Afraid of forgetting your tickets & money locked in your hotel safe? I always place one shoe in the safe with my belongings. When I am packing to leave it reminds me to retreive everything from the safe.

Pack your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other similar items in one or more gallon-size zip closure bags. If a bottle leaks, you won't end up with a mess on your clothes. Plus, these bags can be saved for use on future trips.

From my experience, the best way to handle money in a foreign country is to use withdraw money from an ATM using your debit card - you will get one of the best exchange rates around. This is also helpful since pickpockets tend to swarm around long lines of tourists at exchange stations.

Remember the children! If you know the language of the country you are visiting, many small children will gladly watch your rental car or guide you around town for the equivalent of a couple of dollars. I have done this in Latin America but would not try it in Europe (see below).

For European travelers, stay clear of gypsies. I don't mean to generalize, but if you want to hold on to your euros, take heed. It doesn't matter if you think you know where the marble is, if you choose to take part in their game they will quickchange you and probably jump you. If a small child approaches you and asks for a dance, he is just trying to pickpocket you as well.

Always take a wind-up portable alarm clock. You can't always trust that the hotel will have an electric one, and there may be a power outage. For countries that don't have the amenities that the U.S. does, pack some bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer. Sorry for that.

Packing light is a necessity when traveling. Scrape your deodorant stick across the edge of a small plastic pill box/container until full and pressed in place. Just apply with your fingers. You will have plenty for a 3 week vacation.

Half the fun is getting there! Relax and enjoy the journey - don't just focus on the destination. Be present for each moment.

Taking enough sanitizing wipes to use when I check into my hotel room. I wipe down the obvious things (remote, phone, faucets, door knobs, etc.) before I unpack.

If you have three bags because you have a purse which won't fit into your suitcase and roller bag and laptop, ask someone who has only one bag to take yours through security. Most people don't mind since they understand that women have purses. Just in case, have a backup plan of being able to stuff really hard if you have to but most likely you won't.

When you see a disgruntled person loudly complaining to the agent, stand quietly by and when HE or SHE suddenly gets a mysteriously found seat, politely say, "Well, you found one for that person, so now you can find one for me." This has worked for me since I was 21 and the rest of the people on my flight from Jamaica went off into a side room except one loud man who claimed he knew the president of the airline. I got on with him using this technique.

If there is a delay of any kind, immediately get on the telephone and call the airline to find out if there is another flight you can standby for. Always take the first flight out which means NEVER check a bag.

To freshen up pants between washings, use a damp washcloth or spray bottle to moisten the top front and knees of pants. Helps remove creases from sitting and baggy knees.

I read somewhere to pack half your clothes and half of your travel companion's clothes in each bag. That way, if one bag is lost, you will each still have half of your clothing.

I always leave extra room in my suitcase so I have plenty of space to bring home all my new treasures.

Call your credit card and checking card banks and let them know when and where you're going abroad, so they don't reject your purchases because it is "unusual spending"

I don't just take addresses for mailing postcards. I preprint 1 x 3 labels with the names and addresses. That way I just attach them to the cards at my destination. This is especially useful now as I have had a TBI and cannot use my once-dominant right hand. I just attach the labels that I filled out at home and I'm in like flint!!!

You never really use all the things you bring on your trip. Plan your packing ahead of time. Put it out on the bed, mix and match outfits. Once you think you're done, take half of the stuff away, and that's probably what you'll really use on your trip. Don't overpack. IF you can buy some stuff where at your destination, no need to bring it.

don't look like a tourist. whether you are or not. my dad wears his hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts, and "sensible" shoes recommended by the travel guide. he gets stopped at the airport every time (and by every body else trying to sell us stuff). me and my sister, on the other hand, in our ballet flats/espedrilles and leather handbags never get stopped because we look like we were born there.

When travelling to Europe, resist the urge to visit many, many cities/countries in a really compressed time period. Even 2-3 cities in 1 week is pushing it. Remember: this is a vacation, not just a checklist! The best experiences I've had occurred when I put aside the itinerary, slept in, and just chilled out!

To get my children interested in going to art museums, I let each select 3 paintings from the set of art history flashcards, "250 Masterpieces in Western Painting". It becomes a treasure hunt for the kids to find each painting -- and I look BRILLIANT because I've read the commentary about the painting written on the back of the Card. Check it out at themasterpiececards.com.

Bring a calculator
Flash Light
Lock
Band aids
Advil
passport
money
I went to Europe for a month back packing through hostels, my luggage never mad it to me the whole time living out of my carry on was great!

Be Flexible! Sometimes the best moments happen when you "stray" from your itinerary.

always pack just what you need, you're gonna be bringing home more than what you came with. Me and my dad always end up having to take everyone elses stuff cuz my mom and my brother never pack light!

Sorry, but what is mariburjeka?

Jane.

Sorry, but what is mariburjeka?

Jane.