Your #1 Must Pack Travel Item

Rae writes:

Janet Varn- wrote recently on Vibrant nation that "Packing is very personal. There are lots of experts on the subject and many places on the web to find advice."  However, as seasoned travellers we all have a #1 must have travel essential we take with us.  I asked our travel expert Margo Searle what hers was and made a list.

	My #1 is snaplock bags - large and small.  In fact the most organised I have ever been was after following the advice in a lttle travel book that said to pack all your items in these bags as they can be seen so easily proved absolutely right.  And, yes by squashing the air out of them they take so little space.  Bit like your own vacumn packed ready to go suitcase.  Brilliant to stop liquids spreading and when you are on a varied trip, shoes can be easily left in the suitcase when not needed.  Plus they can be protected with relevant socks etc.
	Margo's -House of Travel- 1 is her multi-plug electrical adaptor - the only thing to check of course is the voltage on your electrical appliance - Great advice is to religiously return it to your suitcase so you don't leave it behind.
	Margo's team added their number one's a Sarong- great idea here but only in a resort.  I think a large cashmere scarf is great as it can be used in the plane and in the frigid air conditioning that many restaurants seem to specialise in.  Had to put in the pic on the left with the girls wearing their for an obviously impromptu wedding
	Swiss army knife- not sure about this as I would hate to have it taken off me and can usually find a pair of nail scissors does the trick
	Great pair of walking shoes- this is where I think we all need some help.  Everytime I go away, I search for the perfect pair as I hate wearing my exercise sneakers.  To me they say 'tourist', 'tourist'.  And, there are plenty of shoes that are more versatile.  ie.  Merrells or the last ones I took with me in autumn were a great pair of laceup Diesels - any thoughts out there for what is available in NZ bearing in mind we usually go the summer of Europe and do heaps of walking rather than gym style exercising.

Check out Margo's latest offerings for places to go in this horrible wintry weather.