Travel-Sized

Now that we're less than two months away, and I've clearly been in packing mode, let's talk about the benefits of travel-sized packages. I don't know about your house, but the guest bathroom in my house has more travel-sized toiletries than an entire boat of Caribbean pirates could use.

When preparing for a trip like ours, consider packing two or three travel-sized amounts of whatever you need (soap, shampoo, deodorant), rather than packing a large container which you won't use up. Smaller containers take up less room, and leak far less if they do open in your bag . . . and you can throw away the containers when they're emptied. Plus, our first weekend is spent at a hotel, so you can always use their hospitality products (rather than getting into your own stuff).

Carry-on or in the luggage? What do you HAVE (really - not just what you WANT) to have, if you should not have your luggage for two days? Pack your carry-on well:
1. Basic first-aid and hygienic needs: band-aids, prescription medicine (and the doctor’s order), antigas/antacids, hygenic products, travel sickness medicine?
2. Change of clothes (in case of loss of luggage) - our second day is Capri, so pack light clothing and a swimsuit
3. Your family gift (if meltable or fragile)
4. Healthy snacks: fruit-based snacks, crackers with cheese/PB, protein bars
5. Copies of necessary documents - passport, all credit cards and IDs (both sides), prescriptions - one to give to your Director, one for yourself
6. Comfort items for long-distance travel - warm sockies, inflatable pillow, earplugs
7. Something for writing - you'll fill out several documents during your journey, plus you WILL be taking Italian courses (for university credit) when you get to Siena

Please be sure you're learning some Italian, too, before we depart - that will be the MOST important carry-on you have - your brain!

Hugs,
L :)

P.S. This Thursday is our departure info meeting. For those of you who cannot attend, I will be posting an audiocast of the meeting on this blog (if I can - if not, I'll send it out by e-mail and post it on Quia or the Google Group page)!