Vacations are supposed to be fun, not stressful. With a little planning, you can make sure that everyone has a great time, mom and dad included. We've got great travel tips, ideas and packing checklists so you'll be sure to have everything you need when you're far from home.

A general guide to making sure you have a pleasant time on your holiday. Enjoy!

• Carry your passport, other travel documents and your money separately. You don't want to lose them all together.

• Place a photocopy of your passport in each and every checked-in bag that you give at the airport. Helps in case you lose your luggage.

• Keep extra photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport. This is needed for Indian permits.

• If you order mineral water in a restaurant, make sure the bottle is unsealed at the table.

• Never travel without mosquito repellents and other essential medicines.

• It is a good idea to carry locks for your bags and suitcases. Try to keep your clothes flat and avoid carrying too many fragile goods that will be left at the mercy of careless luggage handlers.

  

• Label your entire luggage and even try to carry an extra set of labels with you.

• Bring as little cash as possible. Travelers checks, ATM and credits cards are your best bet. Bring only the credit cards you will be using.

• Keep a list of your credit cards, their 1-800 numbers and any other important phone numbers and information and place it in your carry on or luggage. In case you lose your wallet, you'll know who to call quickly.

• Don't use new shoes, however comfortable they may seem.

• Try not to store liquids in a bottle in any of your bags. If you must, seal the mouth with white hospital tape.

• Pack empty plastic ziplock bags to separate soiled clothes from the rest, especially if you're travelling to a rainy destination and ensure that your luggage is waterproof.

• Confirm, reconfirm, confirm once again. (Your plane tickets, that is)

• If travelling in the monsoon, carry a raincoat and umbrella.Make a list of all your personal medicines that you are carrying with you. Carry the list with you wherever you go.

• Carry your own water bottle. This should be within arm's length at all times. It'll save you the problem of drinking unsafe water whenever you are thirsty.

• Many women travellers prefer to carry a high pitched whistle that would scare away stalkers.

• Women who are travelling alone should not admit they are travelling alone.

• When asking for directions, ask shopkeepers, not pedestrians. Check with at least two persons or more.

• Make a list of all the things you forgot while travelling and use the list before your next trip. Pack your own luggage so that you will be able to answer any questions about the contents along your travel route. This will speed up any security protocol along the way.

Combating Jet Lag

There are many safe, healthy ways to get your body in sync with your new time zone. Try a few of these techniques for a natural way to reset your internal clock:

• Reset your watch to the destination's time as soon as you get on the plane. If it's daytime at your destination, try to stay awake during the flight. Walking around the cabin may help keep you alert. If it's nighttime, try to sleep. You may find it helpful to use ear plugs and a sleeping mask to block out distractions on the plane.

• Eat before you get on the plane so that hunger does not prevent you from sleeping during the flight. Inform the flight attendant that you will not be eating so that you are not awakened for a meal.

• If you're using a blanket, buckle your seat belt over the blanket so that you are not awakened by a flight attendant checking seat belts.

• If it's daytime when you arrive but nighttime at home, don't sleep. Instead, try doing some light exercise like walking to help revive your body and stop it from producing sleep-inducing hormones.

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