Clothes & Packing Ideas For Travel

The Right Clothes and the Right Gear Make all the Difference

We’ve been doing a lot of traveling for around forty years and for the past couple of decades many of our trips can be as long as 30 days. Even on long trips people are amazed at how little luggage we have.

Traveling light can become a lifestyle once you give packing some thought. It actually makes the trip much easier on you when you no longer are hauling around oversized and heavy luggage.

Pick your wardrobe carefully

Check the weather where you are going to help determine what clothes to pack. Also try to determine any special events that may require dressing up or dressing down. With this information you will be able to determine what you will need but also what items aren’t necessary.

Eliminate items that need special care

Don’t take clothes that wrinkle easily or need ironing. (You can pack a small spray bottle and use water to spritz out most wrinkles.) Avoid items, like silk, that are easily damaged in a laundry.

Stage selected clothes

You’ve selected what to pack but before you pack stage your selection in one place so you can make an evaluation. Ask yourself questions like what combinations do I have and how many items work with each other. It’s important to be able to mix and match. Many environments also lend themselves to layering outfits. Does your selection fit those needs?

Select clothes designed to travel. Give priority to clothes that can be rinsed out and dried quickly. There are growing choices in miracle fabrics that are designed to keep you cool and dry fast. These items are generally lighter in weight so they take up less space when packing.

Pick shoes with a purpose

We travel with very lightweight tennis shoes (actually running shoes), a pair of sandals and we usually wear our everyday shoes. Pick a comfortable pair of all purpose shoes that will fit into your wardrobe choices. When packing, fill fold-top sandwich bags with socks and small items and put them in your shoes. This keeps things organized and also keeps the shoes from creasing.

Select the right suitcases

It is awkward to find yourself on a crowded train with an oversized suitcase that you can’t lift or will not fit in the overhead. In places like Italy, people will offer to lift the suitcases and place them in the overhead racks for you but then they will demand a substantial tip. On commuter trains, you cannot place suitcases on the seats without being lectured or, at best, glared at the entire journey.

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Packing cubes

We have gotten into the habit of traveling mostly with two carry-on size suitcases and a couple of backpacks. We have started using packing cubes to organize our suitcase. By packing the cubes tight it reduces items shifting around and getting wrinkled. We also usually carry an additional light- weight foldable backpack for short day trips and holding things acquired along the way.

Pick clothes that travel well

To get a serious savings in size as well as weight take advantage of light weight, easy dry clothing for traveling. Polyester is the new wonder fabric and it has none of the issues of the old nylon clothes from years ago. Generally you’ll find it comfortable, light weight, moisture wicking and fast drying. It’s perfect for washing out in the evening and being dry in the morning.

32 Degrees – We’ve become very fond of this line of clothing. Available in thermal and sweat wicking shirts and other apparel. We both wear their T’s and thermals.

Exofficio – They offer a wide assortment of fast dry under garments for men and women along with interesting travel ideas.

Balanced Tech @ Amazon – another good collection of fast dry clothing.

Under Armour – This company was the first in the market with sweat wicking clothing and was originally marketed to the military and police.

UNIQLO – this is a Japanese clothing company that is expanding quickly worldwide. We believe they offer a premium line at reasonable price. We have bought and traveled with their moisture wicking polo shirts and while heavier than Columbia they still seem to rinse and dry quickly.

Columbia – has built its brand around cool travel clothing. I have had issues with their polo shirts developing pulls in the fabric and am beginning to rethink this shirt.

Taking care of clothes on the road

We also carry a few items that make it easier to freshen up clothes on the roar.

A small spray bottle – Usually all it takes to get rid of suitcase wrinkles is a little mist of water upon unpacking.

Packets of laundry soap – Rinsing out a few things in a bathroom sink is SOP but you’ll get better results by using a small amount of laundry powder.

An inflatable hanger – These take up almost no space and go a long way towards preventing puckers caused by hanging up damp clothes after rinsing out.

Rolling Clothes

Many people swear by rolling cloths to pack, but we admit to never really getting the knack of this process. Even so rolling clothes for packing is a popular technique for maximizing space in your luggage while also minimizing wrinkles. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Lay the clothing item flat on a surface.
  • Fold any sleeves or pant legs neatly towards the center of the garment.
  • Starting from one end, tightly roll the garment towards the other end.
  • Once rolled, you can secure the roll with a rubber band or by tucking the end of the garment into the roll.
  • This method not only saves space but also makes it easier to find specific items in your luggage without having to dig through everything. Additionally, it can help prevent wrinkles and creases that may occur with folding.

The Historic Charleston, South Carolina

Spend Some Time With A Classy Lady

It has been a number of years (actually a few decades) since we last visited and, while it is hard to believe that a city, which is over two and a half centuries old, can change a lot in that time, it really has and much for the better.

The restaurant scene here has simply exploded. A wide range of culinary styles are offered with special emphasis on the South Carolina “Low Country” recipes of the region. Seafood is featured in classic Southern dishes like shrimp and grits, oyster stew and she-crab soup.

There are a large number of high-end retailers that have moved onto King Street creating a unique shopping venue in the historic district. Another mecca for tourists and visiting shoppers is the City Market on East Market Street. The market stretches for a number of blocks east from Meeting Street with both indoor and open-air buildings. Stalls include local food sellers, crafts, jewelry, art and a limited amount of clothing. There are also a number of stalls featuring traditional Gullah hand-woven sweet-grass baskets which are unique to the region.

Major places of interest when visiting Charleston include:

The Battery
Fort Sumter

The Battery: This is a historic seawall and promenade that runs along the waterfront downtown. It offers beautiful views of the harbor and the iconic Ravenel Bridge along with some amazing colonial homes.

Fort Sumter National Monument: This historic site is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Visitors can take a ferry out to the fort and explore the museum and exhibits.

Rainbow Row: This is a row of colorful historic houses on East Bay Street that are a popular photo spot for tourists.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: This historic plantation offers tours of the house and gardens, as well as nature trails and a petting zoo.

The Gullah are the descendants of African slaves of various ethnic groups who live in the Low-Country regions of Georgia and South Carolina, in both the Coastal Plain and on the Sea Islands. They developed a Creole language, the Gullah language, and a culture rich in African influences which makes them distinctive among African Americans.

The USS Yorktown Museum

The USS Yorktown (CV-10): This famous aircraft carrier is currently located in Charleston. After it was decommissioned was been turned into a museum open to the public for tours. The Yorktown saw action in the Pacific during WWII and was initially to have been named Bonhomme Richard, she was renamed Yorktown while still under construction, after the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5), was sunk at the Battle of Midway.

Other big draws to Charleston are the Colonial and Federalist architecture and the revolutionary and civil war historic sites. Good ways to see the town are with narrated horse-drawn carriage tours operated by several different companies or walking tours which can be self-guided or with a tour company.

For accommodations consider a B&B located in a historic house. One recommendation is the Barksdale House Inn, a beautiful bed and breakfast located on George Street in the historic district.

Also don’t leave town without picking up pralines at Savannah’s Candy Kitchen of Charleston or cookies from Byrd’s Famous Cookies.

International Travel? What’s In Your Wallet?

A Cautionary Tale

Janet and her husband, Paul had just arrived in Switzerland one afternoon. Janet laid down for a rest while Paul went out to find a coffee shop. Two hours later Janet woke up to find that Paul hadn’t returned. She went down and checked at the front desk but nobody had any idea where he was.

It wasn’t until the next morning, with the help of the hotel, that Janet learned that he was in a hospital.

Paul had suffered a stroke on the street shortly after leaving the hotel and was now in intensive care. The police at the scene tried to access Paul’s cell phone but it was locked. He had his passport on him so they contacted the U.S. consulate. At the consulate they reached out to the police in Pauls town, who sent a patrol car to the address in his passport but nobody was there and there were no neighbors around.

Had Paul been carrying a simple emergency ID card that included Janet’s cell number somebody would have contacted her within hours of his stroke.

For a couple of dollars and a few minutes filling out an ID card most of the anguish suffered in the story above could have been avoided – again, what’s in your wallet?

The Intentional Travelers have for years offered an inexpensive Emergency Identification Card in either hard copy form or as a downloadable document in our shop on Etsy. To get yours simply click HERE.

In addition to Emergency ID cards The Intentional Travelers also offers free Living Wills and Advanced Medical Directives you can download, fill out and print by visiting our web location here 911ID.home.blog

International Medical Care

In addition to the story above things got even worse. While Paul and Janet had both Medicare and supplemental health insurance their coverage didn’t extend to areas outside of the United States. Because they hadn’t purchased additional international travel insurance the medical bills from Switzerland far exceeded US$100,000. For additional information on international travel insurance click HERE.

The Port Of Call, Liverpool, England

England’s Liverpool & The Beatles

Liverpool is a remarkable city located in the northwest of England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the UK and is known for its rich cultural heritage, music scene, football clubs, and historic waterfront.

The Beatles stroll near Liverpool’s waterfront

Where Your Ship Docks

There are cruise ship docks right on the downtown waterfront. Because the water level changes there are floating platforms used to access the ships gangways. Depending on the water level there can be some steep ramps getting up to street level. There you’ll find a reception tent for cruise passengers which includes public facilities.

The River Mersey, which runs through Liverpool, is affected by tides as it flows into the Irish Sea. The tide levels in the River Mersey can vary throughout the day and can also be influenced by the phases of the moon.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The cruise pier disembarks right into downtown. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be changing ramp heights at times with steep inclines to deal with in both locations.

Gates at China Town

Transportation

Liverpool is an easy town to walk in with a number of wide walking malls for pedestrian shopping. There is also convenient and inexpensive public transportation with an adult single day bus pass starting at £5.00 for tickets that can be used at any time of day, on any bus service in Merseyside, no matter who operates it. For routes and additional transportation options Liverpool has an excellent website HERE.

Remember, you’re in England so look right before crossing streets.

Currency

England is back on the English Pound and generally Euros and Dollars are not accepted. ATM machines are readily available and most credit cards are welcome.

Attractions

The Beatles Story: This museum tells the story of the famous band, The Beatles, who originated from Liverpool and have become local heros.

The Cavern Club: The club is still open and is a popular local attraction. The original club, where The Beatles famously performed in the 1960s, was closed in 1973 but a replica club was built on the same site and opened in 1984 and is still a thriving music venue today and is usually open for tours in the daytime.

Liverpool Cathedral: A stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture and is the largest cathedral in Britain. Its construction began in 1904 and was completed in 1978. The cathedral was designed by architect Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed the iconic British red telephone box.

Albert Dock: This historic dock area is only a short walk up the waterfront from the cruise dock past the statue of the Beatles. It has been transformed into a popular waterfront entertainment destination with restaurants, shops, and museums. It features a carousel, some historic ships and a couple of museums.

Merseyside Maritime Museum: This museum explores Liverpool’s maritime history and includes exhibits on the Titanic and Lusitania.

Anfield Stadium: Home to Liverpool Football Club, this stadium offers tours for fans to explore the grounds and learn about the team’s history.

Walker Art Gallery: This art gallery features a collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.

The Bombed Out Church: Officially known as St. Luke’s Church, it is a former Anglican parish church that during the Second World War, was partially destroyed by German bombing in 1941, leaving only the outer walls and tower standing. Today, the church is preserved as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the war.

The Bombed Out Church

And yes, lovelocks are a major part of the waterfront in Liverpool too.

An Old House In St. Croix

A few years ago at an outdoor art fair there was an artist showing watercolors of scenes in the Caribbean. One caught my eye as it was an old house that I thought I recognized and I asked if it was on St. Croix. She said yes and that she had lived there for a while. I bought it. Not long ago we made a trip back to St. Croix and without any real intent I found myself across the street from what I thought was that same old house.

I can’t be sure it is the house as much of the house has probably changed over time and that architecture is common in the Virgin Islands, but it didn’t stop me from thinking about these sort of properties and how the island has failed to protect much of its history.

This house sits one street back from the sea on King Street in Frederiksted, St. Croix and is in an advanced state of disrepair. I have spent a lot of time in St. Croix over the past thirty-five years and can remember seeing this particular house a great number of times. I can never remember it being worthy of a spread in Architectural Digest but mostly it was one of the better properties on the street.

A couple of devastating hurricanes have swept across St. Croix doing a significant amount of damage all across the island but the condition of this particular house appears more the result of time and neglect than those storms. The watercolor, which I believe was painted between ten to twenty years ago, shows it in much better condition than now.

Looking at this house from a historical perspective I am sure that a few hundred years ago this was a large and elegant townhouse in a thriving Dutch colonial town. Virgin Island towns were wealthy places with sidewalks covered with brick colonnades to protect people from the tropical sun and the frequent passing showers. Construction was mostly of locally fired brick with stucco coatings and upper floors were built of heavy wood with tall windows to catch the ocean breezes. Roofs we usually of hip-roof design to prevent hurricane winds from finding something to push against and windows and doors were protected with substantial shutters. Most townhouses also contained inner courtyards or rear gardens for comfortable outdoor living in the shade of mahogany trees.

Today as back than, St. Croix has two principle towns. Christiansted on the Northeast side of the island and Frederiksted on the West-end. Christiansted sits within a protective reef and features a good sailboat anchorage. In addition to housing the government buildings it also has a thriving tourist economy. Frederiksted, which is blessed with a deep water pier and a very attractive beach along the waterfront has struggled for decades just to stay alive.

On that January visit it was obvious that the island government had invested* in improving the pier, nearby support buildings, streets and waterfront parks. Unfortunately this seems to be just a facade on a crumbling town. Just one street back from the waterfront many buildings sit empty. There are few shops and restaurants, the streets are littered and there seems very little to engage cruise passengers when their ship docks here. If you look past the current decay you can catch glimpses of what this town once was and maybe imagine what it could become again. It is going to take a new plan and commitment by the government, land owners and local residents to work a real change.

Consider cruise stops like Costa Maya, Sint Maarten, Roatan Island, and Willemsted. If other Caribbean locations can build cruise piers and entire visitor villages from scratch, why cannot St. Croix simply rehabilitate the town that it already has?

While cruise lines seem to be showing increased interest in St. Croix as a destination, we believe Frederikstead is now the biggest obstacle to developing this tourist themed business for the island.

* I’m not sure I approve of thinking about government using the word investing when it relates to using tax dollars.

The U.S. State Department Has Some Advice For You

Sometimes traveling can be concerning and with the chance of riots, civil disturbances and demonstrations rising around the globe, staying informed and taking extra precautions are recommended.

Extra Protection While Traveling

DC Snow

The United States State Department has a program to help you while you travel internationally. Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The State Department uses security messages to convey information to you about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, along with information about natural disasters.

Enrollment is free and it creates an account that includes your contact information along with how to get in touch with your emergency contacts should something happen. You use the account online to update your travel information before and while you travel, which is automatically transferred to embassies and consulates near your travel locations.

Sometimes having Big Brother watching over you might be a good thing…