Pack It Up: The Essential Guide to Organized Travel Book & DVD Set (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If you want to get away from it all, don't take it all with you"..." (more)
Key Phrases: Travel Towel, Boarding Pass Holder

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From world traveler and packing expert Anne McAlpin comes this updated version of the best-selling book Pack It Up - full of indispensable travel tips. Whether you're a first time traveler or have traveled for years, you'll learn: Packing Smart for Airport Security How to Pack the Perfect Carry-On Bag How to Plan the Perfect Travel Wardrobe Travel Scarf Tying Techniques Smart Tips for Cruise Ship Travel Safety Secrets for Women Traveling Solo Includes Anne's Organized Travel DVD An invaluable resource for any trip! From choosing the right luggage to what clothes to pack, this 30 min. DVD also includes tips for security and how to enhance your travel wardrobe with scarves. Don't start packing without it!

About the Author

Anne's approach to creating a complete travel system has captivated audiences at her personal presentations and on national TV. Her appearances as a guest on Oprah(r), CNN(r) and The Today Show have reached millions of viewers. Having flown more than 2 million miles, traveled in over 67 countries and cruised through the Panama Canal 98 times, she has become the icon of smart, stylish travel. You can see Anne on HGTV or at a Pack It Up Event near you!

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Flying Cloud Publishing; Pap/DVD edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962726338
• ISBN-13: 978-0962726330
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #270,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs updating, DVD needs chaptering, June 3, 2008

By	ReadNReVu - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The good:

This book is clearly laid out in a "list" style and has short paragraphs for the most part. It is a quick read, unlike some other packing books ( The Packing Book comes to mind, a little too much information there), and is printed on good-quality paper, not newsprint.

The DVD is very informative, even given that it is also an advertisement for the author's luggage and travel accessories line. She presents everything very clearly as far as how she is able to pack all this stuff in a suitcase (I think it would be excellent for someone going off to college, or someone trying to pare down their wardrobe to a manageable amount), and the scarf wearing ideas are great.

The bad:

The author does not travel light by any means. She definitely writes for the cruise ship/organized tour audience, where someone is either handling your luggage for you and/or you are staying in one place for several weeks. Also for people who think other people are keeping track of what they're wearing. No way would you be able to navigate stairs daily (for train stations and other places) with all the stuff she takes. This is not the book to read for tips if you're trying to backpack through Europe (some hostels or train stations will not let you leave your luggage anywhere, not even in lockers, so you have to carry it around all day), or are trying to travel simply with one carry on and maybe a personal bag.

The DVD is not properly chaptered. In fact, when I put it in my computer to view, it looked like it had been dubbed directly from her VCR tape--the title even came up as "DVD Video Recorder". The menu looks just like what you'd get from a home DVD recorder--you can move through the recorder-made "chapters", but they are not titled.

It would have been nice to see how you got 35 outfits from what she had hanging behind her (Smart Packing for Today's Traveler has actual pictures of both clothing types and combinations). A swimsuit with a sarong is okay for around the pool or walking around a beach town (although shorts would be far more useful as you have pockets), but I wouldn't call it an outfit, as (like workout clothing or PJs) it is for a single purpose. A travel outfit needs to be wearable in a variety of places. Also, many people see jackets/sweaters as functional, not decorative--if it is not needed for warmth, it is not worn, as it is just one more thing to drag around or leave behind somewhere.

Bottom line: This is a good book for those who are going on longer trips and the aforementioned child off to a college dorm with limited space. It would be nice to see a new edition where she also covers traveling with just a carry-on and a personal bag.

3.5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best packing book I've seen, November 12, 2009

By	GG "Gift Giver" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've read a number of packing books and this is the most helpful by far. The CD is enjoyable and Anne gives lots of tips. Others have borrowed this from me and also benefited from reading it and viewing the CD. If you travel a lot, you will find many helpful hints in this book. I've even ordered some of her products from her website.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Packing Manual, March 27, 2008

By	Pat Dancer "dancing lady" - See all my reviews

I found the book and DVD very instructional and will incorporate the ideas into my packing for future travel.