TravelPerch

Happy New Year!! WOW! Did time ever fly since my last post! In November, my husband and I opened up a luggage and travel accessories store, TravelSmarts Luggage & Travel Accessories, in Canada’s third largest shopping centre, Metropolis at Metrotown. It’s been a fun journey so far, but more about that in another post…

Today, I have the pleasure of  introducing you to Anne McAlpin…an incredibly knowledgeable packing light expert I learned of when I heard her give an excellent talk a few years ago at a travel show I attended in Seattle.  

Anne has been a featured guest on Oprah, The View, CNN and the Today Show sharing up-to-the-minute travel tips. She has flown more than 2 million miles, traveled in over 67 countries & cruised through the Panama Canal 98 times. Anne is the author of the informative book, Pack It Up, which  has a DVD companion. If you ever have a chance to attend one of her seminars, I highly recommend you go! Check out her website, packitup.com and her tips below.

1) How do you pack lightly for your trips?

I try to pack things I can use more than one way: 

•  My “personal” bag for the plane is also my shopping tote, my beach bag & my computer bag. No need to pack three different totes. 
• My blanket for the plane is actually a travel towel that I can use as a sarong & a beach towel.
• My jacket is reversible so I can layer it for warmth but also reverse it from blue to black and wear with anything from jeans to dressy black skirt.
• And…I use a checklist so I don’t pack things I don’t need. When I unpack, I cross off my list what I didn’t use and then I don’t pack that item on the next trip. Print out my free checklist at www.packitup.com

2) How do you stay healthy despite all of the travelling you do? 

• I get as much sleep as I can before my trip.
• Wash my hands as often as possible & pack travel size anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.
• Pack healthy snacks for travel days, some of my favorites:  mixed nuts (so I can pretend I’m in first class!), chocolate covered fiber bars (Make a quick easy breakfast & for obvious reasons, good to have in your travel bag if needed), Jr. Mints (before landing & when I can’t brush my teeth- yummy)

3) What are some of your favorite travel gadgets/accessories to pack?

• TSA luggage lock – if only to keep my large zippered compartment from accidently opening. [Andrea's note: Every lock we sell on-line and  in our store is TSA-approved.]
• The new triple security lock that also attaches to your bag I think is a great idea (so it doesn’t get lost). I can also use it to attach bags to the overhead rack in a train, bus, etc. and use a bike lock! [Andrea's note: We carry this lock.]
• Silk Money Belt – I prefer silk as it’s a natural fabric, breathes well in hot humid weather and much more comfortable than other fabrics. [Andrea's note: The Rick Steves' Silk Money Belt is one I highly recommend.]
• Hanging Toiletry Bag – Because there’s never enough counter space in small hotel rooms, cruise ship cabins, etc. I hang mine on the back of the door or shower curtain and I don’t have to unpack it at my destination. Tip: Always keep one packed so you’re ready to go at a moments notice! [Andrea's note:  We carry a variety of hanging toiletry bags.]

4) What are some of your favorite travel-related websites?

•  journeywoman.com
•  lonelyplanet.com
•  ricksteves.com
•  And of course, packitup.com