WHAT TO BRING ALONG

Money

• Bring cash and keep it in a money belt when traveling in foreign destinations.  Convert it to local currencies before you leave for a better exchange rate or convert it at airports along the way.

• Bring a charge card or bank card for replenishing funds along the way.

• Let your bank and charge card company know when you will be away.  Many companies block international transactions unless they know you are abroad. 

• Change the PIN on your bank card to 4 digits for travel in Europe, as many banking systems throughout the world do not accept more than 4 digits.

• Ensure the account you will withdraw from is under "Chequing", as many machines don't recognize "Savings". 

• Check your accommodation arrangements carefully, as smaller establishments in Europe often don't accept anything but cash for your room.

Safeguarding Your Possessions

• Carry your day pack on your chest instead of your back in highly congested areas.  Turn the pack so the zippers are against your chest.  Don't feel awkward - it sends a clear message to pick pockets that they won't be successful in approaching you.

• Don't hang your bag over the back of a chair.  Secure the strap under your chair leg when sitting.

• Use a money belt.  See more below under the Clothing topic.

Electronics - For international travel, cell phones are problematic.  You must obtain a new SIM card for the country you are in, which may be difficult.  Also, not all SIM cards work in all cell phones.  We recommend the iPod Touch to keep in touch:

• iPod Touch - the iPod Touch works on wireless internet.  Free wireless is becoming more and more common at coffee shops and B&Bs.  It's also frequently available for a fee at hotels.  In addition to its email and internet access, you can set up the SKYPE application and buy minutes to your home country.  You can call anyone in your home country for a few cents a minute and the connection quality is reasonable.  Even without the internet, you can still have access to books, music, games, contacts and a calendar. Add a noise canceling headphone for use while in transit.
  

• iPad - bring along even more readability with an iPad.  You can still make SKYPE calls, plus you have the advantage of word processing, spreadsheets and a larger reading surface better suited to more web sites than a mobile device.  The Camera Adapter allows you to back up your photos from an SD card onto the iPad.  There is a camera in later versions of the iPad, but the device is an awkward size to hold up for photos.  For the best balance between size and functionality, the iPod Touch gets our vote as a better alternative.
  

• Battery Charging - there are inexpensive adapters available for Britain and for Europe, so it's easy to use your portable devices in other countries.  Britain has a a three prong plug.  The rest of Europe and many other countries around the world use a two prong, where both prongs are round.  You can also purchase inexpensive, yet reliable camera batteries and battery chargers from places such as eBay and Amazon.  Try to ensure you've got backup power with the least amount of wiring to transport.
  

• SD cards can provide substantial space for your pictures without the need to save these to computer or disk.  Try Dell for some low priced, high GB cards.

Britain 3 Prong - left; European 2 Prong - right

Clothing - The secret to easy travel is packing lightly.  You will be amazed at how many weeks you can travel with nothing more than a 20 inch suit case and a small back pack.  Make sure the suit case has rollers. Put your liquids and small metallic souvenirs in a clear plastic bag and stow this in the back pack, so you have easy access at airport security.  Carry your luggage with you on and off airplanes, trains, hotels and cruise ships.  You'll wonder why you ever used to check your bags.

Some space saving ideas:

• Small bottles of shampoo, sun tan lotion and tooth paste take up less space and don't cause problems at airport security either.

• Pack the toiletries on top where you don't have to dig them out each night.  A separate see through container is easy to hang in a bathroom and makes it easy to access the contents.

• Buy quick dry clothing such as socks, undergarments, pants and shirts from tilley.com  Wash these in the evening with hand soap and warm water.  In the morning they will be dry and ready to wear or pack.  You can reduce the amount of clothing you bring by more than 50%.

• For cruises, a man can get by with one dress shirt, one tie and a good pair of casual pants.  Leave the suit at home.  For women, mix and match a couple tops and skirts for formal situations.  Leave that good dress at home.

• For those with fair skin, buy a broad rimmed hat such as those sold by tilley.com  They aren't the most stylish, but they protect the face and neck.  Plus they fold away easily when not needed, such as on flight days.

• Make your clothing multi purpose.  Pajamas, a long sleeved T shirt and a nylon shell can help you survive freezing temperatures in Chamonix and downpours in Rome.  Mix and match layers of clothing to the weather conditions and leave your heavy coat at home.

• Get a good quality walking shoe that will also work for the formal night on a cruise.  Avoiding the need for extra shoes saves a tremendous amount of space.  A good pair of SAS walking shoes will still be comfortable and functional after wearing them everyday for weeks of trekking.

• Get a money belt for cash and documents.  It may be difficult to get used to, but this allows you to stop worrying about pick pockets and move easily through the crowds.  It's very awkward in a foreign country to accuse a stranger of stealing.  It's a lot better situation to end up telling a story about someone who reached into your pocket and found out it was empty.  Leave the wallet and the purse at home.

Locking Your Luggage

Don't lock bags at the airport check in.  Security staff do random inspections of bags after check in and will open locks with lock cutters or tearing the bag if necessary to gain entry.  Twist ties to keep the zipper secure and no valuables in the suitcase is our Take That Vacation recommendation.  Visit the Transportation Security Administration for packing tips and suggestions on how to secure your baggae during your next trip.