If you were to take a quick scroll down your Instagram feed, it would look as though the new national pastime were getting on a plane and heading somewhere new. In 2016 Visa announced that Filipinos are among Asia’s top travelers, thanks to rising economic gains in the region. And it looks like the wanderlust is holding steady, with the Philippine Travel Agents Association predicting that foot traffic is going to break records at this year’s Travel Tour Expo.
With so many airlines opening new routes, and ticket deals being offered left and right, it’s no surprise that travel has become one of the top activities for the middle-class Filipino. If you’re looking forward to a weekend getaway at one of Spot.PH’s top travel destinations, or already planning your next long trip, then you’re probably thinking of the best ways to maximize your budget and experiences. Take a look below at some tips that will help you round out one of the foundations of your trip— packing.
1. Keep a checklist
Packing is all about preparedness, and one of the best things you can do to make sure you’re on top of the essentials is write out a checklist. This allows you to visualize all the things you need without getting stressed over what goes where, and will help you pinpoint small things that you would have otherwise forgotten. It’s also a surprisingly easy way to save money; no need to buy overpriced sunblock if you’ve brought a bottle of your own, after all.
2. Go for travel-size
Airlines can be pretty strict about weight limits, so if you’re looking to do a little shopping while you’re out then it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your baggage weight. One way to bring the essentials while still keeping within the limit is investing in travel-size bottles or containers for your toiletries. After all, even if you can’t live without your conditioner, it’s probably smarter to leave the 1.5 liter bottle behind.
3. Roll your clothes
While everyone has their own system of packing, some systems might be more space-saving than others. Although it is tempting to lay out freshly-ironed clothes flat in your luggage, the smartest way to pack them is to roll them. Rolling clothes means that you can save more space for what you really want to bring, and keeps your clothes from jostling around en route. It also reduces wrinkling, cutting down on the need for expensive hotel drycleaning services.
4. Use packing cubes
Even if you’re a bit of a wildcard everywhere else, let packing be the one area you’re organized in. Using packing cubes or organizers helps you save even more spaces, and reduces the stress of packing and unpacking because your things are all in well-designated areas. Organizers will also help you visualize how much space you have left, allowing you to maximize your bag to the fullest.
5. Don’t bring soap
This might seem like a weird one, but it’s one of the easiest little hacks you can keep in mind while traveling. Barring campsites, almost every hotel or hostel will have a complimentary bar of soap for you to use. Forgoing soap in your packing means that you don’t have to worry about the associated paraphernalia (soap holders, plastic bags, etc.) and frees up more space for you to bring home souvenirs to remind you of your trip.
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For tips on where to go and what to pack, check out the rest of the posts on Daydreaming in Paradise.
James Gonzales is a Filipino-American travel enthusiast and writer currently based in the Philippines. After living and working in New York for 10 years, James decided he wanted to see more of the world and leave the city behind. In the course of saving up for what would become an epic trip across Asia, he wrote about previous traveling experiences for various travel websites and publications based in the Lower East Side.
James focused on journeying through the Philippines in the hopes of understanding his roots, and began Daydreaming in Paradise to share his thoughts and experiences. He’s always looking for like-minded travelers to trade stories and swap tips with, and he hopes you’ll join him on his journey.
