Semicolons with Items in a Series

Use semicolons in a long series or when commas would be confusing. Consider how the use of commas makes the ideas in the following sentence difficult to follow:

The weekend package included airline tickets, hotel costs, and meals, tickets for the first and second games in the series, one dinner performance of a popular play, and transportation to and from the airport.

Now consider how the use of semicolons in the following revised sentence clarifies ideas for the reader:

The weekend package included airline tickets, hotel costs, and meals; tickets for the first and second games in the series; one dinner performance of a popular play; and transportation to and from the airport.

Which sentence is correct? In three days time, we had hiked twenty miles along a muddy river path, through a dense forest, and over several steep hills, bathed in the frigid waters of a rushing river, and slept on the cold, hard, unforgiving ground. On our way to the airport, we picked up Jennie, Louise, and Mark; some extra rolls of film and a few snacks at a corner convenience store; and area maps, brochures, and our tickets at the travel agency.