Of all the travel skills you might acquire, travelling light is the one most likely to result in a relaxed, productive, stress-free travel experience.
Start with a packing list - most importantly, it will ensure nothing important will be forgotten. Add items if you must, to address your business needs, hobbies, personal requirements, etc, but resist the temptation to add non-essentials. If you're thinking "I might need this", you're likely mistaken. If it's "I can't survive without this", you may be right. Of course, what you need to consider is what you will be doing when you get to your international destination, the climate of where you are travelling to, and lastly - though not nearly as important - how long you will be away.
- Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
- Travel vouchers, tour and cruise documents
- Passports and visas (if necessary)
- Vaccination certificate (if required)
- International driver's license (if you are hiring a car)
- Travel insurance card/policy
- Credit cards - be sure to call credit card companies before travelling to alert them you are travelling outside your normal area
- Cash, Cash Passport card and/or travellers cheques (keep travellers cheques receipt in a separate location)
- Watch
- Pre-paid phone card
- 3 copies of airline tickets, travel documents, passports/visas and itinerary - pack one copy in carry on, one copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home
- Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or travellers cheques
- Emergency numbers at home
- Prescription medications and any other essential medications in carry on bag
- Travel sickness medication (if necessary)
- Prescriptions for essential medications
- Medical history (especially if traveling alone)
- Glasses, contact lens, contact lens cleaner, extra reading glasses
- Sunglasses
- Guide books and maps
- Foreign language phrase book or dictionary
- Reading material - books to read while on the plane or relaxing
- Journal, notebook or tour diary and pen/pencil - to record your experiences
- Business cards with email address to give out to new friends
- Currency conversion calculator
- Plug adaptor
- Mobile phone and charger
- Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home - for sending postcards or emails
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Batteries, battery charger and extra memory cards for digital camera
- Film and batteries for non-digital camera
- Disposable underwater camera - for snorkelling
- Extension cord with power board
- Duct tape
- iPod or MP3 player
- Small travel alarm clock - battery operated
- Extra luggage name tags
- Resealable bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
- Small torch
- Swiss Army knife or something similar (be sure to put in checked luggage)
- Fold-up umbrella
- Inflatable travel pillow
- Ear plugs
- Small first aid kit (bandaids, vaseline, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone cream, aspirin)
- Playing cards
- Insect repellent
- Sun screen
- Germicidal hand cleaner
- Handi-wipes
- Hand lotion
- Foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
- Sewing kit, safety pins and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
- Empty folding carry bag or backpack
- Compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
- Snorkelling gear, reef walkers
- Walking shoes, boots or sandals
- Swimming costume
- Raincoat with hood
- Hair dryer
- Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
- Shower cap
- Clothing to suit the climate, eg gloves, hats, thermal underwear, windbreaker if cold - layers of clothing are always best
Most of all, don't forget about Travel Insurance!