None of us particularly enjoy the experience of carrying our luggage around with us on the way to, or coming back from our holiday. We all perhaps wish earnestly that we could reduce the quantity of luggage that we take with us, or that somehow they would invent luggage that would be able to compress all of our belongings so that perhaps they would pop conveniently into a pocket, yet at the same time be able to be unpacked and fill an entire wardrobe.

Sadly this isn't possible, and so we have to think of ways in which we can strike a balance between taking enough for us to be able to enjoy our holiday successfully, whilst at the same time being careful not to take too much so that we end up almost breaking our back just getting to our holiday.

It is always important to spend plenty of time before you go away thinking about what you will actually need to take with you. It is easy to fall into the trap of looking at the usual sorts of outfits that we wear, and putting them wholesale into your case. With careful thought, possibly with a need to purchase specific items, it is preferable to consider taking a range of separate items, all of which will be fully interchangeable with each other. It is more often the case that taking several items which are all interchangeable takes up less room, but at the same time provides greater flexibility and versatility when you are away, than does taking individualised set outfits.

With careful planning it is possible to reduce the quantity of luggage that you take, and this is the most important step in helping to keep you sane whilst going on holiday. Another point worth considering is the condition and type of case that you actually use. Of course, the ideal scenario is one where you have managed to reduce your luggage to a simple carryon bag. Providing that this is in good condition and that it conforms to both size and weight limitations, this will help you move more quickly through airport security. But if a suitcase is necessary, think carefully in advance of a few points. Is it a suitable size? A suitcase which really is too small will need to be bursting by the time you get to the airport, and you know that this will always be the occasion when the hinges snap or the fasteners won't work. Overstraining a suitcase, especially an old one is a recipe for disaster.

On the other hand, taking a suitcase which is far too big, yet under packed, might mean that you pass the weight restriction, but its sheer size means that it can become an inconvenience itself. It may well be worth considering buying a new suitcase that is more suited to the trip you are planning. It is rare these days to be able to buy a suitcase which does not have some kind of wheels, and you would be wise to test these out and to identify wheels which are not bearing based, but more built along the lines of inline roller skate wheels. These are usually quieter and smoother, and less likely to seize should they get very hot.

Finally, take care about packing the items in your case, thinking about keeping the heavier items toward where the bottom of the case will be, and distributing them widely so that you don't have a battle on your hands, with all of the heavy items off to one side, constantly forcing the case to steer in only one direction. These simple ideas can make a significant difference to the level of sanity you are able to keep hold of whilst departing for your well deserved break.