What has inspired me to create this post?

A few people I know have gone away recently and somehow they’ve mentioned that they don’t know where to begin in terms of what to pack. They were concerned that they’d leave something important out!

I used to go and stay in Leicester a lot so I created my own check list to make sure I didn’t forget anything.

It was so simple. I made it once, kept it on the pc so I could add to it or share it with others (I didn’t have a blog back then, you see, so forwarding by email was the key?! ) and I’d keep a print out of it in the suitcase that I took for weekend travel so it was at hand when I needed it. As easy as that.

Now that I have a blog I thought I’d share it with you in the hope that it will help someone else feel less disorganised or rushed when packing.

If I’ve left anything out please do let me know.

Essentials: ~

Credit card – just in case
Cash (foreign) – order from https://www.travelex.co.uk (better than M&S rates – free collection from airport at check-in.)
Resort details
Drivers license
Tickets to airport if going by train
Tickets to country
Travel insurance details
Oyster card if using LT
Something that will support you if you have particular dietary requirements. For example we are vegan so we take the Vegan Passport with us which explains what we will/won’t eat in many different languages.

Things to sort out/arrange: -

Car parking arrangements
Lift to the airport
Taxi

Clothes: ~

Pashminas
Jewellery
Glasses
Shoes/Sandals
Casual clothes
Dressy clothes
Night clothes
Swimwear
Tights/socks
Underwear

General things: ~

Toothbrush
Drivers licence – especially for ID if we go you go somewhere where there’s a minimum age of entry.
Toiletry bag ~ deodorant, shower cap, cream, perfume, nail cutter, toothbrush, cotton pads, cotton buds, make up, make up remover, sanitary items, wet wipes.
Night clothes
Beach/Swimming clothes
Say wear – casual, light, easy to change and walk in
Evening wear – dressy as well as smart casual.
Undergarments – suitable for specific clothes that you’ve packed
Socks/tights
Evening wear shoes
Sandals
Walking shoes
Flight wear – baggy so it’s comfortable plus comfy shoes
Daily medications
Insect repellent
Suntan lotion
Watch
Book to read on the train/plane
Paper to write letters or notes of some sort
Ipod? Music?
Camera with batteries and charger

My friend was telling me about the fact that he was going away and didn’t know what to take. He hadn’t started packing yet and wasn’t sure where to begin.

I stumbled upon this website and thought the content was great in terms of preparing well before you travel. So I thought I’d share it with you.

We’ve put together this travel check list to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. We’ve got more advice for specific types of travellers in our Travel advice relevant to you section.

Before you go:

* check our travel advice pages for the country you are visiting. Sign up for email alerts and you’ll get the latest updates for that country

* register with our LOCATE service so we can get in touch with you if something goes wrong

* find out where the nearest embassy will be – check their website to find out what services they offer and their opening times

* don’t travel without insurance – make sure it covers you for any activities you are likely to undertake such as extreme or water sports

* travelling within the EU? Then get a free European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care – you still need full travel insurance though!

* check with your doctor whether you need any vaccinations at least six weeks before you travel

* make sure you’ve got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid

* for certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel – check before you go

* take photocopies of your passport and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.

* tell a friend or relative where you are going and for how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number

* take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds in a mix of cash and travellers cheque – make a note of the cheques’ numbers before you go

* invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip

* driving abroad? Make sure your licence is current and valid. Make sure you are aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting

 

What has inspired me to create this post?

A few people I know have gone away recently and somehow they’ve mentioned that they don’t know where to begin in terms of what to pack. They were concerned that they’d leave something important out!

I used to go and stay in Leicester a lot so I created my own check list to make sure I didn’t forget anything.

It was so simple. I made it once, kept it on the pc so I could add to it or share it with others (I didn’t have a blog back then, you see, so forwarding by email was the key?! ) and I’d keep a print out of it in the suitcase that I took for weekend travel so it was at hand when I needed it. As easy as that.

Now that I have a blog I thought I’d share it with you in the hope that it will help someone else feel less disorganised or rushed when packing.

If I’ve left anything out please do let me know.

Clothes: ~

• Pashminas
• Jewellery
• Glasses
• Shoes/Sandals
• Casual clothes
• Dressy clothes
• Night clothes
• Swimwear
• Tights/socks
• Underwear to match the clothes you’ve packed
• Clothes for work if you’re going straight to work after your break

General things: ~

• Toothbrush
• Drivers licence – especially for ID if we go you go somewhere where there’s a minimum age of entry.
• Toiletry bag ~ deodorant, shower cap, cream, perfume, nail cutter, toothbrush, cotton pads, cotton buds, make up, make up remover, sanitary items, wet wipes.
• Daily medications
• Watch
• Paper to write letters or notes of some sort
• Ipod? Music?
• Camera with batteries and charger
• Make – up
• Book to read while you travel
• ID
• Maps/sat nav

The solicitor we used sent us a check list similar to that shown below. I’ve added some extra bits but having their list to begin with was SO helpful!

List of persons to notify of your change of address

Nursery
School
College
University
Long Distance Course Providers
Work
Union

Bank
Building Society
Investment Providers
Pension Providers
Life Insurers
Endowment Insurers

Building Insurers
Contents Insurers
Breakdown cover
Car Insurers
Pet Insurers

Credit Card or Hire Purchase Companies
Companies of which you are a shareholder
Inland Revenue
Child Benefit Office

Doctor
Dentist
Vets
Opticians
Health policy

Council Tax
Electoral Register
Service charge if applicable

Gas Supplier
Electricity Supplier
Water/Drainage Supplier
Telephone/Cable Supplier
Mobile phone
Sky or Digital or similar supplier

Newsagent
Magazine subscriptions
DVLA
SORN – DVLA doesn’t need an address for SORN purposes. However, make sure your registration certificate (V5C) is up to date to ensure you receive a reminder when your SORN is about to expire.
Television Licensing
Passport Office

Family
Friends

The list is not exhaustive but we hope it helps.

For your information

1 With effect from May 29, 2008, collection of visa applications and their delivery has been outsourced to VF Services UK Ltd. (http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk) in a phased manner as per details below:-

(i) From May 29, 2008 onwards High Commission of India, London will accept visa applications only through VF Service UK Ltd. Only exception will be for diplomatic/official/UN passports;

(ii) For this purpose, VF Service UK Ltd. has opened two India Visa Application Centres (IVACs) whose addresses are as follows:-

(1) 60-62 Wilton Road, Victoria, London SW1V 1DE; and
(2) 142-148 Goswell Road, London EC1V 1DE.

(iii) Visa applications can be submitted to India Visa Appliction Centres, VF Services (UK) Ltd. in the following manner:-

(a) On-line applications (passports/documents can be sent later by post or submitted in person by taking on-line appointments;

(b) Postal applications, other than those falling under the jurisdiction of Consulates General of India, Birmingham and Edinburgh, may be addressed to India Visa Application Centre, VF Services (UK) Ltd., 142-148 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DU); [For jurisdiction list, please see http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk]

(c) Walk-in applicants (may like to take prior on-line appointments) at any of the two centres mentioned above;

(d) Through Travel Agents.

(iv) A third IVAC will be opened in London at a location and from a date that will be intimated shortly.

2     Birmingham
The India Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Birmingham has become operational with effect from June 6, 2008. All visa applications under the jurisdiction of Consulate General of India Birmingham will be accepted through VF Services (UK) Ltd. The location of IVAC at Birmingham is :

India Visa Application Centre
VF Services (UK) Ltd.
No.20-21 Pemberton Street,
Jewellery Quarter, Hockley
Birmingham B18 6NY

For details on visa applications, jurisdiction etc. please visit

Edinburgh
The India Visa Application Centre at Edinburgh will become operational at a later date (tentatively end-June 2008). The Consulate General of India at Edinburgh will continue to accept visa applications, including postal applications, falling under their jurisdiction till India Visa Application Centre become operational there. The location of IVAC at Edinburgh will be :-

India Visa Application Centre
VF Services (UK) Ltd.
66 Hannover Buildings, Rose Street
Edinburgh EH2 2NN.

3 The Diplomatic/Official/UN passport holders may submit their applications for visas to the High Commission of India, London and its Consulates General in Birmingham and Edinburgh directly.

4 The VF Services (UK) Ltd. has been authorised to charge a service fee of GB Pounds 06.90 plus prevailing VAT charges @17.5% per application over and above the normal visa fee of the High Commission. Postal/Bank/agency charges, wherever applicable, will be additional, to be borne by the applicant.

5 Applicants should make travel arrangements only after obtaining appropriate visa. The processing time for visas in normal cases will be 2- 3 working days and in some cases it may take longer ( for details refer ‘processing time’ for visas on web-site http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk ).

6 Link to India Visa Application Centres, VF Services (UK) Ltd. – http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk

IVR No. 09068 44 45 44 (premium number) *
* calls charged at 60p per minute at all times

What has inspired me to create this post?

My friend is going away for 2 weeks to attend a family wedding. She was a bit worried that she’d leave something important out, when she was packing.

I often attended wedding outside of London. When this was the case I stayed there and went to the wedding the next day. Thus it was essential that I didn’t forget anything.

This made me create a list. I made it once, kept it on the pc so I could add to it or share it with others (I didn’t have a blog back then, you see, so forwarding by email was the key?! ) and keep a print out of it in the suitcase that I took for weekend travel. As easy as that.

Now that I have a blog I thought I’d share it with you in the hope that it will help someone else feel less traumatised, disorganised or rushed when packing.

If I’ve left anything out please click on reply and let me know.

1.    Sari
2.    Chunio
3.    Blouse
4.    Punjabi dress
5.    Pasmina/Shawls
6.    Jewellery set
7.    Chanla
8.    Bangles