Case study: top tips on packing your bags

Most of us fail dismally at packing. Here's some advice from professional travellers, from luggage selection to hints on what to put in it and what to leave behind. Check the expiry date on your passport. Many countries require at least six months' validity. And if you do have to renew, make sure you leave plenty of time, especially during peak travel periods. You can check if a visa is required at iatatravelcentre.com. Make your case stand out from the crowd. Tie a ribbon, clip a rainbow-coloured strap around your case or put stickers all over it. Think how many identical black, roll-on cases there are spinning around the carousels in airports. Classic Short Ugg Boots Bright colours will make it easier for you to spot and might just make a baggage handler pick it out sooner. Pack for your bag to be lost - and leave anything you can't bear to lose at home. This means having a change of clothes in your hand luggage and keeping anything you need to get yourself settled in - such as vouchers for hire cars and hotel room reservations - on your person rather than in your suitcase. Some airlines, especially budget airlines, restrict hand baggage size to less than what is specified in the International Air Transport Association regulations. Check before you travel, as many airlines now charge to check a bag into the hold. In some cases, this fee is higher if you haven't pre-booked. This might mean deciding how many suitcases to take when you're booking your flight.You might get away with a larger and heavier carry-on bag than restrictions allow if you check-in online and go straight to security. UGG Ultra Short The X-ray folk are less bothered about size than contents. A decreasing number of hotels, especially budget chains, offer an iron. In some places they won't provide you with one even if you ask, so you may need to pack a travel iron.Pack as carefully when you're heading home as you would before a trip - thousands of items are left in hotel rooms every year. A quick look around the cupboards, drawers and floors in your room - don't forget under the bed - should be part of your checking-out routine. Hot places can be cold at night, particularly if at high altitudes. A warm jacket or fleece will be handy. Rather than carrying a bulky overcoat, consider using layers as another way to reduce the volume of clothes you're carrying.