Top 10 Things a traveler must not leave home without

So you are almost ready to go. Your backpack is bursting with travel musthaves. But just as you are heading to the front door, you suddenly feel that you may be missing something.

A complete trip spoiler is when you forget to bring some travel essentials. When traveling, planning can save you headaches. So, on your next travel, make a little checklist to be sure you include all the things you need. Here are 10 things you should not leave without:

1) ID AND PASSPORT. Don’t forget to bring your identification cards and keep them in the most accessible pocket of your bag.

2) ATM CARD. It is safer to bring an ATM or credit card rather than wads of cash in your wallet. Just keep bring enough cash for emergency purchases.

3) MEDICATIONS. If you are taking medications be sure to fill your prescription and bring enough to last for the whole trip. Also, you might want to include a few paracetamol tablets, vitamins or food supplements and band aids.

4) LOCKS AND KEYS. Make sure your backpack or luggage has a lock and keep the keys hidden. Likewise, don’t forget to bring your house and car keys.

5) ITINERARY. Business trips are usually structured in advance. You need to have a fairly accurate plan of where you will be on certain days, not only for yourself but also in case anyone from back home needs to get in touch with you. If you are traveling on vacation, it makes sense to plan your stops ahead of time. It is also a good idea to bring a map of your destination with your itinerary.

6) HAND SANITIZER. Call me obsessive complusive, but I also bring along antibacterial wipes aside from the hand sanitizer. The only thing I want to bring home from a vacation is a nice tan and some awesome souvenirs, not a disease.

7) SHOES AND CLOTHING. Bringing the right clothes and shoes for the climate is key when traveling. Check the weather ahead of time so you know what to expect. Try to make your clothes do "double duty" as much as possible. Bring clothes that are easy to wash and don’t wrinkle easily. If you’ll be sightseeing, a good pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must but don’t bring a brand new pair because you might just end up nursing blisters.

8) EXTRA BAG. Bring a handy extra bag, like a tote bag, that you can use when you go to the beach or to fill with souvenirs.

9) CAMERA. Of course, this is already a given. But if you take lots of photos, pack an extra battery or bring your battery charger.

10) CELLPHONE. Unless the plan is to hibernate for a while, then I guess you should just leave your cellphone at home. It is important to have a means of communication. In some countries, cellphones may be rented. It is cheaper compared to paying those roaming charges everytime you make a call or send a message.