Must pack items for a TS vacation.

[Bourne]

And I thought I was the only one carrying a wireless router around...

In addition, I carry an iPhone/iTouch AV composite cable too...Its a lifesaver with toddlers/little kids who expect the same tv shows to be everywhere. I can them stream Netflix or saved mpeg4 on to the TV.

 

[LadyBeBop]

This probably only works if you're driving.

If you're vacationing in the South, you might want to bring your own favorite adult beverages. We thought about it on our last vacation, but we decided against it. It turned out that our timeshare was in a dry county. We had to go into the next county (30 miles round trip) to get our favorite refreshments.

 

[philemer]

Hi,
My husband and I each have backpacks that we use for that extra carryon.
We each carry a quick change of clothing, (swimsuit & coverup if you can't check in right away) snacks, a book or magazine,jewelery, plane tickets, passport and whatever else we need quickly. I store a small purse in mine that I use on vacation. If stored in the packback it isn't an extra carryon. I'm sure a laptop or camcorder could be stored easily. The best part is that it's on your back and not hanging on your shoulder!! We use the backpacks when we go shopping after we get to our resort. They are really great for hauling groceries. Beer or pop isn't so heavy when it isn't hanging on a shoulder!

I love my backpack. I store my laptop, book, snacks, ext. cord, MP3 player, etc, etc in it. Leaves your hands free as you're walking around the airport. *bux anyone?

 

[x3 skier]

I love my backpack. I store my laptop, book, snacks, ext. cord, MP3 player, etc, etc in it. Leaves your hands free as you're walking around the airport. *bux anyone?

It pays to put a ziptie or something else on your backpack while in a crowded area, etc. Pickpockets are pretty good about zipping it down and helping themselves, especially if they see you getting a camera or other valuables out of it.

Don't ask me how I know about that.

Cheers

 

[Passepartout]

When in a crowd, I, and many savvy locals, wear their backpack as a 'frontpack. Put it on your chest with your arms through the straps as normal. You won't be popular with pickpockets, but then you didn't go there to appease them anyway.

I also use the backpack on the plane for holding books/kindle/snacks/empty water bottle (to fill after security). Also handy for carrying an extra bottle or 2 of vino onto a cruise ship while those in your checked luggage goes by porter to your cabin.

Jim Ricks

 

[undrpar64]

How about a storage locker

We are four couples with kids of varrying ages(36-21) and grandchildren(9-one on the way(August 31) and have found a storage locker in Maui to be the solution. We all travel to Maui at least once a year, sometimes together and other times seperately. We split the cost evenly and have plastic storage boxes with names for owners and one community box. The community box includes toys, snorkle gear, kitchen utensils, and many other things that we use. The personal boxes include flip flops,swimsuits, t-shirts, sunglasses,etc. We also have 3 sets of golf clubs(and more being accumulated as we update on the mainland),boogie boards,coolers,beach chairs, and reading. All of this fits in a 4X6 storage unit for less than $100 per couple per year. We also store kitchen items, foil,bags and other nonperishable items.

Its very easy to get to Maui and stay an extended time when only one suitcase is needed.:whoopie: 94 days and then 25 days of paradise. Rock Chalk Jayhawks!

 

[GeraldineT]

Must pack items for a TS vacation. [merged]

So we are leaving for FL Friday and I am down to the last minute packing. What are some things that you don't leave home without? Love to hear everyones ideas. Everytime we travel I say to myself I should bring X the next time we come down here but once I get home can never remember what X is. I really should make lists.

I always bring my non-stick fry pans. The resorts always have the regular ones and they make terrible eggs.

 

[Jimster]

packing

Just look at the sticky at the top of the page for packing tips.

 

[GeraldineT]

Just look at the sticky at the top of the page for packing tips.

I saw that but was hoping for some more recent info. Of course some of the tips are timeless classics but things have changed since 2007!

 

[Ridewithme38]

I found this place from a link on this forum....I stock up before every trip

http://www.minimus.biz/Default.aspx

Since my last trip, i've decided to start bringing my own showerhead with me

 

[Passepartout]

I have a small zipper bag with salt/pepper/my cooking spice mix/coffee filters/wine opener/sugar & sweeteners pacs, a few ketchup & etc. pacs that goes in my suitcase when we fly.

When we drive, obviously more can go, but I resist the temptation to back a moving van up to the door and take the house with me.

Jim

 

[DeniseM]

I saw that but was hoping for some more recent info. Of course some of the tips are timeless classics but things have changed since 2007!

That's when the thread was started - but it covers several years (2007 - 2011.)

 

[x3 skier]

I am sometimes amazed what people bring on trips. I used to worry about forgetting things but since I keep a travel kit with chargers, adapters, etc, it has become simple. Throw that in the bag along with clothes and my meds, iPad/iPhone/iPod and I am good to go.

I always tell friends and family unless you are going trekking in the wilds of somewhere, there are stores where you are going to get just about anything you forgot. And BTW, what you forgot probably wasn't critical unless it is some prescription you need. Even that has been somewhat less critical in the USA since the nationwide linkage of places like CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, etc. Just this year, I refilled my BP Ohio Kroger Script in Steamboat Springs CO at City Market which is part of the Kroger family.

Don't obsess over packing. You are going somewhere to relax, not moving your life to a new location.

Cheers

 

[GeraldineT]

I am sometimes amazed what people bring on trips. I used to worry about forgetting things but since I keep a travel kit with chargers, adapters, etc, it has become simple. Throw that in the bag along with clothes and my meds, iPad/iPhone/iPod and I am good to go.

I always tell friends and family unless you are going trekking in the wilds of somewhere, there are stores where you are going to get just about anything you forgot. And BTW, what you forgot probably wasn't critical unless it is some prescription you need. Even that has been somewhat less critical in the USA since the nationwide linkage of places like CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, etc. Just this year, I refilled my BP Ohio Kroger Script in Steamboat Springs CO at City Market which is part of the Kroger family.

Don't obsess over packing. You are going somewhere to relax, not moving your life to a new location.

Cheers

Thanks. We usually do the food store thing but with 3 little ones we really like to have things as simple as possible without having to make multiple trip sot walmart. Especially since we are driving. Hopefully I have it to where the only thing we need to get while we are down there is milk, ice cream and cold cuts.

 

[TravelAmore]

This is a great thread! I've noticed lots of condiments and some spices mentioned, I'd love to see a thread collecting recipes for cooking in TS kitchens - particularly, lunch and dinner meals. Although, I love a great breakfast as well. Does anyone know if there's a thread sharing TS kitchen recipes? I've been searching...

 

[Passepartout]

Does anyone know if there's a thread sharing TS kitchen recipes? I've been searching...

What couldn't you prepare in a TS kitchen that you fix at home? You're only limited by what you feel like packing or buying locally. We have done a full-on Thanksgiving feast in a TS kitchen. But convenience foods from Whole Foods or Trader Joes is easier.

 

[TravelAmore]

I guess I did not explain myself well...I was thinking in relationship to spices and foodstuffs to pack when flying to reach a TS location. Looking through the lists folks have suggested to "pack" and not wanting to spend lots of cash on "stocking" a TS kitchen with many pantry items for a one or two week stay, what recipes do folks make using minimal number of items -- say, good, hearty, simple. A recipe requiring 10 different herbs and spices plus main ingredients, for example, would not be something I'd plan for such a vacation. Looking for a way to share recipes to increase variety.

 

[WinniWoman]

I guess I did not explain myself well...I was thinking in relationship to spices and foodstuffs to pack when flying to reach a TS location. Looking through the lists folks have suggested to "pack" and not wanting to spend lots of cash on "stocking" a TS kitchen with many pantry items for a one or two week stay, what recipes do folks make using minimal number of items -- say, good, hearty, simple. A recipe requiring 10 different herbs and spices plus main ingredients, for example, would not be something I'd plan for such a vacation. Looking for a way to share recipes to increase variety.

Simplicity is the key. We drive to our TS. We don't expect to be eating gourmet meals in our unit. I use the crockpot in our unit at least once and put a roast in it or make chili or something like that. Stores sell a complete spice packet for numerous crockpot meals.

In addition, I just take salt and pepper and Old Bay seasoning (a mixture of different seasonings) and PAM spray. We usually eat fish once, also, which really can just be baked or broiled with a little lemon. (Some supermarkets already have salmon marinated in something- like bourbon.) We eat our veggies fairly plain- maybe some butter on them. I will make baked potatoes sometimes- easy. Rice- again- easy. Also- pasta and a good jar sauce (I know, I know...) with a salad. Things like that. We eat out a couple of nights and maybe get a pizza the first night we arrive. We have also bought frozen convenience meals from time to time when there.

 

[MichaelColey]

This is a great thread! I've noticed lots of condiments and some spices mentioned, I'd love to see a thread collecting recipes for cooking in TS kitchens - particularly, lunch and dinner meals. Although, I love a great breakfast as well. Does anyone know if there's a thread sharing TS kitchen recipes? I've been searching...

What couldn't you prepare in a TS kitchen that you fix at home?

Simplicity is the key.

That's exactly it.

When we cook in timeshares, we try to accomplish several things:

1) Simplicity in recipes. Few ingredients. Quick to cook (or able to cook in a crock pot).
2) Use of main ingredients in multiple meals.
3) Reasonably healthy (compared to eating out).
4) Trying to shop just once a week (when we first get into a unit) and use as much as possible up (especially of perishable ingredients) by the end of the week.

 

[silverfox82]

Some simple tips I have picked up over the years. I bring a cheap nightlight for the bathroom as well as the cardboard s+p shakers. I roll t shirts and bathing suits and stuff them around the edges of the carryon. I bring 1 weeks worth of clothes, even if I'm going for a month, and do wash around happy hour, 2 beers for the wash 2 for the dry, it is literally painless. Purex makes a sheet that has soap and softener in it, one load per sheet. If you think you might need long pants and/or a jacket, wear them rather than take up carryon space. And I never check luggage, 1 legal size rollaboard is plenty.

 

[kwindham]

Some simple tips I have picked up over the years. I bring a cheap nightlight for the bathroom as well as the cardboard s+p shakers. I roll t shirts and bathing suits and stuff them around the edges of the carryon. I bring 1 weeks worth of clothes, even if I'm going for a month, and do wash around happy hour, 2 beers for the wash 2 for the dry, it is literally painless. Purex makes a sheet that has soap and softener in it, one load per sheet. If you think you might need long pants and/or a jacket, wear them rather than take up carryon space. And I never check luggage, 1 legal size rollaboard is plenty.

I love the purex sheets for travel, it has always been on my must pack list. Recently though I haven't been able to find them here locally.

 

[elaine]

we just flew to Europe with 3 kids with limited luggage and not knowing what we could easily buy when there (France without a car). We bought the following and used most all in a 5 day stay:
salt/pepper
montreal seasoning/shake and bake/carbonara dry mix
coffee/tea/sugar/drink mixins
small packets of PB.jelly
micro popcorn
boxed mac and cheese, spaghetti
dry tortellini (knowing we could boil water and serve this with nothing else our 1st night to the kids if store were closed)
foil packets of tuna
packets of mayo
baggies (wish I had had some foil)
__________
what we forgot--small packets of mustard/ketchup

 

[brigechols]

I love the purex sheets for travel, it has always been on my must pack list. Recently though I haven't been able to find them here locally.

Ditto. They are available on amazon dot com

 

[radmoo]

We too, do not want to travel with everything but the kitchen sink.

We have funs that eating out early in the trip provides leftovers that can all go into delish "garbage" salad!

 

[MichaelColey]

we just flew to Europe with 3 kids

The one thing we couldn't find in Europe was Ranch Dressing. We tried a variety of other dressings in France (mostly mustard or vinaigrette based) and the kids didn't like any of them.