This is one thing I have always had a bit of a hard time doing, because I do love to have all my creature comforts when I travel. But through the years I realized that I was carrying/wheeling around a really heavy bag, with a lot of extra stuff and never using all of it was a waste.

Here are some of the tips I have come up with to get the most out of what I pack, and make my bags a whole lot lighter.

1. Naturally, the most logical way to start is to have a lightweight suitcase. I prefer the heavy duty nylon ones with strong zippers that have a bit of stretch/give for when I add to it (shopping of course). If you like a hard case, there are amazing new suitcases that are feather light and durable like this Samsonite bag.

2. Pack clothes and accessories that can be used for more than one occasion or use. For example, that beautiful shirt dress can also be dressed down and worn as part of a suit. Take a few scarves (light and easy to pack) that you can tie, wrap,  and use a dozen different ways to change your outfit. I pack sandals that are chic enough to wear to beautiful cafe, but also comfortable enough to wear for miles power walking. [Read more →]

More and more families are splitting their vacations between the ski slopes and the sun, which creates the problem of how to pack and transport what they’ll be needing for two entirely different climates.

Having spent more than 2 decades traveling around the world, I have had to spend a good deal of time thinking of better ways to plan and pack smarter for all kinds of climates and situations. I’ve come up with the top five ways to take the hassle out of dual-location packing.

1.     Pack as many items as you can that will be useful in both locations—such as a tank top or tee shirt you can also wear under a turtleneck on the slopes or après ski, a cozy cashmere travel scarf that also works as a shawl for chilly nights at the island resort, or a beautiful silk scarf that can be worn around your neck, as a halter top, a belt, a hair band, or around the brim of your sun hat.

2.     Ship your ski wear, bulky sweaters,  and toiletries ahead to your destination. Just make certain to send the bags far enough in advance so that they will arrive before you do. (You can wear your parkas on the plane and then ship them directly home with the rest of your ski gear. You won’t be needing them in the Caribbean sun.)

3.     Take the sun gear with you, even if you’ll be skiing first. It’s less heavy and bulky to pack, and if it were lost in shipping it might also be more difficult to replace on an island than your ski wear would be at a ski resort. [Read more →]

We all love luxury when we travel, but sometimes it’s a luxury just to know that you have everything you’re going to need. To make sure you’re never again caught short, Flight 001 has done the sourcing for modern and innovative travel products you so that you don’t have to spend precious time going from shop to shop to locate all the essentials.

Founded in 1998 by two business travelers who were tired of all the legwork they had to do when preparing for a trip, the “crew” of Flight 001 now scours the globe to satisfy the frequent traveler’s every need.

Among the many must-have products they offer are individual foil-wrapped packets of Woolite that are approved for carry-on, and a set of 7 TSA-approved, carry-on size bottles (3.4 ounces or less) in a reusable plastic zip case that will get you through security without any problem. They also have my own favorite world travel adapter, which includes plugs for more than 150 different countries in a single, compact case.

Their exclusive Spacepak for clothes not only allows you to separate clothing items (something I always do when I pack) into 5 separate compartments but also provides maximum compression so that you can carry on more and avoid baggage claim altogether. These are just a few of the literally hundreds of really great, innovative, modern must-haves they provide, many of which they’ve created and offer exclusively.

Don’t want to check your luggage? The obvious answer is to pack fewer clothes. Here are 5 ways I’ve learned to travel lighter.

1. Send stuff ahead if possible. Particularly if there are items you can live without for a few days before you leave home, shipping them to your destination will take a big load out of your luggage.
2. If you’re taking a suit, wear it on the plane. Suits take up a lot of space, so wearing one will free up more room for other things. Planes are cold in any case (and airlines are no longer giving out free blankets) so your jacket will keep you warm. Also, you’ll look more professional, which means that if there’s an upgrade to be had, you’re more likely to be the one to get it. And if the suit gets wrinkled, you can always have it pressed, or press it yourself when you get to your hotel.
3. Take basic black and a variety of accessories that will make a variety of outfits. For example, adding a scarf, a contrasting jacket, or a really great belt will change any basic black dress into something entirely different. [Read more →]

The luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is making it easier than ever for adventurous travelers to be sure they’re appropriately outfitted for their destination by directing them to a knowledgeable and reliable source for one-stop shopping.

If you’ve never been to Africa, Antarctica, or the Galapagos you may not know exactly what you need or where to find it. That problem is easily solved with well-priced clothing kits (ranging from $160.00 to $461.00) that provide both men and women with all the essentials for these three exotic destinations.

[Read more →]