Eight things to pack extra for your vacation rental

Unlike hotels, vacation rentals usually come furnished with an array of extras, from fully stocked kitchens to well-equipped supply closets. Even so, you'll need to bring some key items to your next vacation home. We talked to Lynne Martin, author of Home Sweet Anywhere, to find out what should go at the top of our vacation-home must-pack list. Martin's the expert: She and her husband sold everything they owned and traveled the world, staying in HomeAway vacation rentals. Here are the top eight items Martin recommends packing.

Spices

Martin suggests packing a travel spice kit, to add a bit of flavor to home-cooked (or, really, rental-cooked) meals. According to Martin, "Herbs and spices are expensive [to] replace in each new location. Since most rental places offer only salt and pepper, we carry a handy box of flavor boosters in our suitcase."

Rubber clothesline

A rubber clothesline will come in handy in vacation rentals and hotel rooms alike. And since overseas dryers may not be as powerful as the ones stateside, hanging clothes to dry is a good strategy. Martin tells us, "No matter where we are, those undies need washing, and this handy item makes the chore much easier."

Corkscrew

This one's key. After all, what's a vacation without a little wine? Says Martin, "One of the joys of travel is discovering new wines, but a lousy opener can ruin the experience. Here's our solution."

Knife sharpener

According to Martin, "Even the most meticulous vacation-rental owner can't remember everything. They almost always forget that a sharp knife is a kitchen essential. We carry this little goodie with us so our tomatoes are thinly cut, not our thumbs!"

Converter and adapter

Martin advises, "This seems obvious, but if you forget to bring this along, you can spend a lot of time finding the place to buy one!" We've been there. Plus, converters and adapters for sale at the airport are significantly more expensive than those purchased online or in a travel-supply store.

Sink stopper

"Don't ask me why, but we find houses all the time that lack plug covers for a sink or tub, so we carry this little thing along so we can have a relaxing bath after taking in the sights," says Martin.

Heavy duty zip-top bags

Martin recommends packing good-quality zip-top baggies, especially when traveling in Europe. "Good heavy-duty ziplock bags do not seem to be a priority in Europe," says Martin. "We line the bottoms of suitcases with them and use them for wet clothes, food storage, picnics and a thousand other things!"

Peel-off hooks

"The absence of a hook for your robe or towel can be maddening, so we take a couple of packages of these along. They won't take the paint off when you de-camp for your next destination," says Martin.

What are your must-pack items for vacation rentals? Tell us in the comments section.