Find out about the climate of your destination.
Write down the number of days you will be away. Break these into activities,
such as: sporting events, city shopping, evening entertainment (dinners, parties
around the pool, barbecues, etc).
Examine your wardrobe and work out what you'll wear for each occasion.
See which of these outfits can be worn for more the one event. Try on the
clothes you plan to take. Even if your clothes are cleaned or laundered regularly,
it's a good idea to check each item. Sometimes a button is missing, a hem
is loose, or the ourfit is inappropriate.
This step will enable you to co-ordinate individual items, eliminate unnecessary
weight and make packing easier.After you've checked your holiday clothes,
hand them separately.
Never take more then you can carry yourself.
Since porters are a dissappearing breed and luggage carts are often unavailable,
plan accordingly. Nothing is worse than standing with three suitcases at an
airport, not knowing how to get to the taxi stand or bus stop. Try to keep
your luggage down to what you can carry without too much effort - one large
suitcase, one smaller one and a shoulder bag. You may not be very comfortable,
but atleast you won't feel helpless or immobilised.
Choose the right suitcase.
Your suitcase is part of your image, don't neglect it. Many derogatory comments
are made about worn or mismatched luggage. There are many good quality, reasonably
priced suitcases on the market.
Of course, the luggage must also be practical. Very soft bags are undesirable
as they wont protect your clothes. Choose a type that can withstand being
kicked and thrown; this is, unfortunately, what often happens. The best suitcases
have hard frames and sides.
As far as quantity is concerned you will be prepared for most trips with the
following: one large suitcase and one bag with shoulder straps. With this
luggage you will be prepared to go on a long trip (by taking all three) or
a short one (using the small-to-medium one). The shoulder bag, of course,
can be used or not, depending on what you need.
Unless you go away for longer then a month, thses three pieces will be sufficient.
If not, you have picked out too many clothes.
Packing your clothes.
When you take all three bags with you, the medium one should be reserved for
shoes (packed in plastic bags), sweaters, handbags, underwear, and hirdryers.
The large suitcase will then be reserved for clothes, which will not be crushed
by shoes or other heavy items.
In the shoulder bag, which you can take with you on board a plane or train,
put your cosmetic bag, camera, jewllery, the book you want to read while travelling
- in other words, all odds and ends you need.
Having put the heavier, bulkier items in the smaller suitcase, you are now
ready to pack your clothes in the large one. Start with you raincoat, pants
and jackets. Place them flat in the suitcase to fill out as much surface as
possible without folding them. Whatever hangs over must be folded into the
case. Pants are put lengthwise, folded in once.
With a jacket, dress or blouse, put the top part in first, horizontally, next
fold in the sleeves and then fold ober the bottom part. This system allows
you to put the maximum in the suitcase without wrinkling clothes. Delicarte
blouses and dresses should go in last. Belts should not be rolled up and tucked
in a corner, but placed around the edge of the case, to prevent them snagging
on other items.
If you are going on a short trip, take only the samller suitcase.
Put your shoes in first, opposite the handle (this way they won't shift and
crush everything else when the case is carried or standing). To save space,
tuck soft, small things - hose, lingerie - inside the shoes.
Next to the shoes, place handbags, sweaterew, t-shirts and robes, making the
surface as flat as possible. Then put the rest of your clothes on top.
How to avoid wrinkled clothes.
Don't pack you bags too tightly. Put individual items under plastic covers.
You can also use tissue paper, but it's not quite as effective. All items
with buttons should be closed. And since the old trick of hanging clothes
in a steamy bathroom doesn't always work, take along a travel iorn.
How to pack make-up.
To safe-guard against forgetting your faborite eyeshadow, or lipstick, pack
your cosmetic bag a few days before going on your trip. Then, while you are
still at home, do your make-up using only items out of that bag, and replace
them immediately afterwards.
In other words, pretend to be on your trip already. This way you will know
for sure what is missing before you leave. Lotions, perfumes and creams should
be put in plastic containers. Be sure to squeeze out the air before closing
them, to allow for air expansion.
If you're travelling by air, put items like hairspray or spray deodorant in
a closed plastic bag, because they sometimes explode or open in transit and
the result can be messy.
Choose a spacious and practical handbag.
Also be selective about what you carry in it. Choose a colour that either
matches your outfit or luggage.
Items that may come in handy:
Raincoat; bathers;scissors; soap, shower cap; a folding umbrella; alarm clock;
small sewing kit; scotch tape; one or two folding coat-hangers; seberal plastic
bags - handy for packing a wet swimsuit, lingerie that is not quite dry, or
soiled items; en extra folding bag for carrying awkward parcels on the way
home.
Attach labels,
With your name on the outside - and inside of your luggage. It's not a good
idea to include the address. In any case, if your suitcase is lost, you will
be giving your address to the airline.