What Are Your Rules for Packing?
Our November issue hit newsstands last week, and features a super-handy Travel Intelligence manual, the ultimate in trip-planning tools from National Geographic’s experts — like Traveler‘s Digital Nomad.
Andrew Evans spends more than half the year in far off places (right now, he’s circling the globe with National Geographic Expeditions on their Around the World by Private Jet trip), and has learned a few rules to pack by along the way.
Here are his top five recommendations for how to travel smart in the digital age:
1. Buy it there: Your favorite hair gel isn’t worth the hassle at the airport.
2. Color code: Electrical tape matches up gadgets with cords and chargers.
3. Think beyond the roll-aboard: Go with a soft duffel bag on safari, a garment bag for formal dress, or one shared suitcase for a couple.
4. Take two (pairs of shoes): Wear the heavier ones on the plane.
5. Live recyclable: Donate old clothing and books after using them.
>> What are YOUR tried-and-true rules for packing when you travel? Send your stories and photos to Travel_talk@ngs.org or tell us about them in the comments section below, and your response just might make it into an upcoming issue of Traveler magazine.
Keep up with Andrew’s adventures on the Digital Nomad blog and on Twitter @WheresAndrew.
Go Further
Animals
- Cougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treksCougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treks
- Rare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginningRare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginning
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- Termite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million yearsTermite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million years
Environment
- Why the 2024 hurricane season could be especially activeWhy the 2024 hurricane season could be especially active
- Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.
- This deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the worldThis deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the world
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- This exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the worldThis exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the world
History & Culture
- See the story of Jonah and the whale like never beforeSee the story of Jonah and the whale like never before
- This ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the pastThis ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the past
- These are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit themThese are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit them
- Meet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius CaesarMeet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius Caesar
Science
- Women’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to changeWomen’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to change
- Hundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right nowHundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right now
- What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.
Travel
- A taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street foodA taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street food
- Discover southeastern Spain's secret coastal regionDiscover southeastern Spain's secret coastal region
- All aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sunAll aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sun