Senior Travel Advice Frank Harris | 20 Jan 2012
Packing Tips
On a senior trip, taking you sometimes far away from home, you want to bring everything you’ll need with you in one not-so-large suitcase. Make sure you you have a suitcase on wheels which will make walking through airports, whether to catch a taxi outside or hop on another plane in transfer, a bit easier. Luckily today, most suitcases come with wheels, but there was a time – a way back when, not all suitcases came on wheels.
When packing, you want to make sure you have all of your essentials with you. Make sure when you travel, you’ve got a good quality suitcase with sturdy wheels and you’ll have less problems when you travel away to a new land on your senior vacation. I highly recommend this sturdy Two Piece Carry-On Luggage set manufactured by Travel Select Amsterdam which costs only $48.94 when you shop at Amazon. It’s a great price, good quality and the carry-on bag fits airline regulations on size.
What to take in your carry-on luggage
Your carry-on bag should include all the things you couldn’t live without, just in case your luggage gets lost in transit. Heaven knows, this is an all too common occurrence when traveling by airplane, especially when there are transfers between planes. Luggage gets lost and you may only receive it days, weeks or months later. I’ve had too many friends who’ve had their luggage lost and sometimes it’s never found and you have to claim through the airline and/or insurance to get back what has been lost.
However, in your carry-on luggage make sure you have packed the following things:
Passport
Ticket or E-ticket receipt
Wallet
Medications – in all the original containers and a copy of your prescriptions, just in case you need a refill while you are on your vacation
Travel and health insurance. Keep these with you.
A map of your destination if need be
Camera – with the battery charge or plenty of extra batteries
A change of clothes just in case your luggage is lost
Sunglasses – two pairs – one pair to wear and one extra pair of sunglasses, just in case one pair gets lost or broken. In some senior travel destinations, it is difficult to find a new pair of sunglasses at a reasonable price.
Eye glasses and reading glasses – two pairs – in case of the reasons already mentioned above
Emergency Toiletries – bring things you can’t live without for a night such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizing lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, bug spray (depending on your destination), sunscreen (depending on your destination), liquid soap and shampoo which can be used interchangeably.
What to pack in your luggage
Dress for the climate you are visiting on your senior travel vacation. There are many resources online which will tell you about the current weather and climate. Dress accordingly.
Base your holiday wardrobe on one color scheme which will make it easier to create a look
Walking shoes, flip flops or comfortable sandals, evening shoes – three pairs of footwear should do it. Wear comfortable shoes on the plane because feet are known to swell on an airplane journey
Three pairs of underwear. This is my rule: three pairs of underwear. Along with the pair you are wearing, that makes four pairs of underwear. You don’t need to bring anymore. My underwear trick while traveling is to wash a pair of underwear at night in the shower, while you are showering, using shampoo as a detergent. Rinse it and hang to dry. Unless you are in a very humid climate, they should dry out by morning.
Personal sewing kit – some hotels provide this and others do not.
Bring a hat to keep your head out of the sun as much as you can.
Tie a ribbon, a few colorful ribbons or a colorful sock around the handle of your suitcase so it is easy to identify when you go to claim your luggage after your flight. Make sure you are familiar with the weight restrictions on your flight. Airlines now charge lots of extra cash for “excess baggage.” Make sure also that your carry-on luggage will fit under the seat in front of you. Airlines have their rules. Also make sure that any liquid you carry in your carry-on luggage is within the limits of what is allowed these days otherwise it will be confiscated when you check-in to your flight.
These are some of the packing tips you need to be aware off so that your senior trip is as enjoyable as possible and you feel comfortable in your home away from home vacation. Make your list of things to pack to suit your own needs before you begin to pack to make sure you have everything you need on vacation. Put this list in your carry-on luggage. It’ll come in handy if your luggage is lost and also when your vacation is finished and you need to pack up again.
