If traveling is synonymous with escape and well-being, packing is often a chore that is postponed at the last minute. Result: you take too much or not enough stuff with you. And in some cases we sometimes forget the essentials. To help you, here are 5 useful tips
Pack your suitcase on D-2 Rather
than packing your suitcase the day before, pack it two days before. The next day, you will be less stressed because it will already be done and you can then, with a clear head, see if you really need everything you plan to take with you. Usually, we tend to overestimate our needs by thinking "if ever...". Forget about the "ifs and buts" at this point and focus on the essentials. You can then easily lighten your suitcase by 1/3 of its weight.
If you can buy toiletries on site or if you are staying in a hotel (where shampoo and shower gel are available), there is no need to load your toiletries kit with all the products in your bathroom. It is usually the heaviest item in your suitcase and you will avoid paying extra for luggage.
Make a simple and practical list
Nothing like the sacrosanct list to
make
sure you don'tforget anything. Above all, if you don't travel often, you will avoid unfortunate omissions. There's no need to go through a long and complicated list or you'll give up after 5 minutes! Think practical and concrete. Find out about the weather conditions at your destination. In case of cold or rain, take only one fleece/wool and one coat, no more, as it is immediately very bulky in a suitcase. Worst case scenario, you'll take a trip to the local dry cleaner's. Then, take more tops than bottoms, because you need to change your shirt or t-shirt more often than you need to change your pants. This BA-BA will considerably lighten your luggage.
If you're really stressed about making this list, there are some very good sites, in English, that do it for you! Yes, yes, you read it right. These sites think for you. Just tick a series of boxes that give information about your trip such as planned activities, weather, if you are accompanied by children... And in just a few clicks your list is ready and you can even print it out. We recommend travelschecklist.com.
Choose the right suitcase
Think practical. If you're leaving loaded, take a four-wheeled suitcase that will move at lightning speed without causing wrist tendonitis. To gain capacity, rather than taking a very large suitcase, take a compact one with gusset, they are much easier to close if you ever go shopping on the spot and come back more loaded than expected.
To avoid unpleasant surprises due to baggage delays, always take a small carry-on bag with you, along with a few changes of clothing to last a few days just in case.
Finally, if you're going away for a long weekend only, limit yourself to one carry-on bag. In 10 to 12 kilos, you can already put on a lot of stuff, but only take mini toiletries, less than 100 ml, to avoid having them confiscated at security checks.