The amount of luggage you are permitted will depend upon airline restrictions. Excess baggage charges can be very costly and are at your own expense, consult the individual airlines.

Travelers should try to limit their luggage to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person. If you have a travel companion and you plan to take more than one suitcase, share suitcase space so that if one bag goes astray, you'll both still have several changes of clothes. Remember that whatever luggage you take you will have to carry and by reducing the amount of luggage you have greater mobility.

Your travel wardrobe should be based around one or two basic colours, using multi-purpose coordinates that can be worn for a variety of occasions. Conservative styles are far more versatile, and solid colours and darker shades will look clean longer. Grey, black, navy, brown, burgundy and khaki are suggested colours for sport jackets, slacks and skirts.shirts, tops, sweaters.

It is most important that you have multiple use out of your coordinates. Every item you pack should mix and match in several different ways and be worn for different occasions. Keep your expensive jewelry at home.

Avoid bulky or heavy garments that occupy a lot of luggage space. Take clothes that can be worn in layers and added or removed as the weather changes. Layers trap air and insulate; a T-shirt or turtle neck under a shirt, topped by a sweater, then a blazer and a lined raincoat are very warm.

Try to pack clothing that are crease-resistant and permanent press fabric garments which need no ironing and can be easily hand-laundered. This permits you to carry fewer items.

Knit fabrics, as opposed to woven fabrics are more crease-resistant. For cooler weather, pack heavy cottons, tweeds, woolens and blouses and shirts of synthetic blends. For warmer weather, cotton blended with Polyester, Dacron or Orlon travels well. For really hot destinations, try to take 100% natural fibre clothing that absorbs moisture. In tropical climates, synthetic fibres don't "breathe- and can cause chafing and irritation.

Pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Preferably, a pair that has been well broken-in. Be prepared by packing soft, thick socks and adhesive bandages.

Place heavy items, such as shoes and books, near the suitcase hinges to prevent them from crushing clothes once the suitcase is upright. Pack belts, film or other small items inside shoes to help them retain their shape, then place shoes in a plastic or cloth bag to keep them from soiling your clothes. Due to Airline weight restriction soft sided luggage should be considered.

The clothes you need first should be packed on top. In this way, you can leave items in the suitcase until they are needed and, by placing nightwear in last, it will be readily available when you arrive at your destination.

Put large and heavy garments in the bottom of the suitcase, and place the bulkiest part of each garment nearest the outside of the suitcase. Alternate the direction that clothes face in order to more evenly distribute bulk along all sides of the bag.

Undergarments, pajamas and bathing items can be rolled to fill up any spaces. The rolled clothes will cushion other items and prevent shifting.

To remove wrinkles, hang clothing in the bathroom, run hot water and allow steam to remove them.

Toiletries should be unbreakable plastic container. Or, you may wish to purchase these items in miniature sizes. Be sure to take only as much as you'll need, and avoid aerosols. Put all toiletries in plastic bags to prevent leakage onto your clothes.

If you use prescription medicines, bring an adequate supply and pack them in your carry-on luggage in their clearly marked containers in a plastic zip lock bag. This will identify them as legally obtained drugs and help you avoid possible customs delays.

Don't pack any cigarette lighters or matches, and butane curling irons in your luggage. These are considered "hazardous materials- by the airlines and are not allowed on board.

Your passport, visa and travel funds should be on your person at all times.

Pack some of your travelling companion's clothes in your bag and visa versa. In the unfortunate event that one of your bags is lost or misrouted, this will leave you prepared with a change of clothes in the interim.

Finally, leave some room in your suitcase for the inevitable souvenirs, or take along a fold-up tote bag to use on the return leg of your journey. If you pack souvenirs in a separate bag, all items will be easily accessible when you clear customs.

Ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip. Verify with the Consulate of your visiting country for any additional entry requirements. Eg. Visa, Tourist Cards, and the validity date of your passport.

Make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one at home with a relative or friend; take the other with you in your carry-on bag with your important travel documents.

In the event of a lost or stolen passport, the few minutes you spend will pay off in perhaps hours saved if you need to fill out a report or file for a passport replacement.

Place a photocopy of your itinerary and a card with your mane and address, both in North America and where you're staying abroad, INSIDE your luggage. If your luggage does not have a built-in lock system, invest in a small padlock and a luggage strap.

It is best to purchase all your flash cards for your trip in advance and carry it with you. Before you leave, supply your camera, flash and video camera with new batteries.

Check to find out what source of plugs and voltage you will have in each destination for recharging your batteries.

It is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for your own protection. Also, your personal health insurance should be valid worldwide; or, you should purchase Health/Accident travel insurance coverage. Without proof of insurance, some doctors and hospitals overseas require payment in advance of treatment. Please be sure you have adequate baggage insurance; this is a personal item and loss or damage is not covered by your trip price.

It is recommended that you take an adequate supply of the prescription medicines you use regularly to last throughout your trip. Carry them in the original containers to identify them as legally obtained drugs and pack them in your carry-on bag in a see through zip lock bag.

To guard against complications in the event of loss, carry duplicate prescriptions with your important travel documents.

It is a wise idea to carry telephone numbers of immediate family members or emergency contacts as well as your physician's name, office address and telephone number.

The following are tactics to take to help minimize the physical effects of jet lag for those first few days of your trip:

Wear loose, comfortable, layered clothing that you can sleep in. Get a pillow and blanket as you board the aircraft.

Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.

Avoid eating red meat, fatty sauces and creams, alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

Eat low-fat foods, a lot of fruit and vegetables in order to keep your metabolic rate at a high level.

Take your shoes off, put a pair of warm socks on and try to elevate your feet, perhaps by resting them on your carry-on bag.

Put on your headset and select a soothing music channel on the audio program.

Try to get to sleep as soon as possible after the meal service, and for as long as possible. (Yes! As tempting as it is, opt to avoid watching the in-flight movie!)

Try to adapt to the new time zone and the routine of the day. As best you can, avoid the powerful urge to take a nap. If you simply must lie down, do so for on 30 minutes. A short nap really does compensate for lost sleep. As a matter of fact, in a state of sleep deprivation, following the first 4 minutes, a 30 minute nap can make up for about two hours worth of deep sleep. If you sleep longer than 30 minutes, you'll get a sluggish feeling that will be even harder to overcome for the rest of the day!

Go outdoors in the sunshine or fresh air as soon as possible. Take a short walk or engage in some exercise.

Try to stay up until a normal bedtime for your new time zone.

Get up at a normal waking time for your new time zone.

Don't skip breakfast and include coffee and/or tea.

If you need a nap in the afternoon, again, take only 30 minutes.

If you've taken every measure to combat the effects of jet lag and after the first full day, your body still seems to be slow to recover, don't despair. It's perfectly natural. The body takes one day to adjust to every time zone that has been crossed.