Fodor's How to Pack, 2nd edition

Rating:
Summary: Dear Sister, the book saved me lots of time and headache...
Review: Dear Sandra,

Thanks for lending me Fodor's How to Pack book! Having never been abroad before, I had a lot to learn and didn't even know it. I'm going to have to get a copy of this book for myself, especially for the checklists of "Basic Wardrobe Options for Women," ditto for men, and what to put into a first aid kit, laundry kit, sewing kit, toiletries kit, etc. I read the sections on packing for cruises, mountain trips, hot and cold weather, and adventure trips even though I wasn't going to use them for this vacation, just because they were interesting and I kept picking up the stray tip. (Thank goodness I don't have to use their advice on traveling with children!)

The sections on what to wear on the plane, what to pack in one's carry-on (as well as reminders of what NOT to pack), food for the journey, and how to pack luggage that will be checked in were extremely useful. Who would have thought to pack clothes in those plastic bags from dry cleaners to keep items from wrinkling?? I'm trying it and will let you know how it works out. They also talk about the different philosophies of packing -- the "roll" style that is especially good for duffel bags, vs. the "interlock" style where you stack layers and then fold them all together to decrease wrinkling.

On the down side, the book seemed padded and too chatty, when, being the procrastinator that I am, I needed to get the information right away. But I was able to find it, and someone could just use the many helpful checklists and be way ahead of the game, as I was. And there were things I never thought about, such as compiling a "personal documents" file to put in my carry-on, with a copy of my passport and driver's license and a photo of my luggage in case it got lost.

Altogether I found this a must-read for either the procrastinator or the unseasoned traveler such as yours truly. Thanks for caring enough to send me this book!

Best wishes,
-H

Rating:
Summary: Dear Sister, the book saved me lots of time and headache...
Review: Dear Sandra,

Thanks for lending me Fodor's How to Pack book! Having never been abroad before, I had a lot to learn and didn't even know it. I'm going to have to get a copy of this book for myself, especially for the checklists of "Basic Wardrobe Options for Women," ditto for men, and what to put into a first aid kit, laundry kit, sewing kit, toiletries kit, etc. I read the sections on packing for cruises, mountain trips, hot and cold weather, and adventure trips even though I wasn't going to use them for this vacation, just because they were interesting and I kept picking up the stray tip. (Thank goodness I don't have to use their advice on traveling with children!)

The sections on what to wear on the plane, what to pack in one's carry-on (as well as reminders of what NOT to pack), food for the journey, and how to pack luggage that will be checked in were extremely useful. Who would have thought to pack clothes in those plastic bags from dry cleaners to keep items from wrinkling?? I'm trying it and will let you know how it works out. They also talk about the different philosophies of packing -- the "roll" style that is especially good for duffel bags, vs. the "interlock" style where you stack layers and then fold them all together to decrease wrinkling.

On the down side, the book seemed padded and too chatty, when, being the procrastinator that I am, I needed to get the information right away. But I was able to find it, and someone could just use the many helpful checklists and be way ahead of the game, as I was. And there were things I never thought about, such as compiling a "personal documents" file to put in my carry-on, with a copy of my passport and driver's license and a photo of my luggage in case it got lost.

Altogether I found this a must-read for either the procrastinator or the unseasoned traveler such as yours truly. Thanks for caring enough to send me this book!

Best wishes,
-H