I’m taking 35 high school students to Spain and France in August, and I need some advice on what NOT to pack! I know that might seem obvious to some, but I want to make sure I’m not overlooking anything.

Richard Mangione
Eugene, OR

Dear Richard,

You’d think the answer would be obvious, but you’d be wrong! I recently heard of a nasty brush with a parent who sent her daughter to Paris with an $80 electric Oral B. The kid left the toothbrush plugged in her hotel bathroom outlet, which subsequently started an electric fire! Both the bathroom and the brush were destroyed by the student’s negligence, yet the mother still had the gall to demand compensation, albeit without success.

Long story short, when packing for a trip, the rule is simple: if you’d hate to lose it – leave it. Sentimental value aside, it’s highly unlikely that any hotel, coach company or tour company will reimburse you for lost, stolen or damaged personal property. Even the airlines have stringent restrictions on their liability.

I strongly suggest your students leave expensive electronics like iPods, DVD players and SLR cameras at home. Ditch the hairdryers, too; they take up room in your suitcase plus most hotels have them these days.

Expensive clothes and jewelry are also unnecessary. Not only are these things difficult to care for out of a suitcase, but dressing like you’re affluent targets you for street crime. According to www.travellingalone.co.uk, on average, every 31 seconds a British tourist traveling abroad is robbed. I can only imagine the stats are similar for Americans.

When it comes to your wallet, leave multiple credit cards, your driver’s license and similar items behind. One credit card is sufficient for a trip, and your passport will serve as your ID.

Okay, I know that kids will be kids. They’re still gonna pack all this stuff anyway. Help them avoid becoming victims of theft by offering these simple tips:

Pack your valuable belongings in a rucksack and take it on board the plane. Once you’re walking on terra firma, hold these valuables in your hands – it’s easy to steal from a rucksack on your back – and place your rucksack on the ground between your feet whenever you're stationary.

Withdraw money from a machine only as needed and carry cash plus your credit card in a money belt strapped under your shirt. It's easily concealed here and virtually impossible to rob without you knowing about it. Leave your passport in the hotel safe.

Be aware of your surroundings when you’re using a public telephone, waiting in line or hanging around in a group. This is where pickpockets and thieves are most likely to strike.

Try to blend in. Strut around like you’re a regular in the neighborhood, and don’t pull out a big map in the middle of the street.

One a final note, do bring an extra pair of glasses or set of contact lens with you, but leave the expensive toothbrush at home. The 99-cent variety will do just fine.

Global Travel Guru