Although it is hard to see, the spring is well under way. With the holiday season approaching fast, it is time to start planning for that annual getaway to sunnier climes. With recent weather in the UK continuing to ignore the calendar and the supposed rotation of planet earth, the holiday bookings are bucking the economic downturn, as thousands of Britons vote with their feet (or wallets) for a summer with sun.

By no means exhaustive, this article tries to lay out a list of tips on how to prepare for the all-important summer break.  Combining my best experience with rigorous cross examination of colleagues and friends this list should be the complete one for your holidays.

Let me start with a few basic packing advice:

• It is best to use travel size toiletry bottles, as the full size ones can get extremely heavy very quickly. Also hotels normally supply some useful toiletries, like soap, conditioner etc.
• Small bag – soft fabric duffle bags (the light kind) can be a great way to have flexibility in case you end up buying some souvenirs or presents for the folks back home.
• Horses for courses – have one bag for undies and another bag for socks and hose. This way you can easily transfer each pile into a separate drawer in your hotel room. Same goes for a dedicated bag for cosmetics, which will live happily in the bathroom during your stay.
• Bikinis – to save space in a busy suitcase, roll them into your shoes
• Pack your dresses hung on wire hangers – roll them up in plastic bags to prevent wrinkles and place carefully in your suitcase. When you get to your hotel, it is all ready to be taken out and straight away hung in your hotel room closet. It is a real time saver.
• Plasters (band aids) – These are your essential first aid response for those blisters, typically appearing after a long night in high heels.

Wardrobe:

Although this is a very personal choise, I recommend a skeleton of – 2 sundresses for night and day, a pair of shorts, a skirt, maxi dress, and five or six tops, not forgetting your beach wear, such as Israeli trousers). I would go with a pair of flats, wedges, and sexy heels for your footwear. For your underwear drawer, make sure to bring your push up bra for the evenings. Finally, bring a cardigan, just in case it gets a bit nippy in the evening.

Toiletries:

Make sure you bring along your face wash, moisturiser, after sun lotion (in case of sun burns), deodorant and your favourite shampoo and conditioner. Some basic medication in the form of insect bite creams, diarrhoea tablets (in case you venture for a dodgy street vendor bite) and pain killers (which can be handy in case of a hangover). Of course don't forget your tooth brush and tooth paste and razor and shaving gel.

The beach:

• Beach Towel – A light beach towels is essential, as many hotels won't let you take theirs to the beach.
• Shades - this year, larger is certainly better. Large sunglasses appear to be here to stay, especially the large framed ladies' sunglasses that seem to be having fun with a variety of colours.
• Bring a large beach bag – you will need all that space, so go for a large one.
• Sun block – this is an essential weapon to avoid premature skin aging. At least SPF 15 to avoid sun burns.
• Hair ties or hair bands – these are another essential item, especially if plan to get your hair wet in the sea or the pool.
• A good book – old fashioned books seem to be much less attractive to thieves than iPads, Kindles etc.

Make up and beauty cabinet:

Don't forget your hair straighteners, hairbrush and comb and your make up (don't hold back on the eye shadow). Make up removers are important as are cotton balls and cotton buds.