<p>I take lots of ziploc bags, an empty white kitchen trash bag or two for dirty laundry, possible throw-away items (sample sizes of toiletries, almost empty can of deodorant, etc.) I always keep hotel shampoo/conditioner/mouthwash containers that I’ve collected with me. Many European hotels have now gone to a pump dispenser in the showers that dispenses something that functions as soap/shampoo. Personally, I don’t think they’re particularly sanitary and have found that the product may work as a soap but not very well as a shampoo and certainly not a conditioner, so I bring my own samples. I always travel with plastic silverware as well. If you’re jet lagged and not hungry enough for a full meal (or it’s not time), you can often find/buy fruit, bread and cheese, pastry, etc. The plastic silverware is nice because it can be washed if you want to keep it, or thrown away. </p>
<p>I travel a lot in the U.S., Canada & Europe on business, often by myself. I remember a few years ago an elderly aunt asking me how I found me way around. She seemed astonished that I might be able to make do with a map, taxi, asking directions.</p>