I just returned from a 15-day trip to Israel. What an amazing place for a country the size of New Jersey! There is so much history there!

Some of you may be travelling for the holidays, so here are some quick time-saving tips

1. Get your boarding pass online and pay for baggage fees 24 hours in advance – sometimes it saves money, but definitely saves time of standing in line. If you have your boarding pass, you can go right to the electronic check in.

2. Take a smaller purse and fit it into the carry-on bag.

3. Pack an extra duffle bag in your suitcase. It is useful for beach days and to bring extra items home.

4. Get a travel pillow if you might sleep on the plane -it keeps your head from falling over too far. Tie it onto your carry-on bag with a shoelace. If it comes in a plastic cover, keep the cover to keep the pillow clean. (skip the air kind, they leak.)

5. Take a book or electronic book reader.

6. For your carry-on bag:
   a. Pack no more than 3 oz. of liquids – shampoo, conditioners, hair sprays, etc.
   b. Pack an extra set of clean clothes, at least underwear and pjs, just in case your luggage is lost or late.
   c. Keep makeup, deodorant, toothbrush and tooth paste in here.
   d. Carry and/or buy food at the airport for mealtimes or snacks.
   e. Bring an empty water bottle and refill at the drinking fountain AFTER going through security. (Can’t take more than 3 ounces through security, and none if flying international.)
   f. Pack all meds in this bag.

7. Don’t make any plans for the day before and day after the trip – use it to pack/unpack and clean-up or catch-up with work, and sleep. I hardly slept on the 18-hour plane rides, it has taken 3 days to get back to normal!

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