Packing: Little items can make or break your trip

Packing for a trip abroad might seem straightforward, yet remembering to bring a few small items can make the difference between a great journey and an uncomfortable one.

Following are essentials for your travel suitcases.

• Hair conditioner. For some reason, most hotels outside North America don't offer it. If you'll have scary bad hair days without your Pantene, buy a small, empty plastic bottle, measure out enough for your trip and bring that. Don't lug the weight of a big bottle.

• Shampoo: Most hotels offer something to keep your hair clean, although it can be as harsh as dish detergent or as watery as a cheap bar's booze. Bring your own.

• Washcloths. Many hotels abroad offer only towels. Some might have thin hand towels that could substitute for a washcloth. If you are fussy, pack one or two old washcloths and throw them away at trip's end. An alternative? Bring wet wipes or cosmetic wipes for washing your face.

• Hair dryer. Many hotels have hair dryers and you'll be thinking, why should I lug around another one in my suitcase? It's because you will inevitably encounter the hotel without one, and your wet hair will be hanging in your face at breakfast. Buy yourself a small but powerful dual-voltage travel hair dryer to take along. Most fold in half. Dual voltage dryers let you easily switch from 110-120 AC (United States) to 220-240 volts AC (Europe and most other countries). And don't forget adaptor plugs so you can use it abroad.

For more on adaptors and voltage requirements in various countries, see www.voltagevalet.com.

(Happily, many electronics such as computers, camera and iPod chargers often are automatically dual-voltage and you can use them anywhere in the world with an adaptor plug. ) • Fabric wash such as Woolite. If you will be gone more than one week, bring a tiny bottle of it to wash out your favorite clothes in the sink. Dry them in towels, hang up overnight and you'll replenish your wardrobe. (In a pinch, use hotel shampoo. I've even used soap.)

• Extra pair of glasses. Nothing is worse than seeing the Taj Mahal as a big white blur or being unable to read restaurant menus.

• Zipper-top plastic bags. You'll never appreciate them until you need one. Good for carrying everything from diamonds to croissants.