Unfortunately, going with only carry-on luggage is getting more difficult due to the newest rules about what you can actually carry on a plane. If you do want to keep it to just one bag that goes with you on the plane, check the latest regulations and leave behind anything that isn’t allowed. It doesn’t add that much expense to a trip to just buy these things at your destination.

In fact, buying things as you go is a great way to simplify packing. Why bring twenty things just in case you need them, and then have to lug them around for the sake of the six you actually use? If it is a vacation, why not plan just a little extra expense, and buy necessities as you travel? Many have found that this is more practical and relaxing than over-planning a trip and over-weighting the luggage.

Some Other Travel Packing Tips

- Jewelry and other valuables are usually not covered by the luggage insurance the airline provides. Pack these items in your carry-on bag.

- Silk shirts can be rolled carefully so they will wrinkle less in soft-sided luggage.

- To conserve space, buy low-bulk items for travel. A down coat, for example, will compress to a fourth of the size of other coats, and keep you just as warm.

- Lightweight travel pants, made of soft nylon derivatives are very light, tough, and pack small. They are often found where they sell outdoor gear, but some styles are dressy enough for use almost anywhere.

- To bring more in less space, set aside your thinnest socks, lightest clothes and smallest items for travel. A small hairbrush may work just as well as a large one, for example. You might get to bring many more potentially useful items, and still have a smaller bag in this way.

- If you buy a bulky gift for a family member or friend back home, you may want to send it to them instead of carrying it around for weeks while traveling.

- Don’t overstuff your luggage. Remember that it may be opened and inspected, and the security officials may not know how to fit it all back in.

- Don’t pack important documents, like passports and identification, in your luggage. Carry these on your person, preferably in a security pouch or interior pocket.

- Be careful when packing shampoo, perfume, skin cream and other liquids. Plane cargo areas are often not pressurized fully, so the tops can pop off of bottles and other containers. For added safety, pack such items in a sealed plastic bag.

- Carry a list of what’s in your luggage, in case you need to file a claim for lost bags.

In addition to using the travel packing tips above, have a good packing routine. For example, start by considering every circumstance you may be in during your trip, and making a list of items you’ll need. Then, after packing, consider each item, and remove anything that really isn’t likely to be used – especially if it can be easily obtained at your destination.

As you pack for your vacation, it is important you follow some basic guidelines. If you ignore these, you may not have an enjoyable experience.

If you are vacationing in the sun, remember to respect it. The sun is powerful and its best not to ignore it’s harm and best to plan for it accordingly. The sun has powerful uv-rays and when not protected, you can be burnt severely. Bring plenty of sunscreen, and bring a high-spf formula if you have children, as they need to protect themselves even more.

Eyewear is another overlooked item you should pack. The sun can also damage the eyes and cause eye wrinkling. Eye wrinkling is also enhanced and affected by the way you squint. If you have eye wear, you will not squint as often.

Bring a list of emergency phone numbers, just in case something were to happen. You never know when an emergency may happen, and it is best to have relevant information handy. Also pack a first aid kit, including band-aids and cotton swabs.

Pack plenty of liquids, especially if your journey takes you in the car for several hours. Liquids include water and other consumable sodas and fruit juices. I do not advise calling beer a liquid in this reference!

Pack items that will entertain you and the family. If you have a DVD player, bring it along. A deck of playing cards is also a good thing to have with you as well. Try to keep busy even on your down time. If you feel at home while on vacation, odds are you will have a great time and not think about any of the pending or pressing issues you may have back in your home state. Vacations are for relaxing, so take your mind off your work, your school, and your relationship problems.

I you don’t pack properly the first time, you are setting yourself up for a disappointing vacation. You never know when you will need an important phone number in the sad event that someone gets sick or has a bad experience with an exotic food they try for the first time. Teach your children proper travel tips and set them up at an early age to be worldly travelers. This experience will be valuable when they reach the age where they start to work and even travel the world. Traveling can get lonely, and proper planning can help pass the downtime.

There is nothing more fun than going on holiday and especially honeymoon and nothing worse than packing… I am the pits at this, I am always in a hurry and normally just throw in my whole cupboard, well all the bits I like of course, and lets not forget the shoes, at least ten pairs and I am only going for three days, but with me there is always the just in case pair of pants, the what if I feel like pair of shoes, the second jacket, the jersey the scarf for in case of inclement weather, the sarong, the costume, the towel, my own pillow and well I can go on…

That is how it should not be done…

I found this list as detailed below and it is a fabulous and organized way to ensure that you are prepared ahead of time. I know it will help me in future and wanted to share it with you…

1) Prepare a list… this ensures that you have everything you need without your luggage being too heavy and in the unfortunate event of your luggage going missing you will have a full account of your losses.

2) Divide your luggage into his, hers and ours – three suitcases and one carry bag for mutual valuables.

3) The list provided is comprehensive and depending on where you are traveling to you may not require all the items, this is just a guideline.

Here is the list:

Media: Cellphone; Digital camera; batteries & manual; iPod / Discman/ MP3 player & batteries; mini-speakers; disposable underwater camera; foreign-language dictionary or phrasebook; journal/note-book and pen; maps and directions; mini-DVD player or DVD-capable laptop and DVDs; reading material; travel guide(s).

Medical: antibiotic cream; anti-diarrhea medication; band-Aids; birth control; bug repellent; cortisone/anti-itch cream, for cruisers: sea-sickness bands or pills; pain reliever; prescription medicines.

Money & Documents: Addresses for sending postcards/e-mail; auto insurance card; business cards; cash; copy of marriage license; copy of medical history, if necessary; copy of vacation packing list; driver’s license/inter-national driver’s license; emergency numbers and embassy address; frequent flyer/frequent guest cards; paper airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation; passports and visas, if necessary; photo ID, prepaid phone card; travelers checks and receipt (keep separate); vaccination certificates, if required; vouchers/ coupons/ tickets and your itinerary.

Miscellaneous: Anti-bacterial wipes; Bubble bath; Crazy Glue; Currency converter; Keys & Luggage locks; Plastic Zip-Loc bags; Playing cards; Sports gear (tennis rackets, golf clubs, swim goggles); Sunscreen/SPF; Sunglasses, Reading glasses, Contact lenses; Umbrella .

His vacation list: Menswear – Athletic shoes; belts; boxers/underpants; socks; Casual shirts; Dress shoes; Hat; shirts; Pants; Pajamas/Robe; Sandals; Shirts; Shorts; Sports jacket; Swim trunks; Tie;
T-shirts; Workout clothes.

Men’s Toiletries: Comb / Brush; Deodorant; Floss; Lip balm; Shaving kit; Shaving Cream; Shampoo/Conditioner; Styling Products; toothbrush; toothpaste; mouthwash; nail clippers.

Her vacation list: W omens Clothing and Accessories – Bathing suit and sarongs; bras; panties /thongs; Lingerie/sleep shirt; Costume jewelery: earrings, neck-lace, bracelets; fake diamond engagement ring (leave the real one in a safety-deposit box till you return); Dress; Heels; robe; Sandals; Short/ Capri’s; Skirt; Slacks; Slip/ Body slimmer; Sneakers; socks; Stylish shirt; Sweater; Straw/wide-brimmed hat; Tank/halter/sleeveless tops; Thongs; Workout clothes.

Her sundries & toiletries: Baby powder; Blow dryer/straightening iron; Comb/ Brush; Deodorant; Eyeliner; Eye shadow; Lipsticks; Blush; mascara; make up remover; facial cleanser; moisturiser, spf sun block, tampons; toothbrush/tooth-paste/mouthwash; dental floss; Shampoo/ conditioner/styling products; scrunchies and hair ties, tweezers.

Okay…lets get packing!