Hey Traveller,

You probably noticed I had to skip my last edition, January got very busy and I couldn’t spend the time I needed on this newsletter. Fortunately, some great general updates came through. There was a fantastic cruise deal, and some fascinating information about current developments in Space Tourism.

For this month’s edition, I wanted to provide something useful for everyone who has a trip coming up. There are many things involved in getting ready for a trip, but one in particular seems the most daunting to me – the dreaded task of packing.

Even when we have great intentions, it’s easy to overload our suitcases. We wind up dragging a lot of stuff around. There’s more to keep track of; it winds up being a lot of physical and mental clutter. And, of course, we wind up paying a ton of extra fees for the additional weight and luggage.

So, rather than viewing efficient packing as a practice in minimalism, let’s think of it as a challenge that helps us make the most of every vacation: you have what you need, you’re freed up to not have to lug around a bunch of extra weight, and you can put that saved money towards a special souvenir, a nice dinner out, or another cool experience.

So what are the secrets that seasoned travellers use to guarantee expert packing? Here are 10 top tips:

1. First, make a packing list and stick to it. Only bring the essentials, and leave behind items that you can easily purchase at your destination. Consider packing versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits - Think: mix and match, simplified palette, and multi-function items. If three tops match three bottoms, you’ve got nine possible outfits. As travel blogger Fred Perotta says: bring pieces, not outfits.

2. Next, invest in lightweight luggage. Look for suitcases and backpacks made from lightweight materials like nylon or polycarbonate. Avoid heavy materials like leather or hard-sided suitcases made from heavy metals. And don't forget to leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs and other items you might acquire on your trip.

3. Remember the 80/20 Principle - that is, 20% of what you pack will be 80% of what you actually wear. If you’re like most people, you’ve already noticed this. You pack four pairs of shoes, but you really only wear one pair every day. 

4. Don’t pack for every possible situation. Pack for an average day. There’s no way you can cover every contingency. Look at the forecast, the average temps and weather for that time of year, and go with that. If there’s a freak week of rain in what’s normally a sunny season it’s very likely that you'll be able to purchase a rain coat or an umbrella where you are. If there’s a cold snap, there’s probably also a store nearby with just the thing you need. 


5. If you’re going to be gone for three weeks, pack enough clothes for one. Almost every resort or town in the world has a Laundromat or laundry service. If you’re feeling like you want break from daily tasks and routines and you’re really looking forward to the luxury of having other people pamper you, you can usually have your clothes laundered and folded for you.

6. For warmth, go with layers over bulk. Pick several thin layers with insulating, wicking fabrics (merino wool is a great one) over a big jacket. Heavier items like jackets and sweaters don’t offer the flexibility. They’re just hot, and when the sun comes out, then you have to cart around a huge coat. But a compact zip-up fleece can roll up easily into a bag or backpack in the afternoon and then come back out again for that sunset walk on the beach. 


7. If you’ve got to have something bulky and heavy — wear it, don’t pack it. Hiking boots, parker jacket, that awesome cable knit wool cardigan — these might very well have a great place on your trip, but they shouldn’t be in your suitcase. Wear them on the plane. You can easily pack several versatile layers for the space that one sweater would take up.

8. But what if you just can't fit everything into your suitcase? Specialist equipment and items for Skiing trips, Golfing tours, ot Polar expeditions can be difficult to take on flights or lug around for the rest of the trip. That's where luggage shipping comes in. Companies like Luggage Forward and My Baggage. They'll pick up your bags from your doorstep and deliver them to your destination, hassle-free. 

In conclusion, traveling light is the way to go. It'll save you money, reduce stress, and make your trip more enjoyable. So next time you're packing for a trip, remember to make a list, invest in lightweight luggage, and consider shipping your bags ahead (a back early). And if you do have to ship bags, make sure you compare quotes, check that the service you are getting meets your needs, make sure your belongings are insured in case something does go awry, and enquire about any customs requirements you may have.

When you are ready for your next adventure, I can help you design your trip down to the last meticulously managed detail; recommend the best tours with the most experienced and knowledgeable guides; access great deals on the most amazing cruise destinations with fantastic lectures and authentic encounters; and offer itineraries that will provide the most meaningful journeys, enriching experiences, and memorable stories to share. Give me a call and let’s get started! Or click here to contact me now!

And remember:

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. So, we could say that a video shows a thousand pictures. But, neither words nor pictures, nor even a thousand videos, can ever come close to the first-hand experience of being there "in person" to Witness the Wonders of Our World - while we still can, and because we still can... You still can!

Have a wonderful day,
Best regards

Nic

Your Personal Travel Manager

P.S. If you enjoy my content, please feel free to forward this email to others you think may also enjoy it; they can even subscribe (or unsubscribe) as a member for free! - see bottom of email.

P.P.S. If you are ready to start planning your next WOW trip, please reach out to me or click here to schedule an appointment.