Tips for light travel

Those who travel light are blessed. Half your problems will be solved if you aren’t lugging around suitcases of your stuff. You need to be able to carry your own bag around easily and should not find the need to find a trolley and push your luggage around.

Remember, not all parts of the world are going to have smooth floors so you can drag your bags with you. Here are some tips to pack light, and pack smart.

* Choose your bag well. Make sure it’s spacious and expandable so you can avoid finding someone to sit on your bag while you try to zip it shut.

* Pick a strong bag. You really don’t want zips and handles falling apart just when you have to get on your plane.

* Choose your clothes well. Stick to 2-3 pairs of jeans. You can use your jeans a few times before you need to wash them. Carry light shirts/t shirt/tops depending on where you are going. Cotton works best if you are travelling to a hot place. It keeps you from sweating and it dries quickly as well.

* Make sure you pick combinations that go with each other even if you mix them up. For example, if you are packing a yellow skirt, try and see that most of the tops you take with you are wearable with it.

* If you are travelling to a cold place, it is best to pack jackets or sweaters that will go with all your clothes. Stick to neutral colours so you don’t have to pack a different one for every outfit.

* Your footwear is extremely important. If you pack heels when you are going to the mountains, you might as well have stayed home. Only pack two pairs of footwear. One for when you are outdoors and one for when you are indoors.

* Pack toiletries – shampoos, soaps, toilet paper and everything else you need. But do some homework and see if you can pick up these things at your destination. That way you save a lot of space. We live in a globalized world and your favorite brand of toothpaste is almost certainly available at your destination.

* Pack little things into your shoes. It’s amazing how much space is in your shoes. You can even roll up your socks and fit them in to your shoes.

* Leave behind the hair drier. You can do without it for a few days.

* Don’t forget to leave some room in your bag for the shopping that you do.
Above all take a few moments to think about each item you are packing. We’ve all gone on holiday in the past and never worn or used items that we packed so remember this for next time!