Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase: Tips, Hints, and Advice: How, Why, and What to Pack for Your Next Travel Adventure

By Kathy Steinemann

Squish that suitcase! Squeeze everything into a carry-on, and save on excess baggage fees. Learn how to pack without wrinkling your clothing. Find out why you should use braided elastic instead of shoelaces. Create your own packing strategy by reading what other people do. Then enjoy your vacation.

You'll find advice for choosing the right luggage, how and what to pack, preparing for a camping trip, how to choose the right sunscreen, packing for the kids—and more.

Do you understand why silk is a recommended fabric? Are you aware of liquid restrictions on air carriers? Do you know the cheapest way to make telephone calls from abroad? Why do some people pack essential oils, deodorant soap, or dryer sheets?

You'll find the answers to these and many other questions in this e-book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathy Steinemann
• Release date: May 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9780981239897

Kathy Steinemann

Kathy Steinemann, Grandma Birdie to her grandkids, is an award-winning author who lives in the foothills on the Alberta side of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. She has loved words for as long as she can remember, especially when the words are frightening or futuristic or funny.Her career has taken varying directions, including positions as editor of a small-town paper, computer-network administrator, and webmaster. She has also worked on projects in commercial art and cartooning.Kathy’s website: KathySteinemann.com

Book preview

Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase:

Tips, Hints, and Advice:

How, Why, and What to Pack

for Your Next Travel Adventure

By Kathy Steinemann

Smashwords Edition

ISBN 978-0-9812398-9-7

Copyright 2012, 2013 Kathy Steinemann

Cover by Kathy Steinemann

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not pay for it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Connect with Kathy Steinemann at

KathySteinemann.com

Twitter.com/KathySteinemann

Facebook.com/KathySteinemann.Author

Table of Contents

Preface

How to Choose the Right Luggage

What to Pack

How to Pack

Miscellaneous Packing Tips

Packing for the Kids

Packing for a Camping Trip

How to Choose the Right Sunscreen

Books by Kathy Steinemann

About the Author

Preface

Packing for any trip is an activity that can make or break your travel experience. This book is a compilation of tips that should make the job easier.

If you want to pack light, carefully read the book, and only select the tips you can incorporate while maintaining baggage weight restrictions.

If you are planning a long trip, and weight is not a consideration, you might want to pack everything but the proverbial kitchen sink.

Keep an open mind as you read, use your best judgment, and prepare a packing plan that is tailor-made for your needs.

How to Choose the Right Luggage

Your choice of luggage can result in a more pleasant vacation or business trip if you exercise some forethought. Never buy suitcases based purely on price or your favorite color. Pay careful attention to your individual needs and personality.

• Before choosing suitcases, consider several factors:

- How long do you plan to travel?

- Do you intend to pack any heavy items (like books or sports equipment)?

- Are you short in stature?

- Do you know the weight and size restrictions of your travel carrier?

- Do you intend to transport or purchase any fragile items?

• Luggage can be categorized into three main groups: hard-shell, soft-sided, and semi-soft. No matter what type of luggage you choose, ensure that your bags:

- Have lockable zippers and compartments

- Are waterproof

- Are durable

- Are in good repair

• Soft-sided luggage is lightweight, but it won't provide the best protection for fragile souvenir treasures. If you opt for soft-sided baggage, make sure that you stuff each suitcase as full as possible, to avoid shifting and wrinkling of clothing.

• Semi-soft baggage is constructed with a hard frame (like hard-shell suitcases). Strong fabric is then stretched over the frame. This provides more protection than soft-sided luggage, with the added benefit of being lighter than hard-shell cases.

• Some carriers will refuse to accept your luggage if it looks like it will disintegrate during your trip.

• Hard-shell suitcases are ideal if you intend to carry fragile items; but they can be very heavy.

• Show some consideration for your