Tips and tricks for packing your holiday bags!

We've all stared at an empty suitcase before a holiday, wondering where to begin. How many shoes should you take? Which toiletries do you really need?

Follow our advice and pack your holiday bags quickly and easily!

Before you start

• Make a list based on your itinerary. If you know what activities you'll be doing during your holiday, it will be easy to choose the necessary clothes and accessories, and you won't be tempted to take more than you need!
• Personalise your luggage. Tie a ribbon or put a distinctive sticker on your luggage so you can easily identify it at airport reclaim.
• Keep your travel documents in your hand luggage. It will be helpful to have copies and photos stored on your mobile phone!

Smart packing strategies

• Roll your clothes. This prevents creasing and makes the most of the space in your suitcase.
• Cross-pack. Put some essential items/clothes for your partner in your suitcase, and some of your children's items in yours. This way, if one suitcase gets lost, each of you will have at least one change of clothes to help you until you get it back or buy new items.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase. Then, tuck thinner, lighter items into and around the larger ones.
• Limit your shoes. Choose only one pair for each activity you will be doing. Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane to save space in your suitcase.

Toiletries tips

• Think small size for shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, make-up wipes, etc.
• If you are flying, remember that liquids, gels and creams in your hand luggage must be in containers no larger than 100 ml.
• Pack prescription medications in their original packaging. Travel-sized packs of painkillers for aches and fevers, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoea medication are essential for holidays!
• Take plasters in case of cuts and to avoid blisters if you'll be walking a lot.
• Carry travel-sized antibacterial wipes or hand sanitiser so you can clean surfaces and your hands when soap and water aren't readily available.

Essentials for children

• If flying with young children, use your child's permitted hand luggage allowance: Fill their bags with extra clothes, nappies, a change of clothes for your child, and an extra change for yourself too.
• Whether flying or driving, take more nappies than you think you'll need. And bring baby food and snacks that you know your children like.
• For older children, bring books and toys to keep them from getting bored. Let your children bring some of their favourite toys in a backpack. You could even pack some surprises in your hand luggage, which you can pull out if things get tough.
• Don't pack too many clothes if you will have the opportunity to wash your clothes during your trip. But do pack a change of clothes for the children in your hand luggage, because spills happen.
• Take a warm set of pyjamas, as well as a cool one in case you can't control the room temperature.

Practical items you'll be glad you packed

• An adapter if you are travelling to countries that use different sockets.
• A power strip to connect all your chargers and devices at once. When abroad, you only need one travel adapter to connect your power strip.
• Headphones and mobile devices so you can watch a film or read a book while travelling.

Our best tips for preparing your luggage

# Pack lightly

If you only want one tip for your suitcases, it would be to pack lightly. Studies show that we only use a third of the clothes we take on holiday. And it's absolutely certain that you won't wear that fancy pair of shoes you take with you every year. Choose a backpack or a smaller suitcase to take with you.

# Choose the right type of luggage

Wheeled luggage: These are perfect because you can pack your things neatly and they won't wrinkle. They are also excellent if you have more things with you, to avoid having many smaller bags. However, they are not the best choice if you are going to walk a lot to get to your hotel or if your destination is known for its cobblestone streets.
Backpack – It's just the right size to take with you as hand luggage on the plane.

# Limit yourself to one or at most two pairs of shoes

Once you decide what kind of clothes to take with you, you'll be able to choose the shoes you'll need. We recommend not taking more than two pairs of shoes.

*TIP: One pair of shoes that are always incredibly practical on summer holidays are flip-flops. You can wear them as slippers, or if you just need to quickly pop down to reception or go to the hotel pool. For children, choose sandals made from a durable material.

# No need to bring shampoo or shower gel

Almost every hotel will have shampoo and shower gel provided in the bathroom, and there's no real need to bring full-sized products with you. And if they aren't available at the hotel or rented room, you can easily buy them from a nearby supermarket, saving you plenty of space in your luggage.

# Save some space for souvenirs

This is one of the best travel packing hacks. Wherever you go, you'll want to buy a souvenir. So, it's a good idea to have space to store them.

# Keep valuables in your hand luggage

If you're flying, your checked luggage might get lost. Or, even worse, your items could be stolen. That's why you should ALWAYS keep your valuables in your hand luggage. This includes your wallet, passport, tickets and boarding passes, as well as your jewellery. Also, always keep all family medications with you.
*TIP: If you're bringing your laptop or tablet, keep those in your hand luggage too.

# Make a list of things to pack at the last minute

There are some things we always pack at the last minute. A toothbrush, comb, and cosmetics are an example. Personally, on many trips, I forget to bring my glasses or a case for my contact lenses! That's why I started making a list of last-minute items to put in my bag on the morning of the trip.
This also applies to any snacks or a bottle of water you might want to bring. If these things need to stay in the fridge overnight, it's a good idea to add them to a list too.

# Have a smaller bag or backpack that you'll always carry with you

Having a cute backpack or a smaller bag that you'll carry with you every day during your trip is very important.

# Don't forget that you can buy almost anything at your destination

Well, bearing this in mind makes packing much less stressful. Almost at any destination, you can buy whatever you need. So, don't worry if you forget something. Or, if you don't have enough space in your bag for those toiletries. You can certainly buy them once you get there!
Packing doesn't have to be stressful at all. And it's definitely a great part of the journey too.

# Make a list

Making a list of what you intend to take with you might seem like an unnecessary step, but you'll be glad you did. Not only will it keep you organised when considering which clothes match and trying to remember if you've packed all your toiletries, but the list can also come in handy later.

# Ask for samples

To save space, take small packages or samples of your favourite products. This applies to make-up products or even products for children, creams, sunscreens and more.

# Organise your suitcase by item weight

Keep heavier items, such as shoes and thick jumpers, at the bottom of a suitcase or next to the wheels of a wheeled case, so they don't crush more delicate items when you're moving your luggage.

# Don't leave any space unused

Make the most of the available luggage space by finding new places to hide smaller items. Put things in empty spaces – socks inside shoes, for example – so that every possible space is maximised.

# Use space-saving bags

Save space in your suitcase by wearing your bulkiest items during travel. If you want to pack something bulkier that takes up a lot of space, consider packing it in a space-saving bag where you can compress the air.

# Roll your clothes

Instead of folding your clothes as usual, roll shirts and trousers into tight cylinders. Rolling clothes will help you save much more space and they will wrinkle much less.

# Bag it up

Save space and stay organised by putting rolled clothes in zip-lock bags before placing them in your suitcase.

# Save space by stacking clothes

Try to pack your folded clothes in alternating directions to balance the space they occupy on each side. Your stacks will remain flatter, making it easier to fit everything you need.

# Take alcohol with you

If you have space in your bag, put alcohol in a spray bottle so you can sanitise anything you need on the go. Alcohol can be used to sanitise hands, spray and wipe surfaces before eating, and even to clean a public toilet for your child.

# Pack clothes strategically

To avoid messing up your whole suitcase from day one, put a favourite outfit and your pyjamas on top. This will be especially helpful if you're staying in a hotel for only one night.

# A scarf is always useful

Scarves take up almost no space in your luggage, but they will serve many purposes on your trip. Use it as an accessory, a shawl, or to protect your hair.

# Think ahead

By postponing packing until the last minute, you are sure to forget something important. A good practice is to leave clothes and things you definitely want to take with you on a piece of furniture, and a few days before the trip, place them in your suitcase.

# Rely on zip-lock bags

Small sandwich bags are a convenient place to store chargers, while larger sizes are ideal for underwear, socks, swimsuits, and anything else small. Keep a few extra for shoes or wet items from a last-minute swim. These bags can also be used for wet swimsuits during your holiday.

# Use your bag's pockets

Put things you'll need on the plane – like a book, snacks, and pain relief – in the front pocket of your bag.

# Limit spills

Liquids breaking open in your hand luggage and spilling all over your clothes is enough to ruin any trip. Seal toiletries in a small bag or even a balloon.

# Lay belts flat

A rolled belt takes up quite a lot of precious space in your luggage, so lay them flat around the perimeter of your suitcase.

# Protect your clothes from dirty shoes

Put shoes inside supermarket bags to prevent them from dirtying the rest of your clothes.

# Avoid overpacking

Sure, you don't want to lug a very heavy suitcase everywhere, but there's another reason to pack light: You might manage to zip up an overflowing suitcase, but not everyone knows the magic trick you used to close it, so make sure there's a little room to breathe.

Packing for holidays doesn't have to be a stressful process. By following the smart tips and strategies we've mentioned, you can ensure you have all the essentials without overloading your suitcase. A well-organised suitcase means less hassle and more enjoyment for your holiday. Remember, preparation is key to a carefree and successful trip.