A place to put all those little travel tips that make life easier when on the move!

Toiletries:

When you get given those little bottles of shampoo etc. from the Body Shop as gifts keep the bottles. Refill them with shampoo and liquid soap and take these on your travels with you...saves on space and weight and you'd be amazed at how long they will last!

Toothpaste...but the Theramed toothpast in the oval to round plastic bottles...this is more compact than a regular tube of toothpaste and is less likey to squish open all over your things!

Take a bottle of anti-bacterial hand wash...small bottle that doesn't require water...available from all chemists and I'm fairly sure you can get it in super markets now. This stuff is great when travelling in a countries where the facilities are a little sparce and hygeine isn't big issue. Keep the bottle with you and you can wash you hands off before each meal and so reduce the risk of nasty squits etc.

Moist wipes/baby wipes ...pack a flat pack of these little beauties to wash up after a flight or day trudging around the tourist sites in places where facilities are few. Also you can use them to freshen up the old armpits before going into a resturant after a bit of trudging around.

:smartie:

More tips to follow...and I am looking forward to nicking a few of yours!

Keep a copy of your passport in your suitcase.

Toilet roll in your hand luggage.

always pack tea bags ... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_1_110v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYAXGB)

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Tea Bags and Marmite Dol...Tea Bags and Marmite! :thumbsup:

Maxine...a small pack of hand tissues is more convienient than a whole bog roll and allows more room for sweeties and books! :naughty:

Tic-Tac boxes are great for converting into travel sewing kits. Although now you can buy the real deal for peanuts but hey...when you really want to budget this is the way to go! Oh but do remember to pack all sewing kits in your main luggage as it will be confiscated if found in your carry on bag! :pimp:

Along with a photo copy of your passport (well done Max!:smartie: ) also keep a photo copy of your insurance documents front page...it's also a good idea to leave copies of both with a trusted relative back at home!

When travelling in a slightly dodgey country or area always keep a small amount of money in your pocket seperate from your main wad (which idealy should be tucked away in an inside breast pocket or in a sneaky hideaway waist wallet...or if in a really didgey place try the inside of your sock as many street wise pick pockets are wise to the other ways!). This way if you do get held up in the street you can empty the contents of your pocket for them and keep the rest...:naughty:

Tea Bags and Marmite Dol...Tea Bags and Marmite! :thumbsup:



d'oh marmite ... of course marmite ... now my holiday is ruined cos i forgot it!

It might sound morbid but when I have gone abroad i always make sure my next of kin details are easily found! I've never gone to the morbidity level of leaving a hidden note "in case i don't come back" ... but my friend does, it breaks her heart writing it and makes her laugh out loud reading it when she gets back!!!

I had a small pair of manicure scissors in my hand luggage when I went off on a girlie holiday and they wanted to confiscate them. They had great sentimental value as they were shaped like a stork and my son bought them at London Zoo for my mum, when she died I kept them. I went and got a jiffy bag and posted them back to my house, Mr M was very surprised when they came through the post as there was no explanation with them.

I always mix our clothes up and hope that two cases wouldn't go missing. I also pack spare knickers, a tee shirt, shorts and a bikini in hand luggage.

Maxine...a small pack of hand tissues is more convienient than a whole bog roll and allows more room for sweeties and books! :naughty:



Sometimes hand tissues just don't cut it though, Coastie.

Sometimes hand tissues just don't cut it though, Coastie.

Wooo...what do you get up to during your travels! :wacko:

Maz...good idea re packing half and half on the clothes front! :thumbsup:

Dol...morbid a little yes but hey if it makes it easier for you to relax and enjoy your holiday them so be it!

Food:

When travelling in countries where it is advised not to drink the local water...avoid eating salads when eating out...the chances are it has been rinsed under the local water and you will get a stomach bug.

Also...clean your teeth with bottled water and avoid gargling when under the shower!

Avoid eating icecream in less developed countries as there is a strong chance the ingredients haven't been pasturised properly and you will get sick!

- Don't fold your clothes when packing - roll them. Saves space and you don't have big crease marks on them when unpacking.

- Miss PJ also swears by 'baby-wipes' - she takes them everywhere with her.


If your planning a holiday in Scotland:
- bring clothes for all weathers, no matter what time of year.
- bring insect repellant if you come in the summer or you'll be driven daft with the midges we have up here.

mosquito stuff! i refuse to go anywhere foreign without them!!

also my thing is to squeeze everything into my hand luggage then my big suitcase can be for all the other things i buy! only if im going somewhere like hong kong though.

Is often advisable to buy your mossie repellent in the country you are visiting...take a small abount with you to keep you going...but the stuff they sell in the country is usually more effective than the stuff we get here...:unsure:

On another note...Avon Body Lotion is the best insect repellent out there...it really works! Don't know why but it does!:wacko:

Try and learn a few BASIC phrases of the language of the country you are heading to.
Seriously..it's much better than whipping out a phrase book and searching fractically for page 23 when it REALLY is an emergency.
And don't try to guess words that are written down by thinking they compare to something else.
You are only fooling yourself,and you could walk in on something you should'nt.
:ohmy:

That's a good tip about the language - I once asked for a testicle when what I really wanted was a spoon!
Then when I missed my flight home from Sicily last year, I was telling a man in the restaurant that I was worried about my cats because there was no-one going in to feed them the next day.......it wasn't until I was finally on a plane of the way home that I realised I'd got my words mixed about and what I'd actually told him was 'I'm worried about my penis's, I have two and they're at home on their own'. The guy didn't bat an eyelid at the time though!!

Back to tips.....for the ladies...if you are going off the beaten track a little gizmo called a 'Travel Mate' is great - it allows you to pee standing up, like man. Very handy.

I tend to travel around a lot when I'm away so I get my doctor to prescibe anti-emetics, so that if I get ill I can get to a place of comfort rather than being ill on the road. I take loperamide with me for the same reason to deal with the other end.

If I have aircon in my room I don't use it, but just rely on a fan instead - I find this helps me get acclimatised better.

I buy bands impregnated with mozzie repellant that I wear on my wrists and ankles - they work a treat and to save buying extra I just keep them topped upby giving then a spray of my jungle formula spray every couple of days.

I always take a change of clothes in my hand luggage and one of them travel towels plus toiletries (in small bottles). Most international airports have shower facilities, really handy if you are going across the world and changing a few times or are simply delayed for ages.

Leave a copy of your itinerary including flight numbers and accommodating details if you know them with a trusted member of your family just in case they need to get hold of you urgently. Also leave a copy of your passport at home too.

If you have card guard or similar which covers all your cards if lost (including passports, driving licence) make sure you stick the stickers or attach the tabs to as many pieces of luggage as you can and keep a copy in your purse plus I always store any important numbers in my mobile.

I once had all my hand luggage stolen, so no money, no tickets and no phone but had kept a tab on my suitcase and within 5 mins all my cards were cancelled and arrangements were made to get me money.

I now wear a bum bag, I wouldn’t leave my tickets or other important items in hand luggage

One more tip for the ladies. I always carry certain medicines that may be expensive to get abroad. Did you know for example that in the USA and Canada you can’t buy OTC treatments for cystitis. I once had to pay $100 to see the doctor and then more for the prescription. I know cranberry juice is good but a few sachets potassium citrate will ease your symptoms faster

Oooh these are good.

for self catering hols: I love ice in my drinks so a few sheets off a roll of ice-cube bags are handy. just fill with bottled water.

Oxo cubes are great too. They add salt/flavour to dishes, and are a hearty drink if you need one.

small hand torch is always handy.

Don't know if this really works but my friend swears by it.:Taking 'Berrocca' fizzy tablets for a few weeks before going out foreign.Apparently it does something to your blood (???) and makes you taste bad to the 'squito's, so you don't get riddled with bites.

Don't know if this really works but my friend swears by it.:Taking 'Berrocca' fizzy tablets for a few weeks before going out foreign.Apparently it does something to your blood (???) and makes you taste bad to the 'squito's, so you don't get riddled with bites.

Or try Lidl's own brand fizzy tablets - only a sixth of the price!

If you are going to Europe - open a Nationwide account - they let you take money out of foreign ATMs for free!

I used Nationwide debit card in France last year and got really good exchange rates, I shall definitely be using it again this year.

dont think we have Nationwide over here - anyone else do good rates? I just use my ordinary bank debit card in ATMs in europe.




duh, just remembered that we're all euros anyway.

shouldn't have had that glass of wine at lunchtime...:blush:

If you must lay out on the beach don't forget to apply suncream to the soles of your feet as well as the rest of your body! :cool1: Also if it's hot wear a cotton hat to avoid sunstroke!

When travelling in a hot country take along some rehydration sachets...yes they tastes a little yuck but mix one up a day for your travels and, along with drinking as much non-alcoholic beverages as you can, slurp on this...it's another good way to avoid the dreaded heat stroke as it not only tops up your fluid levels but the salt levels aswell! :cool1:

I have a Nationwide Account :yahoo:

I have just signed up to Cardguard aswell :cool2:

My bud and moi are off to crete in 2 weeks and are both badly alergic to bites, 'specially mozzies. She has heard of these plug-in thingies, like rodent repellants but for mozzies. Anyone know about them, if they exist and are they any good? Also, any tips generally about insects, ants etc...

fanku

Never found the electric thingies to work for mozzies Tig, but we drove all over Crete and I don't remember mozzies being a problem. But depends time of year and rain I guess. I also react badly to mozzies and would have remembered any problems.

Only guarantee is shut the windows, and if too hot, air con. Swatting mozzies at 4 in the morning is also tricky. I carry one of those electrified tennis racket thingies which fry them with a BANG. I've found the rackets in costa rica and indonesia, and they are enormous fun. Like a tennis racket, but battery powered (plug in and charge and the charge lasts for weeks), you swipe it in the air and as soon as it makes contact with anything it delivers enough charge to explode any insect. When charged, if you touch it you also end up at the other side of the room, so its powerful (last drinking game ended up with someone touching it with their tongue when charged.....yow, why do we do these things!! I touched it with my finger and that was enough to convince me not to join the game, but it hurt just watching someone doing the tongue bit after I was licking my finger for 10 mins). But anyway, if you find one, they are great (I've got three in case the other two break, cost like 1 pound each in Indonesia).

I've used mozzie nets too, very effective. But also spray all over at dusk and before sleep if they are in the bedroom. I react badly as I've said and much of my life has been spent avoiding mozzies, but, as mentioned, I didn't get bit in Crete with no protection.

Cheers Gat! :thumbsup:

Haven't been to greece before but have had hols in other continents ruined by the pesky little blighters so woz hoping to go for prevention rather than reaction...

also those plug in thingies would cost about e40, and if they don't work would prefer to spend the dosh in a taverna!! :laugh:

those tennis racquets sound brilliant. Would love to see the reaction of the locals after hearing me and my friend having a drinking game of 'swat' all night......


any tips on crete - driving, sights not to miss etc? We're staying in a small villa just 20k east of Herkalion.....

Hi TE,
I've got a small one of these electic mozzie things....they give off a quiet buzz - I've only used it for one trip, to Egypt last year, and I didn't get bitten once. It was only about a fiver though - I found it on the rack of travel things at a service station. I don't know if it worked if if there were just no m

I also wear wrist bands and ankle bands that are impregnated with deet or you can get natural ones that have citronella, and I also spray jungle formula on in the evenings.

Sounds like a palarva, but it works!

a quiet buzz

No such thing. Even when it doesn't say anything, it speaks volumes. Know what I mean?

Sorry, back OT........

any tips on crete - driving, sights not to miss etc? We're staying in a small villa just 20k east of Herkalion.....

Just remember we ended up renting a car and driving around the island. It was big enough that we stayed over in some places. Only thing I remember clearly is one room being a bit dingy with lots of geckos in - but the geckos eat mozzies and are the good guys.

GO GECKOS, GO GECKOS !!

Not sure if I want to share a bedroom with them though....:bored:

Can they cook?

ooh I have one of those plug in things wot keep the 'squitos' at bay.
It's like a ball with a socket pin' on it ...and it's deadly.It really works.
It cost me 3 punts (in old money) and I still use it.You put tablets in it at night...and the critters don't bother you.The tablets can be bought at the airport shops.They come in strips of about 20 or so and they aint' expesnive.
Trust me...I would not waste good taverna money on essential boring stuff if I can help it.
These things really work!

EAR PLUGS! when using hostels or camping near main roads!

You can take them out when you're posting. :mellow:

I said...YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT WHEN YOU'RE POSTING!!

You can take them out when you're posting. :mellow:

I said...YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT WHEN YOU'RE POSTING!!


HaaaaaHaaaaaaHeeeee....*cough*:mellow:

You can take them out when you're posting. :mellow:

I said...YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT WHEN YOU'RE POSTING!!


EH?:blink:

Stupid mare.

Now we'll see if she can hear :thumbsup:

ALWAYS BE ON TIME FOR YOUR AIRPORT TAXI, TRAIN, FERRY, PLANE, CRUISE SHIP, HOVERCRAFT, OR SUBMARINE :cool:

...actually, come to think of it, i don't think submarines are available for charter...but the rest you must be on time for...if you want your holiday plans to go swimmingly.

"We all off to sunny Spain...a viva Espan:yahoo::yahoo: :yahoo:yaaaaa!"

Spend a day in Tokyo Airport's toilets!

A train was late some time ago, by 6 minutes, and the guy responsible had to clean toilets for 38 days (very Japanese).

Today, the entire airport bus system collapsed and every bus went out 40 minutes late.

I'm guessing you will be able to dine in the airport toilets for the next three months.

always pack tea bags ... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_1_110v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYAXGB)

I know I'm just so british!!!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/26/26_8_11.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYAXGB)








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Hello Dolores,

What an excellent idea, coffee in foreign countries can taste awful. Besides there is nothing quite like a cup of hot tea.

Here's another holiday tip. When packing ladies, if you roll all your clothing as opposed to lying things flat you will get more in your case and reduce the need for ironing. Fill shoes with smalls to save space.

Maureen
Northern angel.:yahoo: Roll on the summer.

If you must lay out on the beach don't forget to apply suncream to the soles of your feet as well as the rest of your body! :cool1: Also if it's hot wear a cotton hat to avoid sunstroke!

When travelling in a hot country take along some rehydration sachets...yes they tastes a little yuck but mix one up a day for your travels and, along with drinking as much non-alcoholic beverages as you can, slurp on this...it's another good way to avoid the dreaded heat stroke as it not only tops up your fluid levels but the salt levels aswell! :cool1:

I have a Nationwide Account :yahoo:

I have just signed up to Cardguard aswell :cool2:

Hello Coastie,

Excellent advice, but what about staying in the shade and drinking lots of bottled water instead of carbonated drinks.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun.

On the beach and in the sea keep a pair of sandels on. Prevents not only the soles of your feet from being burnt but there are poisonous fish which can live in the sand. On the beach use a chair as opposed to lying on a towel, again sand can also burn.

Protect your skin with a sun factor product over 25 when abroad, the others are too weak to be truly beneficial.

Maureen
Northern angel.:wub: Bring on the sun.

Spend a day in Tokyo Airport's toilets!

A train was late some time ago, by 6 minutes, and the guy responsible had to clean toilets for 38 days (very Japanese).

Today, the entire airport bus system collapsed and every bus went out 40 minutes late.

I'm guessing you will be able to dine in the airport toilets for the next three months.

I wanna go to a Japanese Loo...:applause:

I hate the auto flush ones that go off prematurely because you fidget on the seat and they leave you with a wet bum! :(

Be advised...most American loos have a half inch gap around the edges of the door!

Toothpaste makes a very good substitute for insect bite cream! :)

You can use athletes foot ointment for thrush as it contains the same active ingredient...not that I have ever had to do this but it could save you lots of dosh in some countries! :wink2:

If possible wash all your clothes before your return then you don't have to bother when you get home...you can simply unpack and relax! :pimp:

If possible wash all your clothes before your return then you don't have to bother when you get home...you can simply unpack and relax! :pimp:

This is a great tip - if I stay in a hotel that has a laundry service I usually get all my clothes washed and ironed before I leave so when I get home they can go straight back in the wardrobe.

Yes, it is a very good idea. Looks like Mr P is going to be busy the night before we leave our cottage in France this summer.

If you are travelling by car check that you can undo your wheelnuts. They put them on with machines and you need to be Hercules to get them undone, someone we met had stripped the thread on one of his trying to get it undone.

This tip would have been a good one for us had we read it before travelling. see my holiday thread.

Good tip Maz...also make sure they are done up tight enough to hold the wheel on...we had a car ahead of us in the states that lost it's wheel...it was a bit scarey for a moment as the wheel shot across the road ahead of us but the driver pulled over no problem and was calmly phoning for assistance as we signalled to see if she was ok! :shocking: