For many people, packing is a chore or life admin task that stands between them and their dream vacation. Or, worse, badly planned packing can find you turning up in the Caribbean having completely forgotten to pack anything that goes on the lower half of your body. Yes, I once left all of my skirts, trousers and shorts in my spare room before flying off to St Lucia. Awkward.
My point: it pays to plan for packing. And I’ve learned the hard way how best to do it. And after living out of a suitcase for 6 years, I learned what you do and don’t need on a trip. Hint: I’ve yet to visit a country that doesn’t have a shop. So, you can leave a lot of those ‘just in case’ items at home.
In this section, you’ll find my packing guides from my ever popular printable packing list. This is the list I use for my own trips and it is organised by categories like clothes, health and beauty and electronics. It also prints neatly onto one side of A4.
You’ll also find my list of essentials for a long-haul flight – best tip: pack a pen. You’ll need if for your immigration card.
I’ve also got some handy articles if you tend to overpack. It can be hard getting away from that super-sized luggage that always costs you money in excess baggage fees. This list 25 Quick Swaps for Packing Light should give you a good start. Tip: trim down your packing a bit over time and different trips, and it will be less stressful.
I’ve also got some destination specific lists, like if you’re on a snow trip or heading on Safari.
And finally I’ve got some guides if you’re shopping for travel kit for yourself or your loved ones. Check out my suggestions for The Best Carry On Luggage For Every Trip TypeandBest Gifts for Travelers
Open the storage cupboard in my house and it’s stacked with luggage. As someone who’s a frequent flyer, I’ve gathered a lot of suitcases over the years and I now seem to have one for every kind of trip. From lightweight carry on to hard shell luggage, to soft travel packs that squeeze into airline … Read more
Welcome to your printable Costa Rica packing list… Skip to the end of this post if you want the link to the printable Costa Rica packing list in high-res PDF. However, I do have good packing tips for Costa in this post if you want to read on. A lot of Costa Rica packing lists … Read more
Does the Philips Lumea work? I googled this extensively before I bought my IPL machine and, I couldn’t really get a straight answer. So I decided to go ahead, buy one and write a Philips Lumea review myself. It’s taken me over a year to write this. Not because I’m lazy…or because I’ve been sat … Read more
I hate the cold, which is why so many of my friends and family were surprised to hear that I was going to Lapland. When I explained that I’d agreed to the trip at a New Year’s eve party, AFTER midnight and a barrel-full of wine, my decision made more sense. But in the cold … Read more
Packing light can seem like a herculean challenge if you’re the kind of person who’s regularly paying excess baggage rates. Yet many of the how to travel light tips will have packing two weeks’ luggage into a palm-sized rucksack. Don’t worry, there is a middle ground. What I have for you is 25 quick swaps … Read more
Perhaps it was because I flew to South Africa just after New Year, and my brain was still addled with sherry, but I didn’t give a great deal of thought to my safari packing list. I just threw a handful of ‘adventure’ items into my bag and pointed myself towards Johannesburg for my month long … Read more
With the gift giving season right around the corner, why not add a little gift for yourself to your shopping list? Perhaps you’re still receiving gifts from your oh-so-brief but still not forgotten Bieber phase? Perhaps you have a generous benefactor who’s landed a pot of Christmas cash in your lap. Or perhaps you just … Read more
Putting together your trekking kit? Wondering what to put in your backpack? Read on for the 10 trekking kit essentials to pack for every long hike… Ever get that feeling that the mountains are calling? Whether you are an avid hiker or a novice, a trip into the mountains is an amazing answer to many … Read more
Note: A link to the high-resolution printable packing list PDF is at the bottom of this post. I’ve used this packing list template for a 14 day trip and a 14 month trip. The difference: I take my clothes to a laundry service about every 2 weeks when I’m away for longer. And if you’re looking … Read more
I fly long haul a lot, so it’s a good job I’m one of those people who loves flying. Still, what you take on board a long haul flight can make all the difference to your flying experience. I’ve created this list over years and now they go into my hand luggage every time I … Read more