Hi!
I'm a new member but a silent lurker since last January and I have been learning a lot from all the old posts and I feel I'm ready to go to battle.I will be travelling with my family, joining 2 tours and will be away for a month.I've added the following on our packing checklist:
1.Culligan faucet drinking water filter model FM15 with a rubber adapter to fit most faucets--this is very small and lightweight and will ensure us safe drinking water all the time and saving us lots of $$$
2.Black & Decker 0.5L travel kettle model JA08--also small and lightweight and will doubly ensure a safe drinking water and cravings for a cup of coffee or tea anytime since not all hotels have this amenity(I checked each of our hotels at Tripadvisor)
3.Universal Adaptor
4.a lightweight surge protector outlet for our cellphones and cameras(if you're from US or Canada using 110V you might need a small transformer!it's 220V in Europe)
5.a small lightweight steam brush.I find this better than a travelling iron.it will do the ironing faster and will not need an ironing board
6.extra hangers with clothespins for drying your washed clothes
7.lightweight 5 folds umbrellas
8. pocket raincoats
9 Ziplock bags for packing your clothes and to prevents spills in your luggage
10.extra folded bags for your shopping
I wonder what the veteran travellers will think ofmy extras.But this is good only if you're travelling in numbers if you're travelling alone better maximize your space limit.

twaine: I think your extras sound just fine especially the small travel kettle, have you had a practice pack to check you luggage weight?

Hi Missie!
I will do just that.I dont want to pay for extra weight My sister just told me that there is a travelling weighing scale available in the market.You just hook it to your bag, lift the bag using the contraption and voila! you never have to pay for extra weight!Will look into it.

twaine: You can buy luggage scales, check out below, or weigh yourself on your scales at home then re-weigh yourself with the suitcase, this is reasonably accurate.

Luggage scales

Thanks Missie!It might be too late for me to buy online but I will look what is available here in our area.But for the meantime, I'll practise in our regular bathroom scale as you've instructed.

Hi twaine - welcome and well done for taking the plunge and joining us

Your extras sound great. I still have a little travel jug from many years ago and I like the sound of the steamer - I have seen shop assistants using them a couple of times lately. Good idea. I'm also keen to get some scales too.
The water filter is a good idea for countries with dubious water, speaking from experience you don't want to get a gastro bug
As for ziploc bags, I'm a recent convert and find myself obsessed with them now

So where are you off to?

Hello Augusta!
We're taking 2 tours:Amazing Britain followed by Traditional Europe and will be gone for a month.Actually, I wouldn't even think of all these extras if it was not for all the valuable tips I gathered from the old posts.Those were really great tips.Thanks to all of you!
I am diabetic and on insulin so my medicine bag is very important to me too.Here's what you will find in my medicine bag.I will start with the general needs:
1.analgesics like paracetamol and ibuprofen for fever and headaches
2.decongestants for colds
3.loperamide and oral hydrating salts for diarrhea
4.antacids for upset stomach
5.an antibacterial/antiseptic throat spray or gargle hexetidine every 12 hours to prevent sore throats(remember you will be in an enclosed bus most of the time and if one passenger catches colds,you can be next, soon enough ,thus ruining your vacation!)
6.a bottle of alcohol and hand sanitizer(when you cannt wash your hands)
7.multivitamins and vitamin C(to build up your immunity)
8.a small tube of antibacterial cream and band aids(for wounds)
9.petroleum jelly for chapped lips and cracked heel
10.meclizine for motion sickness on boat trips or nauseating zigzag roads
11.antihistamines for allergy( you never know if you will be allergic to strange foods!)
12.antibiotics like amoxicillin(for emergency purposes)
14.fiber for constipation
13.for diabetics like me:
a. insulin pen and needles
b. FRIO bag for insulin storage(got this tip in one of the post.thanks!never knew it before)
c.glucometer set
d.other oral meds like anti diabetic drugs, anti hypertensives,anti cholesterol, aspirin
e. glucose/hard candies for hypoglycemic attacks
Most of all get the needed vaccines/shots several weeks before you leave home!

Clothes hangars with pins for drying are a great idea. Thanks for the reminder! I have just stuck a couple in my 'travel drawer'. Your combination of trips sounds fantastic. You will have a great time.

Thanks Tony!We're all so excited for this trip!I posted this checklist to serve as my actual checklist before we leave home and also to share with all of you who has been posting travel tips ever since and helping newbies like me do our own final packing checklist!

Glad you have found the board helpful, I've learnt a fair bit too.
Your medicine kit sounds much like mine (aside from the diabetic needs), I have learnt to be prepared for anything and that kind of stuff doesn't take up much room.
Don't forget to come back on here when you get back and tell us how your tours went

quote:

Originally posted by twaine:
3.Universal Adaptor
4.a lightweight surge protector outlet for our cellphones and cameras(if you're from US or Canada using 110V you might need a small transformer!it's 220V in Europe)

Try to look for a power strip that does 110-220V. Many hotels have just 1 (often awkwardly placed) power outlet.

The power strip will not only multiply the available outlets but will also serve as the surge protector. They will also have the universal socket.

Twaine, where are you from?
I checked on the Black & Decker Travel Kettle and it doesn't seem to be available in the U.S., although there are one or two others.

I definitely don't recommend the coils for heating water. Took 2 of them to Italy and they both died rather quickly. Next time it will be a kettle.

There was this interesting article in MSNBC today, for the U.S. anyway although most of the things recommended should be available in other countries. Travel Supplies Available from the Drugstore

quote:

Originally posted by luvtotravel:
There was this interesting article in MSNBC today, for the U.S. anyway although most of the things recommended should be available in other countries. Travel Supplies Available from the Drugstore

Noted on this link is what not to take also.

Hi Xponent!My Power surge protector strip has multiple outlets.And you are right,some hotels only have 1 outlet and placed akwardly probably to discouraged tourist like us from using and increasing their electric bills!