your favorite travel products (hair dryer, umbrella, etc) for pre-trip holiday gifts

I never carry a hairdryer. Virtually every place I have stayed in recent years, from the smallest family-owned B&B to the most expensive hotel, has a hairdryer in the room. I also don't carry an umbrella. I take a water-resistant jacket, and if a downpour really required it, I would buy an umbrella where I was. If you are trying to pack light, you don't pack for "just in case". Take plenty of plug adapters for things that you might need to recharge, though. I also take a braided rubber clothes line (mine is from this website) for handwashing in the room. Besides my own chargers, those are my only real necessities.

Nancy's list is my list. I always take the clothes line but rarely wash things in the sink. We travel long enough that we use the washer in the apartment we rent or use local laundries for our clothes. The clothes line comes in handy for hanging stuff up in the apartment because there usually isn't a dryer and sometimes the rack provided isn't enough. The apartment we rented this year in Amsterdam was great, but it had a washer-dryer combo and the dryer part left a lot to be desired. They didn't have a drying rack, but they had a very nice wine rack that worked great in combination with the braided clothes line.

My rain jacket for Paris one year was oh, so chic, but lacked a hood, which I normally require. So I had to buy an umbrella at the Centre Pompidou. It made a nice souvenir because it was small and I was able to pack it in my carry on for the trip home. If I had purchased something larger, I would have left it behind.

I have plug adapters that are literally 30+ years old and they still work. I bought some at the RS store recently when they were on sale to give as gifts to people who will soon be going to Europe. You can buy these in lots of places.

Check the RS store, Magellan's, TravelSmith, REI, Summit Hut, etc. for other accessories that you think might be useful.

These are some things that aren't on Nancy's list. They aren't necessities, but I think they make my packing and travel easier and they add very little weight.

• credit card sized LED flashlights. Mine has a white light and my husband's is red. We've used them a lot.
• mesh packing cubes. My husband still uses Ziploc bags, but I got tired of them sliding around all the time. I have a variety of sizes and shapes and over time I've figured out exactly which ones to use for which kinds of clothing. I like being able to take them right out of my spinner and put them in drawers in the room with the contents neat and tidy.
  
• flat bags of different sizes with zipper tops. These are similar to Ziploc bags, but don't slide around, come in more sizes and are much sturdier. Potential uses for those are for jewelry or makeup, but there are many others.
• first aid kit. I usually make my own and put it in one of those zipper bags, but I recently bought the Travel Aid Kit from the RS store. I may add a little something to it, but it is very compact and we've rarely need ours.
  
• sewing kit. I was making my own, but the Travel Aid Kit includes one. It is much better than the larger thing I was putting together. I've needed sewing/repair stuff more than first aid stuff in the past, so I am likely to swap out some items for others. The advantage is that the kit will force me to limit my "just in cases".
• dryer sheets. I used to buy the sheets that were both washer and dryer, but those seem to have disappeared off the store shelves. Now we buy the laundry detergent in country and use it with the dryer sheets when we do our own laundry in a laundromat. Most apartments with washers also provide the laundry detergent.
  

There are 2 things that we got for our first trip that we've never used: micronet towels and swim chamois. Just yesterday I gave them to our son for his upcoming trip to Paris with his 2 daughters. He was planning to take towels, so those items will be great because they aren't as bulky or heavy.

That's all I can think of for now.

Ruth,

I like to have...

letter size envelopes so i can put my receipts/used tickts and any left over currency. i use/make one for each country i visit. It will eventually get sent home in one of my boxes.

zip lock bags. sandwich size and larger. i use them for my wash cloth, soap and toothpaste bringing back sand from Utah and Omaha beach.

plastic grocery bags. I use them for wrapping my stuff im going to send home to keep things separte. Also, when i pack my extra shoes, i dont have to worry as much how clean they are.

travel adapter. Im always on the lookout for a more compact version. so right now i have about 3 extras that i will give away to friends that maybe traveling.

Travel hand scale. I used it to pre weight the packages i sent home. I can get an idea on cost.

REI Stuff sacks (one of each size) i use the largest for my dirty clothes. The others are still waiting.

happy trails.

Zip lock bags to keep things organized (and dry if needed)

My wash kit is a 2 gallon ziplock (I think by Hefty), Laundry detergent sheets (pack of 50 from REI), a travel laundry cord, and a chamois (works much better than a towel for wringing before I hang dry). By hand washing socks and underwear (plus an occasional t-shirt) each night, I don't need to pack nearly as much. I still stop to do laundry at a laundromat at least every other week.

I don't pack either a hair dryer or umbrella. I'd buy a cheap hairdryer there (or ask my hotel) before I'd pack one. Umbrellas are the same. I'd rather have a rain shell that works well in wind and rain. If I really want an umbrella, I can get one there for cheap.

I love my Ipod touch. It's music, email, Skype calls, travel alarm, weather reports, directions, stored itineraries, translation app, etc. in one small package. It needs WiFi but that is widely available for free around Europe.

For gifts, an assortment from the travel size section of Target, Walmart or grocery store would be good stocking stuffers.

Thanks for the feedback. So most small, family run hotels have hair dryers in the rooms these days??? Or will loan us one? We've got good waterproof rain jackets we bought for a trip to the UK a few years back, so I'll just take those and only worry about an umbrella if I need to. And I agree with all of you who swear by zipper plastic bags. We took several 2 gallon bags on our last trip, because I had read they were good to use for hand washing clothes. Midway through our trip my daughter got an infected toenail, which required hot water soaks...but none of our lodgings had a bath tub. Those 2 gallon bags saved the day! :) Thanks!

I'm a fan of Ziploc bags, too. I pack in them, wash things in them, use one for damp items, and I have even used one as a pillow one night at Heathrow airport (just zipped most of the way closed, blew into it, and zipped it the rest of the way). And yes, if a hotel doesn't have a hairdryer in the room, they can generally lend you one.

Few things that I never leave home without:

1. Monster travel sized power strip. Has 4 outlets so I generally only need 1 adapter.

2. As for a hairdryer, I normally don't take one but will be taking one this trip - 2 of the apartments we're staying in don't supply them. Best bet is to check with the hotel or B and B to see if they have them or not.

3. Nylon shopping bags - I use them for everything from taking laundry to laundromat, shopping, holding dirty clothes, etc.

4. Blister band aids. Sure, they sell them in Europe but not having to stop and get them saves me time and saves my feet!

5. Collapsible water bottle - mine is from Travelsmith. I've used it on several trips and have been very happy with it. Aside from holding drinking water, I've filled it with water and froze to keep food cold on a European driving trip. Folds flat and takes up very little room.

Download a flashlight app for your smart phone and then you will never need a flashlight.

My phone is also my clock and alarm, so don't have to bring anything extra. I use it for photos, as well as a place to write notes. I copy guidebook pages, so I don't have to bring a guidebook with me. This all lightens the load considerably when packing light.

Personally, I like buying my plastic and cloth bags at the stores I visit. It is sort of a souvenir. Same with getting a little umbrella.

Duct tape.

My wife takes her dual voltage compact hair dryer and curling iron on our trips to Europe. Some B&Bs and even small hotels won't have hair dryers or what they do have may not work very well. Of course you can wait until you get there to see if you need one but then you spend time finding and getting it. That's not all bad since you'll be into the everyday scene of whereever you are.

We have compact lightweight umbrellas which always go into the day pack/purse. Compact cameras keep getting smaller, lighter and better. With the quality of photos from our iPhones we don't always use our Panasonic anymore. Speaking of iPhones, in my mind smartphones are one of the best travel devices ever invented for access to travel information, maps, GPS, photos, and more like the flashlight app previously mentioned.

I like some of the travel accessories that are advertised at "TRAVEL STORE" at this website (www.ricksteves.com), especially :
* the sleep mask (eye shade). It is helpful for sleeping in an airplane.
* The Hidden Wallet. It has loops for a belt to go through. The Hidden Wallet is more secure than a neck wallet, and more comfortable for me to wear than a money belt. The Hidden Wallet can slide to the side of a person's body, enabling the person to be seated comfortably.
* The Rick Steves' pouch for coins, made of black soft leather. It has two zippered compartments. That pouch is the perfect size. A coin pouch that was for sale at AAA stores in the U.S.A. was too big.

And items that are not at the "TRAVEL STORE" :
* Ear plugs made of a soft material, gray color (Mack's brand) for blocking loud noise, enabling me to sleep in an airplane and hotel room, and preventing me from being disturbed by terrible music and other sounds at public places.
* Packing Cubes (medium size) made of pliable material, mesh at one side for allowing air to escape, the thickness of the packing cube is 3 and 1/2 inches. The Rick Steves' packing cubes have a thickness of 5 inches. That size is excessive, not appropriate for being in my carry-on size bag (which is my primary travel bag).
* Dramamine, for preventing nausea when traveling.
* A very small flashlight (electric torch).
* Travel alarm clock : the "Travel Smart" by CONAIR. (for sale at K-Mart in the U.S.A.) It emits a high-pitched alarm sound, not loud, that can awaken me if the clock is close to my ears. The "Rick Steves" travel alarm clock emits an alarm sound that did not awaken me.

As noted by others duct tape, zip lock bags and plastic bags are practical travel items. I always take Cheap washcloths (obtained at the 99 cent store. Package of three. Toss them before I return home.), twist ties (can be used for a variety of things such as securing a button that came loose, or luggage tag, or as a key chain), dental floss, doorstop, small nail clippers, a few safety pins, Neva creme tins, Altoids, (empty tins are handy for earrings, change or batteries), small flashlight, a couple of travel size Alleve, Advil or Asprin containers. Whichever pain reliever you prefer. Some assorted bandaids in a zip lock bag. A few dryer sheets. Helps prevent static cling, keeps your clothing smelling fresh and can be used to minimize shoe odor. I always travel with a tiny leather coin purse given to me as a gift a decade ago. It has two slots. In the front slot I fold a bill of the local currency and in the larger slot I keep the coins I receive. It's carried in my pocket and for me it's a must have travel item. Enjoy your holiday!

My favorite was this Dual Voltage Power strip. http://www.magellans.com/dualvoltage-power-strip Some of our rooms only had 1 outlet and this came in handy. 3 plugs and a USB plug to charge 4 items. You only need 1 adapter to the wall.

Rick's First Aid and Sewing kit came in handy also. Had to fix some pants.

I used Rick's Travel umbrella in my day bag. Jackets were to bulky to carry in early september and have to worry about them. Umbrella is a lot smaller.

I have a travel size curling iron that is dual voltage. The handle and curling barrel are much shorter and the whole appliance is very light weight. I love it and even use it at home. Check with Amazon.com or Google it. Lo from Tucson on 11/25/2013 mentioned that she cannot find dryer like sheets that contain both detergent and softner. Again I would check Amazon.com. I bought these sheets and took then to Scotland and Norway this summer. They are so great! I have a tip about European dryers. The dryers I encountered in Italy and Norway were not vented to the outside. Instead there was a water reservoir inside the dryer that collected the water from the clothes. The dryer would stop working when this was full. It would have to be emptied for the dryer to resume it's cycle. There is an icon that lights up when it needs emptying. The next step is to find the right handle to pull!

I never travel anywhere without my packing cubes. When I know I will be hand washing clothing I take inflatable hangers. They are light weight and when deflated take up very little space. Using them makes clothing dry faster because the air circulates better.

My favorites are:
1. bandanas...so many purposes.
2. head flashlight
3. a few ziplock bags
4. ipod: alarm, entertainment, keeping in touch, etc.
5. cloth cases for my eyeglasses..light and take up little space.
Helpliners seem to love this type of question!
W.

Ruth,

i forgot to add something.

I will get a 200 count of Bayer Aspirin and empty about half of them and add:

over the counter (OTC).

pepto-bismol tablets
kaopectate
Tylenol
Advil
Tums
Benadryl
Aleve

on a recent trip, a passenger next to me ended up getting sick with something. the only thing the crew had was some aspirin. No one else volunteered anything or any help other than me. I had my bottle of stuff in my carryons.

if youve ever been sick away from home it sucks. so, having some OTC meds with you can help sometimes.

i carry the different aspirin since some people cant have advil or the others.

happy trails.

I never have brought an umbrella but try to toss some disposable ponchos in my bag.

Peggy, thanks for reminding me to check Amazon. They do have the Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets, and in smaller packs of 22. They are my favorite laundry product for travel. I'll order some the next time I make an Amazon order.

Ruth, they measure 7x4.5" and as is frequent with Amazon, the weight listed varies for different packaging (and sometimes seemingly just for fun). I'd make a best guess of how many loads of laundry I'd need to do on the trip and take only that many in a Ziploc bag. I cut them in half for very small loads or the rare time I might wash something in the sink.

I also like the Purex 3-in-1 sheets for laundry while traveling. I use a whole sheet if using a washing machine. I also cut a couple of sheets into about one inch strips for sink washing. For the strips I cut off the blue fabric softener strip on the end of the sheet. It works great!

I always bring a book light, for when I wake up at odd hours and want to read without bothering my husband. And it doubles as a flashlight.

To help with the portable clothes line, pack a few wooden clothespins....they will hold and not slide.

I pack in the sturdy plastic bags that many clothes (t shirts, underwear, even blankets) are sold in today. Zippers keep them in and separated...clean socks in one, underwear in another, etc. Those that need washing go in another of mixed items. Makes finding something in a hurry in the morning easy as can be.

The braided line I use doesn't require clothespins - just wiggle a bit of fabric into the braid and it holds great.

I bring hand sanitizer (alcohol, not antibacterial) and Kleenex in case the bathrooms I use don't have toilet paper or soap.

Other necessities:

-Earplugs
-Sleep mask
"First aid" kit of Tylenol, ibuprofen, bandaids, anti-infection gel
-Granola bars for snacks
-Vitamin C and multivitamins

I take a few laundry detergent capsules. They are lightweight , non-perfumed, and save time/money at the laundromat. They work best when placed in with the clothes rather than In the special detergent place.

1. Inflatable hangers. These work great for drying shirts after washing them in the sink. They fit over the rod in the clothes cupboard.
2. Drip dry hangers, the ones with a hanger loop on one end and a clothespin on the other. These fit over the towel rack in the bathroom and are good for underwear and sox.
3. A braided clothesline. I find less use for this than for the previous two because it's hard to find two places from which to stretch it. I use one with suction cups since often the only other attachment is a tile wall.

Ruth,

Some of the "necessities" that I always pack are.....

• Laundry kit which includes one of the braided rubber clotheslines as well as concentrated soap. I don't use the clothesline often, but when needed it's invaluable!
• Small First Aid kit.
• Rain Poncho and Umbrella. I prefer a shorter travel-sized Umbrella like the one shown on this site. The Poncho is very compact when folded and is easy to fit in the pack, and is useful during heavy rainfall to provide more protection for my camera gear.
• Sewing kit. The one I have is similar to the model shown on this site, but slightly larger.
• Flashlight (LED). A model similar to the Mini Mag LED is the type I use.
• Miscellaneous but useful items - Duct Tape, Zip-Lok bags in various sizes, Eagle Creek Packing Cubes in various sizes and a small spray bottle of Febreze spray to freshen up my shoes each night.
• ChargePod which charges six USB devices at once. This simplifies things greatly if there's only one outlet in the room.

Cheers!

We take two compact power strips which we use for charging various gadgets each evening. An unusual item we like is a Joby Magnetic GorillaPod. The magnetic feet hold the tripod to iron fences, poles, cars, etc. so that we can use our camera's timer to create photos with both of us in them. These "selfies" are usually our favorite photos when we return. Unlike iPhone selfies, we don't dominate the pictures because we're far away from the camera by the time it goes off.

1. freezer Ziplocks (pint, quart & gallon)because they're sturdier than reg + 1 or 2 of the XXL Hefty plastic bags
   1. bike headlamps because we like to read in bed and often the room bedside lamps are inadequate
   2. plug-in nightlight (bought Euro one sev yrs ago)
   3. Just a Drop toilet deodorizer because there may not be a window or fan in the bathroom; particularly good if you're sharing an apartment w/ friends---available from Solutions catalog
   4. duct tape and band-aids (tear off ends for small repairs)
   5. 1 or 2 of the mini-size tubes of Super Glue

These good tips I always like to take assorted binder clips and rubber bands. Also, we put our daily pills in those little pill bags that you can get from the pharmacy and once used, those little pill bags are great for small souvenirs and other small items. Happy Travels!!!