Photo: Dan Matthews/The Guardian. Toiletry bag courtesy of Stackers; Muhle unisex safety razor Photo: Dan Matthews/The Guardian
* Bring one foam is padvertisement (making everything a seat) - they are especially good for walking, but also work in cities. Bring a bottle Tabasco (or Maggi herbs), especially while walking. It's small and makes every snack better. And binoculars. I always have a small kit with me - you never know what kind of animals will turn up in the wild.
Stuart Kenny, travel writer
* You can never have enough travel snacks. Yumbox leak-proof lunch boxes are worth the investment. And we always pack at least one small card game, perfect for killing time virtually anywhere. Dobble is brilliant and can be played with new friends across language barriers, just like Uno. I'm obsessed with it save places on google maps. It's the best way to save the places you want to visit and restaurant recommendations, and you can instantly see what's nearby as you walk around. Finally: all the best souvenirs come from supermarkets. Who doesn't want some French sauce or real hot sauce from Mexico?
Fiona Kerr, travel writer
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* It is an immutable law of adventure travel that all bags are filled to bursting and your shoes are falling apart. That certainly applies to my kind of long-distance travel, but even during a weekend away in Barcelona a wheel can come loose from the wheel bag at the worst possible moment. So now I'll take one sturdy backpack that falls within the limitations of budget airlines and carries the strongest hiking boots. It may raise eyebrows if you check into a castle or country house hotel, but you'll wave past the baggage carousel and can still hop into town during the taxi strike. The hard bag I once bought is in the attic, awaiting spare parts.
Kevin Rushby, travel writer
* You only need two lipssticks/glosses/balms. A nude color and something more daring, such as red, suit any occasion. The best way to clean is with a warm flannel, but not all holiday accommodation offers this, so I take a some washcloths plus a waterproof bag to take them home with you. No one wears enough SPF. Best practice is a minimum of two finger lengths (index and middle fingers) for the face and neck. Take one special facial SPF instead of just makeup with SPF - you should slather yourself in it just to be safe (by all means, take it, but use a belt-and-suspender approach by putting it on top of your sunscreen). And grab one SPF mist This way you can top up without removing your makeup.
Sali Hughes, beauty columnist
Take a wading pool with you on holiday, put your baby in it with some toys, and he will be safe and happy
* If you have babies or toddlers, you may already have one small inflatable paddling pool. Take it with you on your beach holiday. It may sound crazy when you have the real sea to play in, but hear me out. Babies love to crawl, eat sand and get dangerously close to waves. Put them in a paddling pool with some toys and they will be safe and happy. You may even be allowed to read your book for five minutes. Suzanne Citroen, art director
* Pack one travel cosmetics kit for your beauty and health items, and then hang it on a hook in your hotel bathroom. The best one I've found is the Space Saver toiletry bag from Bagsmart - it's not bulky, unlike many travel beauty cases, and it's washable. Vacation is a good opportunity to try something new break beauty habits. So if you feel like you "need" makeup every day when you're at home, try taking it easy when you're on vacation so you can feel better about yourself. Conversely, if you find wearing makeup daunting, try experimenting with it on vacation, when you're more relaxed and less concerned with the judgment of strangers.
Anita Bhagwandas, beauty columnist
* Attempted 3-3-3 packing method. Essentially, this means choosing three tops, three pairs of pants, and three pairs of shoes to create multiple looks. You can adapt it to the type of holiday and your own style. TikTok has tons of videos with suggestions on what to take with you on different trips, and you'll be surprised how many looks you can create with nine core pieces. Get a long strap for your phone. That way you can wear it crossbody and avoid having it ripped out of your hand when taking photos in tourist/pickpocket hotspots. When browsing a gallery or going on day trips, think about whether you really need a bag. Instead of carrying a wallet, I use Apple Pay and download e-tickets. If you need physical cards, try one magnetic wallet which attaches to the back of your phone. You can also put cash in it. If you are dining at your hotel, ask about it dessert brought to your roomso you can put on a comfortable bathrobe and eat it in bed while watching Netflix.
Chloe Mac Donnell, deputy fashion editor
* Packing up blister plasters may sound OTT, but there's nothing worse than developing a blister on the first day of a mini break, while day two requires a high step count. So make sure you know the problem points in advance; there's probably still an echo of a blister from the last time you explored a new city - and you'll avoid a bigger problem as long as you're on the right track.
Ellie Bramley acting fashion editor
* You never know what types of tea will be available when you arrive at self-catering accommodation: I grab one handful of my favorite tea bags (breakfast, caffeine-free, peppermint). If it's a fairly local destination, I'll also take an insulated bottle with some cold milk in it, so we can have a cup of tea when we arrive, and unpack before worrying about where to do the big shop (or wait until it will be delivered, if we managed to be so organized).
Ruth Lewy, deputy editor
