Don’t Forget to Pack these….

Trips taken at the very last minute are becoming more popular than ever. It is possible to get a great deal on both travel and accommodation if we don’t mind how quickly we have to leave. We may not get clearance for time off work until the very last minute, or may only know if we can afford something at the last minute too.

Whatever the reason, taking a trip at the last minute can have some advantages but there are also drawbacks. Being short on time often means being short on planning. More often than not, poor planning leads to poor packing and this can spoil a whole trip. Don’t get caught out.

If you’re planning on taking a trip at the last minute, browse the checklist below for the most commonly forgotten items.

A Camera

A high proportion of us have access to a camera on our mobile phones. However, even expensive mobile phones have a notoriously short battery life and limited space. We may find that after a single afternoon of taking photographs, our phone may be full or battery-dead! Photographs are one of the best ways to preserve and relive the best parts of a holiday. They become keepsakes and heirlooms that remind us of fond moments with friends and families. They may include photos of our children that we will want to look back on. Even amateurish snapshots become treasured items and the source of a lot of fun! Whether you’re racing down rapids or wandering charming villages, pack a purpose-built camera. It can be digital or instant, depending on how confident you are that you will not lose or break it. Remember that an expensive item should be included in your insurance. Also double-check that there are safes and security measures at your accommodation. Whatever your method, don’t forget to have a reliable means of taking photos.

Spare Addresses

Many people have digitised copies of important addresses, confirmations and contact numbers. However, it is very common to arrive in a destination and find that our electronic devices either do not work or have run out of battery. Paper copies of important details such as tickets, addresses, and maps are always helpful and often overlooked. Store them in an easily accessible pocket and consider having second copies stashed in another bag too. It is a common contemporary desire to have everything in one place, including important information. This might be convenient in some ways but becomes incredibly stressful if we misplace the one item that contains everything we need.

Electrical Adaptors

If we are travelling abroad, it is essential that we check we have the right adaptor with us to use local power. Many of us will have brought shavers, cameras, computers and other equipment. But they will all be useless without the correct adaptor! While there may be local shops that sell them, it can be difficult to track down something specific if there is a language barrier or we are short on time!

USB chargers

If you are like me you  have an iphone, an ipad, a camera – all of them need charging and some countries do not have multiple power points.  So a device that enables you to charge several devices at the same time is essential.  After a recent trip to India, I thought I might pack a multiplug device.

A Scarf

So easy to wear or to put in your handbag, a scarf means you can easily cover up if going into a religious shrine, you can put it around your shoulders if you are cold, and you can dress up a casual tshirt for a night out.

More Packing Tips…