As our recent trip to Sardinia was such a success, we have already booked up our next trip to Sicily and will visit the largest island in the Mediterranean in just three weeks time. It must be our year to uncover Italy, and with amazing flight deals from our local airport, it seems a shame not to take advantage of these offers while they last!

To get great fares on budget airlines you really need to travel without checked luggage. A checked suitcase will often cost as much as the flight ticket, and then there are those long check-in queues at the airport to consider. So if you are just heading off for a weekend why not make life easier and travel light, the 10kg cabin baggage allowance is more than enough – honestly!

As someone who struggles to ‘travel light’, I initially found the idea of travelling with hand luggage a little scary, but with some careful planning, good mix and matching skills, and an up-do-date weather report in hand, you can easily pack for a long weekend away – and still look great on those holiday snaps!

I have read many reports of travellers panicking about what they can and cannot pack in their hand luggage, but it’s simple really – no liquids, gels, toothpaste, or creams over 100ml. Most quality hotels provide small bottles of shower gel, shampoo and body lotion, but if you prefer to take your own brands simply buy some small plastic bottles and take just enough of your favourite lotions and potions to last the trip.

In European airports, they do not seem too particular about how many 100ml bottles you take, but you need to place all liquid containers in a sealed plastic bag, and remove this from your hand luggage when you put in through the scanner – easy!

No sharp objects such as nail scissors, metal nail files, razor blades (safety razors are okay), no explosives (although why anyone would want to take explosives on a weekend trip is beyond me!), and nothing flammable should go in your hand luggage.

Each airline has its own rules on the size of your hand luggage, so to avoid any hassle at the airport check that your bag/case meets the size and weight requirements before you leave home.  If your bag is overweight remove the first aid kit, family pack of paracetamol, and hardback destination guide – you won’t need them, and if you do manage to cut yourself with your safety razor you can always get a plaster from the hotel reception!

When it comes to packing clothes for a weekend break, you need to think about where you are going, what you will be doing while you are away, and what the weather will be like, only then can you pack accordingly.

My tip for travelling with hand luggage would be to pack cool, casual layers, a couple of pairs of shoes, toothbrush, passport, credit card, and if you do happen to forget anything, treat yourself to something new – you are on holiday after all!