Holidays can teach us many things - about a destination, about other people and about ourselves.
Travel is an experience to be relished, not rushed. Even when you are working, you need to steal moments to savour the local experience, even if it is only a quiet reflective moment sitting on a beach.
I always pack too much, no matter how hard I try not to. Must haves: I try to bring one pair of formal shoes, one pair of comfortable cross-trainers and some flipflops. A casual jacket that doubles up as something more swish, a couple of neutral-coloured shirts. A couple of round neck T-shirts will look smart with a jacket or casual with a hoodie/jumper. A pair of dress shorts and workout shorts. A pair of dress jeans and another pair of chinos. For added wintry warmth, I wear a puffer jacket plus scarf and beanie while layering underneath.
For the plane, bring your own noise-reducing earphones, your USB cable for your phone and power bank. Have your travel documents and a pen ready for filling in forms (and remember where you are staying).
I check in online and book an aisle seat where someone has booked the window seat. More often than not, the middle seat remains unallocated.
