Which part do you despise about travel? If you are like me, then it’s the packing and list writing before, during and after packing. First off, I write a list of the things I need.

Here’s what it contains (for a week or even two, meant for a city break):

• medicine: birth control pills, vitamins
• IT related: camera and charger, cell and charger, spare memory cards, laptop tablet (or netbook if I need to work), external HDD (optional), batteries and charger, mp3 player, USB cord
• clothes divided into the following categories:
  1. lingerie: 2 bras and 4-5 pairs of underwear ; 4-5 pairs of socks; 1 sports bra
  2. pants: 2 pairs of jeans (I usually wear one) and the sports equipment
  3. blouses/t-shirts/tanks: 4 t-shirts, 3-4 tanks (winter/spring), 1 sweater
  4. 1-2 summer dresses
  5. jacket

• toiletries: usually none because i purchase on arrival unless I stay in a hotel and I only take my toothpaste and tooth brush along with my hair brush
• shoes: 1 pair of athletic shoes and 1 pair of elegant shoes; or 1 pair of sandals (summer)
• others: note book, pen, wrist watch, bandana, scrunchy (don’t ask!)
• optional:1 or 2 shirts, 1 or 2 skirts

Once this list is done, packing begins.

I typically put everything in reusable plastic bags (you know, the ones you get at the store). They are multi purpose and multi use…they can double as dirty laundry bags and many can be used for many other things.

When I check everything off the list, I weigh the luggage if I travel by plane (i.e. For our London trip we’ve got a 32 kg limit for the checked luggage and 7 kg for the carry on).

If I travel with someone, the IT related stuff goes into one of the carry ons (typically a laptop bag). Once the limit it reached, the rest goes in the other bag. And I also carry one change of clothes (for each of us) in the carry on. And the wet wipes (always and forever)!

The above list is meant for a week (or two) of traveling (city break). Although washing clothes in room’s bathroom is something I have done before.

One more tip that I have for you is: always mark your checked luggage. I use an orange ribbon (aside from the name tag and phone number which goes in a different place).

>>read about:
>> Women and Packing Light for Greece
>> What to Pack for a Beach/Swimming Pool vacation

Later edit: post first published in March 2011, republished in November 2012.