Packing is an important part of your pre-trip planning. Leaving something behind may not be important if you’re heading off to a major destination where you can probably buy what you need. But travel well off the beaten-track (where the best adventures are usually found) and you could be in trouble.

Make sure you can easily identify you luggage. You can get something that has a unique colour or tie a coloured ribbon around the handle – anything that will make your stuff stand out from the crown. It will make it far easier to find in insode a mound of like coloured black backpacks or cases.

Check your carry-on luggage allowance and stick to it. If you try and take too much onboard you may be forced to leave it behind or catch a later flight; which can be a very difficult decision to make.

If you are using cases then make sure they have wheels and a retractable handles that are long enough for you to pull without having to bend over – carrying or pulling luggage for long distances can really take it out of you. Also make sure that the wheels are wide enough apart to stop the case from flipping over.

Make sure that fully packed cases are comfortably to lift with one arm. If they are too heavy they will become a real burden and impossible to move if you have more than one.

If you’re a backpacker then make sure that the pack has good lower back support – this means that it has a belt that can be fastened around the waist. Also make sure that the shoulder straps can be adjusted. A backpack that only has shoulder straps (or even worse just one strap that crosses the front of your body) may look great and be the height of fashion and be available in your favourite colour but you will suffer a lot of pain if you buy one of those monstrosities.

Knowing what to pack can be harder to work out than what to pack it into but there are a few simple ideas that will help a lot.

Packing light does not mean a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Wearing those types of clothes will invariably label you as a tourist in almost any country and if you are wearing trainers (or thongs [not what YOU might think they are but rather light rubberised shoes available all over Australia] if you’re an Aussie) will just heighten the problem.

A good rule of thumb is to lay out everything you think you’ll need and then put at least half of it back. Always remain aware of your destination – your electrical goods might not work over there because of differences in power supply [put all the electrical stuff back], heading to Australia in Summer [all the winter clothes go back]. Are you going to be invited to dine with the Queen? Probably not, so get rid of anything that looks formal. Be savage! You will be happy you were later on in your trip. But there is one other way as well. Take whatever you like as long as you will be happy to put it into a trash can at some stage when you discover it’s just a pain carrying it around all over the place.

Make sure you have good shoes. Sightseeing often requires a lot of walking and painful blistered feet are not a good thing to end up with. A pair of comfortable, black, rubber soled shoes that will clean up a bit with just a damp cloth will be good for any eventuality – like that dinner with the Queen if it happens.

When it comes to clothes be savage. Don’t take a thick winter coat even if you think you’ll need it – use layering. Make sure you have clothes that you can wear one on top of the other to stay warm (that does mean long sleeves). Wear three pairs of socks, 2 t-shirts and a long sleeved shirt, 2 pairs of underwear and a pair of shorts under your long trousers – if you need to stay warm. Those same cloths will work fine (just with a few less layers) when you find yourself in warmer climates as well. A jacket (wind and waterproof) or a jumper can be worth it depending on your destination.

Please be aware that in some countries you will need to dress conservatively and this applies to both men and women. Do not humiliate, anger or embarrass those people you have come to visit.

Take a good sized and sturdy rubbish bag to hold your dirty laundry. Takes up no room and will prove very useful.

For the smaller items pick from the following list as you think appropriate depending upon your destination (be aware that you can buy toothpase in any country in the world it’s just that if you cannot read the label you may end up brushing your teeth with the local rectal cream) and the length of the trip;

• small fold up umbrella
• small combination lock to seal your luggage or room (write the combination somewhere you can find it when you need it)
• separate items like toothpaste, deodorant (not a pressure pack but maybe a small roll-on or stick) and soap into a small bag of their own (in fact anything that could make a mess if it accidentally opens in transit should all be packed together)
• lip-balm, insect repellant and sunscreen
• sanitary items such as toothpaste, pads, shampoo and soap
• film if you use a non-digital camera
• any prescription drugs and make sure you have a spare prescription using the drugs Generic Name. Please be aware that some medications that are completely legal in one country are illegal in another (eg Codiene is legal in Australia and most of Europe but is a prohibited drug in Greece. Getting caught with it and without a prescription from your doctor can be a jailable offense – do you want to be in a Greek prison for 5 years for having some Codeine on you?
• laundry kit and detergent
• small sewing kit
• small wind-up torch (batteries not needed – check with e-bay)
• spare glasses or contacts including lens cleaner solution
• money belt
• coin purse (not a wallet)
• nylon or plastic raincoat (can be very handy)
• alarm clock
• deck of cards
• books
• small day backpack
• voltage adaptor and/or adaptor power plugs
• a couple of high energy snacks