Make a list of all the items that you are taking away with you so you will know if anything gets lost. If you have a list and the receipts for the items it will be a lot easier for you to make an insurance claim for any loss of items or damage that occurs.

When you buy anything of value during your travels make sure you keep receipts as you will need these for any insurance claims as proof of purchase.

You might also need to prove that you owned particular items before traveling, as apposed to those you purchased when you were away, for customs purposes and to save you from paying any duty or taxes on items you already owned.

If you can’t show proof of purchase you could be asked to pay what is due or relinquish the item to cover the outstanding costs.

Having all the necessary documentation in order will make for a smoother trip with fewer delays at customs checkpoints.

If you do intend to purchase items while away you should have a good idea of what they are worth to buy in your home country and even over the Internet as the exchange rate fluctuations and the cost of duty can often make a purchase uneconomical when all the costs are added up.

If it is something that you don’t intend to use while away on holiday you will also need to consider the inconvenience of carting it around with you and the chance of damage or loss that will be present during that time.

If you are traveling light or staying at hostels or camping then it can be a real problem carrying additional luggage around with you. If you are having a biking holiday that problem becomes even more inconvenient.

Once again planning and price comparisons can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention the effect it will have on the holiday experience.