Ultimate Travel Packing Guide

by Helen
(England)

We all look forward to our holidays; the chance to get away from it all, relax and experience new things, different places and cultures. The part we tend to want to forget until the last minute is the packing, we all know we have to do it but few of us actually enjoy packing. So what are the golden rules to make packing hassle free:-

1. Lay what you want to take out on the bed; this will help you decide what you really need to take rather than what you want to take. It will also help you see things that might not go together, you don’t like or that don’t fit you any more.

2. Have in mind what type of holiday you are going on and pack appropriately i.e. if you are going on a hot holiday spending the days on the beach then you will need shorts and swimwear whereas if you were going on a city break you would probably want to pack loose, cool easy to wear clothing such as linen shorts and cotton polo shirts.

3. Place heavier items such as trousers and jackets in the bottom of your suitcase.

4. Keep things flat and be conscious of how you pack, don’t over pack, if you cram your suitcase full all your clothes will be creased and the last thing you want is to spend your holiday looking like you have slept in all your clothes.

5. If you plan what you take you can demote clothes (from night to day), so what you wore on your first night you could be re wear on a day out saving you valuable space in your suitcase

6. Make sure you have different shoes for different activities; if you take only flip flops and go on a hike you may not feel your feet at the end of the day. Pack a good pair of shoes, flip flops and a pair you would feel comfortable walking in.

7. Even on holiday you will have days where you feel bigger/smaller than usual make sure you pack your 'fat day' clothes.

8. Invest in good swimwear, choose something you feel comfortable in, looks good and does the job.

9. No matter how hot your holiday is likely to be pack a light sweater or jacket for if the evenings get chilly or for your return home.

10. Leave some room, just in case you decide to buy something whilst on holiday.

Once you have got everything in your suitcase make sure you haven’t gone over your weight restrictions and can actually lift your suitcase. Now your holiday begins and hopefully when you arrive your suitcase will be easy to unpack, crease free and have everything you need to have a great holiday