When travelling, travel smart. Choose a reliable travelling bag and pack comprehensively and sensibly. Before you can pack properly for a trip, you need to determine your priorities.

For a business trip or a formal event such as a wedding, you'll want to keep clothes in perfect, crease-free condition. But if you're packing for a hike in the mountains or a drive, you might tolerate a few wrinkles in exchange for an extra pair of walking shoes squeezed into your baggage. Remember to include essentials like a laundry pouch. Laundry is probably one of the last things you want to think about when you're far away from home. But spills and stains cannot be left behind. You're better off being prepared, since the key to successful stain removal is to act immediately. Hotel laundry services are very expensive, and stains can set if you wait until you get home to remove them. For clothing you may need to consider crease and stain free travel suits like Farah's.

To avoid leaks caused by pressure changes during air travel, fill travel-size plastic bottles partway, squeeze out excess air, and cap them, creating a vacuum. Then double-bag them, first in a cosmetics bag or large re-sealable plastic bag, then in a plastic shopping bag. Never pack toiletries in the same bag with clothes - a single spill can cause great damage. Along with toiletries, your carry-on bag should hold your jewellery and other valuables; eyewear; a travel first aid kit; travel documents; maps; and reading material especially if you have to

Stay ahead of your travel arrangements. Flight schedules and check in times are vulnerable. If you gave an email address as confirmation of your ticket, you will need to check your emails frequently until the date of departure. Pay particular attention your point departure. Use this checklist to help you plan your journey:

• Vaccinations
• Accessories
• Airport information
• Airport Shuttles
• Budget with style
• Currency converter
• Prepaid credit cards
• Mobile Phone or phone cards
• Car Rentals
• Luxury options
• Recommended guidebooks
• Rail passes
• London Pass
• Hotels, guest houses and apartments
• Travel friendly gadgets

When in doubt, you can always write to the concierge@executivetraveller.net for assistance.