Get Beachy
Beach bums heading to sloth it out at Goa, Bali, Phuket or Cyprus should carry a handful, cause that’s all you’ll really need
1. A bikini, okay two  in case the first snags
2. Shorts and gunjis for each day
3. A few dressier outfits (for a ‘formal’ code)
4. Sun block, flip-flops and a light jacket

Mountain Madness

For walks though the pine and counting rays on mountain peaks heading to Manali, Munnar or the Alps have all bags full of fur coats and no space for anything else
1. Thermals are your best bud
2. Socks, mittens and beanies (if your feet, hands and head are warm you’re ok)
3. Hot water bag (for those chilly nights)
4. Your poison (vodka/scotch/cognac)
5. Your partner — snuggling is scientifically proven to emit most heat. Ma’s cozy lap works like a charm on that family getaway.   

Party packers

If your idea of that break is Sunburn, Goa or the Mallya New Year Eve bash, you’ll need to do a ton of pre-travel shopping
1. A different outfit for every night — four-inch skirts with a bustier won’t take up much space but matching heels will. Squeeze in those black stilettos, white kittens and ivory boots that team with every colour.
2. A great trick is wearing an outfit in the evening (no sun, no sweat) and putting it on the next day (the sun will make it look different). Add leggings/stockings.
3. Take only a couple of each – earrings, neckpieces, cocktails rings.
4. A peacock feather fitted in a French knot, a rhinestone-studded beret or swarovski-lined clincher stoal will transform any outfit.

Explore this

You need to be on your toes even outdoors; so much so that an archaeological excavation in Turkey, an inch-by-inch tour of the pyramids or a museum walkathon in Paris makes for your dream trip?
1. Two pairs of keds with a fresh socks daily
2. Light shirts/tees/kurtis
3. An emergency kit (sleeping bag, matches, dry snacks, first aid) – in case you get lost!
4. Body spray and pass-around bites; both to last through the day.
5. A sturdy backpack to carry the entire list above as soon as you step out of the hotel.

Pilgrim’s progress

When the Shirdi, Vaishno Devi or Thirupathi bulava beckons, you should sprint with this.
1. Salwar kameez’s (cotton for humid, silk for cold) — no need for heavy embroidery. God doesn’t care for your style sense.
2. Carry a number of kurtas to change daily. The salwar-dupatta could remain the same.
3. Salwar-dupatta combinations in white, grey, blue, black and brown to match anything.
4. No jewellery required — mangalsutra/gold chain, tiny gold hoops and kadas are okay.

  Packing nightmare  
I’m a globetrotter who knows just how much to stash. But two  packing horrors that stand out is when we travelled to a Greek volcanic city that was 300 steps above ground with no motorable road and my overpacking (despite strict orders) had me cry for the porters lugging my huge suitcase while our hands ached with smaller baggage. I created a blunder by under packing on another trip. I skipped carrying a miniature trolley in case of baggage loss and had to shop for new stuff

  Cracker packer  
Since I travel frequently, there is an automatic checklist which I pen down. So the night before, all I have to do is check and fill the bag and put those in order — heavy at the bottom and lightest on top. Anything fragile is in a separate compartment and important documents in a handbag. A
 travel tip is to share essentials like toothpaste-conditioner-body wash if you don’t mind borrowing from a spouse or folks.