Successful speakers are travellers. And they’re a particular kind: they have to arrive ready to give a great speech. So how do you minimize the wear and tear of modern travel on the body and soul?

Nicola Dunkinson, Travel Writer and Blogger, gives us her top 10 tips for travel. As BA Cabin Crew, Nicola has the inside scoop for the best travel experience and has featured in Tropical Sky, My Destination and TNT Magazine.

Here are my top tips and recommendations for arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and prepared for your day ahead…

1. Check-in online 24 hours before you fly. Not only will you avoid lengthy queues at the airport, but you can also snap up your favourite seat before anyone else does. If you do want a specific seat make sure you check in as early as possible as the best seats can go quickly. Take a look at the aircraft-seating plan; it will show you the seats that have extra legroom. I find an app like SeatGuru extremely useful. It offers seat maps on hundreds of different airlines and has colour codes for the best and worst seats on different aircraft.

2. If you can, pack light and travel with just a carryon bag. With no need to check-in or collect your luggage at the other end, your whole travel experience will be speedier and a lot more relaxed. Carry-on luggage sizes do vary between airlines, so this is worth checking before you fly.

3. If you have liquids in your hand luggage make sure they are under 100ml and fit into a plastic re-sealable bag. This should be no larger than 20cm x 20cm. It often saves time if you have these pulled out and in your hand, ready to go through the x-ray machine.

4. My hand baggage essentials include: water, lip balm, hand cream, eye drops, earplugs and an eye mask. I keep it all in a small travel bag that I can just pull out as soon as I get onboard. It helps me feel relaxed for my journey knowing that I have all my essentials at hand. I often pack comfortable clothes to change into once I’m onboard. This maximises my comfort and prevents my clothes from getting too creased at the same time.

5. It may sound obvious – but keep hydrated during flights by drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine. It really does make a difference and is my top tip when flying. You will feel so much more refreshed on arrival at your destination as the effects of alcohol on the body in the sky can leave you feeling drowsy, lethargic and de-energized.

6. Coconut water is a really good natural hydrator to drink after a flight. It is full of natural goodness and high in potassium. I also like to take Berrocca or a vitamin supplement to keep me feeling healthy in the air.

7. Stay active during the flight by taking a stroll up and down the aircraft every now and then. Why not head to the galley for your drinks request, say hi to the flight attendants and save their legs!

8. Something I really rely on when travelling is my own mini medical kit. I fill it with basic medication for a trip such as paracetamol, Imodium, mosquito repellent and antihistamines….you never know what you might need.

9. If you plan to work during a flight, check with your airline to see if there are facilities onboard for charging laptops. This can differ quite significantly between airlines and can be quite frustrating if you don’t have the correct plugs to fit the sockets.

10. If you are flying into America make sure to dispose of all fruit before you get off or be prepared to face a lot of trouble at customs! It is worth checking the regulations of other countries before you land so as not to violate any customs regulations and avoid even more lengthy delays at the arrivals hall.

Bon voyage!