N. Raghuraman's column: Vacation trips are meant for fun, not pain or stress.

Everyone has some travel secrets. I'm sure, you will have too. As I complete 40 years this Saturday in my profession, which requires me to travel for about 15 days each month, I have gathered some secrets that make my travel easier than many others. So I consider myself a little more qualified than those who are able to travel only on a special occasion. With winter approaching, many of you would be planning to go out every weekend to enjoy this ideal weather. For the next four months, here are my top five travel hacks you can use: 1. I have at least three duplicate toiletries kits that contain all the things. So that you never have to look for empty toothpaste tubes, hair oil pouches and sometimes do not even have to be deprived of medicines. When I am at home, I fill all three kits. One of the three toiletry kits is for international trips, which has my valid passport, photocopy of credit card and my ID with emergency number to help me in case I get lost or pickpocketed at an unknown place. 2. I always keep my bags organized. I always have rolls of undergarments, handkerchiefs and socks. The socks are always on top of the roll, as they have to match my pants. I take out a roll every morning and when it's done, I roll them again. This does not leave any clutter in the suitcase. I also always carry a belt with two colors, matching with brown and black pants. 3. When I open my luggage after every trip, I ask myself what extras I have taken and what is left in the suitcase that has not been used. Also, what expensive did I buy from the shop, which I could take from home. This five-minute exercise makes my bag lighter and also reduces expenses. I have completed many official trips without touching my purse. 4. When I travel with family our principle is to take at least one extra day with nothing to do. These are always handy on a day when we see some unknown places that we didn't plan. For instance, during our trip to Jaisalmer, we visited the Pakistan border where the film 'Border' was shot! Whenever my daughter goes with me, I never travel without a printed map. I can proudly say that he learnt geography through this exercise. Google Maps has never been able to grab his attention the way printed maps could. Especially when travelling in a car to a new place, the family agrees that we will not touch the mobile and sit in the seat and enjoy watching the city leave behind us. This habit has made those holidays 'worth the money'. 5. If you are taking a connecting flight to another place, that too with family including children, then first book the ticket with the same airline, even if it is a little expensive. This makes it the airline's responsibility to catch you a connecting flight despite the delay. If that is not an option, keep a good gap between two flights or trains because as December approaches, trains start getting delayed more than flights. Apart from this, the extra time gives you enough time to experience 'BUWA', i.e.: Beauty, Uniqueness, Wilderness and Adventure. The funda is that vacation trips are for fun, not to endure discomfort or stress. Use every hack you've seen, read and experienced to make your trips fun, only then will you be able to enjoy 'BUWA'!