|
|
|
Packing Secrets Revealed 3 Easy Steps To Pack Right For Your Timeshare Vacation
ecause there are 2 Kinds first reason. The benefits of the
of Luggage: Lost and mobility advantage are many.
Carry-On
o You can bypass long lines at
Few things can ruin your the counter (getting your
timeshare vacation faster than boarding ticket from either a
losing your luggage. And as a kiosk or presenting an e-boarding
recent U.S. Transportation pass) and proceed directly to
department report finds, losing security, which means you don't
your suitcase is not a rare need to arrive as early to the
occurrence. In fact, the odds are airport as passengers who check
greater than 1 in 200 that your their luggage.
bag will be lost or misdirected
on any given flight. And that o Missed connections become less
percentage increases on of a hassle because your luggage
international flights. is with you at all times.
The solution? Carry-on for your o Once arriving at your
condo & timeshare trip. destination, you leave quickly
while others spend another 45
The Advantages of Carry-On minutes (or more) in baggage
Luggage claim.
Doug Dyment, called "the go-light
guru" by Time Magazine, cites And while Doug's economical
three reasons on his site advantages include money
www.onebag.com for taking only otherwise pocketed by porters, as
carry-on luggage: 1) security; 2) well as savings resulting from
mobility; and 3) economy. The renting a smaller car (or going
episode with my husband with public transportation rather
illustrates the benefits of the than taxis), taking only carry-on
also gives you a greater savings Step 1: Go Light.
opportunity. It allows you to Most people pack for the worst
easily volunteer to be bumped case scenario, or for events that
from a flight (translation: free aren't likely to happen.
ticket for next year's timeshare
week!) without the worry of "In case it gets cold I'll bring
having your luggage traveling on a sweatshirt."
before you and waiting unclaimed
at your destination. "In case it rains, I'll bring a
raincoat."
Plus, traveling light just seems
to create good "vacation karma". "In case we decide to go out to a
Without being bogged down by fancy restaurant, I'll bring one
multiple bags you simply have a nice outfit (which also requires
more relaxed attitude. And after a nice—and another—pair of
all, isn't that why you bought shoes).
the timeshare in the first place?
"In case I want to drink my
coffee out on the deck reading
"Sure", you're thinking, "the the paper in the morning, I'll
advantages of taking carry-on are bring my robe."
compelling. But how can I
possibly fit everything I want to These all fall into the "want" to
take in one 14W" x 22L" x 9H" bring category. Our focus here is
suitcase?" It's easy, once you on the "need" to bring items. And
change your thinking from that starts with the basics.
"everything I want to take" to
"everything I need to take." And Underwear. Bring enough for four
here's how. days. After that, your condo unit
will likely have a washer/dryer
on hand. Do a load of laundry. able to get it closed).
You're going to a timeshare, not
the Australian outback. So use o Select plain clothes that mix
them. and match to get a variety of
outfits with just a few pieces of
Socks. Bring enough for 3 days clothing.
(we'll tell you how to pack them
in Step 2). o Dress in layers for warmth
rather than bringing bulky
Bathing Suit. Just bring one. sweaters, sweatshirts or heavy
It's okay (and preferred even) if jackets (if you need a coat, wear
women bring a 2-piece tankini. it on the plane).
Sleepwear. We already got rid of o Choose dark colors (great for
the robe above (many timeshare hiding stains and wrinkles) and
units have them for you in the accessorize with scarves, ties,
closet anyway). And you can or jewelry—these don't take up
forget the PJs too. A long a lot of room in your carry-on
t-shirt works fine. Plus it and give your wardrobe a dash of
doubles nicely as a cover-up when pizzazz.
going to the pool or beach.
Outerwear. If you must have a
Ensembles for day and evening raincoat, wear it on the plane.
wear. This is the bulk of your Otherwise, pack a nylon zip-up
clothing. Learning how to pear it hooded jacket and you're covered.
down is the key to your success.
Take these following tips from
seasoned timeshare travelers and Want some more tips? Here you go:
you'll have room to spare in your different colored tank tops with
bag (well, at least you'll be a neutral colored cardigan give
you lots of different looks. iron). Simply roll clothes
Zip-off pants offer great instead of folding them before
versatility in climates that go you pack. In addition to
from hot days to cool in eliminating the wrinkles, this
evenings. And a word about shoes: technique allows you to save
limit yourself to two pairs—a space by tucking rolled up
dress pair and one for casual clothes into every corner of your
activities. Pack your light pair, carry-on.
and wear the heavier ones.
Now to help with organization,
Step 2: Pack It Right try the zip-lock-and-sit method
You have a three-fold goal in (it's also great for eliminating
packing your carry-on: reduce wrinkles and saving space). Fold
space, reduce wrinkles, and offer (not roll) a few articles and put
easy access. them in a 2-1/2 gallon zip-loc
bag. Put the bag on the chair,
This last goal is often sit on the bag to push out the
overlooked, but what good is excess air, and zip it up. Viola!
having all your stuff with you if You have a neat, compressed
you have to dishevel it all pouch, that in addition to
(spilling your underwear all over keeping your clothes
the floor) to retrieve your MP3 wrinkle-free, offers a neat way
player? Pack It Light, Pack It to organize your carry-on for
Right subscribes to the yin-yang instant access to just about
principle of packing: everything anything you need.
at your side and any one thing at
your fingertips. Shoes, Jewelry, Toiletries, Oh
My!
But let's begin with ironing out A good technique with shoes is to
those wrinkles (without using an roll socks around the pair so
that the heels do not "dig in" to bottles of mayonnaise, ketchup,
your other clothes. Also, it's soy sauce, hot sauce, etc. (which
always a good idea to put shoes you end up throwing out at the
in a shoe bag, which will help end of your week). Here you'll
keep the rest of your clothes find all your favorite condiments
clean. in individualized-sized serving
packages. So stock up, put them
For medications and jewelry, try in a zip-lock, and you're good to
film canisters, which can be go!
inserted into your shoes before
wrapping the socks around. Using Need More Room? You Got It.
see-through canisters makes it Okay, because you've gotten this
easy to tell what each one holds. far into the article, you must be
Otherwise, put tape around the a bit optimistic about getting by
canister and label its contents. with a carry-on. But if you're
still not sure it's for you,
here's the clincher.
For toiletries, simply use
another zip-lock bag. This In addition to your one 14"W x
protects your clothes in the 22"L x 9"H carry-on bag (which
event of a leaky bottle. Speaking are the dimensions for
of toiletries, there is a great United—U.S. Airways gives you
site (www.minimus.biz) dedicated more room with 16"W x 24"L x
to travel sizes for laundry 10"H) you are also allowed to
products and personal care items. carry on a personal item.
This personal item is defined as
This amazing little site also a purse, briefcase, laptop,
offers timeshare travelers a camera case, small backpack,
great alternative to buying huge or... DIAPER BAG, the holy grail
of the carry-on set! I mean throw the diaper bag under the
it—have you seen the sizes of seat in front of you. Just make
diaper bags lately? And all those sure you don't get a bulkhead
cute little Velcroâ„¢ and zipper seat, because then you won't have
compartments! a seat in front of you to throw
your diaper bag under.
Even if you don't have a baby,
you've got to get a diaper bag. Step 3: Be Realistic
However, there is a catch—the Love to Carry-On, But Just Can't?
personal item cannot exceed total Let's be honest. If you are
overall dimensions of 36 inches, traveling with children or are
and both items (your carry-on and carrying a bunch of presents ,
personal item) cannot exceed a the carry-on idea probably is not
total combined weight of 40 going to work for you. After all,
pounds (U.S. Airway's language). it's more important to arrive
with all of your kids than all of
your bags. So go ahead, check the
But, no worries! With synthetic baggage. And carry on the kids.
fabrics and your zip-lock-and-sit
method you can fit another week's When you do check baggage, here's
worth of clothing in that diaper a helpful tip that can go a long
bag (or a backpack if you are way (literally) in keeping your
adverse to diaper bags). And bags from getting lost: know the
you'll still have room to throw three-letter code of your
in your purse, while reserving destination airport (LAX, JFK,
ample space for carting home LHR, etc) and verify that it's
souvenirs. the one on your luggage tag
before your bags are whisked
So here's the drill: stow the away.
carry-on in the overhead and
Here's why: gate agent error is lost bag ruin your entire
the most common cause of timeshare trip - pack light &
mis-routed bags. pack right!
Bottom line? Traveling is Happy Timesharing!
stressful enough. Don't let a
About the Author:
Save at least 60% on timeshare resales from Timeshare Week -- find your own paradise at the best resorts and seasons available. Click now and save big -- http://www.timeshareweek.com
Source: www.isnare.com
|
|
