Before you go on your next holiday or business trip, take a second to see what you might have left behind. Here’s some handy tips contributed by seasoned travellers on packing, the first step towards a trip within the country or outside it.

1.Make a list a few days before of the things you need to buy, fix, find and get down to doing it. Saving things for the last moment only leads to lost tempers and confusion.

2. Some useful items you might like to include in your bags are -

A sturdy padlock. You never know where you might need it. On a hotel room door, or to secure your luggage in a train compartment.

A Swiss Army Knife or any other multi-purpose knife.

Pocket Calculator. This is all you'll need to figure exchange rates in foreign currency.

Earplugs. There may be a screaming infant on your flight. There may be an all-night disco in your hotel. The maid may vacuum the room upstairs at 7am.

Basic Medicines Carry along a small first aid kit with band aid, tablets for fever, headaches, diarrhea, a small pair of scissors, earbuds, pain relieving gels for swellings or joint aches.

Large box of tissues. Most hotels provide only a small packet of tissues if they provide any at all. Keep a fistful of tissues in your day pack to also use as toilet tissue when necessary.

Snacks. Take a small stash of munchies in case you get hungry on a tour, in the night or when the restaurants are closed.

Xerox copy of all your important travel documents: passport (picture page), tickets, ATM card, credit card, driver's license, traveler's checks, etc. If they get lost or stolen, you will know exactly what you're missing and have the numbers handy. Obviously, keep this paper separate from the items you've copied!

By Kaitlin Sherwood