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Jean's Travel Tips

Traveling to Williamsburg, VA (or beyond)?
Innkeeper Jean Shares Her Travel Tips!

I traveled weekly for many years on business and thought I would put together some tips to aid you in your next trip toWilliamsburg... or wherever! I always pack with the idea I will have to haul my own luggage around. This allows you to take a train/bus into a city, versus having to pay expensive taxis fares. If you are driving, then you have more leeway with clothes, shoes, etc, and you can pick and choose among these tips.

This gets me through a full MONTH in Paris every year in the winter and will surely help for a shorter vacation ... perhaps toWilliamsburg, Virginia!

Start with the lightest suitcase. I have a strong, nylon, rolling bag that is soft (expands) with lots of pockets. When I have to buy a case, I look for the cheapest, since the bags are only as good as their weakest point (zippers, wheels) and they get dirty when checked frequently.

Use ziplock bags instead of cosmetic cases. They are lighter and can be tossed if anything leaks once you return home.

Makeup Ziplock: Only the basic makeup that is used every day, only one of each.Medicine Ziplock: Throw a mix of Tylenol, aspirin, tums, etc. into one little bottle. I also take a strip of cold meds, laxative, etc. If you end up needing more of one item you can get anywhere cheaply.
Miscellaneous Ziplock: Hairbursh, little shampoos, lotions, etc. You decide what is important and take smallest size container. Travel Umbrella.

I bring only three sets of clothes and one skirt. Wear heaviest set on the plane, and pack the remaining two sets:

3/ long-sleeve, light-weight shirts (silk best) or turtlenecks - good under everything, can be worn alone and will dry fast.
3/ very light-weight, thin, wool sweaters (I use cashmere; can be worn alone or over turtlenecks)
3/ long pants - knit is best but one pair of black jeans and to wear forever.
3/ sets: socks and underwear. One pair black tights & silk scarves, great to keep you warm and for flair.
1/ soft pair of knit pajamas and silk robe. I have worn knit pajamas to
laundry mat to wash everything else.
2/ black shoes that you can wear everywhere, all day. I have black SAS and one black dressy. Black shoes disappear with dark pants.


MORE TRAVEL AND PACKING TIPS FROM YOUR INNKEEPER

• Wear on the plane: Of the three sets of clothes, pick your heaviest set, and wear them on the plane. For winter, wear your coat and wear one nice pair of gold earrings and necklace. Wear your heaviest shoes and pack the lighter dress pair.
• Cotton is heavy and dries slowly, pick soft nylon/wool for socks, etc.
• Try to stick with either light or dark clothes – easier for laundry washing.
• Pack a travel size hair dryer only if you are certain you can’t borrow one from a hotel. Leave all the curling irons, etc at home.
• Resist “just-in-case” packing - there are Walmart-type stores everywhere, even in Williamsburg!
• Summer: Pack light-weight knits only. Cashmere is good for one warm light sweater and pack a light jacket; if weather turns cold you can layer.
• Roll clothes up when you pack. Stuff socks, scarves into corners.
• Bring one good paperback for the plane – a lifesaver if there are delays.
• Save airport luggage strip-tags – they work great to remove lint.
• Empty plastic bottle - you can fill with water on other side of security. Also doubles as a good hot-water bottle if you get cold (even in bed).
• Throw in a bar of soap – clothes will stay smelling fresh. Shampoo from hotels is great for doing laundry and sweaters.
• Call credit card companies and ATM bank to advise of travel. Get local currency at the airport ATM when you arrive and also from ATM’s as you travel, for best exchange rates.
• Libraries are great places to buy cheap used paperbacks you can leave behind.
• When I rent an apartment, I purchase a small bottle of olive oil - best all around for cooking, salads, bath-oil, and dry hand/heel remedy.

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