Packing Advice for Odyssey Traveller's Small Group Tours

Packing Advice for Odyssey Traveller’s Small Group Tours

Blog , Packing and Clothing , Travel tips

Packing Advice for Odyssey Traveller’s Small Group Tours

Many travellers ask us how best to prepare for their Odyssey Traveller programs, seeking out advice on clothing, medication, insurance, among other concerns when travelling overseas. This article shares some of what we have learned from years of accumulated experience in leading small group tours to assist you when travelling overseas what to pack. Odyssey Traveller trusts that this article, along with this article on footwear will guide you in planning your trip. Whether you’re travelling to Europe, Asia, within Australia, or anywhere else in the world, the basic rules of packing your travel essentials remain the same and it all revolves a packing list. You may have refined your packing list over time with the tours taken and have the ultimate international travel checklist, which is great! The secret is being prepared and splitting some things between checked luggage and hand luggage on a long haul flight. So keep some of the prescription medicine in your hand luggage as well some underwear, a condensed toiletry bag and eye mask because lost or delayed checked luggage is inconvenient. A money belt is also a good idea, not for cash, but copies of important documents and a spare credit card or copies of, perhaps though a photo of these on your phone are a better solution. But whatever approach taken the best travel advice is to do what you are comfortable with to remove worry. Thier is no ultimate packing list, but packing light is a great packing tip term to remember as the number one travel tip.

This article is divided into two sections. The first section provides general advice on documents, luggage, and medical kits. The second part offers some suggestions on how to pack inside the suitcase. The mechanics of packing has many different variables and considerations. This second part of the article considers how and what to pack, given that the majority of Odyssey Traveller tours are typically three weeks in duration.

All of our programs come with detailed:

• Country-specific advice
• Reading suggestions
• Advice on visa applications for the countries being visited
• A list of inclusions and exclusions
• Plus other important relevant information to assist you in planning your trip.

However, there are pieces of general travel wisdom when travelling overseas what to pack on that apply across all of our tours. If you would like to see our other tips for international travel, please read our two-part series on travel tips. We’ve collated this advice in two blog posts, which is offered as general guidance for those heading overseas.

Use An App

PackPoint is a free app as are others that helps you organise what you need to pack based on the length of travel, the weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip. The link shows a video demo of the app’s key features. PackPoint first asks for your gender, your activity (business or leisure?), length of travel, and destination. It then checks the weather and develops a list of wardrobe, electronics, and toiletries to match your travel needs. You can tick off the items in the list as you pack, ensuring that you don’t forget anything before you leave.

Travel Documents

The most important thing to pack is of course your travel documents, including your passport for international travel, credit cards, as well as itinerary, and copies of booking forms. Keep one photocopy of your passport at home and take another photocopy on your trip with you. If you want to be extra careful, it can be worthwhile including a copy in both your carry-on baggage, and your checked baggage. However, always make sure to have your important travel documents ready to hand, in case, a customs official asks to see them.

Hand luggage (Cabin Luggage)

Whilst for domestic travel this is often the overflow bag, but on a international long haul flight your hand luggage and your partner’s is the reserve travel pack with some of the items discussed in the opening paragraph. A seven kilo allowance for hand luggage is generous whan carefully considered and you have learnt about packing light. A wheelie (rolling cabin bag) is a good idea but think about getting it up and down from the overhead bin, though the day of backpack may be limited they are important for each days touring. We would also suggest you bring your own water bottle (empty at check in and through security) but filled at a water station prior to boarding. Lip balm is alos handy to offset the drying effect of cabin air. Remaining hydrated on a long haul flight is important.

Checked Luggage

Suitcases come in almost every configuration known. Consider travelling with a good suitcase and a comfortable small backpack.

It’s important to travel light, so make sure you only take what you need. Evaluate the weight of the case, its durability and ability to withstand the efforts of the local ground handler to test any suitcase. Selecting a suitcase that is ready to withstand being run over by a vehicle will come with a weight penalty perhaps up to 4 kgs. So maybe the lightweight case with sturdy locks form a recognised brand is a better option. Accept that you may need to replace the suitcases every couple of years. The cost of new case though will probably be less than the overweight charges you may incur during the life of the heavier case.

Any lock on a case should comply with United States Customs. That is a single master key can open the case for inspection by the relevant authorities. Putting your padlock on a case today, will possibly result in the lock being cut off or the locks and zips being damaged. If you need to lock your suitcases then during a tour then do so on the ground and accept that your suitcases should be unlocked when flying.

The choice of a two or four wheel suitcase is a personal choice. The main difference is that two wheels cases are essentially a pull suitcase. Suitcases with four wheels are a steering case through the crowds.

Recognising your Luggage on the carousel

For travellers on Odyssey’s small group escorted learning tours we have designed and then supplied the brightest, toughest, and largest fluorescent orange luggage label carrying the Odyssey logo to travellers for over 20 years.

So many suitcases do look alike. A visible luggage tag assists in collecting the correct bags off the carousel.

Clothes and Footwear

Smart casual clothes are suitable but not compulsory for the evening. Particularly for any shows or performances, as well as group meals including welcome and farewell dinners.

Rainwear

A water/windproof jacket and small compact umbrella are a must.

Medication and Medical Kit

Personal medical kit – Please remember to pack sufficient supplies of your prescription medicine Often a GP letter confirming medications (maybe put a copy as a photo on your phone) that you are taking is a good idea for long trips.

Your Odyssey leader will also have emergency medical supplies.

Camera

Camera and spare film/memory card –

Snacks

Tea bags/coffee, milk powder or sachets, muesli bars, instant soups or noodles, fruit, or anything you can’t go without!

Remember your air travel luggage allowance

Luggage allowances may be generous on international flights. You should check with your airline on the allowances for the international legs. However, the challenge is often short haul European flights and also local flights where allowances can fall to 20 kgs. For 3 or more weeks of travelling this can become a challenge that you need to consider.

Before the start of any small group escorted learning tours if possible store some of your items with friends or family who you are staying with. Or if returning to a hotel in that city and you have booked already then ask about leaving some items there for your return. The hotel may be prepared to store a few kilograms whilst you are away.

Packing your Suitcase

This section looks at the mechanics of packing your suitcase. There is all different types of advice for the travellers available on the web.

Spend some time thinking about your packing.

A list of items you are thinking of packing to take away is a great start. You should look at the list a couple of times to remove and add items to your list.

A key piece of advice is being practical about what you are packing. Also reflecting back on your last trip is a good start. How much did you pack and what did you actually wear? There will be some items that where the favourites on your last holiday. You need to remember why this was so and pack to reflect your preferred dress style.

Cube your suitcase, utilise the empty space.

Packing cubes, these are zipped up pouches typically of various sizes that enable you to store and organise your clothes in your case. This link here is to a google search for packing cubes for more information and a range of suppliers.

Another suggestion is to roll tops, underwear, socks and other small items. These smaller items can then be packed into the corners of the suitcase, or shoes to ensure every possible space is used.

Keep your wardrobe fresh

On such a long tour it is also good to keep your wardrobe smelling fresh. You may want to pack some potpourri, fabric conditioner sheets or scented drawer liners or a small bottle of citrus, Manuka (good for insect bites as well) or lavender oil. This will assist in keeping your clothes fresh smelling throughout the trip.

Use Ziploc bags to help pass through security

Consolidating all the electronic cables, usb sticks, chargers and other vital electronic components into a couple of ziplock bags. Using ziplock bags will not only help you find things during your flight but also potentially assist you pass through security. Ziplock bags are also useful for keeping medications, house keys and bottles of liquids needed for the flight.

A make up tip

For pressed powders and eye shadow to prevent them cracking during your travels place a cotton wool pad or ball in between to powder and the lid.

Books

This is potential a significant weight saver. Onto your tablet you can download the kindle reader or Apple equivalent, to then download your holiday reading. The kindle reader can also be downloaded onto a phone via the app store. This is not the time to debate e-books against printed works. This is a time be practical about the weight allowances when flying and making savings where possible.

A day backpack

A travel backpack for day use wghilst on your small group tour is useful. Good adjustable straps and probably no more than 12 litres, rwsist temptation to trtavel with a larger backpack as they do tend to get obverfilled and create stress on the joints.

Finally

Odyssey has a number of blogs that provide you with general advice on travelling for Mature and Senior travellers. Of course any tips or suggestions on managing your footwear and clothing when travelling would be welcome.

You may find the following blogs for Odyssey Traveller of interest when planning your holidays.

Odyssey Travellers home page

Senior Travellers tour packages

Solo Traveller with Odyssey Traveller

For more tips on what to wear while travelling, you might like to read either of these pieces . For specific advice on particular countries, this website is worth a read. For tips on what not to wear travelling, take a look at this handy guide .

Following these guidelines will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable Odyssey Traveller tour.

For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, do visit and explore our website.Alternatively, please call or send an email. We’d love to hear from you!

First published 2017.