If you’re lucky enough to have taken a trip [1] recently, then you know how dizzying travel can be. I know, it’s supposed to be relaxing and carefree, but getting out the door and to your destination can be a huge hassle. To see my tips for how to make getting ready for your next vacation a breeze, just .

• As soon as you know where you’re going and when, start considering everything that you’ll need. You might have to purchase new items, like a new camera or a bathing suit [2] — and we know both of those can take months of deliberation.
• Similarly, don’t wait until the night before or (gasp!) the day of to start packing. I’m not suggesting you have your suitcase zipped a week in advance, but I think it’s important to give yourself a few days to start coming up with a list of necessities. You don’t want to be doing laundry in the middle of the night or rushing out to a 24-hour drugstore for some mini shampoo.
• Do your best to avoid overpacking once you get going. With travel the way it is these days, it’s much smarter to pack on the light side. If you take the time to plan your outfits so that you can mix and match, it won't be as difficult to keep the number of items limited.
• Try cleaning up your home before you leave. It takes extra time and it's probably the last thing you feel like doing, but there’s nothing like coming home to a tidy house when you’ve been away.
• Finally, don’t forget the real important stuff like your cell phone charger, laptop, camera, reading material, iPod, etc. These are the things that will keep you from going crazy if your flight is delayed.

Vacations should always be about having a good time, but once you're off your home turf, it's important to be safe — make sure someone knows where you are at all times, and be wary when befriending strangers.

Source [3]