What to Pack

• As most seasoned travelers are all too aware, the Golden Rule of traveling is to pack lightly. It may be tempting to pack for every contingency by stuffing the entire contents of your closet into your suitcase, but it's hardly smart. You're sure to end up with wrinkled clothes, a strained back, and possibly a burst bag. Instead, lay everything out that you want to bring along on your trip and pack only half of it.

• Choose basic outfits that can be transformed with just a few accessories. Drip-dry, wrinkle-free fabrics are ideal. Also try to choose clothes in coordinating colors, so that you can get several looks out of just a few pieces.

• Purchase all your toiletries in travel or trial sizes. Or, if possible, simply buy your toiletries when you arrive at your destination, then discard the empty containers before you return home.

• Try to leave any valuable items at home. These include jewelry, cellular phones, unnecessary credit cards, etc. It's a good idea to carry a list of the contents of your suitcases in case your luggage is lost or stolen during your trip. Photos of your luggage also help when submitting a claim to an airline.