Here are the tips and tricks seasoned globe trotters use when it comes to deciding what to take along... and the best way to do so.

Choosing a Pack
The best luggage is a medium-sized, internal frame backpack with a detachable daypack. These types of backpacks are lightweight, tough, affordable and very portable. (External frame backpacks are better suited to the mountaineering set who are really hiking and camping their way around.) Padded shoulder straps and a padded hip belt are things to look for. If you can get all your stuff into a daypack-sized bag – you're awesome! You won't have to worry about checking your luggage and one small bag is so much easier to carry.

Some might prefer suitcases with wheels. Reconsider if you have any amount of walking to do; there's a lot of cobblestone and rough pavement in the world just waiting to chew up little plastic wheels. Others might prefer a duffel bag, but without padded shoulder straps, how long will you be able to carry it?

Convertible packs are another alternative. One minute it's a backpack with padded shoulder straps, the next it looks like a suitcase with handgrip and strap. These are too fussy for some, with the seemingly constant tucking in of straps and zipping up flaps where they hide. The suspension system in these types of packs tend to be inferior to internal frame backpacks.

Here's the bottom line: the bigger your luggage is, the more you'll try to wedge into it. And the more difficult and heavier it will be to haul around for two months. If you can't lift your own pack above your head comfortably, you have some serious re-packing to do. A single, smaller pack means lightweight, carefree travelling that won't require back surgery when you get home. You decide.

Locks
Bring small luggage locks with you to fasten zippers shut. This will discourage thieves from rifling through your backpack. Same for your daypack. Some travellers like to bring a luggage cable to secure baggage at stations, on trains or in hostels when lockers aren't available. Still others bring a thin wire net to pull over their backpack for extra security.

Carry-on Bags
If you're going to check your backpack, you might want to put into your carry-on (your daypack) anything you'll need in the first 24 hours of your trip. This is a precautionary move in case your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Pack into this bag: prescriptions, medication, toiletries, camera, a change of clothes and all of your valuable travel documents. Not everyone does this. It's up to you. Just remember not to pack your valuables in your backpack. Keep those things with you always.

If you are only carrying a daypack, even better. You've got everything with you anyway. You also get to avoid long lines at luggage carousels.

How To Pack Lightly
Go for a test jaunt with your backpack crammed with all the goodies you intend to take. Walk around your neighbourhood, take a bus, go to a coffee shop, trot up a hill and down a sidewalk. Lift it over your head a few times. Go home and repack. You'll be grateful you did this before you started lugging your backpack all over.

Most airlines will allow you to check two pieces of luggage. Each bag usually cannot exceed 32 kg each. The airlines won't combine weight either. So if one bag weighs 25 kg and the other weighs 37 kg, you'll have to pay an overweight fee on the heavier bag. This can be super expensive. Save yourself the misery of too-heavy luggage and just pack lightly. Get it down to one carry-on bag if you can. Carry-on items are usually restricted to two pieces, under 11 kg each. Be sure to double check with the airline, especially if you're flying a charter, as these companies have really begun to crack down on baggage weight and carry-on shenanigans.

If you are flying a charter, your travel consultant can advise you of weight restrictions. Usually charters have more restrictions as to what you can take.

• Wear bulkiest clothing and clunkiest footwear on the plane.
• Pack neutral-coloured clothing. Darks are good because they hide grime and stains. Leave the fancy stuff at home. It'll get shredded on the road. Mix and match - think combinations. Two or three tops with two or three bottoms.
• Pack clothes that scrunch up well: microfibres, synthetics, knits. They won't wrinkle as much so you don't have to worry about looking sloppy. Leave your jeans and big wool sweaters at home. Choose lightweight microfibres and microweight polyester fleece.
• Leave your expensive jewellery at home. If you would be heartbroken to lose it, don't bring it. Period.
• Roll your clothing. Rolls take up less space. Put heavier items toward the bottom of your pack. Distribute weight as evenly as possible.
• Stuff sacks will make your belongings easier to locate in your pack. Bring at least one for dirty clothes, with a small traveller's laundry kit tucked inside.
• Remember the Golden Rule of Travel: Pack half the clothes you think you'll need and double the money.

What to Pack
Take into consideration where you're going and the time of year. Do you need warm weather clothes or cold weather clothes? A mix? Are you going to cathedrals, nightclubs, sailing or trekking? Will there be warm, drizzly rain or freezing downpours? Adjust the following list of basics accordingly.

• one pair high-quality sneakers or lightweight hiking boots
• Teva-style sandals for warm weather, beaches, showers
• 3 pairs quick-drying underwear
• 3 pairs quick-drying socks
• bathing suit
• 2 pairs microfibre shorts
• 2 pairs microfibre pants (or one pair pants and a skirt)
• 3 t-shirts (consider microfibre, not cotton, which takes too long to dry if you have to do sink laundry)
• 1 long-sleeved shirt
• 1 microweight long-sleeved fleece or vest
• 1 rain jacket or poncho (Gor-Tex is fabulous)
• eyeglasses (with extra prescription) or contact lenses (with extra prescription) and cleaning solution
• sunglasses
• towel (do you need it to double as a beach towel or can you get away with a microfibre camp towel?)
• sleep sheet for the hostels (sleeping bags are not allowed)
• optional: hat, belt, scarf, bandana, accessories Shower Bag
• liquid or gel soap (less messy than a bar of soap)
• shampoo (or an "all-in-one" shampoo and conditioner to save on weight)
• toothbrush and paste
• comb or brush
• deodorant
• razors (shave with soap)
• tampons
• lip balm with sunscreen
• sunscreen
• prescriptions
• contraceptives and condoms
• small first aid kit (aspirin, bandages, blister pads, antiseptic, antibiotic powder or dry spray, etc.)
• optional: insect repellent, anti-diarrhea medicine, makeup, perfume or cologne, pre-moistened towelettes

The Pick and Choose Miscellany List

• small sewing kit
• watch with built-in alarm or travel clock
• clothesline, clothes pegs (a twisted elastic clothesline eliminates need for clothes pegs), and laundry soap (all can be had in a small traveller's laundry kit)
• flat drain plug if laundry kit doesn't already have one
• safety pins
• elastic bands
• Ziploc bags
• sleeping bag
• collapsible water bottle
• small flashlight
• hacky sack or Frisbee
• vitamins
• small calculator
• small traveller's umbrella
• deck of playing cards
• binoculars
• camera and equipment
• extra batteries
• mini Canadian flags or pins
• small whistle
• small compass
• ear plugs