Packing Light For Your Warm Weather Getaway

As long as I've been traveling light, it has gotten easier each time, but I still hear people saying they can't go carry-on-only, because of shoes or toiletries or whatever else. We spent over a week in Vegas last month and we did it with just one medium carry-on bag and a smaller, shoulder-bag carry-on...for the two of us. We have traveled with two carry-ons when we visited Europe (here's a link for men's travel wardrobe), but generally we try to get all our stuff in one, so we don't have to drag too many bags with us and we are able to just pick up our stuff and get on with our vacation. 

Here are my tips for how we are able to pack a wardrobe that maximizes everything we bring and getting it into a small bag:

 Mix and Match

Everything you bring should work together. All your tops should go with all your bottoms and your shoes should be able to do it all as well. My plan starts the same: three bottoms, four-five tops, a dress (or skirt) and two pair of shoes. I make sure I have great walking shoes. One will be traditional and the other a bit dressy, like a good pair of sandals. If I can't walk a mile in shoes I've brought, they aren't good travel shoes. Generally, I wear my regular walking shoes on the plane, so the smaller ones go in my bag and take up less space. If you're going to the beach or like to spend time at the pool, I always suggest throwing a pair of flip flops in your bag as well. They hardly take up room and they are great for a lot of things, even if it's just going down to the hotel lobby.

Consolidate and Roll

I used to roll everything individually, but I watched a video where a guy packed 20 t-shirts and some shorts and pants into his backpack and decided if it worked for him, it might work for me. So, on my last trip, I tried this technique. Take all your shirts and lay them out flat one on top of the other, fold them in half and then roll them into a bundle, do the same with your bottoms. 

When you roll your clothes like this you can help eliminate a ton of wrinkles, all your stuff is together and it fits easier into your bag. Another plus is that you can get about 30% more into the bag than when you fold everything individually. Now, coming back, we had a few extra pieces and I was able to get it all in the bag even with no spare room (3 pair of shorts, 2 shirts and 2 dresses). 

Use All the Room In Your Bag

Maybe you think you're already doing this, but I bet you aren't. There are crevices  that can be filled with items and if you don't realize you're missing them, you probably think you need another bag when you don't. I squish socks, underwear, bathing suits and one-off items in these spaces. You can cram your hair straightener in there or your pajamas (mine are just a pair of running shorts and a t-shirt) or one of those packable shopping bags you like to have on hand for your purchases at the farmers market (can't be just me, right?). 

Don't Forget About Your Plane Outfit

Unless you're going from cold weather to hot weather and need to bundle up, you can rotate those clothes into your wardrobe. I like to layer on the plane, so I'll throw on a cardigan and often a scarf, just in case it's cold on the plane or in my room or I need something to stave off the chill during a show. This works when going to Vegas, because you may need a layering piece inside, but that tank or tee you wore under it can be worn with shorts as well. You can be comfortable but still look like a person.

Pack a Plastic Bag or Two

I use one to keep the dirt from the bottom of my shoes away from my clothes and another for putting any dirty clothes in on my way home. I use the same rolling technique as above with the bigger items on the outside and the smaller on the inside. That way, when you get home you can just dump the contents into the laundry.

Get Used to the Idea of Doing Laundry

I don't love the thought of doing chores on vacation, but since I can make 15-20 outfits out of the mix-and-match wardrobe I've brought, I'm going to have to wear things more than once. You can pack a squirt bottle and a tiny bottle of vodka to spritz on your clothes to eliminate odors, but that won't deal with dirt or stains. You can just as easily bring powdered detergent and just throw everything in the wash, go have dinner, and then come back for it. If leaving your clothes sounds sketchy to you, this is why I bring a deck of cards or several travel-size games. It makes laundry fun, especially if you have to sit in the laudromat. You will  have downtime, so use it doing something productive. 

I always travel with a mesh, folding laundry basket. It doesn't take up much room, it works as a hamper and I can keep quarters in the pockets should I ever need them. It keeps all your dirty clothes together and off the floor, plus it's easy to take your clothes to and from the washer, no matter where it is.

Use the Straps
You know those straps on the inside of your suitcase that seem to get in the way when you're trying to zip it up? Don't ignore them. Use them to cinch all your stuff in place. Not only will compress stuff, but it'll make it easier to close your bag and keep everything from josteling around if you have any spare room in there (you know, for souvenirs). When I travel, I tend to throw a spare bag inside my carry-on (like this packable one or this crossbody that converts to a duffel) for extra purchases.

You can see how Eric's stuff and my stuff all fit into this great eBags hardside carry-on and things like our 3-1-1 bags, travel docs, snacks and laptop fit into my Travelon React Tote. I hope this helps you pack your own bag. What are some of your packing problems and did I help you solve them?

Enjoying the Mob Life

There are so many things to do in Las Vegas that aren't gambling or going to shows. One of the things I've done on my recent trips that I loved is visiting the Mob Museum. Located downtown, just across the street from the Fremont Street Experience, you can learn all about how Sin City was built from the ground up by mob money. 

Once inside, you can pose for a lineup. See what you look like if you were arrested. I wish I took a pic from inside, too, since it’s very odd to go behind the one-way glass and just see yourself and your fellow suspects – in my case, Eric.

Getting into the museum is not super cheap, but $19.95 was not a bad price of admission for all the knowledge and history you leave with. There are three floors of amazing facts, evidence and interactive exhibits. The building itself is the old courthouse and when it was in use it was the tallest building in Vegas. You can see what a long way the city has come. If you plan to do more sightseeing, you can save up to 55% off when you buy an Explorer Pass from Smart Destinations, and you'll skip the ticket lines at most attractions you visit.

Not only will you learn about the mobsters that are big names – like Al Capone – but also about lesser known names that were a big part of crime in Vegas and other parts of the Mafioso. 

The Mob Museum has the real wall from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. The bricks were numbered, the wall was taken apart and then moved and reassembled. You can see the actual bullet holes and watch a video about what went down. 

Do you know gangster lingo? What about cop slang? Listen in on some calls between criminals or police and see if you can figure out what they’re saying. You also learn that how you got whacked and with what weapon is a message to his family and others who think they might want to do their own thing instead of what the boss wants. 

Even though the mob isn't cool, they did rid the streets of many bad criminals - probably because they were messing up their operations - and also brought the people alcohol and gambling during prohibition, welcome distractions from the daily grind. I was surprised that some of the major crime bosses were taken off the streets not that long ago -within the last decade. You'll see interviews with undercover agents who infiltrated the mafia and pretended to be mobsters in order to take down the criminals from the inside. Those are really interesting. 

The American Dream was not easy to come by for immigrants to this county and when hard work proved to be a disappointing way to make a living,t hey made money the only other way they knew how. They stole it. Irish, Polish and other foreigners formed gangs that terrorized neighborhoods that eventually became more sophisticated and known as mobs. In fact, the after visiting the Mob Museum, I'm convinced that the mobs may have made Vegas what it is today and possibly improved the economy of the nation as a whole. 

Next time you visit, make sure to stop by the museum. You'll never look at the city the same way again. Make sure to check out my post on the Explorer Pass or purchase one now.

40 Reasons Florida Is a Popular Vacation Destination

More people have visited Florida than any other state in the U.S. for three years running, and for plenty of good reasons. No matter what kind of traveler you are and what your tastes are in entertainment, nightlife, dining, and/or recreation, this state has something for you. When you visit Florida, you can dine on seafood, Cuban cuisine, southern-style comfort food, or tasty all-American burgers and fries. You can visit one favorite city or take a road trip around the state to see the sights in multiple spots on the map. (In fact, I'm heading to Florida this fall for fun in the sun.)

Some attraction-filled cities to travel to include Bradenton, Naples/Fort Myers, Jupiter Palm Beach County, Vero Beach, Destin, Tampa Bay, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Fernandina Beach, and New Smyrna Beach. You’ll find the globally renowned theme park Disney World full of family fun, museums, historical spots, miles of breathtaking beaches, golf, fishing, and so much more. Whether you’re traveling with your children, your spouse, friends, or venturing to the state solo, you’ll find so much to do that it might be mind-boggling. There’s a reason 95 million visitors trek to this sunshine-filled state year after year. For more information on each city’s offerings in the way of food and fun, take a look at this infographic. It is full of tips on restaurants, sports venues, culture and the arts, museums, amusement parks, and beaches to stroll during your vacation.  

Where are your favorite places in Florida or, if you've never been, where would you like to go most?