The vacation packing tips that follow are based on experience - both good and bad. My wife and I have done enough things right, and enough wrong to have something to teach about travel. The last time we traveled together to Ecuador, we went with carry-on luggage only - a ten-pound pack each. This was one of the things we did right, and is tip number one.

1. Go light. It is simpler, especially if you are traveling by air and you can keep it to just carry-on. A few weeks ago we spent almost two hours waiting for a relative’s suitcase to show up on the Luggage carousel at Denver International Airport. At least it finally showed up, but if you can do just carry-on, you leave all problems of late or lost luggage behind, and travel more easily.

2. Have all you essentials in your carry-on bag. If your other luggage is lost, you should have what you need to stay clean and comfortable with you.

3. Budget a little extra and buy things as you go. Don’t carry 20 extra things for the five that you’ll end up using. You’ll find that this is more practical and relaxing than over-planning a vacation and over-weighting the luggage.

4. Valuables like jewelry are almost never covered by the luggage insurance the airline provides. Be sure to pack these items in your carry-on bag. We learned this one the hard way.

5. When packing shampoo, perfume, skin cream and other liquids, be careful. The cargo areas of planes are not pressurized fully, so the tops can pop off of bottles and other containers. To really be safe, pack such items in a sealed ziplock bag.

6. Don’t pack things too tight. Your luggage may be opened and inspected, and the security officials may not know how to fit it all back in.

7. Important documents, like passports and identification, should never be packed in your luggage. Carry them on your person, preferably in a hidden pocket or security pouch under your shirt.

8. Have a good packing routine. For example, start by making a list of items you’ll need based on every circumstance you may be in during your vacation. Then consider each item, and remove any that aren’t likely to be used - especially if they can be easily obtained at your destination.

9. Check the weather forecast for your vacation destination before packing. You might need a raincoat, or a down coat, or (even better) shorts or a swimsuit. It is easy to get a forecast online now for anywhere in the world.

10. Write these tips and others down, and keep the list handy for each time you take a vacation.

Copyright Steve Gillman. Get the free
Travel Secrets Ebook, as well as travel stories and tips, at http://www.everythingabouttravel.com