Packing is not the chore it is made out to be, and you too can pack quickly, while being prepared for any situation imaginable, merely by following these hints.

We all take too much with us when we travel, and upon return promise ourselves that next time we will be economical packers, however we never are. Instead with a little forethought you`ll be able to look appropriately dressed for any occasion, and will be prepared for any event.

Check out the customs
Make sure you are familiar with the local customs of the country you are travelling to, so that you can dress accordingly. For example in Bermuda it is socially unacceptable for a man to go shirtless, or for a woman to wear skimpy skirts or shorts. In Italy and Spain women are expected to wear a scarf on their heads upon entering places of worship.

The basics
They are always a few basic items that are easily forgotten, like sunglasses, a costume, a wide brimmed sun hat and sunscreen. Try take sun protection that can be applied to your face and body, as this reduces the inevitable clutter around the bathroom sink! Also don`t take several swimming costumes, especially if you are not a beach bum, as you probably will only wear one anyway. The same can be said for cosmetics - don`t duplicate, and take only the essential items.

If you are only going to be away for a week don`t take half a dozen pairs of shoes, as you will return at the end of the holiday not having worn most of them. As a general rule, take a comfy pair to walk in when sightseeing, a pair of sandal for the beach and casual wear, as well as a pair of evening shoes for dancing until dawn in.

You`ll have to take a combination of casual and evening clothes, with some resorts being smarter than others requiring you to take slightly smarter clothes. One or two smart outfits that can be mixed-and-matched should suffice for evening wear. Provided that you choose in similar colours and casual wear can easily be co-ordinated. This way you need only take a few shirts, skirts, trousers and shorts to have a wardrobe that will survive even an extended holiday. If you find yourself packing items specifically for a particular outfit, leave it at home, as such outfits are not worth the space they take up.

Avoid taking expensive jewellery, rather take items that can be worn with all your outfits. Your special fragrance and nice underwear will make you feel good about yourself. Confidence that shines from within gives you a radiance that an extra pair of shoes in your luggage will never be able to match!

Men should take a jacket and tie unless the resort they go to specifically states that casual clothes are acceptable in the restaurant.

Winter Warmers
Items that are easily overlooked in the comfort of home, but are sorely missed in colder climates include thermal underwear and thermal socks. If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel chilly. A windbreaker is also essential, over and above a warm jacket. However don`t forget to take thinner clothes for the warm confines of a heated hotel room. Ski resorts tend to be very upmarket, so pack smarter clothes. Sunglasses and sun cream make an unlikely bed mate for snowy conditions, but people often don`t realise how potent the reflection power of snow is. It is unusual to see skiers walking around with severe sunburn - not an attractive option for a romantic honeymoon.

Since warm clothes are bulky, you will have to be strict with yourself than if you were packing for an ocean cruise. Again the rules of mixing-and-matching apply. Only take the shoes you will definitely use - one pair of boots will be far more useful than six pairs of shoes. Warm clothes are often made in darker colours, so choose a few colours you like that can easily be matched with your other clothes. Black always looks good and can be matched with virtually everything. Take a long skirt to add interest to a wardrobe if you get tired of wearing pants all the time.

Evening clothes
Don`t forget clothes for wearing at night. You can probably take your cocktail dress from home as venues are usually well heated, however, it would be wise to check ahead beforehand. Wherever you go, consider the following:
* an evening handbag
* a soft collapsible bag for carrying any items that you buy around
* while sightseeing, and on the journey home
* a fold-up umbrella is often a necessity in certain countries
* plastic bags for laundry or wet bathing suits
* insect repellent
* travel-sized first aid kit
* sports clothes

Roll up your clothes when packing as this minimises creases as well as enables you to pack more into each suitcase. Also pack all essential items and clothes for the first day, as well as your cameras, into your hand luggage. This way you can start enjoying your honeymoon even if your bags don`t reach your destination.

Article source: LifeWorld