Be honest:
do you really need two outfits for every day of your trip?
Go hand luggage only and read our tips for a trimmed-down
packing list to find out what you absolutely shouldn’t take on holiday.
1. Toiletries
Take two bottles into the shower? Not us. Travel with only the holiday essentials from the bathroom, with all your shampoo, conditioner, face wash, aftersun and the rest decanted into 100ml plastic containers. If you’re flying, leave the big bottles and that pointless extra weight behind and you can even get past the liquids restrictions at security and take just a good size cabin bag on board. And remember – they do sell shampoo in Spain/Greece/Australia too!
2. HOLIDAY READING
We’re not talking War and Peace – even a light and fluffy Katie Forde paperback will weigh down your bag and take up valuable space. You could take just a single book and once read, swap it with a fellow traveller. Many hotels will also have a ‘library’ where guests can take and leave their books. But the obvious answer is to forego your paper pleasures and take a Kindle. Just don’t drop it in the swimming pool.
3. CLOTHES (you bought at the last minute)
Well of course you need to take at least some clothes, but be ruthless. Be sure to try on everything you are taking before you leave to make sure it still fits and makes you happy. There is always the possibility that you lost your mind on that mad rush around town purchasing your holiday wardrobe and that on-trend piece of statement jewellery will be an utter waste of space if you realise it doesn’t go with any of your outfits. Go for tried and tested favourites – no one in Corfu will know if it’s the 236th time it’s been worn.
4. VALUABLES
Even if your hotel room has a safe and 24hr security, there is still plenty of opportunity for the loss of your most treasured possessions. Leave objects of economic or sentimental importance in the jewellery drawer at home. It’s not worth it.
5. YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD/DRINK
It’s hard to get a decent cup of tea in France. So, if you are self-catering on a budget, taking a measured number of teabags is judicious. Seriously though, come on, you’re going on holiday! Immerse yourself in new, unfamiliar cultures. Leave the home comforts of good old Blighty a distant dream.
6. HAIR STRAIGHTENERS
Everyone knows that hair straighteners are an essential. Not on holiday. Leave those hotplates at home and imagine the freedom
when you embrace a policy of bed/beach hair to go with your glowing
tan. An artfully dishevelled mane is
as trendy as flowing flowery dresses in the summertime. Look like you’ve just stepped out of the waves, not
the salon.
7. TOWELS
Most hotels of a certain standard provide towels, so leave yours hanging over a door at home. A real dilemma is beach towels – do you snaffle the hotel’s fluffy white bath towels and get them all sandy?
8. GUIDEBOOKS
Great reference material though it is, your coffee table read ‘Europe on a Shoestring’ or ‘The Photographic Guide to the Countries of the World’ should stay right there. Get them on your e-reader. Or, if you must have real paper, photocopy the relevant chapters or pages, and throw away each sheet once you’ve used it to lighten your load as you move on.
9. PROPER SHIRTS
There might be an occasion on your holiday where collar and cuffs are required – dining under the stars on a rooftop terrace at a six-star hotel in Dubai perhaps – but its nigh-on impossible to keep your Sunday best in tip-top shape in transit. Stick to tees or casual shirts that can be neatly rolled or folded and wearable straight from the case.
10. FIREWORKS…
…and other restricted items are not okay. Double-check you’re not taking anything ill-advised onto the plane!
