People are always curious about the intimate side of packing light. At the risk of “too much information,” I’d like to give you a tour of my toiletries kit. We’re up in North England, halfway done with an exciting new TV show on the Cumbrian Lake District, but holed up for awhile until the rain passes. If you don’t care to peek into the baggage part of my personal hygiene, don’t watch this video.
If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.
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Thanks for the tour of your toiletries kit, Rick. It was not too much information.
It looked like it was ‘tipping down’, as they say in England. Too bad you did not brave the weather. You probably couldn’t because you were traveling light and didn’t have the rain gear. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Bundle up, shield the camera lenses, go outside and film. You’ll capture a special experience.
Do you prefer your own brands of soap and shampoo to the shower gels and shampoos which almost all hotels supply these days? That big bar of bath soap (which has gotten smaller as time has gone by), isn’t that an unnecessary weight in the slim toiletry bag?
Just curious.
Just one more thing. I think I may speak for others; why do the access code words have to be so difficult, sometimes almost impossible to, read? A little blurriness is okay, but we shouldn’t have to spend time trying to figure out what we should type.
Before you switched to this new method, it was not nearly so unpleasant. Even with this, the unwanted shoe and sunglasses ads slip through.
Ok, just curious as to the reasoning behind Mr. Steves not using deodorant? This is in no way an attack on Mr. Steves just a question. Is this common in Europe? I know when I was in the Marines on deployment in Thailand, I picked up a handy trick from the locals who would use baby powder instead of anti perspirant. It was great for countering the stickiness of the humidity. Are there similar techniques used in Europe?
Many people suspect that deodorants containing aluminum might contribute to Alzeheimer’s Disease despite the fact that there is absolutely no proof. Nevertheless, it is the reason many use aluminum-free deodorants, or none at all.
My experience with Europeans was that they didn’t use deodorant. That has changed in the past 20 years – for the better. Less seasoned travelers than RS might consider adding to their stash: extra toilet paper and Imodium AD. If you travel very very frequently, your system tends to get used to other bacteria but otherwise, semper paratus stands for always prepared. Blisters for energetic and and brisk and long walkers like me are always a threat for the first few days. I carry Vaseline and put it on known “hot” spots on my feet and toes. I haven’t used a regular razor in 25 years but an electric one does add a bit more weight. That’s a good clock except if you roll over in the middle of the night and press the illumination switch, you get a relatively bright light striking your pineal gland and it will keep you awake. I use my watch. Of course if you are in Vernazza (Italy) the trains will wake you up periodically anyway.
I wondered about his lack of enthusiasm for the deodorant as well.
If he’s been travelling around since April, I assume he’s been using his stockpiled toiletries as well. I don’t see why he wouldn’t just buy his toiletries while he is travelling vs. bringing from home.
We all like our own brands. Donald Trump says “Head and Shoulders” has helped him keep his hair? So we tend to carry the tried and true with us when we travel. By the way, if Rick thinks rain is frustrating for him, imagine what bad weather evokes for those on his tours who hope for sunny, cool weather. As for quantities of toiletries in Europe, they are so sparse you would think they were giving you gold. Make no mistake. Unless you are traveling with Tauck or Globus or on a cruise ship or a luxury river boat, you will be treated to minimal amenities and told you are: being frugal like the natives; contributing to saving the planet; being a desirable, low profile American; traveling thru the back door. What we are really contributing to is the bottom line and a marketing line. Of course everything is relative and a $200 hotel can be adequate especially when compared with one which charges $500. What you are really paying for with Steves is knowledgeable, resourceful lead guides
Nice to see you are just an ordinary guy! So why are people so hard on you? We do really good on the clothes, but as we get older the toiletries get more and more. In June when we were in Spain we needed some Eucerin Lotion and it cost around $25.00 with the exchange rate. So that is why we try to bring everything we need, but sometimes we just have to buy something.
One thing of concern: the toothbrush, the one you pulled out unwrapped in anything and just laid on your bed. Not quite sure about that…
Also, I concur with Louisa–the new anti-spam check is an unwelcome pain.
I picked up a cheap, clear, TSA approved, travel kit. It will house my shampoo, sunscreen, mouthwash and all the rest of the toiletries i need. I like it because everything is clear and plain labeled. I know I could of just used a sandwich bag but these also came with the clear plastic liquid bottles :)
Does your film crew trim your nails and nose hairs? I have to take my own scissors. In addition to what you carry I also take a travel sized shave cream (2.25 oz lasts me 2 months), antiperspirant (0.5 oz lasts more than 3 weeks). I splurge on a cap that fits over the head of my toothbrush and I keep 6 aspirin in a tiny container. I use razor blades longer than you do and store the one in use in the clear plastic holder, not in the razor. I carry an airline sized bottle of vodka and use 4 drops total each day to clean my eyeglasses. I have never had a day so bad that I felt the urge to drink it. I carry my earplugs in my dop kit. I carry a washcloth. My deep storage has spare eyeglasses, sunscreen, and a nail file. Deep storage also has items that I have always carried but never used; spare eyeglasses, an eyeglass repair kit, band-aids, a few yards of thread, a needle, and thimble.
I carry all my toiletries from home and hope I don’t have to buy more in Europe, although I enjoy looking through a store or two. Travel sizes are hard to come by. I wouldn’t know whether a different antiperspirant would give me a rash or smell too fruity, a foreign shampoo could turn out to be conditioner, and what I think is toothpaste might be pimple cream. I will stick with the tried and true.
rick, i was a flight attendant for 10 years and am very impressed by your small toiletry kit! great job on keeping it simple, which used to be, and still is my philosophy when traveling. i would also add to your kit….a small hotel sewing kit for repairs to clothes and a pair of earplugs! cant do without those! i think more people should pack lighter. i used to travel for up to 13 days in just one small roller board…and that was with food and all my work gear included!