Packing Tips for Smart Travelers!

Article by Suchi Kalra

Suchi Kalra is a freelance writer and regularly contributes to MyBindi.com. She can be reached at shuch.singh@gmail.com

Packing for a holiday means different things to different people. Some are good to go with a pair of denims, sneakers and some tee-shirts, others (particularly women) might deem it absolutely necessary to carry matching bags and shoes for every outfit…complete with the accessories. Sure everyone wants to look good in the pictures but surprisingly, it can be done without hauling along the entire wardrobe! How you pack for a trip largely depends on what kind of trip you are planning. While a simple adventure holiday can do with minimal necessities, the same cannot be said for a trip to a family wedding. Assuming you have no small children to carry along, packing can be made simpler and more organized by following a few basics:

- Travel light. But how? : Easier said than done. The word "Light" somehow takes a backseat when the temptation to carry your little black dress for a trekking trip sets in. Reality check: the chances of you wearing it while scaling cliffs is nada, zilch, zero! The best way to go about minimizing your load is to pack in whatever you want at first, leave it aside for a couple of days and wait till you are in your most practical state of mind. Did I forget to mention that it is best to start your packing well in advance? Next, analyze each packed item in terms of its weight, space occupied and its ultimate utility. Logic will soon dawn upon you!

- Things I cannot do without: this does not include your teddy bear! Make a list of absolute necessities like basic medicines, first aid kit, toiletries (stick to the basics!) and carry only one pack each of soap, hair wash, sunscreen and conditioner. Scan the super-market shelves for small travel packs instead of stuffing in huge "economy packs" of shampoos and lotions. In case you run out of stuff, you can always buy them later. If you do insist on a particular brand that might not be available everywhere, transfer some of it into small jars or bottles. For the ladies: do not forget to carry adequate supplies of sanitary and hygiene products in order to avoid infections and discomfort. Depending on your travel destination and the climate conditions, remember to carry sun-protection, warm clothes or other survival gear. Do your research well in advance. Find out how important is it for you to carry specific items like your own bedding, mosquito repellant, torch-light, food etc. for example, you might not need these if you are going on a luxury tour to Paris, but on an Amazon cruise, these items hold top priority! Similarly, choose appropriate cosmetics and toiletries. While a water based gel might make for a superb moisturizes in tropical destinations, it will do little good on a ski trip.

Avoid carrying too much cash unless absolutely necessary. Most places have ATM and credit card facilities and you will save yourself the worry of thefts, robbery or loss of luggage. Also keep your jewellery to a bare minimum (unless of course you are going to a wedding). Wear a few classic pieces which fit in with almost every outfit. Make up for Shuchi/Pack/1 the rest by using lot of artificial bling and funky jewellery. Divide your money and place it in different pockets of different bags. This way you significantly minimize the risk of loosing all your cash at one go.

- Mix and Match: choose clothes and shoes in neutral colors so that you can match them up with practically everything and achieve a versatile look. Also, be careful not to carry high maintenance clothes which soil easily and need dry-cleaning or frequent ironing. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton or jute which are airy and easy to wash. Spike up the style quotient with a hat or a scarf and a glamorous glare which will also protect your hair and eyes from the sun. Footwear is the biggest "space-eater" in any luggage. Try not to carry more than one pair other than the one you are wearing and fight the temptation to carry any pretty but not-so-comfortable shoes because you will not use them eventually.

- In case you plan to stay at different destinations for very short periods, it would be wise to classify your luggage "day wise" or "place wise" so that you don't end up shuffling all your baggage for every little detail. Make notes of which item is kept where and keep often needed items in your handbag or in the outer pockets of other bags. Organization is the key word. Make "sets" of clothes complete with the inner-wear and socks so that you don't have to mess up the packing everyday.

- Always, always save some extra space in your baggage for all the shopping you might do and stuff that you might pick up on your way. If you are going on an exclusive "shopping holiday", it wouldn't hurt to carry an extra suitcase or airbag or cut down on clothes and shoes because you are going to buy new ones anyways!

- If you are traveling with small kids, it altogether takes a whole new approach. Pack the children's' belongings in a separate bag which is easily accessible because you might need to open it more often than you like!

- Take care not to pack your travel documents like passports, tickets, visas and permits too deep into your luggage because they may be unexpectedly asked for and leave you fumbling through your personal belongings in full public view.

Traveling and holidaying becomes a lot more fun if things are in order. Assessment of packing items should be mostly "need-based" and not "want-based". It might however be a bit "might-need based" too! Smart and efficient packing can ensure that you don't face any untimely hassles and confusion, helping you sail through your vacation smoothly and hiccup-free. After all, relaxation is the essence of all holidays, isn't it? The key to a happy holiday is a light head and a light bag!