Packing Tips | 311 Bags Aren’t Just for Liquids Anymore

Posted on May 23, 2012

As I get ready for my Memorial Day trip to Washington D.C. I thought I would share some of my packing tips. I like to pack as slimline and efficiently as possible so I have managed a system using a TSA-approved 311 bag with some useful items you don’t have to find a travel store to buy.

Keep it Together with a 311 Bag: What I love about using the 311 bag is it goes from my suitcase to my small travel backpack. The beauty of this is that I have my essentials on-hand when I hit the streets and when I am hanging out in the terminal.

Keeping Tidy with Pocket Wipes: Pocket wipes are not just for mommies and daddies. These handy wet wipes make the perfect travel item. Whether you are wiping your hands clean after that sticky gelato or using them to freshen up your face after a long day of walking in the sun, they are always a welcome addition to a travel pack.

Keeping your Memories ‘Write’: The pen is not just mightier than the sword it is also an absolute essential for keeping memories accurate and directions straight. You should always have a pen and paper with you when you are out exploring.

Keep a Journal: Speaking of paper, a small trip journal is always a handy item to have. You will be glad you kept it when later you are trying to decipher the thousand words for all those pictures you took. Anything from a small spiral notebook to a fancy Moleskine journal will do. You don’t have to write like Hemingway to see the benefit of a little book in your bag. Journals are great for remembering favorite wines, writing directions, restaurant and hotel phone numbers and favorite places you want to visit again. I carry a small passport-sized Medjet travel journal with me. In fact, if you would like to do the same, send your favorite travel tip along with your mailing address to marketing@medjet.com and I will get one out in the mail to you.

Keep Up With New Friends via Business or Social Cards: One of my favorite experiences of traveling is meeting new people. That is why I carry a few business cards with me at all times. If you don’t have a business card you can make up your own social card to hand out. There is a great website called VistaPrint.com where you can get up to 250 cards with your name on them for free. Just be careful of the up sell.

Keep Your Outlet Options Plentiful: I have spoken in the past about always packing a power strip for your travels but, let’s face it, those things can be bulky. I have down sized to a three-prong outlet extender. They are smaller and more streamlined and can be picked up at any big-box store or home improvement store. I use mine all the time to recharge my iPad and my phone which are essentials in productive travel these days.

Keep Control of your Cords: Nothing is more frustrating than a jumbled mess of cords. There are a lot of inexpensive options from a good rubber band to my favorite Velcro Plant Ties. I LOVE this velcro product because you can buy a roll for next to nothing and you can cut the strips into the sizes you need. Plus, a small amount of the tape can be rolled up and put in your travel bag in case you need more later. You can find it on Amazon or at your local plant or home improvement store.

Keep a Light Handy: There are some great little travel flashlights out there that are good for finding your way around a dark hotel room or rummaging through your travel bag at night. Fenix makes a great little travel version that The New York Times rates as one of the best travel gadgets under $50 and it can be found on Amazon if you’re in the market for one.

Keep your iPad Functional: If you are trying to minimize your electronic weight by replacing a laptop with an iPad or tablet, there are a lot of handy attachments for getting pictures from your phone to your pad and from getting them from your pad to a TV set for that slideshow you know you’re going to force on your friends later. The options are too numerous to point out here but my two favorites are the iPad to SD card attachment and the iPad to HDMI cable attachment. The latter even lets you play your iPad movies on the hotel television. Just make sure you also pack a small HDMI cable with you if you want to take advantage of this capability.

Of course you should always bring along your Medjet card but I like to keep that travel essential in my wallet.

Have fun, safe and efficient travels.