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Goodbye, excess baggage

Photo: K. MURALI KUMAR

Keep it manageable Don’t pack too much luggage

After declaring in no uncertain terms that over-packing is one of the biggest travel mistakes people make, onebag.com gives you the lowdown on how you can take essentials and prepare for eventualities without compromising on comfort or worrying about what you’ve left behind.

The packing guide is divided into sections titled — what to pack (including a list of items that are usually prohibited for security reasons), what to pack it in (your suitcase type will vary depending on whether it’s a leisure or business trip, how to pack (illustrated wrapping techniques that help you avoid creased clothes) and a packing list that’s so detailed, its contents are spread across almost a dozen categories of necessities.

Click on the ‘Departures’ link to access a compilation of ‘things to do’ before you leave home.

These tips aren’t related to packing, but deal with other important things, such as leaving a spare key with a trusted person for emergencies and unplugging electronic appliances rather than just turning them off.

The site also recommends letting your credit card company know that some unusual items might be billed from a far-off place and to allow those transactions, lest they suspend your account under the suspicion that your card was stolen.

The founder of the site who’s a veteran traveller himself, has some unconventional observations — he discourages the usage of wheeled bags (if you can’t lift the bag, you’ve packed too much), and puts his advice alongside a picture of what looks like a never-ending staircase as proof of how inconvenient they can be. He also reveals that he has attended seminars that dwell on packing techniques, which is apart from learning by trial and error.

So, log on for advice on how to lighten your load.

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