When you’re going on a trip – what do you bring?  One thing for sure – because I learned my lesson the hard way – an extra laptop power cord.  I was on the road and forgot my laptop power cord on the desk (actually still plugged into the wall).  Now I have 2.  One that stays in the backpack at all times and one that remains in the wall.  Here is a list of must haves (with the help from Smart Women Travelers) and a few that I’ve added.

Leaving on a Jet Plane…

• Laptop (or iPad when they come out)
• Power cord for everything (laptop, camera, cell phone, iPod, Kindle)
• Wireless Card (mine is through Verizon)
• Camera
• FlipVideo (you never know what you’re gonna want to video)
• iPod, fully charged
• Noise-reducing headphones (I don’t have these – but might need to get some)
• Magazines (always have the latest People, US, InStyle, Cooking Light, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, or industry magazine)
• Kindle, book or iPad when it comes out
• Planner (I use my iPhone and a notebook)
• Protein Bar (personal favorite is the Zone Bar in Chocolate/Peanut Butter)
• Sunglasses (never leave home without them)
• Birthday cards, thank you cards, other notes to write (great idea -  must do next time I travel)
• Stamps
• Cash
• Misc (Kleenex, lip balm/lip gloss, gum, tea {I’m not a tea drinker – but you betcha I’ll have my Skinny Vanilla Latte with me})
• Photocopy of drivers license and passport (another great idea – not to self…go make a copy now!)
• Free drink coupons (if the airlines send them to me – I’m not a fan of drinking on planes – it just doesn’t taste that good…I’ll save those for the hubby.)
• SmartWater (LOL – really any kind of water will do)
• Painkillers (no not that kind…motrin or aleve)
• Medicine (allergy medicine or any other thing you might be taking on a regular basis)

What’s in my suitcase…

• Portable GPS (If I’m driving and don’t want to pay extra for GPS, I’ll throw it in the suit case.)
• Running shoes
• Workout clothes
• Workout DVD’s (be it Tracy Anderson Method, Insanity, BarMethod, or Physique 57)
• Exercise bands

Next time you’re leaving on a jet plane go through this check list to make sure you didn’t forget anything.

Before I go on a trip – I like to find a couple of restaurants that I want to go to.  I also like to find out about what kind of fitness there is.  When I was in NYC – I went to Physique 57 to check it out.  I had heard a lot about it so I went and took a class.  When I was in LA – I went to the Tracy Anderson Method in Studio City.  If you are traveling – why not check out what’s not available where you live.

What have you discovered in your travels?  Would love to hear.

Caryl