I am on my way to Copenhagen as you read this.  Looking forward to a wonderful time meeting new and old friends. The conference has a big treat in store, a boat ride to a fantastic dinner location.  Then back to Bristol for just enough time to unpack and do laundry. Then I am immediately on to Amsterdam! Watch my ETBScreenwriting  INSTAGRAM for pictures,

This is typical of my schedule, I’m a frequent traveler, traveling back and forth between the UK and (mostly) continental Europe and Scandinavia.  I’m not quite in the same league as the main character in “Up in the Air.” In that film, George Clooney plays a frequent flier who is on the road 270 days a year. As Clooney’s character reports, the difference between having to check luggage and fitting everything into a carry-on is a week’s worth of time spent waiting in line.

So that’s tip #1:  Travel Light.  Limit yourself to one cabin sized roll on bag and a compact computer bag. Being the first through customs, never waiting for luggage, and no one EVER losing your baggage is a tremendous advantage in my book. I can easily get two weeks of travel out of one carry-on.

Tip #2: Start with a Dark Base Color.  Personally, I’ve been transitioning from black to navy.  I think navy blue is more interesting than the more expected black. I am lucky to work in the entertainment business where the dress is casual.  I usually pack two pairs of navy business casual trousers and a dark pair of slim jeans. I also bring three nice tops, two sweaters, and a light leather coat.  A couple of soft tee-shirts (cotton and cashmere), and a night gown completes my basic wardrobe. I also usually throw in a packable light down vest.

Tip #3. Limit Shoes. I usually wear ankle boots or trainers on the plane and pack two pairs of nice flats. I’ve picked out trainers that can double as casual shoes– I have good sturdy suede ones.

Tip #4: Add Color with Accessories. I pack a couple of colorful silk scarves to brighten things up.  And I always wear a big soft cozy scarf on the plane.  It’s can be cold on board.

Tip #5:  Wear a Denim Dress on Board.  This is one of the best tips I’ve ever gotten from a fellow female traveler.  A loose denim dress and silky leggings are like wearing pajamas.  I bring a belt to cinch the dress pre and post flight. The denim dress can be dressed up for dinner at the location, while still being casual.

Tip #6. Find Tube and Pencil Versions of Makeup. They fit more easily in the required zip lock bags. Lipstick can double as a blusher.  I snag travel sized toothpaste at the dentist and 2 oz contact solution at the optician. I also have a travel size of my favorite Hermes perfume.  There’s no need to bring more liquid than that.  AND there are drug stores all over the world. Buy what you need on location and leave it behind when you go.

Tip #7: Save Your Back. A roll-on with a hook that holds your computer case counterbalances the load so that you can cruise through the airport quickly. If your bag doesn’t have such an add-on bag strap you can easily buy one.

Tip #8: Test ALL Your Batteries. Make sure your rechargeables are fully charged (Kindle, iPad, FitBit, Computer). Know the capacity of your batteries. You might be surprised by how long a trip you can make without lugging along a bag full of chargers.

Tip #9: Always Bring Backups. “A high-resolution scan of your driver’s license, passport, visas, and credit cards on the SD card of your smartphone or on your computer HD can be a life saver if anything is lost or stolen.  I also recommend a paper print out as well.

Tip #10: Put Medications in the Safe. I once had medication pilfered at a high-end resort. I didn’t notice until I ran out, way ahead of schedule. In some countries, there’s a big black market in prescription medicine.

All that is left is: Relax, bring a snack (food on board is iffy), listen to a downloaded audible book, and enjoy the ride!

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1. Bring a snack. This is my advice in every travel situation and specifically for a long international flight.  The food may not to be your liking and the sooner you can fall asleep on the plane the better off you are. So why wait for meal service when it will probably be mediocre at best. I like fruit and nut bars (without corn syrup in the ingredients because it is so noxious). Or trail mix.

2. Select your seat carefully. I book a seat in the middle row (three or four seats across) on the aisle.  The aisle seats go quickly and likelihood that the middle seats will be booked is fairly slim unless the plane is packed.  Even then, if a couple is traveling together on a four seat across row they will sit together leaving the seat next to you open.  Why is this important?  You don’t want people waking you up or climbing across you when you are asleep. And you want easy access to the restroom yourself.  It’s also great to have an extra tray for your stuff.

3.  Limit yourself to water or juice on the plane. Alcohol and caffeine will do you no good in the avoiding jetlag department.  Tea and coffee are a diarrhetic.  You don’t want to wake because you are constantly running to the restroom.  Alcohol won’t do you much good either so pass even if it is free.

4.  Seek chemical assistance. Once you’ve had water and your snack it’s time to induce sleep.  I have a prescription for a low dose of Valium (now available as a generic so it’s dirt cheap).  Other people swear by Benedryl which causes drowsiness.  I am not a Benedryl fan for this purpose because it also dries your sinuses.  And Valium has a muscle relaxer which is useful if you are spending hours in a cramped space.

5.  Bring an eye mask and neck pillow. Bring ear plugs too if you are sensitive to noise.  I have a plush lavender scented eye mask and a travel pillow which is very comforting and soothing. Noise doesn’t tend to bother me so I forget the ear plugs.  My husband likes noise canceling earphones.

6.  The time is the time where you are. Never look at the time elsewhere or say well it’s really 2am for me.  Just commit to the local time and leave it at that.  Don’t have these time zone discussions with yourself or anyone else.

7.  Spend time outdoors immediately. The sun will help reset your internal clock.  Spend at least an hour outside– even if it is cold or overcast.  This is a huge help in adjusting.  Take a brisk walk or sit in an outdoor cafe.

8. Get to bed at a reasonable time. Don’t go to bed before 9pm or after 10pm (or 11pm at the latest).  Between 9 and 10 is ideal.    Take a lower dose of your chemical assistance even if you don’t think you need it.  Eight hour of uninterrupted sleep is key to making the final transition.  After the first night I don’t rely on any kind of sleep inducer.  I also don’t drink while traveling and I try to be careful about what I eat.

I can truthfully say I never am bothered by jetlag.  I might tire slightly more easily but I don’t have the spacey exhausted feeling.  If you stick to this routine you won’t have problems either.

I just bought a Kindle and it is a fabulous boon to the traveling writer.  There is always a ton of travel waiting in going anywhere.  With a Kindle time flies with a wealth of guilty pleasure reading– which I can don’t much of when I am at home working. Most of the reading I do then is usually research related. My reward for patient waiting is fun reading material.