How to Pack a Travel Bag

acations, road-trips and business trips have something in common--they require you to pack a travel bag. The usual questions arise, how many shoes to take, how many outfits you will need and the best way to transport cosmetic products, including shampoo and lotion. Planning ahead can make packing a travel bag less of a chore.

1

Make a list. Determine the number of outfits you will need. Choose clothes in the same color scheme so pieces can be easily mixed and worn again. List all toiletries, medications and any travel documents you will need. Checking items off the list as they are packed can help ensure you don't leave home without an essential medication or piece of clothing.

2

Pack clothes properly. Pants should be folded in half lengthwise and placed along the length of the travel bag. Shirts can be folded or rolled. Rolling wrinkle-free shirts can help free up some space in your bag. Shoes can be placed in a plastic bag and placed along the sides of your suitcase.

3

Reduce bulk. Limit the number of shoes you pack and use the inside of your shoes to store your socks for travel. Pack shampoos, conditioners and lotions in 3-oz. travel size containers. Place liquid items in a plastic bag to keep them from leaking onto luggage contents.

4

Consider regulations and security. Check with the Transportation Security Administration website to verify allowable items for carry-on and checked luggage. Medications, travel documents and any valuables should be packed in your carry-on.

How to Travel to Italy With Children

Traveling even short distances with children can be a challenge. Traveling abroad to Italy with children can seem impossible. But if you are prepared, it can be a pleasurable experience that is rewarded with exposure to culture and rich memories. As a parent, you can increase the odds of a successful trip if you plan ahead and do research well ahead of time.

1 travel plans image by jmk1111 from Fotolia.com

Prepare for the trip well in advance. Talk to travel agents and discuss concerns about traveling with children. Being prepared means that you have lists of every item packed, itineraries that appeal to every age group and that you are thinking a few steps ahead at all times.

2 plane image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com

Purchase plane tickets for a nighttime flight. This way children can sleep for a large portion of the plane ride. Have plenty of snacks available. Be familiar with current flight regulations about carry-on luggage. Purchase age-appropriate travel books about Italy to stir excitement about the trip.

3 Italian hotel in Tuscany image by Timo de Looij from Fotolia.com

Choose a hotel that is child-friendly. Albergo Santa Chiara and The Inn and The View at the Spanish Steps are just two of the child-friendly hotels and resorts in Italy. They both have high chairs available and cribs available and they make families feel accommodated.

Albergo Santa Chiara

21 Via Santa Chiara,

00186 Rome, Italy

39 06 68 72 979

The Inn and The View at the Spanish Steps

85 Via Dei Condotti

Rome, Italy 00187

39 06 67 86 470

4 italian meat pizza image by green308 from Fotolia.com

Feast on all the delicious food. Italy is known for its cuisine and children will be enthusiastic about eating out. Indulge often at Italian restaurants and visit all of the outdoor markets that the different cities have to offer. Plan picnics in parks or beaches and you'll create memories your family will enjoy for years.

5 Discover the attractions that Italy has to offer. Pack comfortable shoes and visit places that are welcoming to children. Ask if they have any sites they want to visit from the books you purchased. Let them feel proactive in planning the trip. Take your children to the Explora Children's Museum.

Explora Children's Museum

Via Flaminia 82

Rome, Italy

06 36 13 776