Anya Hawkins's blog : Unnecessary Things People Often Take on Holiday

Many airlines have further tightened baggage restrictions; you have to be even more careful with the items you choose to pack. Here are some things that people often take on holiday that are often unnecessary. Pack light and avoid taking these items on holiday.

Several pairs of shoes

If you’re going away for a week or two, it's unlikely that you will need more than one or two pairs of shoes. Stick to packing a pair of sandals, comfortable walking shoes, and an evening shoe if you plan on going out to upmarket places for dinner. You can wear either the sandals or walking shoes to the airport to save space in your luggage. If you’re not planning on going to a function or out to an upmarket restaurant, take out the evening shoe and stick to sandals and a pair of walking shoes.

Shampoo and conditioner

Most hotels provide shampoo and conditioner for free, so you don't need to worry about bringing this with you. If you’re unsure, call ahead and ask what they provide, this can help you avoid duplicates of many items. If you need a special type of shampoo or conditioner, make sure you decant a small amount into a little bottle, you don’t need to bring the whole bottle with you on holiday.

Books

Books are great, and reading is something many people love to do on holiday. However, if you get through 3 or more books on a single holiday, they can take up too much space in your luggage. Invest in a kindle or another e-book reader; you will save so much space in your bags. If you prefer the feel of an actual book, opt to take one for the flight instead of multiple books. Many hotels have areas where you can borrow books during your stay, so you’ll likely find something to read.

Large towels

Most hotels, resorts and accommodations provide towels for you to use in the shower. Taking your own towel is unnecessary in most situations; they take up a lot of space in your suitcase or hand luggage. If you’re unsure whether your hotel provides towels, you can ask them when you call ahead about shampoo, conditioner and other toiletries. Have a list ready with things you want to ask about before you call. If you feel uncomfortable phoning up, you can always email where you’re staying in advance to ask about what they provide.

Coats

If you’re travelling to a hot destination, you are very unlikely to need a thick winter coat. If you’re leaving your car at Stansted airport car park or another car park, you can leave your thick winter coat in the car ready for your return to the UK. Instead of a big coat, take a light jacket or jumper with you on your flight to keep you warm when the temperature drops slightly in the evenings. This will also be useful on your journey home and travelling from the airport back to your car. Large coats take up a lot of space and are hard to pack into a suitcase.

Expensive jewellery

Taking expensive jewellery and other valuables on holiday is a recipe for disaster. You can easily lose them or be a target for thieves when you’re out or leave your accommodation unattended. Leave your expensive jewellery at home; you don’t want to add extra stress or worry to your trip. Instead, take less valuable items on holiday with you. This way, you’ll be less worried about losing them and have more fun enjoying and relaxing on your vacation.

Travel pillows

Travel pillows are one item many people choose to take on holiday but don’t often use. They might seem like a good idea, but often they’re uncomfortable and bulky to carry around. They can also be breeding grounds for bacteria unless you have a cover to protect your travel pillow. If you have found a travel pillow you love and use frequently, take it with you. But if you're planning on buying a new travel pillow, don’t bother. They’re often a waste of money and an item that just adds more bulk and unnecessary weight to your baggage.