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In order to travel cheaply, that means no rental car or budget for high priced hotels, you may have to travel lightly if you are planning a vacation abroad. Locating a bed and breakfast inn, a pensione, a villa or a hostel at a low rate, may require being on site and utilizing your own personal search engine. Translation: walking around to find a reasonable bargain and scoping out the place before you pluck down any money. Although this concept is fun and adventourous, resorting to such means of travel requires that you pack lightly.
To begin, purchase or borrow a camping backpack from a friend or carry on suitcase with sturdy wheels that is 2' feet high and 13" to 14" inches wide. Whatever you chose should have additional compartments that are wide and large enough to carry shoes, maps, umbrellas or other items. Remember that your back is at stake. The following items should fit into your pack with no problem, as well as provide enough clothing to keep you warm, cool and neat.
For Women: Pack 3 pairs of dark colored pants, including the pair you may be wearing, (at least one pair should be acceptable to wear in a nice restaurant or to the theater and be interchangable for casual daytime wear), 1 or 2 pairs of dark shorts (a durable, khaki or denim skirt can substitute for 1 pair of shorts),a swimsuit, a black dress that can be used for day and evenings out, 3 pairs of cotton socks, 2 pairs of pantyhose (optional, depends on the season), 5 pairs of underwear, 3 t-shirts (2 short-sleeved, one long), sports bra, sweater set, two easy to wash blouses, fun summery dress -- just because or if that's your style, a dark cable sweater, lightweight jacket and/or rain poncho, a pair of tennis shoes, sturdy sandals and comfortable flats. Bring a few scarves and/or costume jewelry (nothing flashy or expensive that could attract thieves) to keep your look fresh and different.
For Men: Pack 3-4 pairs of dark pants, including the pair you are wearing. As adviced for women, at least one pair should be nice enough to wear for a night out), 2 pairs of dark shorts, 3 t-shirts (1 long-sleeved, 2 short), 3-4 long sleeved shirts, 3 pairs of cotton socks, a pair or two of dark socks, 5 pairs of underwear, a pair of pajamas for cold nights (optional), swim trunks, a dark cable sweater, a lightweight jacket, and/or a rain poncho, and a tie and blazer that can double as a coat or be used for fancy dining establishments. Bring a pair of loafers that can be used during the day or for a dressier look, as well as tennis shoes and sturdy sandals.
Additional Items: Slip these items in your baggage side and frontal compartments or place around the inner borders of your luggage. Towels (another trick is to line luggage or backpack with the towel first), handerkerchief or bandana (which could be used as a tourniquet if an injury occurs), sunblock, sunglasses, collapsable umbrella, 2 washcloths, empty lightweight shoulder bag that can be packed and later used to bring back souvenirs, portable steamer or slim travel iron, an adapter to plug in electric shaver or blow dryer, important toiletries (some sundries can be purchased in the country that you are visiting, so you might choose to lighten your load by leaving certain non-essential items behind until settled), and a few bars of soap. Wait to purchase a disposable camera abroad to keep any film from being destroyed by airport xray machines. If you must have your own camera, buy film at your destination. Another good idea is to have your film developed abroad just in case your pictures did not come out right and you need to reshoot.
How to Pack: Sounds like a lot of stuff, huh? Consider the season in which you are traveling and the region's weather conditions. If you are going in the winter no swimsuit or sandals are required. Downsize as you see fit by loading up your backpack and putting it on without any help and walking back and forth around the house for awhile before you set off for your trip. This will eliminate any problems beforehand and be a good determinate of whether you should lighten your load. As mentioned before, line your suitcase or backpack with a couple to towels, then roll every clothing item as tightly as possible. Squeeze shoes, adapters, blow dryers, irons, etc. around inner perimeters of the luggage. Place shoes, toiletries, maps, umbrellas in zippered outer compartments.
How to Optimize Wardrobe: Dark clothes will hide more dirt and require fewer washings. Layer your look for cool days. Wear a couple of t-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt with a sweater or light weight jacket that can be removed and tied around the waist or across the shoulders if the day warms up. Change looks by accessorizing with scarves and wear items like t-shirts and undies for a couple of days before washing. Also use underwear and t-shirts as pajamas if the night isn't too cold and you are in a private room. Wash out lightweight items in the sink with bar soap and wring out to dry, as some facilities may not have a washing machine. If you forget your steamer, hange clothes outside the shower and run hot water to allow the steam to loosen wrinkes. Haunt out a laundermat if you will be visiting a locale for a few days.
Last, before you go, don't forget your sun shades, and remember to lock your bags and store your key in a safe place. Also, bring your passport (keep it with you at all times), travelers cheques and leave an itinerary with family and friends. Now that you are packed and ready, Get Set, Have Fun and Go!!!
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