You'll quickly find that (unless you’re heading off to a nudist colony for the first time!) you will be taking more items on your honeymoon than any other previous vacation.
In order to ensure that all of it gets into the case in the first place, through customs, onto the plane and safely to the other end, it’s time to take some advice from the experts and learn how to pack like a pro.
Let’s start with some key essentials that most of you will already know but it is worth mentioning them anyway:
· Pack your own cases and make sure that no-one interferes with it prior to boarding the plane (it is also wise to note that when asked ‘did you pack your own luggage’ at the check-in desk that you don’t joke about it – you don’t want a strip-search merely because of a quip that was taken the wrong way!).
· Make sure that you take hand luggage with you and pack your important documents in an easily accessible place. Passports, tickets, boarding passes etc. should also be in convenient easy reach and secure from prying hands but easily accessible to you.
· Remove all sharp objects from your hand luggage and put them in your check-in luggage. A list of items is clearly displayed at all airports but so you are aware in advance, the current list forbids you from carrying on board scissors, razor blades, Swiss Army knives/cards, tweezers, hypodermic needles unless required for medical reasons, cutlery and knitting needles. More obscure things that people try to take on board but are not allowed to do so include tools, toy/replica guns, catapults, sporting bats, billiard, snooker or pool cues and darts.
· Do not pack any valuables, money, or fragile items into check-in baggage. Keep them with you at all times, ideally on your person (in the case of money or jewellery) or in your hand luggage.
· Assuming there is still space(!), put heavy objects like books, mp3 players and cameras in your hand luggage. This really helps if you are close to the weight limit and also means that they are more safe and secure.
· Do laundry a few days before you go so everything will washed and freshly ironed before the Big Day and ready to go come the day of the Honeymoon.
· Keep an inventory of everything that you are taking.
Now let’s take a look at what you should know before you begin packing:
· What is your total check-in luggage allowance?
· What hand luggage restrictions are there in place – both in terms of weight and size?
· What will the weather be like when you arrive at your destination and will you need a change of clothes in your hand luggage?
· Are you likely to buy lots of things whilst you're away that would mean you need to leave spare capacity in your case or take an extra bag?
Armed with answers to the above questions, you can begin to put items aside for packing – see the article entitled Packing Checklist for ideas on what to take. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to take everything you want and still be under your luggage allowance. So now it’s time to make some crucial decisions. Here are some ideas as to what you can do to lighten the load:
· Whilst packing, ask yourself 'am I really going to wear/use this?' It is very common to return home with clean, unworn clothes or untouched make-up, so don’t take your full wardrobe just what you need. Also pay attention to what outfits you will wear – that day-glow orange top may be a favourite of yours but if you’re not planning to take the colour co-ordinating shorts then maybe you should leave them at home.
· Avoid taking footwear that you’ve never worn – either wear them in a few days before or take an alternative pair. Taking a special pair of new shoes may seem like a good idea but to prevent blisters and reduce case weight, it may be better just to wear something you are already taking.
· If you are stuck between two items of clothing and don’t know which to take, work out which one is lighter and take that one.
· Buy basic toiletries when you arrive at your destination, and leave them behind when you return home. This saves on weight and many items such as shampoo, body wash, conditioner, suntan lotion and aftersun are usually (but not always so double check) cheaper abroad than they are here in the UK (there’s a surprise!).
· If you are planning to take your own toiletries, invest in some travel size ones or decant things like aftershave into a small spray bottle.
· If you are planning to take some old beach towels, why not treat yourself to a new set whilst you’re away – they’ll save on space (at least on the outbound flight) and at the end you’ll have some nice new towels!
· Take multi-purpose items to reduce weight – clock-radios, reversible belts etc.
· Use laundry and dry-cleaning services when you are away. They are usually pretty simple and cheap to use and mean you need only take seven pairs of knickers rather than fourteen (the point we are making is that you can wash them and not just wear a pair twice by the way!)
· Consider using different luggage. Remember that the heavier your suitcase, the less you will be able to take away with you so whilst it is all well and good (for protective reasons) taking that steel re-enforced case, it may be wiser to buy/borrow a lighter canvas one – the protective element does drop a little, but hey, how damaged can a pair of boxer shorts get on board a plane?
Now that you’ve done everything you can to cut down on what you’re taking it’s finally time to pack. Squeezing all those items into a tiny suitcase may seem impossible, but if you follow our simple advice you’ll find that your tiny suitcase will shortly resemble the Tardis.
· Roll up your clothes. This helps to save space (since the air is squeezed out) and means that they won't get as creased as if they were packed normally.
· Stuff socks inside of shoes or handbags to help them retain their shape.
· Place heavy items on the bottom on the case.
· Always pack the corners (it’s best to squeeze underwear into these gaps as they are more likely to become creased) – you’ll be surprise how much space is available here.
· As soon as you possibly can, unpack your case and hang everything up.
· Place any liquids (contact lens fluid, hair gel etc.) in plastic bags, ideally two to prevent spillages.
· Don’t waste valuable space rolling up belts and placing them in a corner, instead unroll them and wrap them around the inside of the case.
· Invest in a ‘compression bag’ for storing clothes you don’t mind getting creased (underwear on the way out or any dirty clothes on the way back) – the clothes can be effectively ‘shrink-wrapped’ in the bag by using pressure to remove up to 75% of the air saving valuable space in turn.
· Use tissue paper to help prevent creasing – it won’t solve all your wrinkle problems, but it does help.
· Don’t pack too much! Zips can burst, clothes will become more creased and there will be little space to bring anything extra home – is it really worth taking 5 pairs of jeans for all this hassle?
Now that you know how to pack, what are you waiting for? Get to it!
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