General Holiday Enquiries, Hints and Tips

General Holiday Enquiries? Got General Hints & Tips? Post Them Here.
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I decant most of the stuff we need to take, I put my moisturiser in the small pots that Avon do with trial sizes (15ml) - it lasts me for three weeks.
I do the same for shampoo and conditioner and also take those tiny bottles of perfume and after shave.

I too take trousers and tops and mix-and-match them.
Our suitcases seem to be quite small compared to other people's and even for a 3 week holiday we are never over the 20kg per person limit - we usually take 8 or so paperbacks in the cases too.

Polly
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Blimey Polly - you had better come to my house and help pack mine lol. I am always hovering on the 20-21kg mark, and thats without any books!

I really need to cut back as I am finding it harder to manouvere the cases by myself.

Well done on your obvious excellent packing skills.

Kath x
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Kath
these are skills finely honed after years of practice! :lol:

Maybe I should start a 'suitcase-packing' business. :rofl

I had to repack my sister's suitcase in New York - she seemed to think piling it all in a heap would work. :roll:

I think my best ever was for a week in Spain, our cases were just under the 20kg limit FOR BOTH!

I must admit I'm a bit of a geek though. :oops: I've embraced the concept of a 'capsule' wardrobe and know exactly what top I will wear with which pair of trousers.

It was our first 3 week holiday to Goa in February and I actually took too many clothes so will be cutting down when we go to Bali in September.

Regards
Polly
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[code]Do you use that all day stuff then Gynis?[/code] Sorry for late reply missed it :oops:

Yes I take the Piz Bruin all day (love the smell as well - sniff)
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This is putting me to shame. I actually had to re-pack the other day as the cases were both over 20kg, and I have given my OH a hand luggage bag, which he never usually has. I also have to take a big bag for hand luggage, with my handbag inside :roll:

Done my measuring and now the weights and dimensions are fine for our hand luggage and the cases are bordering on 19. something kg :roll:

Polly, feel free to come and pack for me please.

Mary x
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Just in case any one is a novice at packing, dont forget to split your clothes in cases.

We have take three or four cases as a family of five and put a bit of everyones stuff in each in case any cases go missing. (Not happened yet touch wood) Im sure many of you already do this, but if you didn't you know now.
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Capsule wardrobes are a deffinite no no travelling with small children or if you tend to slop :oops: when eating :oops:
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When we arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand in January only 1 of our 3 cases turned up. I had split the clothes for 3 of us between the cases and my husband and sons tidy trousers and a shirt each were there in that case for the meal in the hotel that evening. Unfortunately my 2 dresses were in the other 2 cases so I had to make do with trousers and a t-shirt that evening. It is devastating when your cases don't turn up!! Luckily they were found in Auckland and got to us late that night but we were touring with a campervan the next day and I don't know how they would have got to us if found any later than they were.
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just wondering how everyone packs? i.e. what do you think is the best way? what do you put in first etc?
usually hubby and i put in what we think logically and it seems to work.

also when you put a label inside your suitcase do you put your home address or just your tel no?
  • Edited by Suzanne 2007-04-30 17:09:44
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well i have just finished packing our cases..unfortunatly we only have 15kg each so some of the items i would usually pack have fallen by the wayside,

my case anything that can be rolled is put in first to fill the gaps in the base where the handle goes through, then everyday items as shorts,pullover, trunks, shoes,l/w cotton trousers then folded correctly daytime shirts then evening shirts and trousers then beach towel put the straps over then folded in half my jacket and waistcoat for the evenings and lock

the wifes is similar except slacks and skirts [well they don't suite me]

wizard
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also when you put a label inside your suitcase do you put your home address or just your tel no

I put my name, town (but not street name) and telephone number. I make sure the phone number is in "international format" ie. remove the zero from the beginning and put +44 there instead.
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About 7-10 days before we go, I write out list of what will be needed eg the number of each item needed. Hubby is then told to make sure that he puts what he wants in the kitchen so they can be washed. WSe're going away next Friday for the weekend. Washing will be done Sunday and packing Wednesday evening.
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If travelling as a couple always mix your packing between the 2 cases. We had the dreaded situation once of only one of our cases arriving when we did - the other turning up a few days later. As I had mixed the packing we managed perfectly well only having to buy a few little bits and pieces.

I always keep a list on the pc and before packing print one off and tick off items as they go in the cases.

Pippa
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I also put a spare pair of shorts, t-shirt and set of underwear in each of our hand luggage - just in case!
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I line our suitcases with plastic (across the bottom, then bring it up the back and over the top layer of clothes and tuck it down the front & sides).

This is useful to avoid damage to your clothes in case another traveller has glass bottles in their cases which get smashed in transit.

This happened to me once (thankfully on our way home) and it ruined one of my tops and a pair of trousers.

I also put swimwear in our hand luggage.

Pippa, you sound organised like me! I'm a 'lister' too.

Polly
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I tend to put hard things around the edges of the case such as footwear, books etc. I just think it gives the case a bit more sturdiness, I guess that if a split is going to happen it will be along a stitched seam. I use a large wheeled holdall now and I roll absolutely everything that can be rolled as it's great for space.
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yes we've always done half and half packing and i'm a terrible list maker (3 A4 sheets!).

In one suitcase I usually put handbags, a bag of toiletries, books/mag, and nightware and swimwear at the bottom. I put underwear, socks and hats in the side pocket. Then i lay down jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses, tops, shirts (in that order). Then on top go all the things that crease really easily. I don't usually have to fold much. Shoes go around the edges in plastic bags.

Would you say that's the best thing to do? I'm wondering whether it's best to put handbags round the edges and dot toiltries as and where (in plastic bags of course).
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I always leave the tags and labels on anything knew we buy for the holidays, then if we dont wear them and change our mind about the item in question we can just take it back afterwards.No problems. Just remember to keep receipts too.
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On the subject of packing half your clothes and half your partner's in each case, I've just read an absolute shocking story on the 'Complaints' forum. :omg

A lady said she had 3 cases and packed part her stuff, part her hubby's and part her daughter's.

One case went missing and they deducted THREE lots of excess from her claim. :yikes
This was insurance taken out through the Travel Agents.

Polly
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