What to pack when going on holiday – frequent traveller RICHARD BROWNING shares his checklist

Less than a year since most of the Covid restrictions around the world – not quite in the US yet – have been lifted, and with Easter just days away, many people will be getting excited about packing for their first big trip in a while.

But what should you pack? Do you still remember? Well, let me try to help – with my checklist of packing for a vacation.

Before we get too tired, my wife wishes we’ve visited 100 countries. It’s a tall order and quite frankly I don’t think it’s possible, not only because I already feel so decrepit sometimes, but also because we’ve been told by well-meaning, country-counting travel purists (there must be a word for this but it’s unlikely to be published) that doesn’t count some of the places we’ve been.

Reunion Island, Mauritius’ strange, foreboding neighbour? No, it’s part of France! Just like the Isle of Wight is a weird, foreboding part of the UK. But while Cowes is a few miles from mainland Britain, Saint-Denis, the capital of Réunion, is 9,000 miles from France. Come on!

Ignoring these rules, we reached 54 last month thanks to Avios flights to Barbados.

> Read here how to get the best out of your Avios

Since we met, the first Gulf War, we have been extremely lucky to be able to spend a large portion of our savings on travel. Driving cheap second-hand cars that last more than a decade instead of spending £400 a month on car finance helps.

Of course, we also didn’t have to deal with unaffordable rents, excessive utility bills, student loan debt and post-Brexit food prices. It’s hard when you start now as an adult and have the travel bug.

For us an Interrail around Eastern Europe and the former Yugoslav countries that vote for each other at Eurovision, plus a few cruises in our twilight years, could add another 40 countries and Bob is your uncle, Jane McDonald’s * your favorite aunt and the goal is theoretically still achievable.

I can’t help you decide where to go. That’s your choice.

But I can help pack.

Thanks to the list, we’re pretty good at packing quickly.

I originally cobbled it together from various websites and modified it over time to reflect our experiences. It still works as a quick visual checklist.

We tend to pack an hour before we have to leave. Some things aren’t on it because you know you won’t forget – pants, swimsuits, Macaulay Culkin.

Ferry Fun: As long as you don’t travel when it’s busy, it’s pretty easy to get to the mainland

Be mindful of keeping copies of your documents. My wife’s passport had been stolen in France on the way to the station and she was still able to get home on the same Eurostar thanks to the photocopy she kept.

I appreciate that there is no children’s stuff on the list. We are beyond that and have made every mistake.

If I remember correctly, once they get past the baby stuff stage, they don’t need all the toys they’ve ever played with, just a charged electronic device full of fun stuff for flights without an entertainment system and maybe a pillow – and same for long car rides, plus boxing gloves if they have a sibling.

* Jane McDonald, a former cruise ship singer, presented the brilliant Channel 5 show, Cruising with Jane McDonald. Check it out on My 5it’s addicting.

Checklist what to take with you when you go on holiday

> You can download the list here to save, edit and print

Share your tips in the comments for anything missing.

Happy Holidays.

Basic things to remember – but not all of them necessary

Passport and copy + emailed to self

Visa doc and copy + emailed to self

Insurance documents and EHIC + emailed to myself

Driver’s license, car rental documents copied and emailed

Car insurance documents + V5 reg for the Netherlands, check the country’s driving requirements

France: spare bulbs, hi-vis vests in glove box, warning triangle, Paris emissions sticker, UK sticker

Black tape or headlight deflector £4 from eBay

Boarding pass

Phone – with downloaded movies and TV shows

Phone charger mains power and portable

Adapters, 4-way plug – see ‘always ready bag’ below

If you can navigate how to get to St Pancras station, London, Eurostar is the relaxing way to reach Europe

Headphones

Laptop and charger

Flashlight, binoculars

Money – cash

Credit and debit cards

sleep masks

Covid masks

Up to date Covid certificates – now just a precaution if rules change last minute

Seasick bands

Medications, plus Imodium, paracetamol, antihistamines, malaria pills

Emergency antibiotics

Copy recipe

first aid kit

Antibacterial hand gel

Wet wipes

Toothbrush / toothpaste

Shampoo

Flying tuck: Fill your suitcase with snacks and basics, and if you’re going to Iceland or Norway, a wine case or two – unless you’re thinking of taking out a mortgage to pay for their booze

Tissues

Glasses

To kiss

Books, guides, phrasebook

Pens and notebook

Playing cards

Sealable plastic bags for toiletries and stupid airport security

Large plastic bags for dirty laundry

Sun cream, after sun

Coffee

Corkscrew, bottle opener

Mugs

Money belt

Shopping bag(s) for life

Bottled water for flight – hopefully allowed from Summer 2024

For self catering – if you are flying

Dishwasher tablets

Tea towel, dishcloth, scouring pad

Grain

Salt and pepper

Soap

Nibbles, peanuts

Crackers

Cook Rice in Bag, Pasta, Smash

Oil

Bouillon cubes

Kitchen paper

For self catering – while driving

Filling car but no meat or dairy allowed in EU. You can bring back what you like

Clothing is often forgotten

T shirts and tops

Socks

Suit you: until all airports copy Dubai and get the bags off the carousel for you, tie something to the handle to identify yours

Shoes – beach, sandals

Pair of trousers

bras

Nightwear

Hats

The always packed and travel ready charger bag

4 way adapter UK plugs

2 or 3 three adapters for sockets abroad

2 USB plugs

2 iPhone cables

USB to USB cable

USB to mini USB

Bluetooth speaker