I have been fortunate to travel the world extensively over the last ten years. One of the benefits of this is that I think I’ve become a pro when it comes to packing for my trips, whether it be backpacking or going on a relaxing holiday with my girlfriend.

It is always amazing to see how some people overpack and feel the need to bring everything but the kitchen sink with them when they go away. People need to relax and remember that when they go on holiday they don’t need to bring everything they own with them, packing should be simple and kept to an absolute minimum.

If anything, overpacking becomes a hinderance because it clutters up your nice hotel room and means that you have more things to make sure you haven’t forgotten when you check out.

So here’s a simple list of things that people don’t need to bring with them and some great solutions.

Home Comforts

Of course we all love our little home comforts when we’re away, but really if you’re only going away for a week or so you can live with out them. We are after all going somewhere new, so we should make a concerted effort to embrace the local culture and food. You don’t need to worry too much because you will always be able to find some food from back home in any major tourist destination.

Too Many Clothes

This has to be the biggest mistake that people, including myself sometimes, tend to make. You can always get your clothes washed at the hotel when you’re on holiday so you don’t need to pack a different outfit each day. One of my little cheats is to get online and order all of my holiday clothes, this way they arrive folded and ready to be put in the bag. It means I certainly don’t overpack. The best way to do this is to take advantage of the great groupon discounts, they allow you to look good at a great price.

Every Toiletry You Own

We don’t need to bring every bottle of moisturiser, conditioner and shampoo that we own. Try to be strict with yourself because they end up taking too much space in the bag. This is really important if you’re taking carry on luggage only, remember that you’re only allowed 100ml bottles with you.

Don’t forget to take your laptop though, starting a travel blog will require you to take your laptop with you on the road – there’s no better way to share your stories.