Black Tomato Blog

to pack…or not to pack

Blog by Camilla McPhie, Editor of GQ.COM, http://www.gqmagazine.co.uk /

With easyJet charging £2 for every piece of luggage checked into the hold from October, and baggage handlers dumping mountains of unclaimed baggage in second-hand shops, it’s time to call a moratorium on over-packing. Unless you’re emigrating, are a student on your way to a foreign university, or accompanying Bear Grylls and his charcoal and smoke machine on another “adventure” there is absolutely no need to take more than can be fitted into a 20-inch wheelie suitcase (and we’ll get onto the “wheelie” part in a minute).

Contrary to popular belief, over-packing is not gender-specific. Admittedly, women are a lot more vocal when defending their decision to bring a different pair of shoes for each day away (“But I might be in a pony-skin kitten heel sort of mood!”) but I know just as many men who think it’s perfectly normal to take seven identical white T-shirts, two pairs of sunglasses, four DVDs and Ian Rankin’s last two Rebus hardbacks – on a skiing holiday.

Of course, I haven’t always been the Zen Mistress Of Light Luggage. But after dragging a spine-cripplingly heavy suitcase around New Zealand for two weeks (I even packed an umbrella, for lord’s sake), I came to the conclusion that a) most hotels have heard of shampoo; b) law of averages suggests that if I take four pairs of shoes, I only wear two; and c) the less I pack on the way out, the more duty free and eco-aware ethnic goods I can bring back. So my holiday kit is all flip-flops and roll-into-nothing kaftans. Sort of.

Now, onto the “wheelie” part. While I have just spent the above 200 words in praise of the travelling hostess trolley (mine’s a Tumi LXT Expandable Adventure), I need to lay down a few rules.

1. Your case should measure no more than 20 inches. Any bigger and it would be a trunk. But with wheels.
2. Should you find yourself trailing a wheelie in a crowded environment, do not stop at the bottom of escalators to get the handle out.
3. Do not stop to look for directions or signposts with said wheelie fully extended behind you.
4. Do not travel in rush hour with wheels unless you don’t know where you’re going.
5. Always apologise if you run over someone’s foot.
6. If you’re not that humble, pretend you’re a tourist and snarl.
7. That said, children with their very own wheelies are exempt from all of the above. Too young to realise that hiring a porter is a luxury to which we all should aspire, as they’ve only packed two crayons, a packet of Haribos and half a Barbie, you won’t even blink should the spacially unaware little tikes run over your toes.

Camilla McPhie is Editor of GQ.com

www.gq.com

Next week: What to take on board for a long-haul flight…

are we in your little black book?

Thrilled to be referenced in Harpers Bazaar’s little black book in their recently published Travel Guide. Describing us as a “team focused on unearthing exciting new destinations and events around the world” we are delighted with the recognition.

Got us thinking about the copious amount of ‘little black books’ of travel notes in the office that detail some real gems in the destinations we offer around the world. Current favourites include knowing the best bathhouse to sweat out the night before in Moscow, the best dim sum in Kowloon (be prepared to climb many floors) and the bar with the best views in the world in Cape Town.

Travel should always be about using those little black books and getting under the skin of a place. Some valuable insider knowledge really does make the experience that much more special. Look out for some more little black (tomato) book recommendations appearing on the site shortly.

TM

Dim Sum in Kowloon - where to begin?

a couple less things to worry about...

Do you sometimes find that there isn’t as much time as you think there is? Going on holiday is a classic example. You packed the night before, planed your route and factored in time for the stray pigs on the motor way (well, that happened to me!) and left the house in plenty of time. Despite all that, the ‘gate closing’ sign is winking at you from the departure board and there’s no time left.

No time for sashaying through duty free to acquire those essential purchases that makes putting your hand luggage in the overhead locker impossible. No time for weighing up the merits of the classic Raybans vs. Police aviators or for flicking through the rows of glossy magazines. And what about making the all important decision of which holiday read will best fill the time between a refreshing dip and ordering a cool beer?

You needed someone to help you with the extras before you went. To supply you with a great read along with those other holiday essentials such as flight confirmations and tickets. Perhaps even a CD included for good measure so that everything is covered.

That would be nice.

Well, that’s exactly what we decided to do. We think that when you book a holiday with us, that it should be a fantastic experience from start to finish, and if supplying the little extras to make things go smoothly ensures you have the best start then we will.

Even The Guardian thought our Added Extras were a good idea…

CK

cashmere and tobasco for a perfect flight

I’ve just got back from a weekend in the beautiful Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, and while it’s possibly not the most far flung place I’ve ever been to, it was a superb break away from the city. We camped and a few days in the fresh air was the perfect remedy to stuffy tube travel, albeit a slightly chilly one.

Whenever I travel, whether it is a long haul flight, or just an internal transfer I find that there are a few essentials that just have to fit into my hand luggage and that make the journey part of the fun rather than a means of getting somewhere. Book, ipod, moisturizer, lip balm and a little bottle of Tabasco-perfect for spicing up any Bloody Mary- are at the top of the list. Recently I’ve also discovered a brilliant addition to my ‘must haves’, a flight kit by designer label CASH-CA which contains cashmere blanket, eye mask, slippers and ballet pumps. Having roughed it on a (constantly deflating) blow- up bed for 3 nights it was bliss to get back on the plane, kick off my shoes, wrap myself up and catch forty winks. The pic below isn’t me but gives you an idea of what I mean…

CK