Pack everything of value in your carry-on luggage. Though
it may seem to be stating the obvious, if your luggage is
lost, even temporarily, you could experience problems that
are easily prevented. Insure to fill any prescriptions you
need, before you leave and carry an extra pair of contact
lenses or glasses, just in case.
Pack as light as possible and be sure that you have room
in your luggage for souvenirs. Pack clothes that can be
mixed and matched with each other. If going with a
partner, pack some of yours in theirs and vice versa, so
if a bag goes missing you will have clothes for both of
you. Comfortable walking shoes and loose fitting clothes
are a must. Wrap your toiletries in little (plastic)
sandwich bags; if they accidentally spill you won’t ruin
all your clothes. Remember that many airlines are
enforcing the "one piece of carry-on luggage" rule,
particularly when the flight is full, so pack your bags
accordingly.
As the saying goes, “take twice as much money and half as
many clothes as you think you’ll need.” Make copies of
your traveler’s checks. Securing replacements of these
documents when you travel abroad is much easier when you
can provide copies of originals. Credit cards are widely
accepted and ATM machines have become part of the
landscape in many foreign countries. But, you may still
find it necessary to carry cash when you venture into
small towns and rural areas.
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if
required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency
information page of your passport!
Make copies of your passport identification page. This
will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or
stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives.
Insert one inside each luggage; carry the other with you
in a separate place from your passport and with your spare
passport photos.