So it's time to go on a holiday; you've found your passport, have an idea of what the weather might be like at your travel destination, and are facing the thought of packing.
Pulling the suitcase out, you are suddenly filled with dread: What do I take with me? How do I make it all fit? Is all of this stuff necessary? Have I forgotten anything important?
We reached out to Wendy Wu Tours' founder Wendy Wu for her tips and tricks about how to pack a suitcase, so you only take what you need and still have a great time.
Q: What do you always throw into your suitcase?
I am a great packer because I often go on trips for a long time; anything up to and beyond eight weeks is quite natural for me. When I'm travelling, I can be covering fairly extreme landscapes and temperatures - anything from the beaches to the frozen mountains to the tropics - so I have to very good at packing.
My biggest tip is to check the temperature of your destination. Lay out all the clothes you want to take with you on a bed, and then cut everything by 50 per cent. Leave that essential 50 per cent of your packing on the bed. When you gradually move each item into the suitcase, you cut more, so you really just have the essentials.
By practising this method, I have never taken more than what I need, unlike many of my friends and lovely customers.
Also, I pack a dress and shoes for meetings, make up and then, of course, loungewear for relaxing as well as sports gear for hiking and exercise. Plus, I never go anywhere without an umbrella.
Q: Folding or rolling: Which saves more space in a suitcase?
Rolling, it also avoids creases in your clothes
Q: What's the best way to stop my clothes from wrinkling while I travel?
Rolling!
Q: I'm going away for two weeks. How many clothes do I need to pack so I don't go without but also don't overpack?
I aim to mix and match pieces, so you get more outfits out of the same amount of clothes. I calculate how long I stay at each place, and pack one set for each day.
When I move to a different place, I wear those again, without packing more items.
Q: How do I pack my medicines so I can easily reach for them if I need them, but don't crush or lose them?
I keep them in my toiletry bag.
Q: My suitcase tips over when I pack it. Is there an order or way I should pack my suitcase so I can still find everything, and it stands up OK when I'm travelling?
Use all the belts and bags inside the suitcase to secure items in bundles. I find this avoids the case tipping over.
Q: I don't want to carry multiple chargers and adapters with me to keep my devices charged. What can I do to reduce how many things I pack?
I pack one charger for my phone and one charger for my watch, and that is it. I travel with the charger in my handbag, so I can charge up at a restaurant or wherever I can if the battery is low.
Q: Is there anything that's not worth packing or just buying at my destination and not over there?
The two things that come to mind is soap and towels. I don't ever pack soap or towels, as all of our hotels provide them or you can purchase at your destination if needed.
In saying that, if you have a skin condition and can only use a particular type of soap then you may need to bring this with you.
Q: What is the most common packing question you get asked?
Do I need to take local currency? My answer is always no, unless you have some left over from a previous trip.
Wendy Wu Tours is generously sponsoring a trip for two to Vietnam. Click here to find out how to enter.
