He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Suitcase!

My Top Seven Tips for Packing Light For Your Next Vacation

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Packing Light – especially when you will be moving and changing locations a fair bit – may mean the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a miserable one! Nobody says, “I wish I had packed more” when they return from a vacation. 

PBS European travel guru, Rick Steves, limits the members of his escorted tours to one carry-on size piece of luggage, even when the trip is 3 weeks long! Can’t be done? Yes, it can…and it should! I’ve done it myself and schlepped my one carry-on and small backpack all over Barcelona and Mallorca while I shot a TV series for two weeks! Was it hard? Yes! Still, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages considerably!

Why Do I Recommend Taking the Bare Minimum “Stuff” on Vacation

• Move quickly from place to place

You won’t worry about big suitcases and where you’ll fit your luggage on the train or bus or taxi. Many overseas hotels have no elevator, so lugging heavy bags up and down stairs can be a real bummer. 

• Having excess luggage gives you away as a typical tourist

Con artists will assume that you’re helpless, and you become an obvious target for scammers and pick-pocketers.

• Save money

Checked luggage fees can really add up, especially on international flights. Carry on your suitcase and you’ll have more money for fun activities in your destination.

• Save time

You’ll gain back valuable vacation time not having to wait around at luggage carousels in strange airports or having to get there early to wait in line to check your bags to the next destination. 

Here are my top seven “light packing” tips for your next trip: 

1. Plan Your Wardrobe. Just a tiny bit of planning on your part will allow you to pull together a varied wardrobe based on a few key pieces, so you’ll look great every day. Start with your core wardrobe, those items you wear 80% of the time. Spread out all of the things you think you might need, and “Marie Kondo” each item (“Will this item bring me joy on my vacation? In other words, “Will I use it enough to justify schlepping it halfway around the world?”) When in doubt, leave it out! 
2. Don’t pack for a “just-in-case.” Pack only what you need, and buy yourself out of any jams along the way. It may be worth risking the shivers for a day rather than taking a heavy jacket (better yet, dress in layers since you can re-wear most of those layers). 
3. Pack precisely the same whether you’re traveling for two weeks or two months. Instead of bringing a two-week supply of toiletries, take enough to get started and replace them along the way. Believe it or not, locals in almost every destination use toothpaste, lotion, and deodorant! It’s fun to go into a store in your destination and stock up on local brands on the fly! 
4. Pack Quick-Dry Underwear. It’s always a good idea to have extra undergarments and socks in the event of an emergency or unexpected delay. Another option is to pack quick-dry underwear (sold by many retailers) that you can wash in the sink that will dry overnight. Alternatively, rather than throw away your old underwear and socks, save them and pack them for your next trip. You can wear your old underwear and socks and dispose of them daily. No dirty undies at the end of your vacation! I do a combination of both, using quick dry undergarments and old disposables.
5. If you MUST check a bag, make sure you put the “Important Stuff” in your carry-on. Always keep travel documents, electronics, and other valuables like cameras and jewelry, prescription medications, and other personal items with you. I also recommend having at least one change of clothing in your carry on in case your checked bag ends up going on its own vacation for a while.
6. Invest in a good quality suitcase that suits your needs. Cobblestone streets can be rough on bags with wheels, so be prepared to carry wherever necessary.
7. Be sure to check your airline’s luggage policies as some limit the weight of your carry-on. You don’t want to get to the airport only to find that your airline limits your carry on to a weight 5 lbs less than your suitcase is holding (it’s happened to me before)!

Remember, you’ll meet two kinds of tourists in your travels – those who pack light and those who wish they had!

Need help deciding WHAT to pack? Sign up to receive Premiere Luxury Travel’s new packing guide ***HERE***. Once you get it (be sure to check your email), simply input the type of trip you are thinking of taking, along with dates, and it will “automagically” make a list of suggested items and recommendations/links for where to get them! Happy Travels!