Your holiday isn’t far away and you’ve now got to pack. If packing is not your favourite task, here are a few tips which might assist you.
- Pack your heaviest items, for example, shoes, books and toiletries, alongside the spine of the suitcase, with the most bulky items going on the bottom.
- Put folded socks, underwear and rolled up belts inside shoes. For additional protection of your clothes put shoes in protective bags (old carrier bags will do).
- Avoid leakages. Wrap shampoos and other potions in plastic bags. (I once had someone’s thick purple, gooey hair gel all over my case on arrival back at Heathrow! Not easy to get home and had to hose it down 3 times before the bubbles stopped appearing!! Even now it has a sweet smell! Now just think what a mess their case was when it was opened up.)
- Roll trousers to fit in a sneaky place. Folding also helps avoid creased trousers.
- Fold shirts and pack on the top of the case to avoid crushing.
- Place any breakables in bubble wrap and pack between soft items (many Orlando stores will supply this when you explain you’re travelling home with them).
- Much as the temptation, especially when coming home, is to scrunch clothes up – remember – they will take up more space!
- Don’t pack medication of any type. Apart from knowing it is with you, some may be required during your journey (remember to consider time changes)
- Don’t pack passports, tickets, car hire and instructions to find you rented villa.
- Don’t pack a child’s favourite toy.
Sounds obvious but you may have seen people rummaging through cases at the airport who realise they have done one of these.
Our top tips
- This can take more time but share everyone’s clothes, if you are packing for more than one, across all suitcases. That way, if luggage is lost in transit, everyone has at least one change of clothing, underwear and swim wear.
- Save room for purchases at the airport in hand luggage on the outward journey and have extra space in your suitcase for any shopping you may do whilst in Orlando. Check your luggage allowance – most scheduled airlines allow 2 pieces of 23 kgs per person. If you think you are going over weight or cannot fit it all in one suitcase there is always Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target for a cheap suitcase to get items home. (Yes – I have been known to shop for an extra case at 9.30pm the night before returning home!)
- Dark coloured clothes are less comfortable in hot climates.
- Take small amounts of toiletries as these can be purchased locally.
- Wear you bulkiest footwear (for example trainers/sneakers) and jacket for travelling to save space and weight in your suitcase.
- Plan and prepare entertainment for children during the journey. If they are very young you may wish to take your own food/drink.
Florida is renowned for its casual dress, but you may want to bring at least one formal/semi formal outfit in case you go out for a ‘special meal’. During the cooler months you may need to take jumpers and trousers and possibly a lightweight jacket for the evening. And even in the summer you may want a jumper to avoid chills from indoor air conditioning – some restaurants are famous for the cool temperature!
I hope these tips prove useful. Enjoy packing and soon you’ll be on your way to the Sunshine State.