Maggie's Farm

I only bring a carry on and a monstrously heavy camera backpack so wouldn't bother with much of the above. I don't travel to get dressed up. I wear my hiking boots on the plane (your momma wears combat boots!) as they take up so much space, and just bring one basic black dress and costume jewellry and ballet flats in case we go out to dinner. We don't usually, as dinner is expensive: we try to get hotels with a free buffet breakfast, then get bread and cheese for lunch, and maybe one or two good dinners to get a taste of the cuisine.
But mostly, we'd rather be out exploring, or hiking or getting photographs, or tracking wildlife, than gussied up.
When we were in Antalya, we had the bus drop us off at the most awesome antiquities museum and stayed til it closed while the rest of our group (all incredibly cheerful Aussies) passed on the art to go back early to booze at the hotel. After the museum closed, we happy culture vultures walked several miles back enjoying watching the various groups (Russians, Turkish families, EUropean tourists, all sorts) on the beach.

I've always been grateful for a long ago recommendation of yours about those blister pad things. We walk 8-10 miles every day on our trips and when it's humid, we always end up needing those.
For trips I like the Ex Officio washable clothes in exciting colors like black and bone that can squish into a tiny space in your carry on. With a few scarves to brighten an outfit up or cover myself in a mosque, plus a goretex jacket, and a packable down jacket, a bathing suit, and a travel towel that folds into about four square inches, I'm pretty much set. When you are carrying thousands of dollars of Nikon and Olympus gear with you, it pays to be very inconspicuous to try and deter thieves, so I never carry a REAL camera bag but just toss it all into a grey bucket Pacsafe slash proof backpack with no logos.

Also, I minimize loud colors or patterns that make me look American or rich, and never wear camera straps that advertise the brand. Knock on wood, looking like a churchmouse has worked so far. I get lots and lots of pictures with nobody even noticing me or my gear).

I do always bring either an Ipad or a Nook so that I can preview my photos, and have lots to read on boring train or plane rides, and a built in GPS and don't have to carry stupid heavy paper travel guides. Also a few packets of Starbucks Via if, God forbid, we end up in a cheap hotel with no breakfast and no coffee.

this is one type (made by Bandaid) http://www.band-aid.com/read_review&productId=1053 They are waterproof and stay on for at least a couple of days by which time your blister is healed, and you have been able to keep on hiking and sightseeing. I've seeen other types, and as Bird Dog has noted they do sell minor regional variations in Europe.