Pack It Up: The Essential Guide to Smart Travel

by Anne McAlpin

From world traveler and packing expert Anne McAlpin comes this updated and expanded 2019 edition of Pack It Up – full of indispensable travel tips. Whether you're a first time traveler or have traveled for years, you'll Includes Anne’s Pack It Up DVD Packing and traveling right is essential these days – this 40 minute DVD is an invaluable resource for any traveler. From choosing the right luggage and what clothes to pack, to how to secure your travel documents, Anne will show you how to pack your carry-on bag for a 3 week trip. Also includes tips on packing a larger checked-through bag and Anne’s signature travel wardrobe secrets. Don’t start packing without it!

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly stumbled upon this book in the neighborhood book exchange as I was preparing for a Mediterranean cruse. Its a quick read, and it includes quite a few suggestions I hadn't considered. I feel I was able to pack lighter and smarter and managed to do the whole trip with only carry on in a time where Airports are a mess and effective checked luggage handling it's lowest point in human history (probably). I could still have packed lighter, but that was my fault and not McAlpin's - after all, she warned me. I learned about (and fell in love with) packing cubes, acquired a security wallet, and saved money by doing laundry in my stateroom sink using a travel laundry kit (sending your clothes out for cleaning on a cruise is EXPENSIVE! ... and they don't offer a self service laundry room). I look forward to improving my packing and travel efficiency in the future and am glad some kind neighbor made this book available with such perfect timing.

My cruise was a huge success and I never felt I was missing anything critical. I experienced a week of 1 day city tours coupled with cruise dining and shows. It wasn't relaxing, but I got an amazing sampling of European cities on or near the Mediterranean (Mallorca, Marseilles, Florence, Rome, and Naples) in a very short period of time.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had an older edition whose goofy retro font and poor editing (mostly hyphens all over where they didn’t belong and rarely where they did, which makes my copy-editor alter ego hulk out) was distracting. Also I’m a pretty savvy traveler after four decades so I didn’t get a whole lot of new info or tips, but the book is well organized and engaging enough that n00bs will get plenty out of it.

[Remi Ojo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was alright.
Some elements were repeated throughout the book.
Was definitely hoping for more insight

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a new version of this out in 2009. I attended a demo of hers about the best way to pack a suitcase and it was fascinating. I've always thought I was a pretty good packer, but she had some great tips. I recommend this if you are as compulsive about this stuff as I am. I can hardly wait to pack for our next trip so I can use some of her tips!

[Theresa Sivelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are definitely some great tips in this book. I'll be referring to it regularly I'm sure before my next trip abroad.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this before my first trip to Europe. It was a huge help with lots of little tricks.