Antique Mommy who is just one of my favorite bloggers ever is hosting a travel tip carnival. Now traveling is something my husband and I love to do quite a bit. This year itself, we had 2 trips to India, Smokies, Yosemite, Bahamas, Utah and Marco Island.
I am no expert in traveling, but there are a few things I try to do so that things go smoothly. From every mistake in a trip, we learn something and I will try to list our learnings. Some of it might help you. Or not. I will list away anyhow.
Packing:
Like Antique Mommy wrote, we do not check in bags either (At least for domestic travel.) For us, it is a waste of time, checking it in, waiting for it at the destination and there is always the possibility of it not getting to us on time. We mix and match the clothes and when you are on vacation nobody cares. Okay, so in all my vacation pictures I have the same clothes, but so what?
One thing I have found helpful is to have a master list. The master list has all the items that we usually need, but could forget. It includes items like cell phone charger, batteries, battery charger, neck pillows for air travel etc. We check our bag against the master list. That way things don't get left behind.
Another list is the specilaized list. Since a lot of our travel destination include hiking, we have a hike list too. It turned out to be crucial especially while we were packing for our Yosemite trip.
We also have a toiletery bag. It is not a bag that we put togther the day before travel. It is always there. It has toothbrush for the both of us (not our regular ones), paste, deo, sanitizer,wipes etc. Everything is airline approved size and the bag is transparent so we do not have to check everytime if it has everything. It is always packed and ready and we just toss it in.
General Tips:
One thing I always think I should do, but rarely remember to is to mute the phones before we leave. Maybe you all do it already, but if you don't it is a good idea so that it doesn't shout out the absense.
We have learned that for us it is a good thing to have a file with the directions and hotel information/confirmation etc printed and ready. We have all the techy gadgets, but there has been so many times when it has failed to work in remote areas. Murphy's law in action. Plus the lack of satellite reception. It never hurts to have good old fashioned maps and directions in paper.
These are the tips for now folks. My lunch time is over and I need to get back to work. Check out the hub if you need more tips.
8 comments:
What a travel list. I popped over from Antique Mommy's. It's nice to meet you.
Our packing list for camping is esp. important to me. Those items are usually essential and not easy to replace!
Wowser. Lovely fall theme going here on the blog. :)
I'm working on the whole master-list idea...
Another thought along with the mute phone is to turn on a radio and leave on a light. My folks always turned on a radio so there was a little noise in the house and left on a light. Not something obvious like the living room light, but a back bathroom light. Just enough that a crook would notice lights and noise.
Wow...you guys are organized! Great idea. I'm totally going to do this.
You are SO organized! Those are great ideas! AD and I hiked Half Dome 7 or 8 years ago. We usually hike Yosemite every other year or so. It's our favorite place on Earth.
That's it! I need your organizing genius gene. Travel plans are not my forte, but they are fun.
Hi Annek
Just dropping a little note in here to say that this is not the end of this feeble blogging attempt! I've had a busy few weeks on a trauma and anaesthetics rotation, but there is time in sight...
Thank you for your sweet comment!
Ruth x
I love the idea of the always ready to go toiletry bag. The stuff I'm waiting to pack until after I get ready the morning we leave is always the hardest.
I'll have to put one of those together before our next trip.
Heh.....I am back....
Yeah, I don't check in luggage either. Too afraid it will get lost and I will be without clothes! lol.
I make a list, too, just not as organized as yours!
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