Take a picture of your digital camera for insurance purposes. Write the make, model, serial number, and retail price on the back of the picture - then stash the picture in a safe place at home. If the unlikely does happen to your camera while on vacation, at least you'll have good documentation to hand the insurance company.

To prevent your camera from being stollen, pack your camera in your carry-on rather than your checked baggage. Also keep your camera hidden when walking the streets. Don't flaunt your camera or offer it to a stranger to take a picture of you and the family. Only let someone hold your digital camera if you're sure you can outrun them!

On all vacations, be sure to pack extra memory cards or a hard drive on which to transfer images (pack the USB cable or card reader too). Extra batteries always help too, especially if a camera has a published battery life below 350 shots per charge. Some models require specially branded batteries made only by the manufacturer; order these long before your vacation because they're rarely in stock even at specialty camera stores.

But, before you even start packing..... MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR CAMERA! Many people buy digital cameras the day before going on a vacation, only to arrive at the destination, and realize they don't know how to transfer or delete images. If you're in a rush, just be sure to pack the user manual.