Top Ten Travel Essentials

Here is a list of "must-haves" when traveling. Use this as a guide when packing, use it as a final check list, but staying organized is key to having snag-free travels (at least as much as you can control yourself) and enjoying yourself, even if you are traveling for business.

10. Cell Phone and Laptop Battery Chargers
Depending on where you are going to be using your cell phone or laptop will determine what kind of chargers you need, whether you plan on spending more time in a car than at your hotel or vice versa will be important to note. Regardless, you don't want to be waiting at the airport, trying to find some loose change for a payphone because your cell phone died. Bringing a laptop charger to the airport is helpful, as you can almost always find an outlet near your gate to do some work prior to boarding your flight. On the flip side, don't forget to repack your chargers as well- many hotels now have old ones of mine, as do rental car companies. Don't forget a power converter if you'll be traveling out of the country, as well.

9. Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
Most of the time, I don't forget my toothbrush on trips, but prior to my frequent traveling, I often forgot or ran out of travel size toothpaste. I know have a new approach- stock up while you remember- you can never have too many tubes of extra (travel size) toothpaste. I keep my travel toothbrush and toothpaste in my toiletry bag and only use them for travel, but I also have a back up in the outside pocket of my carry-on (in case my luggage is lost). Many hotels will supply you will a toothbrush or toothpaste, should you forget, but better safe than sorry, right?

8. Shout Stain Wipes
These things are a staple in my purse, diaper bag, suitcases and my car. It never fails that I am wearing a nice white shirt when I inadvertently spill red wine all over me. Of course, it is usually at the beginning of a trip when it could be several days before I can get to a washing machine. Rather than paying to send the shirt to an unknown dry cleaner or spending my evening in a hotel laundry room, I rub the Shout Stain Wipes on my spot and forget about it until I get home. My sister also packs a small zip lock baggie full or laundry detergent (the powder kind) for an emergency wash. I've started doing this as well, but haven't had to use it yet (thank goodness!).

7. Back-up clothing
How horrible is this scenario? You are going on a week-long vacation to the Caribbean and your luggage is delayed- or worse- lost. All you have with you is your winter coat and the clothes on your back. Be prepared for the worst, as it does sometimes happen. If you have a small wheel-aboard suitcase, backpack or duffel bag, it would be a good idea to use it as one of your carry-ons. Pack an extra pair of undergarments, toiletry essentials (toothbrush/paste, sunscreen, and mascara, for example), bathing suit and extra t-shirt at a minimum. Believe me; your vacation will go so much better even if you only have a small portion of your belongings versus none.

6. Luggage Tags/Identification
It seems like everyone has the exact same black ballistic fabric expandable wheel-aboard suitcase these days. They are popular because they are functional and there is no harm in having one. If you do have one, you will make life much easier if you properly identify yours. I like the colored luggage straps because they serve a few purposes. First of all, the bright color lets me know my suitcase is coming off the baggage claim belt. It also ensures if a zipper breaks or TSA forgets to completely close my bag (that has happened before, too), that my bag will still be semi-held together. Some people tie different, bright colored ribbons to their luggage, another smart idea. You want to make sure that your bags are properly identified both on the inside and the outside. If your luggage is lost and the outside ID tag (especially those flimsy paper ones the airlines supply) is ripped off, it may still be identified by its contents, but also by an inside name tag.

5. Camera and film
First on all, if you are traveling on business, you may not care much about where you are going or have time to do sightseeing, so this may not entirely apply to you. Even though most of my travel is business related, I still enjoy taking pictures of new places. So what do you need to know about cameras and traveling? Well, if you have a digital camera, it would be a good idea to bring a back up memory stick, in case you have nowhere to download your pictures and you fill up your memory stick with pictures you probably won't be sure why you took in the first place, but that is beside the point. Also, consider bring the charger or extra batteries, just in case. If you are bringing a classic film camera, extra batteries are still a good idea to have on hand and of course, extra film. If you are bringing a camera with film in it, you will want to make sure you carry it on board with you, as the new luggage x-rays can damage the film. So that also means, bring your extra film in your carry-on. As long as your film speed is 800 or less, it will be fine going through the security screening process. If you are concerned anyway, you may want to consider purchasing a film protector bag. I also usually bring a couple of film mailer bags (like the ones you get from Snapfish.com) and send my film away as soon as I finish a roll, so I don't have to take the chance of either losing my film or having it damaged. Plus, it's usually developed by the time I get home, a very nice surprise! For disposable cameras, always write your name and address on them, its amazing how many people seem to lose track of these cameras. Maybe someone nice will get it back to you, should you lose it.

4. Reading Material
I have recently experienced some lengthy airport delays. A laptop computer or game boy batteries will only last so long (if you're sitting on a plane waiting to take off, you can't even use them!). At least if you have some good reading material, you can re-read it if necessary. I usually pack a trashy magazine and a decent novel, because you never know when you may be stuck somewhere for an unknown period of time.

3. Emergency contact/insurance information
Just in case the people you are visiting have an unlisted number and you can't reach them, it's not a bad idea to have a back up number to call in case travel plans change. I like to keep a small travel address book with me- it has come in handy more than once. As well, leaving your contact information behind is helpful should an emergency situation arise at home while you are gone. Personal insurance information is always a good idea to bring along, should anything unfortunate happen on your travels as well.

2. Proper personal identification
I once left my driver's license in the seat pocket on an airplane, on my way to Orlando for a vacation. Luckily I had also brought my passport with me as back-up identification. This incident brings up two very important points. One- always bring back-up ID and store it separately from your primary ID. Two- Know where your identification is. If you are traveling abroad, you might want to make two photo copies of your IDs as well- leave one set at home and the other set in a luggage pocket (an inside pocket). Better to be safe than sorry and you will thank yourself should anything happen to your IDs- the photocopies are lifesavers. When security tells you to put your license away after they have checked it, do so- don't put it in the pocket of your airline ticket envelope- you're only asking to lose it.

1. A positive attitude
It is amazing to me how much travel makes people grumpy, even downright nasty sometimes. Here are a few things to consider before blowing a fuse:

-No one can control the weather- if you are traveling in the wintertime, expect delays. That way, if they don't happen, you can be pleasantly surprised.

- Be nice to the people helping you, and more than likely, they will be nice back to you. Airline personnel deal with irritable passengers all day long- you won't be the first one complaining and you won't be the last. But you might stand out if you smile, thank them and express gratitude for all that they can do for you. Same for hotel employees- a $5 tip goes a long way sometimes and a friend is strange places is always a good thing to have.

- Arrive early, plan for delays and don't worry. You will be okay. If you miss your flight, you will get on the next one, or the one after that. Take advantage of down time- it's so precious and we very rarely get it these days- blame your delay on travel and don't feel guilty about it. You will be surprised at how much stress that can relieve.

-Only pack what you can carry yourself. Bring a small carry-on that will fit under your seat and have everything you need during the flight. Everything else can go in the overhead above (and stay there until you get off the plane). If you find yourself absolutely needing more articles than you can carry, consider mailing them to yourself before you get there.

- Double check reservations at least a day before your departure, and verify your flight is on time before leaving for the airport. FAA regulations change frequently these days, so keep up to date on what you can and can't bring with you on a flight and pack accordingly. No one wants to throw away an expensive bottle of perfume because they didn't check the liquids ban of flights.

- Enjoy yourself. Have a glass of wine on your flight. Upgrade your rental car to something comfortable for you. Ask if that empty seat is taken. Getting upset only ruins your day and most people just don't care (you have to make your own self happy).