I've done a fair bit of travel and the worst part about it (right after delayes and long transfers) is packing and lugging your hevay bags around. Suitcases are heavy and bulky, you have to pay extra for them when flying with most airlines. Then you have the joy of waiting around for your bags at the airport and that is if they haven't been lost....

All in all, big bags are annoying. These days I've adopted more of a light traveller approach. I only pack essentials and never carry more stuff that I will realistically need. Gone are the days where I'll pack 7 outfits for a 3 day city break. No more, bringing my full make-up kit when really I only use a handful of product day-to-day.

This has saved me a lot of time and hassle, and made the actual transit from destination A to destination B much more enjoayble.

Here's everything I am packing for a week long trip to Rome and some tips on how to make the most of the stuff you bring:

CLOTHES:

CHECK OUT THE FACILITIES:

We're lucky enough to be staying in a roomy Airbnb that offers facilities such as a washing machine. This means that I don't have to pack 7 different outfits but instead put a wash on and have clean clothes. I'm packing 2 tees, 2 camis, 2 pairs of jeans and a dress. That's it! (and underwear and socks ofc!)

CO-ORDINATE

Most of my clothes are black, or white or in block colors which means that I don't hjave to think too much about matching my outfits. I know that pretty much everything goes. If you however wear colours and patterns, make sure you bring pieces that match.

WRAP INTEAD OF FOLD

I've been doing this for years and it astonsihes me that people don't know about this packing hack. Wrapping clothes onto themselves instead of folding them saves you space and prevents the clothes from wrinkling. Try it next time you're packing your bag. You can thank me later.

TOILETRIES:

CHECK OUT THE FACILITIES:

Most hotels and Airbnbs offer basic stuff like shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste etc. Make sure you know what's already available and only bring the things you'll need.

TRAVEL SIZE

I never bring full size toilteries with me for a number of reasons. Firstly, there's the restriction on liquids allowed on board of the plane, then there's the fact that I wouldn't need a full size moisturizer or a full size toothpaste for a 7 day trip. Just take what you need. I've got some small plastic pots from Muji and transfer a weeks worth of products in them and that's what I travel with.

PLUG ADAPTOR:

Does this count as a toiletry? Either way, make sure you buy one in advance as the ones on the airport are heavily overpriced.

EXTRA TIPS:

1. Know your limits - know your luggage allowance. Dimensions and weights allowed on board vary from one airline to teh next. if you don't want to be caught off-guard, make sure you read the instructions carefully.
2. Weight your bag - See point one. The bathroom scales will do.
3. Wrap valuables - Make sure fragile items like jewelry and camera lenses for example are packed in your clothes so that they can act as extra cushioning.
4. Leave some empty space in your bag - You'll probably want to bring back some souveniers from your travels. Make sure you leave some space in your bag for those.
5. Tickets and passports! Make sure you have them.
6. Double check which airport, terminal, train station, platform you're travelling from. Don't assume. Axl and I almost missed a train from Florence to Venice once because we were in the wrong train station.