We are thrilled to announce that the winner of our travel tips contest is Ella Herlihy of Atlanta, Georgia for her packing tip. It figures that a busy mother of four has figured out how to be organized!

Us travelgirls are experienced travelers, but we are always looking for tips to make our journeys more enjoyable, easier or meaningful. (I just wish I could remember to pack my toothbrush!) Thanks to our readers who shared their tips with us. If you have a tip, please send it to Jan@travelgirlinc.com

It’s In the Bag
My favorite tip is to pack each day’s outfit in a Ziploc bag – including all accessories. They now sell two-gallon and “XL” Ziploc bags, which makes this even easier. You can also put the dirty clothes back in there when you are done, eliminating messing up your other clothes. This is especially great for kids – with four kids the clothes get pretty confused during a week’s trip. I pack all four kids outfits in one bag per day and then it is really easy to lay them out for everyone to get dressed in the morning. It helps if you are changing locations too since you can just grab one bag out of the suitcase instead of hunting in four different suitcases for four different outfits!   
Ella Herlihy
Atlanta, Georgia

Say "Yellow!" To Your Luggage!
It seems that all the luggage coming into baggage claim is black so my husband and I tied bright yellow grosgrain ribbons on all our luggage and sprayed the pull-out handles with a bright yellow epoxy paint. We also tied all the nametags on with the same grosgrain ribbon. This makes our luggage so much easier to spot. It is also very helpful if you have a friend picking up your luggage or if you are traveling in a group. And if you lose your luggage it is much easier for the airlines to help locate it.
GeeGee Morgan
Hypoluxo Shores, Florida

For the Latest on Security, Wait Times
Be prepared travelgirls! We are now under heightened security and rules for carry-on bags have changed. Visit this site before you go for the latest in security regulations: www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm

Find out about wait times at security checkpoints around the country by visiting waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html.
travelgirl

Travelgirl, Heal Thyself!
Before you leave for your trip, consult with a massage therapist or an acupuncturist to learn a few main pressure points that may help to relieve motion sickness, edema, constipation and other travel-related ailments. This way, you have a more natural way to deal with these symptoms instead of taking over-the-counter medicines!
Melissa Mellott
Santa Barbara, California

Six and the City
1. Always pack hand sanitizer, a sewing kit, and a small packet of laundry detergent.
2. Never rely on the map that you got from the hotel. These maps are often vague and only emphasize certain tourist spots. They are not reliable as actual navigation tools.
3. When venturing out, always take the exact address of the hotel where you are staying. It is amazing how easily you can forget where you came from.
4. Always request an e-ticket from the airlines. Replacing a paper ticket can be timely and costly.
5. Ask the locals where they use the Internet. Some Internet cafes are a lot cheaper that your hotel and just around the corner from the main strip.
6. Eat the local food as much as possible. When in Rome.... Otherwise, why travel?
Danielle Benoit
Atlanta, Georgia

Tag Your Bag
Here's my tried-and-true tip for when you are flying to multiple destinations in exotic locations. I'm a scuba diver so checking luggage is a requirement - but if my baggage does not catch up with me, I might be gasping for air!

Buy the largest two-sided or see-through clear plastic tag you can find. Mine is about 3.5” x 2.25.” I type up destination information about each of my destinations, including name of island, lodging address, email, and phone number on a 3.5” x 2.25” slip of paper, along with one slip with my home information including phone number and email. Then I layer them all into the luggage tag, with the first destination showing on one side and my home info on the other.

As I move from place to place, I move the next destination to the outside so it shows where I am heading. That way I don't have to fumble for contact information to fill out new luggage tags when I'm in a steamy Quonset hut airport somewhere.

I also type up an extensive itinerary for friends and family and put a copy into a clear plastic sleeve inside so if my luggage tag gets ripped off and someone opens the bag looking for my contact info, it's right there. (I'm a lot more worried about losing my luggage than I am anyone using my contact information in a nefarious way.)
Cres Van Keulen
Tiburon, California

Keep It Light
Instead of buying bulky travel books, use up-to-date sites like Citysearch, www.citysearch.com and Lonely Planet, www.lonelyplanet.com, to research weather, events and sightseeing for your trip.
Valerie M. Russo
New York, NY

Play It Safe
Whenever I travel, especially to urban areas, the first thing I do is bring a map up to the front desk or concierge of the hotel where I am staying and ask them to mark off all the areas that are not safe for me to wander into. I also ask them to point out the places I shouldn't miss and let me know the best days and times to visit. I love to walk around and explore and this way I can go on my adventure without worrying that I am going to end up somewhere I shouldn't be.
Alena Kerins
Stamford, Connecticut

On-the-go Survival Kit
I find that this quick and easy survival kit list will prepare me for any travel inconvenience. All of this can fit in a regular size purse or sac.  
• 2 Band-Aids
• 2 Hand wipes
• 2 gentle scrub face wipes
• Feminine Hygiene product
• Mini facial moisturizer
• Travel toothbrush
• Portable heating pad or hot hands
• Portable cooling pad
• Pair of socks (you never know)
• Lip balm
• Granola bar
• Mini water bottle
• Mini eye drop solution
• Contact case or eyeglass case
• Mini portable radio (for those lovely delays)
This kit is perfect for any travel crisis!
Abigail Lee

Talk to the Locals
Leave the guidebooks at home. I know it's tempting to tuck the bound book of glossy photos under your arm before you head out the door, but sometimes, it's the conversations you have with locals that teaches you more about a culture and a place than do the tourist attractions. Take a look at a guidebook to familiarize yourself with what others are going to see, and then leave it. If you run out of things to do, ask a local. They’ll tell you things the guidebooks don't print, and what's more, the conversation itself will be rewarding.
Therin Jones
Palo Alto, California

Photo Journalist
When I travel I take lots of photos. To keep track of them, I carry a cute journal and make a quick note of what each photo is. You think you’ll always remember, but sometimes those European cathedrals start running together! I found some really cute inexpensive journals at this web site: www.galison.com/Write-On-Journals-C58.aspx
Mia Broder
Atlanta, Georgia

Do Your Homework
My best travel tip is to do some homework before you travel! I contact the local Chamber of Commerce of where I'll be visiting (usually by their website) and request visitor information. Within weeks, a package of brochures and/or media guides arrive and I can start planning what I'll do on my trip! I've done this for places like Vancouver, Victoria, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Boston, Las Vegas and even my hometown of Palm Beach! Each time, I feel like I discovered something I may have missed otherwise!
Rebecca Spears
Wilton Manors, Florida

Rock and Roll
Roll your clothes instead of folding because it saves room in the suitcase! I stuffed a semester’s worth of clothes in one suitcase when I studied in Australia last semester.
Shawn-Marie Abrams
Charleston, South Carolina

Three for the Road
• Put your pierced earrings on a piece of ribbon. It keeps pairs together and prevents them from falling into tiny places.
• Mail your guide books to your hotel prior to your departure.
• Buy a newspaper for the city that you are traveling to in advance
or go online to find a local newspaper and check out festivals and special events during the time you will be there.
Jara Weiss
Englewood Cliffs NJ

Stay Clean, and Coordinated!
I recently spent about two months traveling throughout South America. I only brought a backpack and as a result multipurpose items were essential. One of the items I brought, and will never leave home without again, was Cetaphil lotion. It is non-comedogenic, scent-free and can be used on your face and body. Plus, a little goes a long way so you don’t need to pack much of it. Lotion is also a great way to remove eye makeup so you do not have to pack an additional cleanser for this purpose.

When you are packing clothes, shoes and accessories go with one color scheme. It multiplies your outfits and cuts down on the number of shoes you need. Plus, you don't waste valuable exploring time trying to throw together an outfit because everything coordinates.
Allegra Selvaggio
Spokane, Washington

Cyper Protection
Before you leave town send yourself an email with a list of toll-free phone numbers for all of your credit cards in case you have to cancel them due to loss or theft. Scan your plane tickets and passport numbers and your
itinerary to your email site. You can pick it up whenever you desire.
Caryl Weiss
Englewood Cliffs NJ