Wyndham Wisdom

Packing Reader Tips

• Saving Room: When packing for a long stay, roll your socks into your shoes, it will save room in your suitcase. Also pack an extra handbag with small things and use it as a carry on. -A WOTW newsletter subscriber
• Take dental floss in your luggage. It makes a great emergency shoe lace or clothes line. -JJ
• Pack your undergarments in a large Ziploc bag. Let the air out by sealing all but a small corner and rolling the bag toward the top, squeezing out as much air as possible. This will double your space and serve as a dirty-laundry bag on the trip home!
• Don't Fold - Roll! When packing your suitcase, do not fold your clothes. Instead, lay all your garments out flat over your open suitcase, with suit jackets and other items that wrinkle easily on the bottom, graduating to the items that will least wrinkle on top. Then roll them up - it actually keeps the clothing from wrinkling - especially if you put tissue paper in when you roll.
• Limit yourself to one pair of comfortable shoes that match everything you packed and pack only pieces of clothes that can be mixed and matched. This makes only bringing one pair of shoes a realistic endeavor.
• Carry good quality cloth luggage on wheels! It is lighter; and the better quality luggage will not tip over. The wheels save your energy and help you to move through the airport quickly.
• The California Pak "back pack" on wheels is great for airline travel. It fits a laptop, printer, personal items, a purse, and a change of clothes. In addition, it is expandable and fits into the overhead compartments.
• I travel frequently on business and carry on a garment bag, briefcase and purse. With the FAA's new ruling that a woman's purse now counts as a carry on, I purchased a larger briefcase and I put my purse in my briefcase and carry on that and my garment bag.
• Always pack toiletries in plastic bags and pack a few extra in various sizes. Carry all your makeup and liquid or fluid items in them. This keeps like things together, and the clear bags are convenient if your luggage is examined at the airport. Also, you never know when something will begin to leak or you will need to pack something that is damp or wet.
• A complete week of work wardrobe: Mix and match. A three-piece suit, a couple of sweaters, blouses and one pair of shoes can outfit you for an entire week.
• Travel Essentials: For a great time saver, buy a travel purse or small airline carry-on bag and stock it with travel essentials. Items that should be included are twenty $1 bills (for tips), umbrella, pocket-size rain poncho, inflatable neck pillow, and a light, comfortable, washable, foldable pair of house slippers!
• Longer Trips: When traveling for more than a week, pack a suitcase that can be delivered to your hotel by a freight forwarder - FedEx, UPS or other carriers. Check with the hotel to arrange for acceptance and delivery to your room when you arrive at the hotel.
• Always travel with transparent tape - good for a hundred different uses - from leaving a note for housekeeping, to fixing a hem, setting hair, sealing an envelope, leaving yourself a reminder, emergency eyeglass repair, etc.