Packing: the details

This is all the weird stuff comes into play.

I use a hardshell suitcase and something that can be beat up. Let's face it, airports are not nice to our luggage.

Inside the actual suitcase under the lining, I tape down my AIRTAG from Apple. https://amzn.to/3WGrwXc  This is a lifesaver. My husband lost his luggage. It stayed in Paris when the rest of us were in Naples. I was able to track it and worked with the airline to give me information on how to get it. It took 4 days.

I also type or write on a white sheet of paper. " Property of : NAME/ ADDRESS/ PHONE/ EMAIL" because your luggage tag has a possibility of coming off too. I have anxiety about weird things.

Losing your luggage sucks but it happens. SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECIEPTS. Also read the policies and procedures when this does happen. This will save you too. As for the unexpected, I carry an extra shirt and a pair of underwear and socks in my carry on, just in case. I'm a just in case girl.

My carry on is a backpack. I use a larger backpack for all my snacks. mostly. I also use a fanny pack. In my fanny pack is my passport, wallet (small card holder), lip balm and earphones. I also have a small bag for my airplane things ready to go in my carry on so all I need to do is pull and sit. This has my plug in earphones for in flight entertainment, book and phone charger and things for immediate use. I shove my backpack with all the stuff I don't need above. Some people like to use an AIRTAG for their backpack/ carryon too, I do not.

In my carry on, I have snacks, makeup, jewelry and any other things I will need until my final destination. I don't pack anything in my checked bags I am willing to lose.

Earplanes. That horrid air pressure situation when you land and your ears don’t pop and you want to rip your hair out. These are special ones for this particular situation. They work great! The kids we went with were very thankful for them.https://amzn.to/4bibEyN

Melatonin. Or Sleep Gummies. I take these about 30 minutes before sleep on the plane. I’ve had good experience with OLLY. https://amzn.to/3QNGtD7

I don’t sleep well on planes, so this works for me. If I had a prescription, I’m all in! I throw a few in a plastic pill pouch https://amzn.to/4dHkkAf. Speaking of prescriptions. If you have a prescription, do not put in checked bag, carry it with you, also, it needs to be in the original bottle, with your name and not expired. It’s a law.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine

Snacks. I like to throw in a few bars or nuts. Sometimes you just don’t know when you’ll eat and I get hangry.

Makeup. I don’t know wear a lot of makeup so it doesn’t take up much room.

Jewelry. I don’t wear much jewelry either. Usually what’s on my body will do. Anything flashy or with significant meaning like heirlooms or irreplaceable items, I just don’t bring.

Like said before. Extra shirt, socks and underwear in my bag too. If I lose my luggage, I want something to hold me until I can get to a store. This a maybe. Sometimes I just say Fuck it and don’t.

Water bottles. That’s another maybe. Sometimes I want to carry it and fill it when I enter the airport. Other times, I just buy or drink whatever water I get on the plane. Up to you.

CHECKED BAGS.

In my checked bag, I use packing cubes or vacuum sealed bags or anything that will save space.

Vacuum Seal Bags: https://amzn.to/3yho9vY

Compression Packing Cubes: https://amzn.to/3ylntpe 

Tennis shoes on my feet, sandals for dinner, flip flops for beach. I don't wear heels (cobblestones happen)

Few shirts, bottoms, dresses, jacket or shawl, swimsuit and coverups. Some of my cover up dresses I use as my daytime wear. Denim Jackets can be dressed up or dressed down.

Socks, underwear and bras. I'm not going to tell you how many to pack, this is on you.

Travel towel or Turkish Towel. I pack this for those just in case situations for when I don't have a towel. It doesn't take up much room. https://amzn.to/4bDct4Z

Toiletries. My toiletries weigh 10 lbs. I swear. I'm a girl. I have learned to understand that.

Any sort of hairdryers, steamers or other such, it is important to remember the prober adapter or things will die.