• Divide clothing evenly between all suitcases; this way if one bag gets lost, you will still have clothes. 
• Do NOT pack valuables in checked bags. Put any valuables, such as ipods, cameras, laptops, etc in yout carry-on. 
• Make sure you have your name, destination information and home information on the inside of your luggage. This way if your bags get lost and the tag comes off they can still reach you.
• Roll your clothes, they will fit better in your suitcase and won’t wrinkle as much as when you fold them.
• Packing cubes really do work, and will help fit a lot of clothes in smaller suitcases.
• Put heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase (i.e. shoes) to keep your bag from being top heavy
• Pack things within other things, like your underwear in your shoes. You want to save as much space as possible.
• Buy plastic shower caps and wrap around the bottom of your shoes to keep your clothes clean or put your shoes in newspaper bags. 
• Place plastic wrap between bottle caps and the bottle to help prevent spillage in your luggage, then place bottles in a plastic bag as added insurance that they won’t spill in your luggage.
• Mini First Aid Kit – Suggested items: activated charcoal (excellent at easing hangovers, and stomach issues) DayQuill, Nyquill, cough drops, Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Tylenol, UTI  meds/AZO, Neosporin and Band-Aids, Benadryl Cream, Benadryl pills, eye drops, ace bandage in case of falls and sprains. Some countries restrict over-the-counter medications, such as Sudafed. If in doubt contact your agent.
• Prescription medicine, you need to bring these in their original prescription bottle. However, I would only bring enough for your vacation and up to 14 days extra in case you get quarantined and leave the rest of your pills at home. Fill the bottle with cotton to keep the pills from breaking up. Be sure to carry prescriptions with you, do not pack them.
• Probiotics: many clients swear that you should start taking a good quality probiotic 2 weeks before you travel and continue taking it while on vacation. It is extra protection for the alcohol, rich foods that you are likely to consume on vacations.
• Chip clip or laundry clip to help keep the drapes together. 
• Nail clippers and nail file – we suggest that you carry on the plane with you toenail clippers as some airports will zip tie the zipper on your suitcase and you will need the toenail clippers to clip the ties. Do not carry a pocketknife with you!
• Zip Ties – speaking of zip ties. You can buy a TSA approved lock and use it on your luggage. Only TSA approved locks can be used. Or you can simply buy a few zip ties and ziptie the two zippers of your checked bags together. This will prevent anyone from easily accessing your checked bags and if TSA needs access to your bags they will clip them and leave you a note in your bag saying they opened your bag. Be sure to put the extra zipties in your checked bag, because you cannot carry them on the plane with you!
• Nightlight – put this in the bathroom so you can find your way around there in the middle of the night without having bright light shock.
• Power Strip – If you have a lot of electronics, you might consider bringing a power strip so you can easily plug in all your items at once
• Shampoo and Conditioner – Most properties will supply you with standard items like bar soap and shampoo and conditioner. These are typically inexpensive no-name brands. If you are particular about what kind of shampoo and conditioner you use, please bring your own with you.
• Jewelry – please leave your expensive watch, earrings, etc at home. I even wear a fake wedding ring when I travel. No need to take a chance that they are stolen, lost or damaged while on vacation.
• Wine bottle opener - the kind with a small knife to cut the seal and corkscrew - also works to open beer bottles.  This way you can enjoy beverages in your room.  PUT THIS IN YOUR CHECKED BAG!

• Pack a carry-on with your swimsuits, toothbrush and one change of clothing per person. This way should both your bags get lost you will have some clothes until your bag can be delivered. Plus, if you arrive before check-in time, you have full use of the resort as soon as you arrive. Grab your swimsuit and hit the pool and beach!
• Most resorts will have at least one restaurant that will require men to wear long pants, collared shirt and closed toe shoes (not tennis shoes). If you are not familiar with your resorts dress code or you need some tips on affordable and comfortable options, I will be glad to help with some ideas that work for us.
• Silicone straws if you drink frozen drinks as most resorts are not using straws anymore or they give you paper ones that dissolve before your drink is finished. 
• Floats for the pool and ocean, Take them back to your room each day, and when ready to leave the resort leave them with resort, typically the towel hut will take them. 
• Sun block for body and for face. Start off strong as you don’t want to burn, then you can always decrease the strength as the days go by.  Bring more than you think you will need as they are marked up considerably at the resort stores. If you have extras, leave them with the pool staff.
• Aloe (because you didn’t reapply the sunscreen as often as you should have!)
• Chapstick with sunblock
• Sunglasses – I always recommend that you bring at least one extra pair of sunglasses with you, as you will likely lose or break at least one pair! And do not bring expensive ones!  Dollar store ones work just great as mentioned you will lose them.
• Wear a hat – not a visor! If you use a visor your scalp will get burned on the part.
• Books/Magazines/Kindle Great to have when you are traveling or relaxing poolside or on the beach. Many resorts even have a library where you can borrow, exchange, or leave your book for someone else to enjoy.
• Travel games and cards - great for rainy days or quiet evenings
• Swimmers ear drops. The best way to prevent ear problems is to get the salt and chlorinated water out of your ears. You don’t want to fly home with an ear infection!
• Mosquito repellent – For those “no see ums” that come out at night.
• Bug bit relief – just in case you get a bug bite! 
• Fingernail polish and remover – recommended that you get the remover that comes in handy single use packs, similar to handy wipes. Sand and the bottom of the pools will destroy the paint on your toenails.
• Chlorine Shampoo – I travel with a small bottle of shampoo called “Utraswim”. It is great if you spend a lot of time in the pool or the ocean. It will take the chlorine and salt out of your hair and then you can condition with your good conditioner
• Damp Rid - Clients have recommended that you bring Damp Rid bags and hang one in your room. it will remove the humidity and keep your room smelling fresh.
• Have a jetted tub in your room? Bring two dishwasher pods or purchase "Oh Yuck" on Amazon.  Fill the tub with hot water, toss in the pods and run jets about 15 minutes. Drain.  Enjoy! This will clean the jets, as they probably never get cleaned. Pack the pods in a hard bar soap container to keep them from getting squashed in your luggage.
• Be sure you bring plenty of small bills for tipping. It is better to bring more than you think you will need, as the bank machines at the resort have a high fee.  Typical tipping guide is $5 per day to housekeeping (leave on bed with thank you note). $1 per drink, $5 per couple for buffet meal $10 per couple for dinner.  Don't forget to tip your transfer driver and tour guides as well.  
• Bottled wines - yes, all inclusive resorts will have house red, white and sparkling wines that are included.  However, these are going to be about the same quality as "Barefoot".  Typically, their sparkling wines will be okay for mixing, but if you like a good wine, bring your own or be prepared to pay a hefty price at the restaurants. Every restaurant will offer a wine menu, if there is a price that is what you pay, those of course are not included.    You can buy inflatable bottle protectors on Amazon. Be sure to put the bottles in your checked bags. Or simply have your private driver stop at a local liquor store and pick up some on the way to the resort. 
• Do not travel with an American Express card or Debit Card.  AE cards are not accepted widely outside of the USA and debit cards are dangerous to use in foreign countries.  If someone gets your card number they can wipe out your entire account before you know it.

If you are planning a European vacation that will require you to take trains and smaller airplanes, you are encouraged to only use smaller carry-on sized suitcases.  Trains and small airplanes just do not have much storage options.  Don't panic, this can easily be done!  

• RIFD Protected Wallet/Passport Holders
• Cut Proof/Resistant cross body bag/purse or fanny packs/hip purse
• Do not wear expensive jewelry, leave your wedding rings and diamond earrings at home. Wear nice "knock offs". 
• Do not carry phones, wallets etc in back pockets, pick pockets are rampant everywhere.
• When logging into public WiFi, be sure you use a VPN to protect yourself.
• Skip money exchange locations and use the ATMs, just be sure your bank knows you will be out of the country. 
• Learn some key phrases in the local language.
• Google Translator is a great tool
• Bring your own refillable water bottles, collapsible ones are great!
• Pack LIGHT!  Nothing more frustrating than trying to haul heavy checked bags around everywhere, and space is limited on trains and local airlines.
• Use packing cubes.  They really do work by pulling out extra air and flattening your clothes.
• Bring mix and match clothing options. 
• You don't need multiple shoes. One pair of sandals and one pair of walking shoes is really all that is needed.  For the most part, those walking shoes will be all that you wear. 
• Inexpensive shower caps to put on the bottom of your dirty shoes when you pack them.
• Put heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase (i.e. shoes) to keep your bag from being top heavy
• If you plan to visit some religious sites, check with your travel agent, as many will require women to cover their arms and or heads.  A long scarf often works great and is easy to pack.  
• Power strip with the correct plug for the country you are in. Most European hotel rooms never seem to have enough plugs for all our electronics.
• Wash clothes are not supplied at most European hotels. If this is something you like to use, you might want to pack a few or bring disposable facewipes.
• A packable jacket may be required for sudden weather changes
• Small umbrella
• A neck pillow is great for those long flights.
• We encourage you to wear compression socks on long flights. This helps to keep your legs from swelling due to extended seating.
• Get on local time right away.  Melatonin can help you relax and sleep until your body adjusts to the new time zone. 
• Visit local markets and grocery stores, enjoy picnics in the parks. 
• Pack a wine bottle opener, so you enjoy that bottle of wine you just bought at the market!