Travel-Ready Packing: Pack Light, Dress Right—Anytime, Anywhere
by Julie Ann Martin
Publisher: Argo & Cole Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-9791186-1-6
Publication Date: 1 Jan, 2010
Website: www.travelreadypacking.com
Amazon link: Travel-Ready Packing: Pack Light, Dress Right – Anytime, Anywhere
Any of my friends or family or people who visit my website knows how much I enjoy traveling and exploring different parts of the world. Since my marriage, my husband and I have spent months in Africa, America, Europe, Central America, India, Asia and Australia. Sometimes we traveled with our backpacks, and at other times, we went more up market. You’d think with all my experience in traveling that packing would be a breeze. Not so. It’s one thing that remains a bit of a trial for me, so when I saw that Ms. Martin’s publisher was offering Travel-Ready Packing for review, I grabbed the chance to learn from an expert.
Travel-Ready Packing has an intro which discusses things such as culture in different countries, fabric types and types of climate. The next part of the book is split into sections for each country or region of the world. Each of these sections gives the temperatures for different months of the year, a list of recommended clothing for both males and females, the risk of danger at the destination, recommended colors to wear and how casual or formal the dress-code is in the country being visited. There are also sections for business travelers and those who travel to adventure destinations, multi-climate packing and also a list for expatriate packing. At the rear of the book there’s a world map, which makes it a simple matter to find the country you’re visiting and look up the corresponding page reference. In fact the book covers everything I could think of from clothes to bags to accessories.
When I decided to “test” the book and relive my trip to Africa, the packing list was spot-on—exactly what I should have taken for my trip. It was also very accurate for my recent trips to Samoa and Phuket, Thailand. The only gap I could see was for a cruising holiday, but I think the lists for the South Pacific, which is where my cruise holiday is taking place, will do the trick nicely. I found the book easy to use, very readable, and as I mentioned very accurate with the suggested packing lists. No more back-breaking suitcases for me!
I recommend this book for anyone who intends to travel for work or pleasure. And romance writers, if you’re heading to a conference and you’re not sure what to pack, this is the book for you.
You can see from above that I’m all sorted with my packing now since I have this book to refer to. How do you approach packing for a trip or a holiday? Are you a good packer or do you forget half the things you need?
I’m doing a guest spot at The Rainbow Studio (part of the Romance Studio) and talking about reality shows and Fallen Idol. Here’s the link to my post at The Rainbow Studio.
I never forget anything when I pack but I do have a tendency t bring too much.
Yes, We Have No Bananas
I have to write out a list a couple of days prior to a trip or I’ll forget stuff. :wink:
I write a list too. It helps a lot.
I also pair up my clothes, tops to bottoms, etc. and try to include items that can be interchanged with each other.
I came by to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY darlin’!!!!!! Have a wonderful trip.
Nessa – I used to have a tendency to pack too many clothes. Not only does that make the bag heavy but it takes up space for my book purchases, especially if I’m visiting the US where books are so cheap. This book really helps quit the over-packing thing.
Jaime – a list does help. I think lists are useful in many areas of life.
Maria – that’s a great tip for matching things. It’s something that’s good to remember when I’m thinking about buying something in the sales. If I don’t have several things to match, then it stays in the shop!
Jen – thanks so much. It was a quiet day, but hubby spoiled me even more than usual.
Shell, hope you devoured lots of choccies yesterday!
That book looks fab!
I’m part of the ‘pack-too-heavy’ contingent as well. Must say, I’m quite different when I’m advising someone else.
A couple of weeks back I sat on First Born Son’s bed and drove him nuts. He was packing for Argentina and Chile for a three week soccer mission. “You don’t need 2 jackets. Or two pairs of jeans. Or two towels. Or two pairs of shin guards. Or two pairs of sneakers-if you lose one you can buy another pair.”
We compromised about the two pairs of soccer boots and the two BIG rolls of strapping tape and the ICEBREAKER thermals that go everywhere with him–and agreed on a first aid kit that would sort out anything from blisters to collar-bone breakages. We even wrote a ‘declare at customs’ list for the anti-flam creams.
But then there were the things that I was sure he just didn’t never intended to pack. Hat. Suntan lotion. Insect repellant. PJs. Heck, he didn’t even take a cell phone…
Tessa
I haven’t went anywhere in a long time, but I usually can remember to pack everything. But I make a list to be sure.
I don’t like to travel too much and so I don’t have the problems of forgetting things. But on the occasions that we do go somewhere I start making lists waaay before I have to pack. I’m always too paranoid I’m going to forget something to actually forget anything.
I’ve been packing lighter and lighter lately – so lightly that sometimes it seems like I’m hardly bringing anything at all! Lists help tremendously – especially for the I MUST NOT FORGET THIS things. Last time I traveled to the US I forgot my toothbrush of all things, but at least it was easy to replace!
You are so well travelled. I’m always amazed. I’ve never travelled outside my own country. The book sounds like a great reference for anyone planning a trip.