Toiletries

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razor, comb, brush, any special hair treatments and care, etc
• Sunscreen, moisturizer, makeup, makeup remover

Business Related

• Conference information if appropriate
• Computer, paper, pens, notes
• Pager, cell phone, contact information as needed

Children Related

• Baby gear, children activities, etc

Trip related

• Airline tickets, travel documents (passport), hotel reservations, car rental reservations, phone numbers for doctors/friends/etc.
• Travelers checks, credit cards
• Language dictionary or translator
• Reading material

Food

• Special snacks, gum, breath mints
• Coffee, tea, drink mixes, water
• If camping or you like to eat in your room – food as appropriate

Extras

• Extra luggage if you like buying gifts, spare items for emergencies
• Hats, scarves, sunglasses, etc

This is a good start. For a more comprehensive list, see: The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-on Traveler by Judith Gilford . This book includes more detailed lists, great packing tips as well as how to pack lightly.

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1. How Long Can You Travel For? Often you have so much time for vacation and you want to get the most out of it. If you only have a three day weekend, you will most likely want to go somewhere that takes less than 5 hours of travel. While this is only a rule of thumb, consider that you want to have time to enjoy the place you are going as well as have enough time to really get your money’s worth. If you spend too much time actually getting there and back, your 3 day weekend ends up being a 1 day weekend. If you find you want to go somewhere further, consider extending your holiday if possible.

2. What Activities Do You Like Doing? Whether you are going to a golf resort or a beach in the tropics, you want your trip to have all the activities you desire. Taking the time to list what you are hoping for in advance may help your vacation be that much more enjoyable. By doing this, you can research possibilities in advance. Sandals Beaches and Resorts have all the activities any traveler could desire.Save 50% off Sandals Luxury Resorts, Click Here!

3. What Is Your Budget? Vacations can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on your planning and desires. However, when you know how much you want to spend, you can often make your decisions easier.

4. What is Your Preferred Weather Though you can not control the weather, knowing what normal conditions are helps. Additionally, you may choose a different destination if you find that the weather is too hot or too cold during the time period you want to travel.

5. What Do You Like to See Do you want a get away in the country or in a big city? Do you like to explore beaches, historical sites, mountain hikes or museums? Depending on what you want to see will further narrow your destinations. Alternatively, if you want some of everything, you may want to consider a tour or cruise.

6. Do You want to Visit Friends or Family? If you are going to visit family or friends, your destination will often be determined by their location unless you plan to do a multi-stop trip. One way around this can be doing a trip together. THis can be exciting but takes additional coordination.

7. Night Time Activities? Many people think of daytime activities and then are disappointed when their idea of nightlife and their destinations nightlife availability differ. Be sure that where you are going has the activities you desire.

8. Peak or Off-Peak? Off-Peak seasons are often much cheaper and less crowded – but sometimes you will find that many estbalishments are closed. Do your homework first so you don’t go to a beach town to find everything closed when you get there.

9. Events, Festivals, Shows, Exhibits Whether you are traveling to see the Superbowl or a movie festival, timing is everything. Know that during the even itself housing is often in short supply, so booking early is key. If you are staying extra time, you can stay in a different hotel to get a totally different feel of the city and the surrounding area if desired.

10. Stuff for the Kids, Adults, Seniors and Pets Of course when traveling, make sure there are activities for everyone in your group. If you are taking your pet, trip planning is essential. Often hotels will have activities for children, be certain to ask in advance.

Technorati Tags: where to go an a trip, deciding where to travel, trip planning

However, there are times when it is better to use a travel agent even though it might be more costly. A lot of agents today work on line, but there is nothing like talking to a real live person when booking a complicated trip. They can answer all your questions, and they will look for the best deals. For example if I am going to visit family or friends in Denver I might book my reservation on line, but what if I want to book a three week vacation to Las Vegas or Paris. For example, Paris City Sightseeing Tours if you don’t know where to get them. You might need to talk to an agent to get the best deal. It is also probably better to book a cruise through an agent because they know the best cruise ship lines, and can get you the right accommodations, however you can save money by looking on line at cruisedirect.com.

A good agent will go the extra mile to find the best deal, and a lot of agents have contracts with consolidators who do not have their agendas posted publicly. A travel agent will have surcharges for such services, but it might save the traveler money in the long run.

Some airlines sell only through travel agents. Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines are two carriers who sell air passes through travel agents. Also, if the traveler has special needs it is good to work with an agent. Senior citizens who might be traveling to Thailand to get a cheaper medical procedure should consider working with a real live agent.

Working with an agent can also save a lot of time for travelers who are taking a luxury cruise, or being brave enough to go on a safari.

If someone is going on a world tour or an extended vacation an agent can arrange a complete itinerary. They will know whether a hotel has a shuttle service that goes to downtown Paris, or if you have to us the Paris Metro. I was fortunate enough to be meeting up with a friend in Japan who understood how to get around. Getting from the Tokyo airport to a hotel can be a major undertaking. That type of information may not be available on a website. I had a friend in Japan, but an agent would certainly have been the next best selection.

An agent can also help you get a visa if necessary. This is real important in today’s world. Americans are not particularly liked in some parts of the world. An agent can be a big help for the person traveling to “difficult” countries like Russia or China. They will work out a deal where a single payment can be made instead of paying for the trip as you go.

A travel agent will be needed if you are traveling to a remote or unfrequented destination. More than likely they will try to book a charter package. Charter packages can end up being cheaper because hotels and airport transfers are included in the price. If a flight has been canceled, and you find yourself stranded call your agent immediately and they will help book the next available flight for you.

Because of the competition in the travel industry travel agents will do their very best to give good service. That is a rare commodity these days.

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Travel is supposed to fun and enjoyable, however in today’s world it pays make sure that there is something to back you up in case of an emergency. Some people call it “peace of mind” while others call it travel insurance.

All kinds of things can crop up—such as my friend’s unexpected medical emergency or less serious things like lost baggage or travel delays. In our complex world the traveler needs to think about serious political problems that may occur especially when traveling to the Middle East, South America, some parts of Africa and Asia. In some cases no amount of travel insurance is going to make a difference, but it is still good to be prepared.

Travel insurance is supposed to provide protection for the traveler from the time they leave home until they return. A lot of other types of insurance do not have clauses in the policies that cover travel. Some companies may include provisions for medical emergencies at an additional cost. Prior to embarking on a trip one should check with their insurance company to see if they have any travel coverage. Don’t just assume that you have coverage.

Good travel insurance policies will cover financial as well as medical expenses either domestically or internationally. If you use a travel agent to book a trip they usually have pretty good information about travel insurance and you can purchase the insurance directly from the agent, cruise line or tour company. Travel insurance needs to be purchased through an insurance company directly if an agent or other travel company is not used to secure the coverage.

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are:

• Cancellation
• Curtailment
• Delayed departure
• Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
• Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation/repatriation
• Overseas funeral expenses
• Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
• Legal assistance
• Personal liability and rental car damage excess

Some companies carry coverage where additional costs may be forthcoming while others do not.

Separate insurance can be purchased for:

• high risk sports (e.g. skiing, scuba-diving)
• travel to high risk countries (e.g. due to war or natural disasters or acts of terrorism)
• pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)

Most companies may exclude certain conditions or situations. A few of them are listed below. Check and see what is not covered in the policy. Take time to read the fine print.

• pre-existing medical conditions
• war or terrorism – but some plans may cover this risk
• pregnancy related expenses
• injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug use

Travel insurance may provide other services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services may include concierge services and emergency travel assistance. The best place to start looking for travel insurance is by looking at an existing health policy which may cover expenses for domestic travel emergencies. The insurance carrier may cover an international trip for an additional cost. If they cannot do it the agent may know where and how it can be purchased. For business travel the company you work for might already have coverage for you, or know where good insurance can be bought, and they will probably help to defray the costs. Talk with friends who have done a lot of traveling. The may or may not have some good information. I traveled for years without travel insurance and had a few close calls. Today, I would probably look into some type of travel insurance prior to any extended trip.

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My first wheeled bag happened to be a TravelPro. Friends bought it for me as a college graduation present. A standard 45” bag measures 22 x 14 x 9, and that is the regulated size for most airlines. Some bags that are odd shaped still need to meet the requirements set up by the carrier. Sometimes they are rejected, and have to be checked.

Be careful when shopping for a carry-on bag, because some retailers will advertise that a certain piece of luggage meets requirements when it really doesn’t. Make sure it is legal by doing a little researching prior to shopping. That is particularly important if you are traveling overseas. International carriers will not allow a bag on a plane even if it is an inch too large. Some retailers will give you inside dimensions instead of the full bag measurements. Remember that overhead space may not fulfill the carry-on requirements and the bag may not fit under the seat. I play it safe and get a bag that is a little smaller just to be on the safe side. Spaces underneath the seats are getting tinier by the day. The smaller spaces are that way because the airline can make more money on in flight videos and other amenities and gear for those things are often installed underneath the seats.

One other personal carry-on item can be taken on the plane. These might include a handbag, an encased laptop, a small backpack or a briefcase. No personal item can exceed 36”. I used to be able to carry Christmas gifts for the grandkids, but now I send them by mail prior to my scheduled trip because of restrictions. If you see an agent allowing a larger than normal bag on the plane retain that information when you check in, and if another agent won’t allow your larger piece to be considered carry-on luggage mention the incident. When something like that happens it means that the airline is not complying with their rules. If they won’t play fair and let you take your bag with you there is a place to complain.

Aviation Consumer Protection Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

International airlines tend to have stricter policies than domestic carriers when it comes to weight limits. There is an additional charge for oversized or larger pieces of extra checked luggage. It is best to check with the airline to get the most updated information. Smaller commuter airlines may different regulations when baggage is involved, so it is best to take a few extra minutes and check out their website.

AirTran, Alaska, America West, American, ATA, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, United and US Airways all allow one carry-on bag and one personal item. Aloha Airlines sometimes doesn’t allow carry-on lugguage on inter-island flights. Normally, though, they follow the standard rule.

Technorati Tags: carry-on bag, carry-on requirements, personal carry-on item, carry-on luggage, International airlines, commuter airlines

Considerations For Traveling With Pets

* Will Your Pet Be Welcome?

When flying to Hawaii or destinations outside the US, often a pet needs to be held to guarantee that the pet does not have rabies or infectious diseases. For Hawaii, the minimum quarantine is 5 days and can last up to 120 days. So before embarking on a trip, be certain to make sure you can actually have your pet be able to stay there. As laws change, verify current restrictions before traveling anywhere with your pet.

* Flying With Pets

Most airlines will take at least some pets. However, the rules are different for each airline. In general, it costs extra to bring your pet. One consistent theme is that smaller cats and dogs are easier. Some require that they are brought on as air cargo, others will let smaller animals be stowed under your seat. Be sure you have a Airline Certified Pet Carrier that fits your pet according to the airline’s requirements. If you have a large pet (like a large dog over 100 pounds), you may need to drive if you want your dog to be with you.

* Staying In A Hotel With Your Pet

More and more hotels are allowing their guests bring along their pet. To find such a place go to: Hotels.com and click on the search for Amenity and Landmark. Choose the pets allowed option. Doing this search is an easy way to compare hotels that accept pets.

* Are There Things To Do With Your Pet?

Now that you have arrived at your destination, you will want to make sure you can actually do something with your pet. Just because you can fly and sleep at your desired destination, doesn’t mean that you can do everything you want to do with your pet.

Restaurants and parks are getting to be more pet friendly. Disneyland allows you to keep your non-poisonous pet at their daytime pet care kennel but not in the park itself. Other places are getting more friendly towards pets, but be certain to check before you head off.

* Is it Within Your Budget?

Just because there are amenities to accommodate your pet, doesn’t mean it won’t cost extra. Make sure to calculate the differences in price to make certain that it is worth the extra effort you will be expending.

Once you decide your pet is going with you, all it takes is some planning — and you are on your way to a fabulous trip.

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Get A Current Passport

As of October 1st, the US is removing it’s Travel Accommodation that has been allowing people back into the US without a passport. This means, now more than ever, you need to have a passport on hand! If you have never gotten a passport, here are instructions from the US Passport Office. It is actually quite easy. You need 2 pictures, proof of citizenship and a photo id. Unfortunately, it often takes longer than you want, even with express handling — so getting it early saves you time and money.

Great Luggage Is A Must

This sounds pretty obvious, but if your luggage was damaged on your last trip, or you want to only use carry on to avoid having to check in your luggage, getting luggage is a must. A Hovercraft Wheeled Underseat Tote can be carried on the airplane easily. It is very versatile. If you are going on a business trips often, a Samsonite Carry-On Upright Suiter will do everything you want with ease.

Small Toiletries

With the new airline rules, having those 3 oz or smaller toiletries can make a huge difference of time spent in the airport. By being able to travel via carry on you can literally save an hour in some airports. Just put them in a small 1 quart ziploc bag and you are ready to go! Read our article on Travel, the TSA and Security for details and needed links. As policies often change, we highly recommend you checking the official website before you travel.

Travel Can Socks Help

If you aren’t used to walking alot or going on airplanes, getting travel socks can make a world of difference between a comfortable day and one filled with discomfort. Travel Legwear with Smart Compression can help you feel energized after a long plane ride. For people with diabetes or circulation issues, socks like these make a huge difference.

Knowing Who Will Watch Your Mail And Pets

Having a list of people to call to watch your mail, your pets, and perhaps your plants can make your life easier. Then when you are in the midst of packing, you only need to pick up the phone rather than figure out who to call. If you want to take your pet with you, there are other arrangements — but having a backup plan, just in case, is wise.

With planning your trip can be very smooth and easy — and that much more enjoyable!

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The most common way of finding a budget vacation is by looking on the Internet or in agencies for last minute deals. I’ve found that www.lastminute.com is a good place to start. Sometimes you can get an excellent package deal at last minute that you would NOT have found earlier.

Many people think that by booking a last minute budget vacation, they will be limited on choice and location. In some cases this can be true, but not always. It is worth thinking about the vacation that you want before you look at the vacations available. That way you are less likely to be disappointed.

You can often set your mind at rest by doing some of your own research on the area before you book. There are many online reviews written by people who have stayed in the resort that you will be staying at. One thing to bear in mind when reading some of the reviews, is that while they can be a useful way of knowing where not to go, people often do not write about vacations that they have enjoyed. However, this can be very useful if you are looking for something specific. For example, you may not want a busy club resort for a romantic getaway for two.

When you are booking your vacation, make sure that you know exactly what is included in the price. If you will be staying in a hotel, see if it includes breakfast and if so, what kind. Some resorts even include all meals. Check before you go if it is important to you.

Check if transfers are included. If they are not included, you will need to look into the cost and availability of either taxis, limo service or a rental car.

When you are booking any budget vacation, create realistic expectations. Many people are disappointed with their vacations simply because they put too high and unrealistic demands on them. You may have saved hard for this vacation, but you need to be realistic in what the purpose of the trip is. If it is for a week or two of total relaxation, then make sure that you choose a quiet resort. Again, research the area well before you book.

One of the benefits of booking a budget vacation is that it is often possible to stay at hotels that you normally would not be able to afford to stay in, at a knock down price. A typical 2 week stay at a four star hotel may be on sale on a budget vacation website for the normal price of a stay in a three star hotel. To get these deals you often need to be flexible on dates and resort, but they are worth pursuing if you like a bit of luxury at a budget price.

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Now this was when the general public didn’t have the bags on wheels. The only people we saw using them were stewardesses and pilots. So, my first trip to Europe was quite eventful. I carried two bags to Amsterdam that year, and that was too many. My partner, however, carried one small shoulder bag with all his business materials in it, and a light suit carrier that could be hung up in the plane for his clothes. By the end of the trip I learned a lot from watching him.

First of all, he took a lot of vitamin supplements, and even then he put what he needed in sandwich bags, and labeled them. This way he didn’t have to carry bottles and packages which took up a lot of room. I still do that today.

The next time we traveled I got a little bit better at the packing end of things. I bought one maroon bag that had a lot of side pockets, and sections in it. Still no wheels! However, I was able to pack everything in one bag.

In those days I sewed a lot. Children’s clothes were expensive, and so I made all my young daughter’s outfits. I also sewed for myself. The yardage store has a lot of different type of travel savvy materials. This is cloth that can be rumpled up, but that will lose all the wrinkles when it is hung up and requires no ironing. Most people don’t make their own clothes today, but if someone has that talent and they travel a lot it can make a difference. Suppose someone is going to London on a business trip, and part of that trip entails an evening out at the theater and a fancy dinner party. A talented seamstress can make a very nice, simple outfit for the occasion. Today there is such a great selection in the stores and the shops of ready to wear wrinkle free outfits that are ideal for easy packing in a suitcase or a suit carrier. At the local drugstore, and sometimes the local supermarket there is a whole section dedicated to small travel items such as shampoo, toothpaste, hair spray, and mouth wash. These small necessities take up very little room in a suitcase.

These days we have suitcases with wheels, and savvy travelers. I try not to carry a purse with me anymore when I travel. Instead I put my wallet and travel documents in my carry on bag, and in the checked bag I place a purse that will lay flat. I usually wear comfortable shoes that can be taken on and off easily, and pack another pair that is more upscale. Be sure that the shoes are good walking shoes. Sightseeing often requires a lot of walking, and in some countries staircases are the norm.

On Amazon.com there are all kinds of books on how to pack light. Here are two titles that may prove interesting. The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-on Traveler by Judith Gilford and Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler by Susan Foster and Barbara Weiland.

Rick Steves is a modern day Marco Polo who can be met each week on Public Service Television (PBS). He first visited Europe when he was 14, and has returned every year since. He has a whole series of travel books and travel materials that can be found on his website. He also has a book out that gives tips on packing light. His travel books can be found at Wal-Mart.

Gone are the days when your family could walk down to the gate at the airport and kiss and wave goodbye. The little kids could stand at the window and watch the plane leave. Then the whole family would be at the end of the ramp waiting and smiling when you came home. No more! Those days are gone—probably forever. America has arrived at the spot where a lot of other countries have been for many years. Terrorism and bombings invaded Europe and other parts of the world long before they started occurring here.

Today there are long security lines, and new travel security regulations that grow in numbers every day. Domestic travel in the United States has become quite involved. Most airlines have up to date information, but it would advisable to check the Transportation Security Administration website for any new information. www.tsa.gov This website has a complete list of permitted and prohibited items that will be allowed or confiscated at security checkpoint. I was surprised to find out that cigar cutters and nail files would be allowed as a carry on, and that scissors are allowed as long as the blades are shorter than four inches long. The list is comprehensive, and very informative.

It is a good idea these days if you are planning any overseas travel to check the State Department bulletins for up to date travel advisories. www.travel.state.gov This site gives all kinds of information about passports, visas, and temporary papers that the traveler may need on a trip. They have all the embassies listed, and they furnish valuable emergency information. As an example: U.S. Passports are no longer being issued abroad. This is important information for those who are frequent business travelers, or those who vacation yearly in other countries. The government is using a new photo-digitized imaging system. The only passports issued abroad will be those needed for urgent travel.

Airport status information can be found at the website for the Federal Aviation Administration www.fly.gov Along with other important travel information the traveler can get reliable information about flight delays.

Passports are going to be put on line after December 31, 2006. There are new passport regulations going into effect. It might be a good idea to renew passports now to avoid the boggle that might occur later. People will need a passport to go into Canada and Mexico. This makes things difficult for people who live on the borders, or for those who travel frequently north or south of the United States.

The security checkpoints are only going to become more difficult. These days I try to wear shoes that slip on an off easily, and I try not to carry a purse. I have a roll on bag that has room for a lap top and other business materials, plus my passport, wallet. If a purse is needed at the destination I pack an empty purse that can lay flat in one of my checked bags. I also save room in my roll on bag for snacks. On a domestic flight meals on most airlines are no longer figured into the price of a ticket. Usually, $10.00 is charged for one meal. The meals that I have seen are not worth that much. If snacks are purchased it is best that it done in the stores that are past the security checkpoint to avoid item confiscation. Usually a banana and a bag of trail mix along with a bottle of water will get me from San Diego to Minneapolis. Most beverages are still served free with the exception of those with alcohol content. If there is time to get a meal prior to boarding that might be a good plan. These days it is also a good idea to use the restroom prior to boarding. The use of airplane restrooms are restricted. Flight crews do not allow lines to be form outside the in air lavatories anymore leaving passengers with the option of making a mad dash when a unit is available. It is one reason I try to get an aisle seat.

It is harder these days to get to any destination. But, remember that the individuals running a security checkpoint are only doing their jobs. I do everything I can to make things easier for them, and in the long run things go smoother for me too.