Getting Closer:
Mediterranean Cruise

Greetings to everyone from the Admirals Club at Chicago O'Hare Airport. I woke up this morning at 4am, was in my car by 4:20am and headed to Houston Intercontinental Airport. I was so sad to leave Roxy but I know she'll have a great time in Lake Jackson while I'm gone. I have a long layover in Chicago so I'm trying to make the best of it.

I don't claim to be a travel expert but I have quite a bit of experience so I thought I'd pass on some of my favorite travel tips (TT) to you:

TT 1: If everything goes as planned, consider it a bonus; Don't ever let it be the expectation

TT 2: Be patient; Basically everything is completely out of your control once you leave your house (airlines, security check, baggage claim, trains, traffic, hotel, restaurants, etc.)

TT 3: Save your money so you can make the most of your vacation; Plan ahead; Pay in full for as much as you can before you get there

TT 4: Plan your connecting flight (layover) in a city where you don't mind getting stuck; I look for an airport that is clean, has good restaurants and enough good shopping to keep me occupied; I also consider the area immediately surrounding the airport in case I get stuck overnight and need hotel accommodations; In addition, I think about the things to do in that city should I have the time to take a taxi or the train in to town

TT 5: Find multiple uses for your toiletries; I try to cut my toiletries in 1/2 from what I use at home; Shampoo also makes great soap & detergent; Facial moisturizer can be used on your legs

TT 6: I always stick to the 2 oz. rule; Never bring any toiletries or larger than 2 oz.; I followed this years before the airlines created their rules

TT 7: When packing, roll all your clothes up like tight little sausages; Roll the day's underwear inside the shirt

TT 8: Take clothes that are so lightweight that the circumference of the "sausage" is no larger than the small end of a baseball bat; Avoid packing jeans unless absolutely necessary - they eat up so much space

TT 9: Make sure all the clothes and shoes you pack are tried and true; If you have new clothes, wear them at least once before the trip; Something that was great in the dressing room could be a nightmare when worn for 12 hours

TT 10: Accessorize! Instead of bringing dressy clothes, think of all the ways a plain black t shirt can be dressed up - necklace, sash, etc.

TT 11: Leave your purse at home; Bring only what you would need out of that purse - 1 lipstick, debit card, credit card, pen, phone, camera; That's the limit!

TT 12: Don't bring "just in case" items; Anything you might need can always be purchased unless you're visiting a third world country; Most of the time, you'll make do with what you brought anyway; The JIC items could be what pushes you over the limit and causes a hernia

TT 13: Shoes - strive to bring only 1 pair but the absolute maximum is 3

TT 14: During your trip, leave things behind once they're used so you don't have to carry them home; I always leave my books with the flight attendants, hotel concierge or housekeeping staff; Chances are you are going to purchase items while on vacation so this will buy you some space; On this trip, I am bringing the new Barbara Walters autobiography "Audition" and I can't wait to get that thing read and donate it to someone in Europe; That book is heavy!!

TT 15: Travel with people who have the same travel philosophies as you; Consider the above plus tips of your own to determine who you will be compatible with

Well, in less than 3 hours, I should be air bound to Rome. Before boarding the plane, I'm going to get my last ice cold Dr. Pepper (ice is the key word - why is ice so hard to come by in Europe??). I had breakfast at the Burrito Beach so I've had my Mexican fix.

Thanks for tuning in!! KV