Packing for Your Next Holiday FAQ - written by Jez Rourke

Before packing a suitcase for your holiday, you should give some consideration to the rainfall and minimum and maximum temperatures that are usual in your destination. This will help you avoid packing unsuitable items, especially as meeting the low weight restrictions of twenty kilograms is a difficult task.

There are numerous websites where you can find out this sort of information and your travel agent will also be able to help. Given the proximate rainfall and temperature, give some thought to what holiday activities you expect to be participating in and the clothing you will need for these. Then, will you need an umbrella and raincoat or will a pack-a-Mac be sufficient? Consider how much clothing you think you will need for the week or two you will be holidaying at this time of the year and how large a suitcase you will need.

If you have the funds to buy a new suitcase, then it's a good idea to buy one that is as lightweight as possible. A suitcase with wheels is going to be much heavier than one without!

You may actually prefer a backpack to a suitcase, as these are lighter and you can buy one that is made so that it suits your body shape. They are equally as secure as a suitcase, usually with zips and pockets that can be padlocked. Naturally these are things you will need to check out before you buy, as well as how waterproof it is, because the last thing you want is for all your clothes to get saturated if you get caught in the rain.

When it comes to buying a new suitcase or backpack, you should remember that the cheapest isn't necessarily the best, as your luggage may be in for a fairly rough ride on the airports carousels. This is why it is a good idea to buy a good quality luggage carrier that can withstand a bit of battering. Imagine how you will feel if your bag bursts open as it is dropped onto the carousel. You will then probably end up buying another one at the airport, which will be expensive!

Next you will need to make a list of all the shoes, clothing, camera and accessories that you are planning to pack. Then you can weigh individual pieces of clothing and calculate what the total weight of all your items will weigh together with the weight of your suitcase. If your total shows that you are trying to pack too much, you will have to make appropriate changes to your list. Remember that you will have to allow for any souvenirs you plan to bring back with you. You know a little something for your friends, family and co workers.

Now you have given a great deal of thought to packing your suitcase for your next holiday, make sure you know your flight departure and arrival times, points of arrival and departure, flight paths and the best time of the year to travel. Don't forget to check your passport is up to date.

All you have to do now is enjoy your holiday!

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