Most travel journalists prefer to pack only a carry- on bag or backpack, so they can hit the ground running, taking notes and photos right away. Whether travelers do the same or also check a bag with more clothes, the carry-on bag should have anything a traveler can't afford to be without: medications,cosmetics and hair care items, two sets of clothes, (dressy and casual) a camera, cell phone, chargers, notebook, a small recorder, hat, sunglasses, several pens, a rain jacket or umbrella, and an extra set of important documents. Travel writer Rick Steves has a great packing list.
How to Choose Luggage: Try a Backpack, No Roll-Alongs, Inexpensive Bags, Day Packs
Travel writers don't buy expensive luggage, backpacks or elegant camera bags because they tempt thieves. They avoid using a roll-along bag for any trip that will include travel over cobblestones, many sets of steps, or unpaved streets, all common in European cities. A backpack is the best option for those trips. A day pack is a good idea if the trip will include city stays or short hikes.
What Clothes to Pack? No Bright Colors, Athletic Shoes, Short Shorts, Think Conservative
Travel writers want to blend in anywhere, so will avoid the items that scream American tourist: white athletic shoes, large earrings, bright colors, tight pants or shorts, t-shirts with slogans or large logos, or revealing tops on women.
.A lot of what is packed depends on whether travel will be in an urban area, an outback camp, or a small village in a conservative country. Some adventure writers take old clothes and give them away as they go. Most Europeans dress more conservatively than Americans. When in doubt, especially in cities, take darker items that mix and match, and choose clothes with more conservative length and fit. Reversible belts and jackets are a great idea: they can sometimes be found in Land's End and L.L.Bean catalogs.
Packing Tips, Strategies and Styles: Roll Method, Sandwich Style, Use Plastic Bags
Some seasoned travelers roll their clothes to save wrinkling. June Smith, a wine and travel writer, rolls her clothes, with a twist. "I always put a soft item like pj's in the middle before I roll a garment" . She also uses large department store bags between any. "They reduce fold-marks and I can also use them later to hold laundry."
Other use the "sandwich" method, laying pants or jackets in the bag with part hanging over the sides, then folding them into a bundle of layers.
Small Useful Tools That Come in Handy on the Road: Tape, Zip Lok bags, Spray Bottles
Most travel writers have a few special items they take to get them through a trip:
- Scotch tape can be used to tape business cards or restaurant cards in a notebook.
- A roll of masking tape can be used to ID luggage, pick up lint or hair from clothes, keep hangers together, or even secure a hem that may come loose.
- Adventure travel writer Karen Kefauver takes a water bladder. "I keep it in my backpack as I hike or bike. It has a tube attached, which I keep in my mouth so I always have water available during extreme activity".
- Zip Loc (R) plastic bags can be used to hold damp swimsuits, keep pills together, secure cosmetics so they don't leak, and hold dirty clothes. It's smart to pack a few extra.
- An empty plastic spray bottle can be used to spray water on clothes hanging up in the shower so that wrinkles hang out by morning.
- Manila envelopes can keep brochures, notes, small items with information and reservation information together so nothing is lost as you travel.
Gifts and Giveaways Help Make Friends
Some writers take small giveaway items such as stickers or post cards from their home town to foster goodwill and interact with people before asking if they can take a photo.
For more: packing tips by travel writers.
Judith Wylie - Judith Wylie has been a travel writer, columnist and author for 25 years. Her work has appeared in Travel+Leisure, the London Financial ...
Join the Conversation