Travel Packing Tips

Making vacation plans for Hawaii probably has you searching all your favorite stores for the best tropical inspired clothing of the season, however packing for a Hawaiian vacation requires more than simply picking out tropical themed clothing. In fact, to properly pack for Hawaii you need to consider not only the weather, but the activities you will be participating in while you are there. This is where pre-planning comes into the picture. If you pre-plan activities you will have a better idea of what your vacation will entail and what you should pack than if you wait and decide when you arrive in Hawaii. Deciding to plan activities when you arrive in the islands will mean that you will over-pack and have a difficult time managing your bags not to mention deciding what to wear because you have too many options. Plan ahead, and follow these tips for packing for Hawaii.

Make a List

You have heard time and time again that making a list is the most productive way to accomplish anything because you keep track of what you need done as well as what has been done. The same goes with packing for Hawaii. You may have saved past lists from other vacations, and this is great because you can review the list for items you will need to pack for Hawaii. For example, the toiletries, medicines, and personal care items you need will be the same for most all vacations, just make sure sunscreen makes it onto the list. Once you have those items taken care of, then you should consider what you will be doing in Hawaii. Since the majority of Hawaii’s most amazing attractions from the beach to the gardens and canyons are outside, you will want to make sure you pack adequate comfortable clothing that will keep you cool in the warm climate, and that is also comfortable for walking, cycling and other physical activities.

Casual clothing like shorts, lightweight pants, skirts, tank tops, cotton polo shirts and the like are suitable for Hawaii because they are cool, comfortable and lightweight. Another tip for your clothing is to make sure it fits. If you pack ultra tight clothing or clothing that is simply too small you will be uncomfortable throughout the trip and if you sweat, which is very possible under the Hawaiian sun, you could end up with a bad rash. So, focus on comfortable, lightweight, fitting clothes for your daytime attire. If you plan on visiting the volcanoes or are cold natured you should include some light sweaters or jackets just in case it is cool.

You will also be visiting the beach, swimming pools, and waterfalls while you are in Hawaii, maybe even on a daily basis. Because of this, you also need to pack several bathing suits so that you can wash one a day and wear a different one. Nobody wants to wear wet bathing suits, or dirty bathing suits, so pack at least two. A cover up for women is essential as well, and men might choose to pack extra t-shirts if they need to cover up.

The sun is strong in Hawaii so be sure to pack several strengths of sunscreen even if you are planning on getting a great tan. The first few days apply a higher strength SPF and then after you have a base tan you can tone down the level of sunscreen you are using. The point of this is that if you avoid sunscreen you will more than likely get burned your first day out, which will ruin the rest of the week for tanning, be very painful, and negatively impact your vacation. By using sunscreen you will get a great tan, avoid the sunburn, and truly enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. Also, since the sun is bright you will want to make sure you pack sunglasses and a hat. Squinting is no way to enjoy your vacation, and a great pair of shades will help you relax and enjoy your beautiful Hawaiian vacation.

Consider the nightlife in Hawaii. Will you be attending a luau, an upscale restaurant, dances or parties? These are all considerations and will require different modes of dress. It is a lot easier to shop for your clothing before your vacation than spend precious vacation hours shopping in overpriced stores. If you need formal wear for several occasions, be sure to pack it properly to avoid wrinkles. You will be relieved to have just what you need to wear to every nightly function you attend. Remember, however, the islands are more laid back and the word “formal” is not taken in the same way as “formal” might be understood on the mainland. As a result, semi-formal will most likely work for the majority of Hawaiian events.

Shoes, what a difficult thing to pack! Everyone wants to pack a different pair of shoes for every outfit, and this simply will not work when trying to fill a small suitcase. As a result, choose one pair of shoes for water activities, one for athletic activities, and one or two for casual or dressed up activities. That way, you save space in your luggage and won’t be overburdened with choices.

Jewelry is another topic that you should consider before traveling to Hawaii. Many activities on the islands will require you leave your jewelry in the hotel, and in fact the hot weather simply is not conducive to a lot of jewelry. In addition, when you wear fine jewelry you will make yourself a target for theft and will need to increase security options. As a result, decide on some basic pieces of jewelry that will flatter all of your clothing and travel with those. You will feel more secure knowing your jewelry is safe at home than locked in a hotel safe.

Remember, this is not a comprehensive list of things to pack, just some simple suggestions to keep in mind when you pull out your suitcases and start trying to fill them with your entire closet. Be conservative and keep in mind that most condos and hotels have laundry services in case you need to do a load of laundry on vacation. Also, you will want to make a comprehensive list before you begin packing and review it for things that are truly unnecessary. Then, begin packing and rest easy knowing you will pack everything you need, but not over pack for the first time in your life. You will really enjoy Hawaii when you have the right clothes for every occasion, but not so many that it is a burden traveling.

About The Author

Stephanie Coburn is the Marketing Director for Wailua Bay View, an oceanfront Kauai vacation rental. She has personally researched and experienced many of the activities and destinations graced with Hawaiian culture as described above. Learn more at http://www.wailuabay.com.

Nothing spoils a well planned vacation or business trip faster than finding out you forgot some essential item in your luggage. It happens all too often and it can be very easily avoided.

Packing luggage is a skill that is too often learned by trial and error. And since most of us do not travel every week, it is a skill that often fades away to zero before our next trip. There are several simple steps you can take to ensure that your next travel packing adventure will be stress free.

1. Make a list in advance. By making a list of everything you want to pack before you start packing, you will know that you packed everything you need in your luggage. To make this work, prepare the list before you pack a single item. Then as you place each item in your luggage, check it off the list. And as a last minute check, review your list to be sure every item is checked and that there are no additional items you wish to add to your luggage.

2. Create a documentation pouch. Place all your important travel papers in a separate easy to reach pouch so you always know where they are. Include items like your tickets, hotel and car reservations, passport, etc.

3. Know your weights and counts. Every airline has limits on how many bags you can check in, how many you can carry on and what they all weight. Be sure all of your bags meet the regulations to make check in a snap. And if you think you need to take extra bags (or return with more than allowed), be sure to find out the cost of each extra bag in advance so there is no last minute sticker shock.

4. Pack with security in mind. With current security, your bags will be X-rayed. If the operator sees something that can’t be identified, your bag will be opened and searched. Items that often cause a failure tend to be dense and oddly shaped items that the X-rays cannot penetrate very well. Pack your bags with this in mind. Place any potentially problem objects in an easy to position in your luggage so the operator can find and verify that they are harmless quickly. This will let you get on your way quickly.

5. Luggage sometimes gets lost. Plan for this by packing all your critical items in your carry on bags. This includes items like medicines, your glasses, traveler’s checks, etc.

6. Pack what you need and no more. Depending on how long you are traveling and the purpose of your travel, you may find that you really don’t need to pack 7 pairs of shoes or 3 business suits. Know what amenities are available at your destination to clean your clothes. This will allow you to pack only what you need and leave extra room for souvenirs and such on your return trip. Remember hotels often have irons and ironing boards, laundry and dry cleaning services available.

7. Your travel toiletries kit. While it is a bit more expensive, consider getting travel sized containers of toothpaste, hand cream, shampoo and conditioner, throw away toothbrushes, etc. This has many positive benefits. First, every container will be brand new and you don’t need to worry about leaks in your luggage. Second, if you need extra room on the return flight, you can just dispose of all those little containers and not feel bad about throwing away an almost unused full-sized bottle of shampoo.

8. Pack and wear for the weather. Be sure you know what the weather at your destination is going to be like. You don’t want to have just summer clothing only to find out that the weather is quite brisk in your destination. Also if you are traveling from a warm to a cold location, dress appropriate for the arrival point of your trip so you are not cold running to your car.

Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to a perfect vacation.

About The Author

Alan Jenks

Instant Hotel and Motel Reservations. At My City Travel Guide (www.mycitytravelguide.com), you can get detailed information on over 50,000 hotels around the world and do instant price checks and make your reservations quickly and securely.

Your how to pack a suitcase guide

Travel packing tips: How to pack light and still stay in style

I’ll admit it, when it comes to packing I’ll empty my entire closet out and try and stuff it all in one large suitcase. Most of it comes back unworn and wrinkled. After years of travel, I’ve come to appreciate the fine art of packing and I am slowly learning how to pack a suitcase and how to pack lightly. Here are a few travel packing tips to assist in the task of packing.

Picking the right suitcase

The first step to great packing is to purchase a great bag. Sure, you can stop by K-mart and buy a $30 suitcase, but it’s not going to last. Luggage is something worth investing in. A good suitcase can last years, if not decades. Plus, cheap suitcases don’t protect the contents as well as an expensive one will. Last, a bag with wheels is much easier on your shoulder and much easier to transport than a duffel bag. To carry on or not to carry on?

I won’t lie, I get a small pleasure from exiting the plane and walking right out the door, while everyone else has to wait and shoulder there way to their bags on the conveyor belt. I always recommend carrying your luggage on. It saves time and you don’t have to wait for your bags or worry about losing them. It also requires you to pack less. It’s important to keep in mind airline restrictions on carry-on items though. There are size limits, usually no more than 40 pounds and it has to fit in the overhead compartments or under your seat. If you are traveling with children or carrying on your luggage is not an option, make sure to label your luggage correctly and take off any unnecessary tags to ensure that your luggage gets to you safely. Also, if I have to check my luggage I always pack my toothbrush and a clean pair of underwear in my carry-on just in case my luggage gets delayed.

Pick, choose and lose

I’m sure that new summer dress is very thinning, but you’re going to be hiking in the mountains. The first packing tip is to bring only what you need. I always go through my closet and pull out everything I want to bring and then place the items in stacks. Then I put at least half of it back into the closet, picking out only the items I need. Keep the weather, what kind of activities you will be partaking in and the location in mind. I recommend packing solid colors and basic clothing items that can be easily pieced together and will match the other clothing items you pack. Instead of packing a sweater, try packing a light jacket. It will look nicer and probably will match more items. Remember to pack at least one dressy outfit as well. Women, don’t feel obligated to pack items like skirts if you don’t plan on wearing them. A nice pair of slacks will suffice. Shoes are items that take up a lot of space when packing. Wear one pair of comfortable shoes on the plane that match all your outfits, and then pack one pair of sandals and one pair of dressy shoes in your luggage.

The other stuff

Clothes are not the only things that are packed. Toiletries can easily start to add up and take up lots of space. Nowadays everything can be bought in travel size and they take up a lot less space then a jumbo bottle of shampoo. Items like blow- dryers are not necessary considering most hotels come with one. Keep the toiletries minimal and only bring what’s necessary, plus if something comes up, you can always purchase things once you’ve reached your destination.

How to pack a suitcase and make it all fit

One common packing mishap is wrinkly clothes. Hopefully, by lightening your load and only packing the necessities, you will have room in your suitcase for everything to fit and it won’t get wrinkled. Plus, the fun part of vacationing is buying things and by packing lightly you’ll have extra room in your suitcase for the things you pick up along the way. Second, rolling your clothing like pants and t-shirts saves lots of room and they can easily be stacked. Other items like sweaters or button-up shirts need to be folded neatly in a square and the wrinkles should be smoothed out. Placing items like socks inside your shoes conserves space and is a great packing tip.

I had a friend travel to Spain and once she arrived she found her bottle of perfume had broken and leaked over all her clothes. Needless to say she smelled good the entire trip. Toiletries, especially items like perfume and shampoo, should be placed in sealed plastic bags and away from your clothes, so in case they leak they will not get over everything else.

The most important packing tip for vacations is to plan ahead. Check the weather forecast before packing so you will be prepared clothing wise. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to pack, because you will definitly end up over packing. Just follow these few, simple travel packing tips and you’ll learn how to pack a suitcase lightly. So, here’s to a wrinkle-free, fun-filled vacation.

Jillian Scheeler makes it easy to provide 5 essential ways for how to pack your suitcase.To recieve free part minicourse visit the http://www.travelpost.com

About The Author

A mother traveling with her nursing infant less than six months of age need not make provisions to supplement breastfeeding, even when traveling internationally. Breastfed infants do not require water supplementation, even in extreme heat environments. And, when accompanying their mothers, nursing infants and children may feed on demand. The most effective way to maintain a mother’s milk supply while traveling is to engage in frequent and unrestricted nursing opportunities. This is also the best way to meet the physical and emotional needs of the infant or child.

The traveling mother may find it helpful to take along a sling or other soft infant carrier, which may be used to

• Ease the burden of carrying a child for extended periods of time
• Increase opportunities for unrestricted nursing, effective in maintaining an abundant milk supply
• Maintain skin-to-skin contact with the child, which helps in maintaining a milk supply
• Protect the child from some environmental hazards

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Travel need not be a reason to stop breastfeeding.

• A mother traveling with her breastfeeding infant or child may find that nursing makes travel easier than it would have been with a bottle-fed infant or child. And, by planning well before the travel date, a mother can overcome many potential obstacles.
• A mother planning a long separation from her nursing infant or child might wish to work with an International Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or her pediatrician to obtain assistance and suggestions specific to her situation.
• Mothers may wish to identify breastfeeding support local to her destination. In this way, support may be only a phone call away at any time throughout the trip. Visit  La Leche League International* to find support groups and breastfeeding experts in other countries.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

A breastfeeding mother traveling without her nursing infant or child who does not build a supply of milk to be fed in her absence can still maintain her milk supply while she is traveling. These efforts will help maintain her breastfeeding relationship for when she and her infant or child can be together again.

Milk expression approximately every 3-4 hours for infants less than 6 months old, less frequently for older infants and children, helps a mother maintain her milk supply and provides milk that she may choose to bring home for her infant or child. A mother who will be separated from her infant or child for a long period of time while traveling might have a difficult time maintaining lactation. In general, separation of a week or less does not pose a major problem for a mother wishing to maintain breastfeeding while separated from her infant or child. This time is more flexible as the child becomes older and complementary foods play a larger role in the child’s diet.

Depending on her destination, a mother may need to plan for milk expression without a reliable electrical power source. Expressing milk without an electrical power source is less reliable for maintaining milk supply over a long period of time than expressing milk with a hospital-grade electric breast pump. Intermittent milk expression can be successful with battery and manual breast pumps, as well as manual (hand) expression. Manual (hand) expression is the most hygienic way to collect milk. Mothers planning on travel to locations without reliable electrical power should learn and practice manual expression techniques well before travel is to begin.

The destination for travel can impact decisions for milk storage. Expressed milk should be stored in clean, tightly sealed containers. Any container that may be cleaned well with hot, soapy water and that seals tightly and reliably may be used. Once milk is cooled, a cold chain needs to be maintained until the milk is consumed. Refrigerated milk can subsequently be frozen; however, once frozen milk is fully thawed, it should be used within 1 hour.

Handling expressed breast milk does not require special medical precautions. Breast milk may be stored in any refrigerator or other location where other foods would be safe and may be stored with other foods. Breast milk requires no special labeling, it is not considered a biohazard, and the universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and other bloodborne pathogens (known widely as “Universal Precautions”) do not apply to it.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Breastfeeding mothers may wish to find local breastfeeding support before beginning travel and keep pertinent contact information handy throughout the trip.

A mother traveling with a nursing infant younger than 6 months old need not plan to supplement breastfeeding because of travel . Breastfed infants do not require water supplementation, even in extreme heat environments. While traveling, the best way to both maintain a mother’s milk supply and ensure ideal nutrition and hydration for the child is frequent, unrestricted nursing opportunities. Breastfeeding also protects the infant from water that is possibly contaminated.

A breastfeeding mother traveling without her nursing infant or child may wish to produce and store a supply of milk to be fed to the infant or child during her absence by another caregiver. Building a supply to be fed in her absence takes time and patience and is most successful when begun gradually, many weeks in advance of her departure. It is also important to consider that infants who have never consumed milk from a bottle or cup need opportunities to practice this skill with another caregiver prior to the mother’s departure.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Everyday life doesn’t stop once you are pregnant. Most healthy pregnant women are able to continue with their usual routine and activity level. That means going to work, running errands, and for some, traveling away from home. To take care of yourself and help keep your baby safe, consider these points before taking a long trip or traveling far from home:

• Talk to your doctor before making any travel decisions that will take you far from home. Ask if any health conditions you might have makes travel during pregnancy unsafe. Also consider the destination. Is the food and water safe? Will you need immunizations before you go? Is there good medical care available in the event of an emergency? Will your health insurance cover medical care at your destination? Also, avoid traveling to very high altitudes (12,000 feet).
• Bring a copy of your medical record and find out about medical care at your destination so you will be prepared in the event of an emergency.
• Avoid sitting for long periods during car or air travel. Prolonged sitting can affect blood flow in your legs. Take frequent, 10 minute breaks while traveling by car to walk and stretch. Stand up, and move your legs often during air travel. Wearing support pantyhose also can help blood flow.
• If you suspect a problem with your pregnancy during your trip, don’t wait until you come home to see your doctor. Seek medical care right away.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Travelers should be advised that permethrin-containing repellents (e.g., Permanone) are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear, and are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this use. Permethrin is highly effective both as an insecticide and as a repellent for ticks, mosquitoes, and other arthropods. Clothing treated according to label instructions should provide protection for up to 2 weeks and through several machine washings before re-treatment is required. Clothing pre-treated with permethrin is commercially available and should be used and washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. There appears to be little potential for toxicity from permethrin-treated clothing. Permethrin-treated clothing should be supplemented with topically applied repellents to protect exposed skin.

The EPA has registered several active ingredients for use in personal repellents applied to skin. EPA registration of repellent active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety if applied according to the instructions on the label. These active ingredients are DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide), Picaridin (KBR 3023), IR 3535, p-menthane 3,8-diole (PMD or oil of lemon eucalyptus) and oil of citronella. Two additional compounds are also registered as repellents by EPA (MGK-326, MGK-264); however, they are generally formulated with other active ingredients to enhance repellent activity and are not found alone in repellent products.

All the EPA-registered active ingredients have some repellent activity (1-5). Published data indicate that repellent efficacy and duration of protection vary considerably among products and among mosquito species and are markedly affected by ambient temperature, amount of perspiration, exposure to water, abrasive removal, and other factors. In general, higher concentrations of active ingredient in a repellent formulation provide longer durations of protection, regardless of the active ingredient. Lower concentrations are not as long lasting, offering short-term protection only and necessitating more frequent reapplication.

DEET is the most common repellent active ingredient, and its efficacy and toxicity have been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Most authorities recommend repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide) as the most reliable and long-lasting active ingredient. DEET repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods when applied to the skin or clothing. In general, the more DEET a repellent contains, the longer it can protect against mosquito bites. Low concentrations provide shorter-duration protection than higher concentrations; however, there appears to be no added benefit of concentrations of more than 50% DEET. A microencapsulated, sustained-release formulation can have a longer period of activity than liquid formulations at the same concentrations (6).

DEET has been so widely used that a great deal of testing has been done. Over the long history of DEET use, very few confirmed incidents of toxic reactions to DEET have occurred when the product is used properly. No definitive studies have been published about what concentration of DEET is safe for children. However, reports of serious illness in children after the use of DEET are extremely rare; DEET was used inappropriately in most of these cases. DEET formulations as high as 50% are recommended for both adults and children >2 months of age (7-9). The recommendations for DEET use in pregnant women do not differ from those for nonpregnant adults.

Repellents that do not contain DEET have not been tested as thoroughly as DEET-based products, although available data indicate that many offer a duration of protection from biting mosquitoes similar to that provided by similar concentrations of DEET. Used according to label instructions and reapplied as necessary, EPA-registered non-DEET repellents can provide acceptable protection from biting insects and are not expected to pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations. Similar to DEET, summaries from EPA indicate that Picaridin is slightly toxic by eye, dermal and oral routes. PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol) shows no adverse effects except for eye irritation. IR3535 has been used as an insect repellent in Europe for 20 years with no substantial adverse effects. Toxicity tests show that the IR3535 is not harmful when ingested, inhaled, or used on skin, although it may cause eye irritation if it enters a person’s eyes. Oil of citronella shows little or no toxicity, but may cause skin irritation.

Repellents applied according to label instructions may be used with sunscreen with no reduction in repellent activity (10). Products that combine sunscreen and repellent are not recommended, as sunscreen may need to be re-applied with greater frequency and in greater amounts than are needed to provide protection from biting insects.

Travelers should be advised to check the container to ensure that the product bears an EPA-approved label and registration number. The entire label should be read and the directions followed carefully. For example, if a tick repellent is needed, the product label should list this use. If ticks are not listed, the product may not be formulated for that use. Repellents should be stored away from children’s reach.

Travelers should be advised to use the following precautions when using repellents:

• Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing. Do not apply repellent to skin that is under clothing. Heavy application is not necessary to achieve protection.
• Do not apply repellent to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas; do not inhale the aerosol.
• Do not apply aerosol or pump products directly to the face. Spray hands and then rub them carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
• When using repellent on a child, an adult should apply it to his or her own hands and then rub them on the child. Avoid the child’s eyes and mouth and apply sparingly around the ears.
• Do not apply repellent to children’s hands. (Children tend to put their hands in their mouths.)
• Do not allow children younger than 10 years old to apply insect repellent to themselves; an adult should do it for them. Keep repellents out of reach of children.

Protect infants younger than 2 months of age from biting mosquitoes by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.

Bed nets and repellents should be purchased before traveling and can be found in hardware, camping, sporting goods, and military surplus stores.

When purchasing repellents overseas, look for the EPA-registered active ingredients on the product labels. Permethrin or a similar insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tick-, mite-, and mosquito-borne parasitic and viral infections characteristically are diseases of “place” that are linked to known geographic or ecologic regions, and the amount of disease transmission in these areas often varies seasonally. Risk of infection increases when visiting areas of the world where these diseases occur and when epidemics are in progress. International travelers should consult CDC’s Travelers’ Health web page for alerts and information on regional disease transmission patterns that may change periodically. Travelers to areas with identified risks should take the precautions described below to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a vector-borne disease. When possible, known foci of epidemic disease transmission should be avoided.

Travelers should be advised that exposure to arthropod bites can be minimized by modifying patterns of activity or behavior. Some vector mosquitoes are most active in twilight periods (i.e., dawn and dusk) or in the evening after dark. Avoidance of outdoor activity during these periods can reduce risk of exposure. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats minimizes areas of exposed skin. Shirts should be tucked in. Repellents applied to clothing, shoes, tents, mosquito nets, and other gear will enhance protection.

When exposure to ticks, chigger mites, or biting insects is a possibility, travelers should be advised to tuck their pants into their socks and to wear boots, not sandals. Permethrin-based repellents applied as directed to clothing or camping equipment will enhance protection. Travelers should be advised to inspect themselves and their clothing for ticks, both during outdoor activity and at the end of the day. Ticks are detected more easily on light-colored or white clothing. Prompt removal of attached ticks can prevent some infections.

When accommodations are not adequately screened or air conditioned, bed nets are essential to provide protection and to reduce discomfort due to biting insects. Bed nets are most effective when treated with a repellent such as permethrin. Pre-treated, long-lasting bed nets can be purchased prior to traveling, or nets can be sprayed after purchase. The permethrin repellent will be effective for several months if the bed net is not washed. Bed nets should be tucked under mat-tresses. Aerosol insecticides can help to clear rooms of mosquitoes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention