Packing Tips

Dear Travel Guru -

In May, I’m taking a week-long trip with my significant other that will be part business, part pleasure and he is insisting that I take only ONE suitcase. He doesn’t realize how impossible this is! My shoes alone could fill a suitcase.

How in heavens name can I fit everything in one suitcase? Help!

Sheryl G., NYC

Dear Sheryl –

I turned to my meeting planner friends for help on this one, and they said it should be a breeze, especially since it’s not winter.

1) Stick with neutral colors in “mix and match” pieces: tans, khakis, blacks, blues and/or grays.
2) Take several pairs of dress pants, 1-2 pairs of casual pants, capris or shorts, perhaps a skirt, 1-2 business jackets or sweater sets and several tops that you can hand wash if necessary
3) One neutral (“little black?”) dress if you’re going out at night
4) Two to three pairs of shoes max, including shoes needed for workout. Throw in a pair of flip flops for the pool (P.S. The pair you’ll be wearing for travel is included in this count)
5) One purse
6) Jewelry and accessories to change the appearance of the clothing
7) One swimsuit, maybe a pareo coverup. Use the hotel’s towels rather than bring one.
8) One T-shirt and pair of shorts for workouts, if desired
9) One pair of pjs or nightgown (ProTravelGear.com has some great Silk or SeaCell Travel pajamas for $26-$80 that are comfortable, lightweight and take almost no room
10) Underwear, limited amount of makeup, toiletries in small kits
11) Lightweight casual jacket

For dress clothes, if you leave them in the plastic dry cleaners bag, they’ll come out virtually unwrinkled.

Carry your makeup, toiletries and a change of clothing for the first day in your carry-on, just in case you and your luggage are separated.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Dealing with Separation Anxiety When Parent Travels

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

I’m the Mom of a 3-year-old and, due to a promotion, my new job will take me out of town on overnight travel for the first time since Becca was born. We have an Au Pair who lives with us, and I really trust her with Becca, but I’m so upset at the thought of leaving my little daughter. I’m trying not to let it show, because I don’t want her to get more upset than necessary, but I’m really anxious! Can you offer some suggestions?

Carolynn W., Atlanta, GA.

Dear Carolynn –

Congratulations on your promotion! While you must be delighted at the reason for your travels, it’s understandable that you’d be upset about leaving your daughter and family. Although she’s only three, it’s important that you be honest with Becca about your absence, stressing that it’s for your job. Sometimes young children get the misperception that the parent has gone away because they were naughty. Through honesty, you can ensure this idea never even enters Becca’s head!

Here are some ideas that work well with young children:

-->Give Becca her own family photo album to look at, sleep with, etc.

-->Include her in the packing process. Leave something meaningful of yours with her and let her give you something small of hers “to take care of until I get back,” to reassure her of your return. Make a ritual of exchanging treasures when you get back.

-->Record a message with a bedtime story or song for every night that you’ll be away, to be played before bedtime.

-->Set “an appointment” each day to call your family and stick to it, no matter what you are doing. Even in the middle of a busy meeting, you can excuse yourself to go to the ladies’ room and make a quick phone call.

-->Bring back a small item to give your daughter upon your return, not as an apology for being away, but as a symbol that you were thinking about her during your trip (this is great for husbands and Au Pairs too, by the way!).

Carolynn, you’ll enjoy your travels more once you and your family develop meaningful activities and rituals that ease the separation.

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Totes for Meeting Planners

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

My girlfriend is a meeting planner for a trade association, so she travels a lot. I’m looking for a birthday gift for her, and I notice that each time she travels on business, she complains about her bag. It’s big with few inside pockets, so she ends up using clear zip lock bags inside her tote. Even then, she can’t find what she’s looking for.

I think she needs a bag that’s large, can be used as a tote or a purse, and has lots of pockets to hold her planning book, purse, makeup, camera, airline tickets, passport, etc. She carries more gear onto the plane than the average traveler because she’s always afraid if her luggage gets delayed or lost, she won’t be able to run her meetings. What would you suggest?

Ted L., Branson, MO.


Dear Ted –

Do I have some great suggestions for you! I went to my female friends who are meeting planners to ask what they’d recommend and here are some of their favorite ProTravelGear.com choices:

Carryall Travel Tote by Ellington – This elegant “workhorse” of a bag features 4 exterior pockets and a front bungee cord, 2 full width pockets with magnetic snaps, a zip mesh pocket, pen slots and a hideable luggage handle for $89.95.

Large In Flight Tote by Ellington – Lots of pockets for a wallet, travel guide, a good book, camera, cell phone, sunglasses, water, compact or any other gear your girlfriend can think of! - $73.85

Catalina Travel Pack Backpack by Ellington – This hands-free travel bag is a great choice for meeting planners because of the spacious storage and numerous compartments that will hold just about anything. - $ 54.85

Baggalini Messenger Bag – This popular hands-free option fits across the body and features multiple pockets that will carry everything from a magazine or important documents to sunglasses for a post-event beach day! - $39.95

I am sure that one of these totes will delight your girlfriend and solve her problem of traveling with the many items needed by meeting planners.

The Travel Guru


References:
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/carryall_travel_tote_by_ellington.cfm
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/in_flight_tote_by_ellington_large.cfm
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/catalina_travel_pack_backpack_by_ellington.cfmhttp://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/baggallini_messenger_bag.cfm

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Travel Laptop Stand

Dear Travel Guru,

I travel a lot for work and I am in a plane at least twice a week. I always travel with my laptop and I would like to find a way to be able to effectively use my laptop on the plane and in the gate area. The tray table on the plane is awkward and there are never any tables in the gate area, except at the restaurants.

What can I do to make the my business travel better?

Thank you for all of your great travel advice,

Peter G., WI

Dear Peter,

With so many people - business and leisure travelers, bring their laptops on board planes, it is a wonder that someone didn't think of this first!

Luckily we have a product for you! The AVIATOR ™ Laptop Stand from Keynamics® LLC is the first and only stand specifically designed for both airplane tray tables and desktops. This handy-dandy Laptop Stand safely extends the laptop keyboard over 2 inches over the front edge of the tray and raises the screen by 3 inches. The tray positions the laptop at an angle for typing and easy viewing--making it easier to use a laptop on a plane. This also allows you to reach the neutral posture that OSHA recommends.

Best of all the AVIATOR™ also turns any flat surface into a computer workstation, including a hotel room desk, coffee shop or office desk--you can even use it on top of your carry-on luggage as you wait in the gate area. The compact design of the travel laptop stand fits flat right in the side pocket of your laptop case and only weighs 9 ounces.

We think this is the perfect solution to you travel needs. Check out the travel laptop stand today.

THE Travel Guru

www.protravelgear.com

Christmas Gift for Traveler

Dear Travel Guru:

Hello. My husband has a new job and travels for work several days each month. I would like to get him a Christmas gift that would make the long plane rides or hotel stays easier on him. But he is also hard to buy for him since he seemingly has everything! Do you have any ideas?

Samantha K - Charlotte, NC

Dear Samantha,

We have a ton of great travel gear for the avid recreational traveler...and the business traveler, and everyone in between.

For your husband I would like to recommend our Quiet Platinum Noise Reducing Headset.

At less than $100 each the Plane Quiet Platinum is a full around-ear active noise reducing headset at a great price. It's combined high fidelity sound, active noise cancellation, and low price, make it an unbeatable value. Your husband will love the great sound, and also the headsets ability to get rid of the sound of the screeming baby, the loud talker, the plane noise and the chatty row-mate. In fact, we think this is the perfect gift for the frequent traveler!

A List of the Plane Quiet Noise Reducing Headset is below -- thank yo ufor your question and happy holidays.

The Travel Gear Guru

Features & Accessories:
-->Up to 18 decibels of active noise reduction
-->Flat-folding designProtective Storage/travel pouch
-->Luxurious leather wrapped ear cups & headband
-->Noise cancellation on/off switch
-->Gold plated 1/4th inch stereo pin
-->Gold plated 1/8th inch to 1/4th inch adapter
-->Gold plated dual-pin adapter
-->Two AAA batteries included
-->Compatible with: iPod ®/ MP3, CD, DVD players/laptop computers/ desktop computers
-->Limited one-year warranty
-->FAA compliant