You have organised a weekend trip away and now that the time is nearly here you need to start thinking about what to pack and take with you on your trip.
You have travelled many times before and each time you end up taking way too much luggage with you, that you don’t end up using and ultimately regret not having packed lighter.
Here are a few tips to help you lessen that load and pack light for your weekend trip away:
Downsize your bag
One of the most obvious ways to go lighter is to downsize your travel bag. By limiting the space that you’ve available to pack in, you limit how much you can take with you.
To have all your packing neatly compartmentalised, Luggage Set Giant can help you select the right bag.
If you’re flying then restrict your luggage to a carry-on bag. This not only saves you money as you don’t have to pay the fees for a checked-in bag but also saves you time as you don’t need to wait at the baggage carousel on the other end to collect your luggage AND it reduces your carbon footprint as well.
Check the weather
Before you pack, load your destination into your mobile phone’s weather app and check the weather forecast there for the next few days.
If you know what the weather is going to be like at your destination then you know what type of clothing, shoes, and accessories you need to pack.
It’s very easy to pack light for warm weather as clothes and shoes tend to be lighter and less bulky.
Cold weather conditions make it slightly more difficult to pack light but you can limit the load by wearing your heaviest and bulkiest jacket and shoes on your journey. This frees up space in your bag for items such as scarves and vests that can be layered and matched with your different outfits.
Plan your outfits beforehand
You know what the weather is going to be like, and you probably have an idea of what activities you’re going to do on your weekend away. Use this information to plan ahead and only pack what you need. Avoid the urge to pack the ‘maybes’ and ‘what ifs’.
If you know that you’re going out for dinner in the evening then choose and pack an outfit for that occasion. If you’ve planned a day on the beach then don’t forget your bikini and your sarong.
Consider your toiletries
Most hotels, guest houses, and self-catering accommodations offer shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body cream, and hand soap to their guests. If you’re happy to ditch your own for theirs then leave yours behind to save some space.
If you’re particular about your toiletries then consider partly decanting them into smaller containers so as to save space and travel lighter.
Consolidate your digital gadgets and information
These days Smartphones offer a range of useful services from one device. Load your music onto your phone and use it instead of carrying a separate music player. To navigate your way around, use the maps app on your device instead of a map book. If your smartphone camera is up to standard then use that to take snaps during your weekend away instead of packing a separate camera.
To end off, a little bit of preparation and forethought is the key to packing lightly and effectively for your weekend away. So, don’t leave packing to the last minute and you’re sure to enjoy a wonderful (and lighter) weekend away.
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Currently, I'm in Cambodia (and loving it!)
