Last Minute Purchases

Question- what is a decanting container?

What tour are you taking?

I am definitely guilty of buying new things even though I don’t really need them. Last time it was this
https://www.rei.com/product/830627/sea-to-summit-travelling-light-hanging-toiletry-bag-small
which I really liked.

The transition lenses suck at first ... but you do get used to them. I remember getting a pair shortly before a tour too. I ended up bringing an old pair of single vision lenses just in case ...

like these

Best of Italy in 17 days. One day pre-tour in Milan and 2 days post tour in Rome. I chose a Rick Steves hanging toiletry bag with my tour credit.

Vandrabrub, travel (current or potential future trips) is justification for ALL my shopping -- everything is bought to be easy-wash, quick-dry, cool for spring/fall or warm for winter. When I see packing cubes or PacSave/ Travelon bags or Royal Robbins pants at my favorite thrift store ... they call out to me.
But it WILL get better, because after a bunch of trips you will HAVE all that stuff. And you will have worked out your favorite "travel team" equipment. Except, of course, for the constant tweaking/upgrading.

Best of Italy is still my favorite tour. You’ll have a great time. I’m heading for the Greece tour in two weeks. Like Laura B says, once you’ve done a few tours, you’ll have all the stuff. I want to buy stuff, but I don’t need anything😆. I did just get some new Bose noise canceling headphones. Awesome for the plane!
Have a fantastic trip!

A tip about the Transitions lenses. Make sure you also bring a pair of glasses that don't darken. If you wear your Transitions the first day, and don't expose your eyes to UV light, it will be MUCH harder to get over jet lag. I learned this when I first traveled with my then-new Transitions - my first day was a slog until I took off my glasses and magically felt more energetic!

I just got Transition glasses for the first time myself this summer. I love them for when I’ll be in and out of the outdoors and don’t have to worry about changing back and forward between clear lens and RX sunglasses. ie: shopping, zoo or amusement park visits, hiking on a mixed sunny/cloudy day. I prefer to wear my clear glasses if I’m indoors only ie:computer work, tv watching, museum visits, low light dining, etc. On the beach or driving I still prefer my sunglasses.

Not going on a RS tour, but for 7 weeks on our own. Each item we carry has to count, each item of clothing has to be perfect. No matter how many trips we’ve taken, there are inevitable purchases justified by the upcoming trip. Gotta have the perfect two pairs of shoes as that is all I am taking.

My favorite red tee shirt just came down with a hole last week so I justified expedited shipping 📦 to get a new one from Lands’ End in time to pack tomorrow.

Once you've got your reuseable luggage, tags, and toiletries bag bought, you've got the basics.

Like Laura, before buying any clothes at any time, I judge how it would travel. After that, it's a quick trip through the Dollar Store for the rest of the supplies.

It's been revealed on this website that some of us have drawers or even whole closets filled with our travel supplies. You're talking to a bunch of travel junkies.

It sounds like your purchases will all be really useful on your trip. I confess, I am constantly on the lookout for items that meet travel needs and let me pack lighter by drying more quickly, such as Rohan jeans. I personally would not drag around a paper journal but use the notes in my phone. I try to keep my basics packed all the time and replenish immediately after every trip so I can pack more quickly for future trips.

Do you find yourself using your trip to justify new purchases?

I did at first. I'm always interested in new gadgets and innovative travel items, but more interested in buying things over there, if I find I actually need them. I keep two bins of travel related stuff in the basement, and rummage through them at some point before the trip. But find I can take less each trip.

Vandrabud , I thought it had something to do with wine! Ha ha

Every trip has me thinking I need a new purse and/or shoes, despite having a few tried-and-true of each in my wardrobe. However, for my trip to London on Wednesday I did make a useful purchase--a rolling TravelPro carry-on. For my 9th trip abroad I am finally going to go carry-on only!! But also bringing a new LeSportsac zipped tote for the trip home if I buy stuff and need to check the suitcase :)

how is a "Seattle Sombrero hat" different than a regular Sombrero? How do you pack a 3 foot wide hat in your luggage?

Nigel, A Seattle Sombrero hat is made by outdoor research. It rains a lot in Seattle, so it is (I hope and will let you know) good for both sun and downpours. It rolls for packing. I hate umbrellas and my scalp gets easily sunburned.

I miss-wrote about my new lenses, they are progressive not transition. So, I will have two pair. One pair of sunglasses and one for indoors. My vision isn't that bad but my old eyes can't accommodate ( look from distance to close and be able to focus) anymore.

In addition to collecting purchases I have been collecting information. I borrowed from the library all of the books that picture the art of Florence and Rome. I am also watching a Yale course on Roman architecture by a Professor Kainer on youtube. I have also watched documentaries and articles about the Florence Duomo. I think this type of collecting will have the most impact on my trip.

Sombrero, new glasses, reading art books, on-line course—you are a certified travel junkie. Glad to have you in the club.

: )
Thanks Bets. It is a great club to be in.

Hope you're adjusting to the progressive lenses -- when I got them, it was like having my young eyes back. BUT I found it difficult to navigate stairs and other places where I had to look down (through the "reading" lenses.)

Vandrabrud,

Just finished reading your Scandinavia posts from last year, as we are on the RS trip next week. So informative, thanks! Thread was closed or I would thank you there. Enjoyed your scrapbook.

Last minute travel purchases for this trip, light weight raincoat from REI and some new quick dry shirts.

So excited, time to get back to packing!

Liz

Laura,
Yep, going down stairs is an adventure. Hopefully by the time I get to bell towers and Venetian bridges I will have it conquered.

liz,
Thanks for taking a look at my Scandinavia trip report and scrapbook. I enjoyed putting them together, like an exclamation point at the end of a sentence. I know that isn't one of the most popular tours and one of the most expensive, but I really loved it. I hope you have a great time too.