Chris Zwierzynski, from Tripbase.com shares some expert advice on unconventional packing.

There was a time when we were more concerned with the experience of travel and just coming up with decent vacation ideas than we were with what we learned and brought back from it. We rejoiced in the sheer simplistic pleasure of going somewhere new, meeting new people and doing new things. The advent of modern-day technology has ultimately detracted from this enjoyment somewhat.

A few years ago, when we still used to relish travel and do so just for the sake of it, throwing carefully laid plans and caution to the wind; the only items we really needed to concern ourselves with was enough money to get by in our destination of choice, our passport and maybe also our wallet (once you’d taken care of legalities like a VISA or necessary vaccinations, of course). These days there are a whole host of addition things to worry about, turning a onetime joy into a veritable font of worry and last-minute additions to the inventory and itinerary alike.

These days it’s all about packing cameras, computers, laptops, batteries, phones and music players. It seems that to travel, one must also transport a whole host of technological “toys, such as the ones that already permeate every aspect of home life, something which travel was supposed to be a getaway from. Then comes the matter of space and having to carry it all, as with an ever-increasing number of things to remember and take, there’s an ever-decreasing amount of space in which to transport them, thus leading to additional problems. Technology was supposed to make our lives easier and at home and at business, it might well have. However, with regards to travel for leisure and luxury, this is far from the case.

This writer would call for a return to the days of yore and yesteryear, back to when travel was travel and – above all else – back when it was easy and a pure, unsophisticated joy. Next time you embark for distant lands unchartered, don’t concern yourselves with ineffectual add-ons and accoutrements, just go as yourselves and with yourselves. You’ll find that you’re better for it.

For more travel tips and vacation inspiration, check out the Tripbase Travel Blog / Tripbase site.

Tripbase eliminates the time-consuming and frustrating online search process by providing travelers with personalized travel recommendations for their next trip.

Tripbase was named Top Travel Website for Destination Ideas by Travel and Leisure magazine in November 2008.