What to wear/pack... Part 7

If someone else is getting ready to post similar, my apologies for duplication. I am just avoiding some homework that needs finishing

Part 6
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35133046

Part 5
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35067386

Part 4
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34987614

Part 3
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34795253

Part 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34689133

Part 1 (I think)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34415078

Wow! Thanks very much for doing this, scotlib. Part 1 is, indeed, the link you've got there, and Part 5 was a (mostly) work trip to Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam (all in hotels, no laundry).

WAIT!!! You still haven't gotten to AMS on the other thread. You have to finish that first LOL!

The other story's (about nearly missing a flight to Amsterdam on another thread) is finished now, so time to turn my attention to this one.

I started this thread by mentioning that I've gotten a new suitcase (yes, NEW), but didn't say why. Now some of you may get new suitcases because the old one's worn out, or somebody broke a zipper and it's not worth the money to fix it, or because you just got tired of the old one. I'm perfectly happy with my suitcase, though. I've had it for over five years.

It's just about perfect. It's a red rolling carry-on. It's very well-made and sturdy, and has specific design features that I really appreciate: all corners 90 degrees (so no stupid curves to eat up my space), zippers off-set from the seams (so the the seams take the stress, not the zippers), measures 19" x 14" x 9", and weighs about six pounds empty. No expandable panel to eat up space and weight, no internal dividers. Like all rolling bags there is some space lost to the wheel handle, but so far I've been able to pack around it, and in fact find that I still manage to overpack a bit. They are sturdy enough to check as well, and since I only check if I've got large volumes of liquid (wine or liquor, generally, for the return trip home) that means that they're pretty heavy when checked.

I actually purchased three of these suitcases at the time, all the same model, and later got a small matching duffle that I occasionally use as my "personal item". They're Eddie Bauer brand, from Target, and weren't expensive.

So, having waxed lyric about my old friend, why am I bothering with a new one?

Well, I've got a work trip coming up. I'm attending two meetings in two European towns, Bremen and Bordeaux. So my ticket is "open jaw", meaning that I fly into Bremen and out of Bordeaux. Somewhere in the middle I have to get from Bremen to Bordeaux, and as it turns out it's not all the easy to get between them without spending an arm and a leg on mainline carriers, and even though this is work travel I'm still under some financial constraint (because of the non-profit nature of my business, basically).

The train is an option, of course, but fairly long (anywhere from 11.5 hours to over 15). A night train would have been cool, but expensive unless I wanted to travel steerage.

So I decided to look into low cost carriers. All of these operate point to point flights only, so unless your destination can be reached directly from your departured they're useless, and there aren't any (last time I checked) that connect Bremen and Bordeaux.

Both airports are served by low cost carriers, however, and somewhere along the way I realized that I could add a third destination to this trip, London. I've got a good friend who lives there who will let me crash at her place for a couple of nights. I will be missing the second half of the meeting in Bremen, but it was a half for which I was going to have to pay for registration and lodging anyway, so another opportunity to save a bit of money along the way.

So, here's how it looks:

Fly Atlanta to Bremen via CDG on Air France.

(lecture at meeting)

Fly Bremen to London on Ryanair.

(hang out with my friend)

Fly London to Bordeaux on EasyJet.

(attend meeting, no lectures to give)

Fly Bordeaux to Atlanta via CDG on Air France and Delta.

So that's four different airlines, and because I want to travel carry-on only four different airline policies to consider.

So, just how different can the requirements be? Well, let's see (all of these are copied and pasted from the respective airlines' web sites on this date and reflect allowances for the coach cabin where that applies; note that airline may change these requirement whenever they feel like it):

Air France:

1 piece of baggage (measuring a maxi of 55 cm, 35 cm, 25 cm *) including a garment bag
+ 1 accessory (examples: handbag, laptop computer, camera, etc.)
weighing a total of 12 kg

Ryanair:

Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptops, duty free etc must be carried within your permitted 1 piece of cabin baggage).

EasyJet:

one standard piece of hand baggage to maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm

Delta:

Must weigh less than 40 pounds (18 kg)
Can't exceed 45 inches (length + width + height)
Must fit easily in our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9")


Note that none of them is exactly the same. Even the mainline carriers vary more than you might have predicted.

Let's compare and contrast, shall we?

Delta and Air France both permit a "personal item" in addition to your carry-on luggage. So you don't have to fit your purse into your suitcase, and if you need to carry more you can choose a larger "personal item" into which you could fit your purse and other stuff as well (like your laptop and books and toiletries).

All of the airlines except EasyJet have a weight limit. Delta's (40 lbs/18 kg, suitcase only) is so large that you'd be very hard pressed to exceed (particularly as they don't specifically weigh your personal item, so heavier stuff can be shifted to that bag). Air France's is more restrictive, at 12 kg for both your personal item and suitcase together.

Ryanair's is overall the most restrictive, with only one bag permitted and a weight of 10 kg.

Can I travel for two weeks with only 10 kg? That sounds better if I say it in pounds (22 of them), but it still sounds like it's not very much, doesn't it? And now my old suitcase is looking not so perfect, as the trade off for sturdiness and rolling wheels is weight.

So what are my options?

Backpack?

Having recently considered giving up the rollerboard for a "carryon" that weighs less... I decided to send the "carryon" that weighs less back to the place I purchased it. Who am I kidding. I am not lugging that thing around LOL!

So if I wind up flying the budget airlines in Europe I am going to have to pay!

Backpack is the answer, and the one I ordered is a Victorinox Standard Traveler 3.0 Standard Overnighter. As per eBags.com it weighs 3 lbs and measures 21" x 13.25" x 5.5" (before unzipping an exansion panel that makes in 7.5" deep). It's got backpack straps that look pretty comfortable but no chest or hip strap.

Other options were a Kelty Hub, weighing in at 2 lbs and measuring 21.5" x 13" x 10" (expanded depth---it's 8.5" deep before opening an expansion zipper) and eBags' Weekender Convertible at 3 lbs 10 oz and 22" x 14" x 9". This last bag specifically gives measurements for the shoulder straps (Adjustable from 22" to 39") and that turns out to be important.

I read the reviews for all these products, and made a point of reading reviews written by females, because (as CarolA will affirm, I think) women have very different body mechanics from men. Not only are we shorter, but our upper bodies are not nearly so strong as our lower bodies, so a heavy pack needs to fit well.

And that's where the Victorinox lets me down: the shoulder straps are too long. Even when cinched down to their minimum length, they are still too long. Carrying this bag (loaded) as a backpack would be easier than carrying it by handles, or with an over-the-shoulder strap, but quite a bit more difficult than rolling it.

So I've gone back to Plan A, my trusty Eddie Bauer bag from Target. I've just loaded it with a trial "heavy" load, including two heavy pairs of shoes (athletic shoes and knee high high heel boots), five pairs of jeans, and double my usual volume of toiletries and it still comes in at 20 lbs.

I did offer the Victorinox to my husband, who is 6' tall (I'm 5'6") and has very broad shoulders. He asked me why on earth he'd want to carry when he could roll. I explained the weight issue and he still wasn't interested.

So back it goes. I'd consider the eBags Weekender (even if it is a little heavier) since the straps sound like they'd fit and there's also a chest and hip strap, but for now will stick with the rolling bag.

Okay, next decision.

My purse. Ryanair specifically prohibits carrying on a separate "personal item". EasyJet's policy doesn't mention it one way or another, so I'm going to assume that the answer is "no."

My usual purse isn't huge (particularly by today's standards), but it's made of leather and can accomodate quite a lot of stuff if I put my mind to it. Fortunately I don't usually carry around much extra, so downsizing to something smaller, possibly made of something lightweight like microfiber, will be easy.

What I've got in mind is the sort of bag that's sometimes called an organizer bag, sometimes called a wallet on a string. Using this type of purse means that I can skip the separate wallet altogether, as I certainly won't be needing things like loyalty cards and library cards and so forth while traveling, so that saves some weight.

And if it's small enough and I'm wearing it across my body it may escape notice entirely.

Hmm, wearing it across my body...

Wonder what else I could just wear instead of putting in my suitcase?

Headphones come to mind. Seems like most people walk around with headphones on all the time anyway. Mine are Bose on-ear, so not tiny like ear buds, but not bulky like over-the-ear models either. I wouldn't actually have them on my ears when checking in (that seems rude), but around my neck.

Clothes are another no-brainer. I'll plan on wearing whatever's heaviest on the Ryanair flight, so jeans if I've brought them, along with boots.

Should I bring a coat? It's September, so it could possibly be chilly in Bremen, and the coat in question is waterproof and has a hood, so I wouldn't need my umbrella. And the coat would tend to hide my purse/wallet, and also offer storage space in the pockets (this particular coat has very good pocket space with vertical zippers, so things like guide books and possibly even my liquid toiletries would fit in them).

Yes, the coat seems like a reasonable idea at this point.

So, time to jumpstart this thread, as the trip's about a month away and I've got lots to get done before then.

Last time I posted I was mulling over whether I'd want to take a raincoat with me, and it looks like I will: Bremen's August weather has been fairly cool, with daily highs in the mid-70s, with some rain. So a raincoat isn't going to seem odd.

I've also found a small purse/wallet combo that will work nicely: http://www.ebags.com/buxton/check_clutch_mini_bag_on_a_string/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=1187

In black, of course, with a strap that I can wear over my shoulder or across my body. It measures 7.5" x 4.5" x 1.75" (so no argument as to whether it's a wallet or a purse unlikely to ensue, and it will fit in my coat pocket if necessary) and weighs 10 oz (in case I should want to put it in my carry-on).

And an update on the Victorinox backpack that I described upthread...I decided to keep it, as another of our suitcases, a Samsonite rolling carry-on, gave up the ghost on a recent trip. I'd never really liked it, as it was on the heavy side and included an expandable section, but my husband often used it. So now he's got a backpack style carry-on afterall.

Or my teenage son can use it, as he's strong as an ox.

I'm still waiting on my new small purse/wallet from eBags to arrive, so haven't had the opportunity to take it for a test run yet. I've used this style before, though, and am looking forward to having something so much lighter to carry.

So here's a tip: I ordered this bag from eBags, but through my SkyMiles Shopping link from Delta. For those of you who want to maximize your award miles earning, these sites are great, as you earn extra miles for purchases that you'd have made anyways. Say an item costs $100. By paying for it with my Delta SkyMiles AmEx I earn 100 miles. By buying through SkyMiles Shopping I earn additional miles, with the amount varying by vendor. For instance, Macy's was giving 7 miles (really, 7 miles) per dollar spent around the Christmas holidays this year, so that $100 item would have earned me a total of 800 miles (100 for the AmEx + 700 for the Macy's purchase). Not too shabby. Lots and lots of vendors, including some of my favorites: Zappos, Sephora, Ann Taylor.

Let's think about something else that's sort of heavy and potentially not necessary: in-flight entertainment.

This is really only an issue for the TATL portions of the trip, as the trips in and out of London are fairly short.

I'm unlikely to want much in the way of entertainment on the eastbound flight, as I like to sleep. The return flight is altogether different: it's longer, and it's during the day, so entertainment of any sort will make it go by more quickly. So, how do I figure out whether the plane's got good in-flight entertainment or not? And if the entertainment is overhead screens only, do I want to consider bringing my own DVD player?

Airlines' web sites are usually not a fantastic place to get this information, as they're delighted to tell you that they to offer AVOD (audiovisual on demand AKA personal TVs) but they're not necessarily all that great about alerting you when a flight doesn't offer it.

A much better source is www.seatguru.com. In addition to showing you which seats are where on a particular type of equipment on a particular airline (like the airline's seatmap but with more detail), seatguru gives you information about in-flight entertainment and power sources.

In order to use seatguru, I need to know what sort of equipment is scheduled for the trip. Note that equipment changes can occur, and if this happens all bets are off.

The Delta-operated flight is the easiest to figure out, as my itinerary at Delta tells me that it's a 767-400ER. When I go to seatguru I find that there are two versions of this equipment listed, one with "Trans" (for transatlantic)at the end of it. The other one is used on domestic routes and has overhead screens in coach. The transatlantic version has AVOD.

So, barring an equipment substitution or a non-functioning TV (both of which are entirely possible), I'm all set. I will bring some books to read, just in case, but will purchase these in France (novels, and if I can find it, Spirou).

So no need to bring along my DVD player, and can thereby save myself a little over 2 lbs in weight.

Now, I of course already knew that the 767-400ER used on TATL Delta flights has AVOD (as opposed to the 767-300ER that Delta uses into some smaller markets in Europe that doesn't have AVOD in coach), but Air France is a different kettle of fish. My Delta itinerary tells me that it's an Airbus A340, operated by Delta.

Seatguru shows two versions of A340 for Air France, and the airline's web site shows three. In order to tell which is which, I can compare the seatmap on Delta.com to the cabin plans at the Air France site. Since all three versions feature AVOD at all seats, though, I don't need to know for this purpose.

Therese, you do realise don't you that on the London-Bordeaux leg of your journey, you won't be allowed to carry any liquids (that includes creams, gels, mousses, cosmetics, etc) in your carry-on or on your person unless they're in containers no bigger than 100ml and will all fit into a clear re-sealable bag of roughly A4 size?

Maybe I'm particularly high maintenance, but I'd find it extremely difficult to fly from the UK for even a short trip with only a carry-on these days

Yes, Xenos, I'm aware of the liquids/gels restrictions. The same rules apply to all the flights, actually, and I've been conforming to them for years now. And since I was traveling carry-on long before they were put into effect I didn't find them problematic, as anybody who travels light is used to minimizing the bulk and weight of toiletries.

Thanks for the intro to this topic. Oh, and you haven't seen high maintenance until you've seen what I drag along in the way of toiletries.

Sorry - sounds like I'm trying to teach my grandmother to suck eggs Therese

It was your point about putting liquids in your coat pockets that made me wonder if maybe you weren't aware of the restrictions in the UK.

I've also flown several times since the introduction of these rules at the end of 2006 - within Europe, Asia and Africa, but the only time they've been applied has been when I'm leaving the UK.

Ah, now I see your point, Xenos.

The comment about putting liquids in my coat pockets referred to putting all of my liquids in my coat pocket, nicely packed in their tidy little l L/1 qt ziploc plastic bag. They'd only be there during the "weighing of the luggage" ceremony at check-in for RyanAir in Bremen, as that's where I run the most danger of exceeding the allowable weight for cabin luggage. Anything that's actually on my body at that point wouldn't be counted.

As I go through security I'll need (in principle, at least) to present my toiletries for inspection, so having them in my pocket would actually be pretty handy. Once through security I can put them in my suitcase.

The flight out of London to Bordeaux isn't a problem, as it's on easyJet and they don't have a weight limit at all.

As to enforcement of the rules about liquids, U.S. airports vary mostly as to whether you're required to take the ziploc bag out of your suitcase for inspection. ATL (where I live) doesn't bother as long as you've conformed to the 3-1-1 rule, but smaller airports tend to make a much bigger deal about it.

So, here's my detailed list of "wet" toiletries:

28 g salicylate/exfoiliating scrub
50 mL facial toner spray
50 mL facial moisturizer/sunscreen
14 g undereye moisturizer
14 g undereye concealer
50 mL eye make-up remover
23 g toothpaste
10 mL salicylate spot treatment
24 g antifungal cream
15 mL eyedrops
2 mL anti-inflammatory ointment
3 mL perfume
3 mL perfume
2.5 mL mascara

Have I left anything out? Anybody care to calculate the total volume and/or weight of these items?

Hi Therese-
I've been following your packing threads with great interest because I too try to be a light packer (carry on only) whenever possible. The only time I draw the line is when unreasonable (for me) weight restrictions are involved. I travel with more gadgets than you (Digital SLR camera with extra telephoto lens and 2.2 lb laptop plus various chargers and power packs). Still, I manage to go carry-on most of the time.

Like you, I have no problem fitting all my "liquids" in a single small bag and I manage to bring all sorts of things in teeny-tiny containers.
Do you bring shampoo/conditioner with you? I did not see that on your list. I always bring mine and am amazed at how long just a few ounces will last.

BTW, does the total volume/weight of the items on your list matter as long as it all fits in a 1 qt bag?

"BTW, does the total volume/weight of the items on your list matter as long as it all fits in a 1 qt bag?"

The total weight counts because I'm dealing with Ryanair's total weight allowance of 10 kg/22 lb. A 1 L/1 qt ziploc could theoretically contain as much as 1000 mL of liquid, and if you assume that the liquid is all water then that would be 1 kg/2.2 lb. And that's a considerable chunk of my total allowance, isn't it?

Now in fact it would be pretty difficult to get the bag to weight a full 1 kg, as part of the bag's volume is occupied by packaging for the various items, and also because many of the toiletries we use actually weigh less than 1g per mL, as they're made of combinations of oils and alcohols and water instead of just water, and those ingredients are less dense than water.

If you look back at my list of toiletries you'll notice that some are listed by weight (in grams) and some are listed by volume (in milliliters). So I'd have to know the densities of these items in order to give exact total weights or volumes. If I err on the heavy side, the total weight would be 288.5 g. Some of the containers aren't full, and some of them actually weigh less than 1 g per 1 mL (as explained above), but I'll assume that the weight of the packaging makes up the difference. Let's say it's 300 g and call it a day.

As to your other question, Kristina, I no longer travel with liquid shampoo. Instead I use one of the Lush solid shampoos that's called Shine. The bar weighs 50 g when it's new and it lasts a long time. Much cheaper than conventional shampoo (even though the upfront cost seems a bit high for something so compact, at $9.25 per bar) and great for travel.

I don't use a conditioner, as I don't wash my hair every day. I straighten it (with a flat iron) and then use dry shampoo for the next two mornings (or even the next three if the weather's cool and dry). I use Oscar Blandi's non-aerosol version. A great time saver when I'm traveling, whether it's for work or leisure.

This brings us to my "dry" toiletries, the first two of which I've already mentioned:

shampoo (solid)
shampoo (dry)
soap
deodorant (solid)

I also bring prescription and OTC meds (all in a single prescription bottle---theoretically this could be a problem, but in practice not really), a toothbrush, razor, q-tips, feminine hygiene items, dental floss, eyeliner sharpener, hairbrush...hmm, that's all I can think of at the moment.

There are several things (conditioner, hair styling products, liquid make-up) that I don't bring that some of you may need, and rest assured that a sufficient quantity would be accomodated by the space left my ziploc bag. I've left them out because I don't use them, not because I don't have room.

I remembered a couple of additional toiletry items ("dry") to include on my list: nail file and nail buffing tool. Both of these are non-metalli, with nothing at all like a point on them, so not even remotely threatening in appearance.

But the big news is that my groovy little wallet-on-a-string/purse has arrived from eBags.

I'm going to go open the package now. Oh, the anticipation...

First impressions of my new small purse (which you can view here if you'd like--- http://www.ebags.com/buxton/check_clutch_mini_bag_on_a_string/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=1187 )...

Well, it's awfully light, and although it's reasonably well-made it still seem, well, flimsy, and...

Oh, hold it, that's why I bought it in the first place, isn't it? In fact, I considered getting a microfiber bag in the interest of saving weight, but in the end decided I needed something less casual. So it's just what I was looking for, and I've already stocked it with:

1. euro (bills and coins)

2. pounds (bills and coins)

3. dollars

4. passport

I've got room for my make-up and my cell phone (which reminds me, I need to call about roaming, and I need to notify my credit cards and bank about my upcoming travel as well).

I also checked to see whether it fits in the pocket of my raincoat. It does, though it does detract a bit from the otherwise smooth line of the coat.

Remembered a couple more "dry" toiletry/grooming items:

cotton hair band (for keeping hair off my face when I'm in the shower and when I wash my face and/or brush my teeth)

hair clips (for keeping my hair up in the shower)

I used to use a shower cap, but find that the hair band/clips combo actually keeps my hair dryer (so long as I don't actually dunk my head under the shower spray, of course, but then a shower cap doesn't work very well under those circumstancs either).

Probably the single heaviest item that I'm bringing on this trip is my flat iron. I bought it in Portugal, so it's compatible with the electric current everywhere in Europe. I'll need an adapter if I used it in London, but since I'm in London for only two nights I'll probably just wash my hair my last morning in Germany and then not do it again until I'm in France.

Therese-
What about first aid items?
I always bring a small ziplock with Bandaids, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotic ointment, etc.

Sometimes I bring first aid sorts of stuff, sometimes I don't. I find that I don't use Band-Aids even if I pack them, because the situation in which I'm likely to use them is for a blister, and they don't really do much for me if I've got a blister except rub off and rattle around in my shoe. So these days I exercise blister prevention, which is mostly just making sure my shoes are nicely worn in. Antibiotic ointment is mostly for blisters as well, or perhaps the occasional paper cut, so I don't bother.

If you look at my "wet" toiletries list you'll see antifungal ointment (combination of stress and not changing clothes as often on the day of travel work their typical magic), anti-inflammatory ointment (eczema tends to flare with stress and lack of sleep), salicylate spot treatment (shouldn't I be too old for acne? apparently not), and eye drops (for dry plane, but also helps with cigarette smoke and allergen exposure).

As for meds by mouth, I'm bringing a sleep med for the plane (Ambien) and psssibly another night or two if I have trouble sleeping, as well as ibuprofen. I already take an antihistamine every day (Zyrtec), as well as antileukotriene inhibitor (Singulair), so am pretty well set from that perspective. I should probably throw a few Sudafed in there, just in case. I've never used antidiarrheal meds and over the years have stopped bringing them. I did once use Dramamine in a situation where a lot of air turbulence was anticipated, but I found that it gave me pretty bad abdominal cramps.

I do sometimes bring Metamucil wafers with me, as work/restaurant diets tend to be low fiber. Lately I've just avoided eating so much in restaurants, and make a point of keeping fruits and vegetables in my room for snacks.

I personally would never use a purse like the one you've chosen - it looks WAY too unsecure and far too easy to pickpoket.

I agree with you, Hazel. I definitely would not use it with any important cards in those slots under the flap.

You both make excellent points about the design of this purse and it's pickpocket accessibility. My usual purse, for instance, has the same "flap" design, but my wallet containing cash and credit cards is contained inside another zippered compartment that's inside the main compartment. So a pickpocket would have to get inside the flap, unzip the inner compartment, and then take out the wallet. Sounds pretty secure, right?

Well, not necessarily. What really makes your purse secure is your constant and undivided attention to it. My purse is literally never carried in such a way that the flap could be opened (and so, consequently, the zippered compartment accessed). I wear it across my body and my hand never leaves it. Ever.

The other thing that makes your purse secure is avoiding places that attract pickpockets. This particularly trip is very low risk, as there's essentially no touring involved, just work.

Finally, just because a purse has credit card slots doesn't mean that you have to use them, does it?

Here's my 2 cents: To deal with limited weight in carryon luggage, and especially when you're limited to only one piece of carryon, I wear a vest (ScottVest) with 29 pockets into which I place everything I would carry in a purse, plus several other items that would add weight to the carryon. The vest goes through the scanner and has never been weighed. Yes, I look like a snowman but I love the freedom of not having to keep up with a purse.

Speaking of purses, I use (not on the airplane) a small-ish bag I got from Magellans which has a cable in the strap which prevents a thief from cutting the strap and running off with your purse. The zippers and flaps are very secure.

I have posted before but will post again, straps on purses that have a steel cable can be dangerous. If a thief tries to grab your purse, expecially if they are on a motorcycle or scooter, you can be knocked to the ground and seriously injured. It has happened.

Oooh, found the Scottevest (there's an "e" in the middle) web site. Here's a link to the version for women (which is apparently a new option): http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest_Women.shtml

Quite cute, actually, with a tapered waist and vertically-oriented pocket openings/zippers, cute enough that I wouldn't feel particularly ridiculous wearing it, though since I travel in dresses (for comfort) rather than trousers I'd have to think that through. Nice stretchy trousers would work, and the vest comes down far enough that it would actually make the silhouette fairly slimming.

I won't be using it on the trip, as (a) I'm working rather than touring, and (b) am already bringing a rain coat. As it turns out my rain coat is not too different in style from this vest, as it's a tapered black microfiber that zips up the front, and has two very roomy pockets that zip vertically. And a hood, so I won't take an umbrella, and it looks normal when worn with a dress.

But definitely a consideration for the future.

I tend to come down on LoveItaly's side of the question when it comes to steel cables in my purse strap: if somebody wants my purse that badly they can have it.

Another means of carrying your purse is in your hand, with a wrist strap (the small one I just got has a built-in one that slides into a little slot when not in use). You don't let it dangle from the strap, of course, but actually keep it clutched in your hand.

Cosmetics.

I've covered all the various moisturizers and so forth upthread, and will limit myself here to "colors" sort of items. Apart from the mascara (which I included in my "wet" toiletries bag above), everything is either compact powder or solid, as noted.

powder foundation (Lancome's Dual Finish, a great product)

powder blush (Maybelline, comes with its own stubby applicator brush)

eyeliner (true pencil style in dark brown, not sure of brand at the moment)

eyeshadow (a Lancome quartet that includes chocolate brown to shimmery white)

eyeshadow brush (Lancome, standard chubby brush)

lipstick (usually Lancome, always solid, usually no more than one or two tubes)

eybrow/lash brush/comb combo (Lancome)

Many of you likely use liquid/gel formulations of one or more of these products, or use other products that I haven't listed like a lipliner or eyebrow pencil. All of it will fit, but you'd have to put the liquid/gel items in your "wet" ziploc. And yes, there's plenty of room.

I carry all of these items in my purse, every day. I've got very oily skin, so use blotting papers during the day. I've tried lots of brands, and far and away my favorite is Clean & Clear brand. It's very effective and doesn't muss your make-up as much as the other types I've tried, mostly because the sheets are plastic rather than paper.

I'm sure many people will find this very helpful. But I am definitely going to refer my family and friends to this post when they accuse me of being anal-retentive. Yikes.

Therese-- I am enjoying the details of your packing, and learning a lot. Keep up the good work!

"I'm sure many people will find this very helpful. But I am definitely going to refer my family and friends to this post when they accuse me of being anal-retentive. Yikes."

Heh heh. In fact I don't spend nearly as much time packing (or thinking about it) as this thread suggests. Most of my trips involve throwing my usual stuff into my usual suitcase and getting out the door to the airport. I take whatever happens to be clean, and that's pretty much it. If I've forgotten something I buy it once I'm there, or do without.

I post these threads here at Fodor's because they address questions that come up here very, very frequently. Lots of "packing light" proponents take a fairly low maintenance approach to their wardrobes and grooming, and anybody who doesn't is likely to look at their suggestions and despair. Use hotel shampoo? On my hair? Wash out my single pair of panties in the hotel sink every night? Wear the same blouse twice? Wear clunky shoes to swank restaurants? No, no, not me.

By describing exactly what I take, and why, I can allay the fears of high maintenance folks like myself. They, too, can enjoy the freedom that comes with a small suitcase.

It helps that I type very quickly (we'll overlook the typos for the moment).

I've got to go finish baking some cookies right now, so will solicit guesses as to the single strangest item that I routinely bring with me when I travel. Of course, I don't think it's odd in the least, but it's the mention of this item that typically prompts the listener to stare at me in disbelief. "Really? It fits in your suitcase? That little suitcase right there?"

So, what is it? And yes, if you look at old threads in this series you'll find it mentioned.

No time to look back through old threads, but are you the person who brought their own sheets? A pillow I understand and don't think that odd, but sheets?? I know someone here did that...

Pillow's the answer.

I do occasionally bring a sheet (just one, a full or queen-size flat sheet), but that's when I'm not sure of my accomodations. When I travel for work, I'm sometimes put up (by my hosts, the people who are paying for the trip) in a room that's not technically a hotel room but rather a sort of dorm that's associated with the meeting hall/university/conference center. Imagine a monk's cell with a TV. Far and away the worst aspect of this type of room is the typically inadequate bathroom: shower with not great water flow, slimy shower curtain that blows everywhere and wants to stick to me, and flooded floor. But at least it's a private bathroom.

The second worst thing is the usually scratchy sheets, and so that's when I typically pack one of my own. I don't usually pack a nightgown, so it more or less acts like a gown in that it's a barrier between my skin and the scratchy sheets.

The pillow is latex foam rubber. I've slept exclusively with this type of pillow since I was a toddler, as I have asthma, and the "feel" of it is so different from other pillows that I don't sleep well without one. It doesn't have to be a particular latex foam pillow, just one of that type.

Although it's very, very compressible, it's fairly heavy. I managed to find a weight for one on line that was 1.3 kg, and that sounds about right. A sacrifice I'm willing to make, even in this "constrained weight" instance.

Therese: Your threads are always amazing. I enjoy reading them, always pick up a couple of good tips, and have passed this one (with the all the good links to prior threads) to a stylish friend who will be traveling to Europe for the first time with us in about 3 weeks.

Your comment a few posts up says it all -- you write these for people who don't want to walk around in shorts, Keens (which I love, but wouldn't wear out at night) and a backpack every minute of their trip to Europe. These posts provide all of us great encouragement to give packing light a try; you share some great examples of what to pack and how to do it.

Thanks, Molloy95 (and travlsolo2 and others who lend encouragement along the way). It's fun to share, and fun to get cool tips along the way (that Scottevest is calling my name...).

So, while I'm thinking about it, any of you who've come up with some great solution to a common (or not-so-common) problem should feel free to chime in here. Or if you've got a question, or just want to express stunned incredulity.

I have a cunning way around the ryanair stupid 10 kilo rule - where I get hubby or whoever I'm with (or a luggage locker) to hold a small bag of items for me which I then pop back into the hand luggage after the weigh in - before I go through to the gate. Illegal/unfair etc. I know....but I'm so sick of them. Anyway, I've vowed never to fly with them again....since a few weeks ago they made me miss my flight and I had to stay at an airport hotel with the baby etc.

Also I wear about 6 kilos of clothes - I'm like an onion. Though it does take me a while to strip at security.

The pocketses thing is a good idea. I never thought of that. I have an old mac where the pockets are ripped and everything goes into the lining.....that should be good for another 6 kilos.

Okay, so I'm now sitting here chuckling at the thought of you wearing 6 kg of clothes, Lawchick.

Great idea about the temporary luggage locker. I won't be needing to use that option, but it might be a solution for somebody who has to deal with something like camera lenses (Kristina?).

I'll point out here that I'm generally a very law-abiding, follow-the-rules sort of person. But since it's very clear that Ryanair's operating on the assumption that they can basically trick me into paying more that I plan to, I don't feel the least bit guilty about bending the rules in this instance.

What was the issue with your last flight, Lawchick? Assuming you don't mind sharing, that is.

I was flying back from Dublin to Brussels and the computers were glitchy at Dublin Airport and it was taking hours to get everybody checked in. All of the people for ryanair flights were put into two queues, streaming slowly towards the check in desks. All the flights were showing delayed on the board - except mine. On about 10 occasions me or hubby left the queue to enquire what was going on and to confirm if our flight was also delayed...and also to plead with them to check us in. Each time they said our flight was delayed, we could not be checked in and to get back into the never ending queue. Lo and behold when we got to the check in desk - our flight was gone. Husband, me, baby and about 20 others were left behind. I created havoc. Ryanair blamed the Dublin Airport authority, DAA blamed Ryanair and so on. We had to stay at a hotel at the airport until the next morning and even then we were on standby....but we made it in the end...but our plane was delayed that morning and Ryanair baggage handlers managed to pull the handle off my checked in suitcase.

It's twice as difficult when this sort of thing happens with a baby. I had to get food/nappies etc.

I'm still really annoyed, but I'm amusing myself by writing scathing letters to them. So never again....and if ever, I will be wearing my extra baggage.

I'd say "twice as difficult when this sort of thing happens with a baby" is underestimating the hassle by a factor of at least 5. I never had any substantial delays when traveling with either of mine as infants (and they are now teenagers), but I do feel your pain.

Any Ryanair is presumably not going to pay for any of costs of the delay, of course (though if DAA is saying that it's RA's screw-up then perhaps you'll have some recourse). Glad to hear that it turned out okay in the end.

Thinking of you traveling Ryanair with an infant does put me in mind of one of the funnier statements on Ryanair's web site (which is itself a masterwork of carefully worded but still very confusing information):

"Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptops, duty free etc must be carried within your permitted 1 piece of cabin baggage)."

Whenever I read this it strikes me that perhaps Ryanair considers infants to be cabin baggage, but that in this instance they'll waive the "one bag only" rule. What they really mean, of course, is that the infant doesn't get his own separate carry-on allotment, but it still makes me giggle.

My daughter recently flew Etihad Airways from Bangkok to London via Abu Dhabi, and when checking her baggage allowances, she was entitled to take one falcon with her as hand baggage. Had she traveled first class she could have taken up to 6 falcons with her as had baggage LOL.

Therese, interesting series of threads BTW.

Next, jewelry.

Not too much to say here, as I don't wear that much: a watch (a Timex with a black leather strap for work and travel), plain wedding band (no engagement ring), and earrings. I occasionally wear bracelets if I'm going out but otherwise don't bother, as they bother me a bit when I'm using a keyboard (and as you've likely realized by now I spend a lot of time at the keyboard).

I do have a small box in which I usually carry my earrings and bracelets for travel, but for this trip will be using a small ziploc bag instead (in the interest of saving the ounce or so that the box itself weighs). A total of perhaps 20 pairs of earrings. I could take fewer, but that would require thinking about it in advance, and then limit me later on. What if I don't feel like wearing the gold hoops that day?

Falcon? I'll admit to wondering at first what on earth you meant by "falcon", but then realized that you actually meant a real, live falcon. I gather it's a fairly popular sport (presumably among the wealthy) in the Middle East.

Hmm, I wonder if they cause much fuss. Do they need to be sedated for the trip?

For those of you who'd like to check out Etihad's baggage policies, here you go:

http://www.etihadairways.com/etihadairways/global/en/planatrip/travelessentials/BaggageInformation.htm

Stunningly detailes, and the parts about falcons are especially good reading.

Just thought of yet another item that goes in my "dry" toiletries bag: ear plugs. I tend to use my noise-canceling earphones on the plane, but if I'm really going to sleep then the ear plugs work better. Some airlines hand these out (along with eye shades) on TATL flights, but I find that they tend be itchy, and so bring my own brand. These can come in handy in hotels as well, not just at night (if the area is busy) but if I need to get some rest during the day, when there's generally more noise.

I also don't like the eye shades given out by the airlines, as the elastic tends to slip down and cut into the tops of my ears, and they also make me feel a bit claustrophobic. I'm considering trying to find some that are more comfortable.

Any suggestions? I've seen some that permit you to open your eyes while you're wearing them, and that seems like it might work for me.

This is going to sound stupid but how about some loose fitted swimming goggles with the lenses painted out. As long as you don't mind looking a tad odd...think they'd work well and wouldn't be as stuffy feeling as the cloth eyepads, which I can't stand either.

It doesn't sound stupid at all, actually, and as it turns out this "goggle" style of eye shade is becoming increasingly common.

Here are some that I found on line:

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_mask_dream_away.aspx

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_mask_dreamlite.aspx

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_mask_contoured.aspx

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_mask_mindfold.aspx

And now I'm going to have figure out which one I want. Oh, and buy it online using SkyMiles Shopping.

Anybody have any experience with any of these products?

Okay, made my choice. The "Lights Out" sleep mask (from Magellan's). I had to pay for shipping, so the total was about $15, but I did earn miles (3 per $1, I think) and didn't have to get in my car and drive anywhere.

Black, of course, so if you see some woman conked out wearing a sleep mask that makes her look like a bug, it may be me.

Don't wake me to ask, though.

I came across a cool little gadget today, courtesy of another Fodorite's mention of it on (I believe) the Airlines forum, something that I'd forgotten that I needed.

I mentioned upthread that I use my own headphones to access in-flight entertainment. These headphones are noise-cancelling (Bose, QC3), and when I plug them into the usual plane speakers I have very little control over the volume. I can control the volume from the button on the arm rest, or the AVOD screen, of course, but typically the input is so loud that I have trouble getting it to be low enough on the headphones (the high volume is necessary if you're using not so great earphones to hear over the ambient din, I guess). And even if it's not too loud to start out, I can't adjust the volume as gradually as I'd like.

So here's the solution:

http://tiny.cc/u9hdS

It's labeled as a "volume control cable" here, but it's also known as an in-line attenuator, and I expect it will improve my in-flight experience.

Time to talk clothes, and first I'll describe what I'll wear on the plane (on the eastbound, nightime, transatlantic leg). Before I show you, though, I need to tell you that I'm claustrophobic. So the tight quarters in a plane make me a bit edgy, and the least little bit of extra stress along those lines makes it very difficult indeed. Factors that make me feel more claustrophobic include all sorts of things: cabin too warm, turbulence (I once had a really bad, really lengthy experience with turbulence), a full bladder (or just the idea that I won't be able to empty it once it is full), and clothes that are too tight or that I can't take off easily.

And now you're thinking, this woman takes her clothes off on planes? Well, no, but knowing that I could (without even standing up) is comforting. Over the years I've worn various sorts of ensembles, and these days find that my favorite is a dress. Here's an example of the sort of dress that I like (in brown rather than black so that you can see the detail better):

http://www.pineconehill.com/product/view/AWKEDCH

The careful observer will note that this item is manufactured by a company that specializes in sheets and pajamas. The dress itself is not intended as pajamas, and the clothing line "Willow Knit" has coordinating tops and trousers and so forth, but it's very soft, and very comfortable.

I'll wear it in black, with black tights (no control top) and black knee-high boots. I actually bought this dress at Zappo's, in black, brown, and dark pink. I wore the brown last week and the dark pink today, and got compliments both days.

I just love wearing my pajamas to work.

Oh, and if any of you want some more tips on dealing with claustrophobia in this setting, just ask.

Therese-That's a very cute dress. What is the fabric like? Is it like t-shirt knit material?
I like their willow knit "bathrobe" which looks like a wrap dress too.

I prefer pants on flights because I like to put my feet up whenever possible and I don't want to be concerned about exposing myself.

I'm right there with you on the claustrophobia and the full bladder fears though. I'm usually cold, so I usually wear a light t-shirt, cashmere sweater (zip hoodie) and bring a coat and scarf if I'm going where it will be cold.

Love to see your recos Therese. That's a very cute dress and I'd love to know how clingy. I envision you very svelte and wondering how it might work on early 40s size 10.

I'm very claustrophobic myself -- nearly panicked and hyperventilated trying to take off a beaded dress one size too small in a fitting room once upon a time and about had to had to bolt out of an overcrowded bus in Madrid many moons ago. (A bit hungover might have had something to do with it, of course I was much younger -- law school days; fortunately sitting between a window and a very good friend.) Not really an option on a plane but I try not to fly hungover (these days anyway). Might as well be comfy I say and that dress looks so very comfy AND stylish.

I am claustrophobic, afraid of heights, terrified of flying and I get motion sick. I hate wearing tight-fitting clothes and layering would be difficult for me on the plain. I love the vest idea. I put all of my fears aside and travel anyway because it is worth it. I cracked up laughing about how knowing that you could extract yourself from clothing quickly was a comforting feeling That's too funny.

For motion sickness, I discovered that ginger root taken as part of my daily regimen helps a lot. I still have to take dramamine on the plane, but for riding in cabs and trams, the ginger root helps.

I take my microfiber neck pillow everywhere I go. It's the only pillow I use and I get them really cheap at the discount stores. I tried all of the expensive pillows and found these cheapos to be best for me. I haven't had trouble carrying it on the plane in my hand on any of my flights. I have never flown with RyanAir though.

Wow, sounds like claustrophobia really rang a bell. Nice to know I'm not alone. Love the story about the beaded dress, Molloy95. I've been in similar situations, most notably at a Karen Millen store (where the dresses tend to the very structured, and have all sorts of hidden zippers). I find myself looking for dresses that have full zippers (all the way up to either the neckline, or the sleeve hole if it's sleeveless) rather than those little ones that just create enough room for you to squeeze the item over your head.

I've heard that ginger is good for nausea, modglila, so I may try that, but in general I don't have much motion sickness. It happens, but not so frequently that I think too much about it. The thought of flying hungover is, um, unpleasant.

How do you take the ginger? Just grate some fresh root?

Anyway, here's what I do for claustrophobia.

1. Always get an aisle seat. On the very, very rare occasions on which I've had to fly very last minute and thereby couldn't book an aisle, some kind soul has agreed to switch with me. I only ask if the flight is a short one, as otherwise it seems like too much of an imposition. If this happened on a long flight I'd either have to deplane or ask the flight attendant to help (not an issue so far).

2. Always fly larger planes. I deliberately choose routes that are served by larger planes rather than small ones. Sometimes this doesn't work out, though, and I'm stuck dealing with tight quarters.

3. Always have water available. Not just to drink, but also to apply to a paper towel that I can use to keep myself cool. I learned this trick from a Delta flight attendant. I was on my way to New York, seated towards the back of a crowded medium-sized commuter plane. We ended up having to wait on the ground, without air conditioning. I started taking off my clothes (no, not right down to my underwear, but close) and fanning myself, and within seconds this very efficient woman was at my elbow holding out a glass of water and a wet towel. And then she stayed there with me, chatting.

4. Get distracted. As we all know, phobias are all about perception, and if I can get my mind off my physical response it really helps. I find that talking to somebody else is far and away the best distraction, and I will simply turn to the person next to me and ask that they talk to me, explaining why. If there's a flight attendant nearby I'll talk to him/her. Weirdly enough, talking about the claustrophobia makes it seem much less problematic.

5. Find the airsick bag. Knowing that it's at hand makes me much less anxious about the possibility of throwing up. You may want to reassure the person next to you (if you've been chatting him up and explaining about your claustrophobia) that it's just a precaution, and that you've really no intention whatsoever of puking next to him.

On one particularly memorable occasion I'd gotten queasy from the meal, and realized that I really was going to throw up. There was no bag in the pocket in front of me, so I hurried back to the galley where all the flight attendants were hanging out and asked for an airsick bag. One of them handed it to me and then they all got to watch me be ill. Better them than the other passengers, I suppose. I no longer eat airline food.

The Willow Knit dress I showed upthread is made of a very soft knit (mostly or all cotton, I think), softer than most T-shirts, and it drapes really well. So unless you get a size that's too small you should be able to avoid what I call the "cats in a sack" effect. I tend to "order up" when it comes to knit dresses, and when one of the reviewers at Zappo's mentioned that she'd found the sleeves and bodice too tight (describing her arms as looking "like hams"), I actually ordered a large. I think I could have managed with the medium (I'm wearing a U.S. 8 or 10 these days) but the large gives me extra fabric that makes my hips less obvious. The bodice is consequently a bit lower cut, but not so much that I'll create a scandal. It's a bit longer than many of my dresses (I'm 5'6", and it falls to the bottom of my knees), so that adds to the slimming effect, and also means that I'm less likely to flash anybody if I put my feet up, as Kristina points out. Since I'm typically wearing tights it's not a big deal if a dress creeps up to mid-thigh.

It held up well to machine washing.

I am, for the record, several years senior to Molloy95's early 40s, and I'm a lot less svelte today than I was even two years ago, I'm afraid.

In the end, of course, you just have to try it for yourself. Zappo's has the world's easiest return system (and incredibly fast delivery), so I order from them without worrying that something won't fit. Less trouble than schlepping out to the mall, for sure.

I just looked at that dress on Zappos and it's $92. So I guess you are paying $14 for the "free" shipping, since the "suggested" price on the Pine Cone website is $78.
Zappos lists it at 95% bamboo and 5% spandex.
Interesting at on the Zappos website it looks like it hits above the knee, but at 5'6" you said it falls to below the knee. This means for me, at 5'4" it would be pretty long.

BTW Therese, do the knee high boots you take traveling have a high heel or a flat one? I've been trying to find a good, comfortable pair with a short (under 2") wide heel. Ideas?

BTW, my most about about the cost of the dress and shipping was not not meant to be critical, just breaking it down for myself.
The dress is cute, but out of my budget. Plus, they now only have it in XS on Zappos.

OMG, it's just too early. That should read, "my post above" not "my most about". Doh!

Hi Therese - love your packing threads!

I have a pair of tall black boots that I've worn for hundreds of miles and 2 trips to Europe. They're waterproof, equestrian style, a Canadian company called Blondo. Sometimes they're on Sierra Trading Post for amazing prices. (Sadly mine were full price, local comfort shoe store.) I wear them with an insert - Superfeet. The heel is about an 1.25", latex soles, wide enough for cobbles. Perfect for trips.

I like them so much I know have Blondo boots in 3 styles: tall black, short black, tall brown suede. All are waterproof and warm.

Thanks, rosetravels. I had to laugh when I read your description of all your Blondo boots, as I have possibly the world's largest privately held collection of boots. No Blondo's yet, but they may soon be joining the club. I live in Atlanta, so waterproof and/or insulated boots aren't in particularly high demand. I've got one really cute pair of short red boots that are lined and I can't wear them as often as I'd like because they're too hot.

As for the knee-high boots that I'll taking with me travelling, the answer is "both." I generally take one pair of low heel and one pair of high heel. The low heel ones that I'm taking this trip are made by Lumiani, and aren't available at the moment. I kick myself at least once a day for not ordering them in brown (as well as black) when they were available, as they are cute, comfortable, and have held up well.

The high heel (probably about 2 1/2", so not really all that high) pair is made by (I think) Joan & David. I've had them for several years as well.

Because boots tend to be on the pricier side, and the styles (at least the ones that I like) are so classic, it's worth it to take them to the cobbler and keep them in good shape. People are likely tired of seeing me in them, but they'll get over it.

I noticed the price discrepancy between Pine Cone Hill site and Zappo's, but since I'd already bought them decided not to worry about it any more. Whenever I compare ordering from Zappo's and directly from, say, Naturalizer, Zappo's wins on total price (shipping + tax). When it comes to actually leaving the house and driving to a shopping mall, Zappo's is an even better deal.

I need to go figure out what clothes I'm actually taking on this trip.

All this Boot discussion has me going crazy.
I'd really like to buy a pair before my trip to Paris in October.
Waterproof appeals to me because of the possibility of rain.

I currently have 9 different pairs (incl. 2 Lumiani) saved on Zappos and there are three pairs of Blondos (thanks rosetravels) I'm considering on the Sierra trading Post website. Yikes. My biggest dilemma is the height of the heel. I want to look good and "fashionable", but it also needs to work as a shoe I can wear all day long, walking about as a tourist.

Therese I am interested to see what you choose to pack for clothes (and shoes) for this trip.

Kristina, you may have already found this site, but Zapppo's apparently operates a separate site where they put shoes on sale, especially if they don't have too many of them left. Depending on your size you may have luck there.

http://www.6pm.com/

My groovy eye shades have arrived!

The look and feel exactly like a strapless bra, if you were going make a silky black strapless bra to fit around, say, a schnauzer.

Fortunately I don't have a schnauzer, so everybody's safe.

I like the strap, as it's adjustable (with Velco) and wide enough that I dont think it will pose a problem with cutting into the tops of my ears.

Stopped by RadioShack this morning and got my volume control for my headphones as well.

Therese,

Are you saying you don't check a bag? If so, I can't imagine how you get all that stuff into your carryon. I don't take jeans with me because they are too bulky. I'm a beginner traveler. I packed lighter this last time and had better luck, but still took a backpack carryon and a very small checked suitcase. I have a piece of medical equipment that has to go in my carryon so that takes up some room, but I'm admiring all of you that take boots on your trips. I take only the shoes on my feet. Obviously, I don't get much variety. I wear sneakers and capris or shorts with T-shirts for the most part; not very fashionable. I haven't gone anywhere on my whopping two trips where I needed to dress up.

The ginger root is in the form of a capsule and I splurge and get them from GNC instead of Wal-Mart. I get indigestion from the Wal-Mart brand.

I also hate the small planes. The first plane out of St. Louis is always small. I get very light-headed and dizzy until I get situated in my seat. I travel with a friend and she always takes the window seat for me. She always wants me to look out the window, but I say no thank you. I try to pretend that I'm riding on a bus or something. It doesn't work well, but I have to try. If there is a delay at the airport, I get more worked up than if we can just scuttle about from flight to flight without time to think about it. On the overseas flights, I just take volume and sleep.

My next trip is next summer and I will own one of those vests with all of the pockets. I bought a GPS for this last trip and it was a lot more than the vest. By the way, I loved having the GPS. We could plug in our hotel and then at night when it was dark, we didn't have to worry about getting out a map to find our way home. We just turned on the GPS and brought up the map. It is the best travel-related purchase I've ever made even though it was $500. It makes my husband feel better with me travling without him. I helped a young girl find a hostel that was close too. That definitely adds to the spendature justification....helping strangers along the way.

Hello Therese, I love that dress! I think I have mentioned to you that I always wear a dress for any flight longer than two hours. Wearing pants is such a trauma (well at least for me) when having to use the airplane bathroom as usually the bathroom floor is so nasty. I have a few soft cotton knit dresses that are great to wear when flying. The owner of the dress store I purchased them from called the material "cotton cashmere". Sounds like your dress matches that description.

I am wondering, do your boots ever "bother" you on a long flight? My feet don't really swell up but somehow I am wondering if boots would begin to feel a bit binding when sitting on the plane for hours. I do love boots though!

Kristina - you need boots for Paris I'm sure of it. I was there the last two winters and everyone was wearing boots.

Another brand I like is Santana. They make lovely, waterproof tall boots (Zappos.) It's another Canadian boot company: they know winter. I prefer the Blondo simply for the natural latex soles - I'm convinced it puts a spring in my step.

Loveitaly - my favorite boots are a little roomy and I wear them on the plane so I don't have to pack them.

Therese - I love that dress - it looks flattering.

Ok, I have narrowed down my choices to the following 3 pairs of boots.
Therese, since you are the self-professed "boot queen" I would love your opinion (or anyone else's for that matter).

1. Bandolino
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7473757/c/72.html

2.Clarks
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7414624/c/72.html

3.Blondo
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,1001T_Blondo-Kasandra-Boots-Waterproof-For-Women.html

Of these three, I prefer the Blondo.

The Bandolino toe is a bit too round for me; I prefer one that's a bit more of a straight taper and then either rounded just at the tip (Zappo's usually describes these as "almond") or cut straight across. This preference is due in part to the rounded toe's being not quite as classic a shape, but also to its tendency to shorten the leg a bit visually (at least relative to a more pointed toe). The Clark's are cool, but the patchwork leather would limit their usefulness for me (though not perhaps for you).

My only reservation with this Blondo model is the heel height, which at 2 1/2" may not be comfortable for lots of walking. Here's another Blondo that you might like, and the heel's only 1 1/2" high:

http://www.shoemall.com/product/Blondo-Womens-Dorset-14-Boot-Black-111804

And yet another Canadian boot maker, La Canadienne:

http://www.lacanadienne.ca/en/collections/fall-winter-2008/footwear/page/all

I like the Edison model here. It's not yet available at Zappo's (where the stock is updated daily, with new boots posted pretty much every day in September). La Canadienne's web site illustrates exactly why Zappo's is so informative: the items are measured (including things like the shaft circumference, very important for women whose calves are either thin or not-so-thin), photographs show the item from every angle (even a picture of the sole), and you can read past customers' experience. La Canadienne's site is pretty, but gives me too little information for me to make a decision.

I'm starting to sound like I work for Zappos.

Good luck with your boot hunt, Kristina, and let us know what you find.

Yes, modglila, I'm travelling carry-on only. And not U.S. airline carry-on, which permits a separate personal item and either doesn't weigh your carry-on or has a very high weight limit, but Ryanair carry-on, with no separate personal item permitted and a weight limit of only 22 lbs. Total weight, including the bag itself.

And yes, it can be done, and that's the point of the thread.

Not everyone wants to handle their own luggage during their air travel, and that's certainly fine with me. But just about everyone (excepting those who never, ever have to deal with their own luggage, and may even have somebody else pack it and unpack it for them) can benefit from efficient packing.

Thanks fo the links Therese.
Yes, I've already dismissed the Bandolinos. I'm thinking they would not be comfortable.

I like the Clarks because I'm almost certain they would be the most comfortable for walking. As for the styling, I see what you are saying. But I don't need a very dressy boot for travel and I already own a rockin' pair of pointy-toed Anne Klein stiletto boots for home/work.

The Blondos on the Sierra site are appealing because of price and because they are waterproof. However, the height of the heel does give me pause. The Blondos you linked to are cute, but at the high end of my budget (as are most La Canadiennes). I will have to think about those.

I agree about Zappos. I really like all the details they give, especially about the circumferance and height of the shaft. Fortunately, I fit in most boots.

I may go shopping today at some discount places (Ross, Marshalls, DSW) which are already showing boots for Fall. I've been looking in the last couple of weeks, but it seems like most everything is either a bootie or a very high stiletto.

Ah, yes, the bathroom. On a recent flight from Atlanta to Boise (which isn't too much shorter than a transatlantic flight for me, frankly) I was seated in first class, and so had a very good view of the WC next to the galley just outside the cockpit. Passenger after passenger entered, some with their children, and many were wearing only socks or were barefoot (including children). Bleah. I'm the first to admit that the world's covered in coliform bacteria, and urine is actually more or less sterile, but it's still a big "bleah" for me. I mentioned it to the flight attendant (he'd just emerged, having done some tidying) and he shuddered.

If it's particularly, um, damp I put same paper towels on the floor, picking them up (very gingerly, with a fresh, dry paper towel) and disposing of them before washing my hands, wiping down the sink, and exiting.

On long night flights I generally remove my boots, putting them back on if I need to walk around for any reason. They get a little bit more snug, but still fit just fine.

Another place that I like to shop for dresses is Max Studio. The price range is fairly broad, but you can get some very good deals on sale.

I bought this dress earlier this year and will be taking it with me on this trip:

http://tiny.cc/2Hz9h

Looks like it's still available in every size (which I find perplexing, except perhaps Max Studio's usual clientele doesn't want something so conservative).

Back to boots - Kristina I like the Bandolino and the Clarks. Order them both, return one. The Blondos heel is simply too high to walk for miles.

I saw the Bandolinos today at Macy's. The sole was just not flexible enough-I did not even try them on. I think I am going to order the Clarks. Yes, they are more casual, but I think comfort has to give to fashion in this case.
I'm just not sure about the size. Today I tried on some Clarks shoes and the ones that fit were a 1/2 size smaller than I thought I'd need. Unfortunately, the Zappos site has no user advice for these boots.

Beautiful heel shape on the Clarks.

Order the size you think will work, and if it doesn't just send it back and get a different size. Zappos will actually send your replacement pair to you before they've received the original pair. And if you want to try yet another size they'll do it again.

Sort of like having a sales clerk who doesn't mind returning to the store room again and again and again.

Or you can just order them both at the same time.

Nothing that struck my fancy this AM on Zappos (well, apart from the lime green patent go go boots...), so I'll pause in the packing process here to list a few instances in which packing carry-on only either saved my bacon or made my life a great deal easier. All of them have been previously described here at Fodor's, so I'm just linking to them. The first one is a very, very long story, but the others have the gist in the first post.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35145085

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35130793

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35017938

Cell phone roam activated? Check.

Bank notified? Check.

AmEx notified? Check.

MasterCard notified? Check.

I just ordered the Clarks boots. Good thing I did too, because they said there was only 1 pair left in my size. Hope they fit!

Therese, I've been thinking. You are fortunate to not have to bring a laptop with you for work when you travel. I'm not sure you could meet your weight requirements if you have to travel with a laptop, charger and adaptor. Even my laptop (2.2 lbs) would probably put you over the limit. Not to mention my camera (Nikon SLR with lenses).
I will still be able to do carry on only for my next trip even with these items, but I know I would not be able to confine it to 1 bag under 22 lbs total.

So, do you have to bring anything work related with you?

The flip side to those instances in which I was very happy to have gone carry-on only is those instances in which I've been unhappy to have checked my luggage.

Mostly it's just the time wasted waiting for my bag to show up on the carousel (a process that occurs twice in the present international arrivals set up here in Atlanta, though that's due to change soon). But sometimes it's worse, and though so far I've not had any real disasters it's never convenient.

Here are two instances that I can recall...

The first was a trip to Montpellier, connecting at CDG. The trip was two weeks total, the first at a spa, followed by a week of work. My bag did not make the connection, and so I had to fill out all the paperwork and so forth and then hope that Air France managed to find it and deliver it to my hotel (which wasn't in Montpellier, but at a seaside resort about 25 miles away, I think). The biggest hassle here was that I was being met by a French acquaintance and her new boyfriend, so it was a bit awkward, as he was sort of peeved and that put an edge on the afternoon. My bags did arrive a few hours later, so inconvenient but not a crisis.

The second was returning from a week's holiday in London. My husband and two children were with me and we'd all traveled carry-on only on the outbound trip. When we checked in for the return, though, we were told that the flight was oversold and were offered vouchers if we'd be willing to take a later flight that day. Since the delay was only an hour or so, and we live in Atlanta, we said fine and figured we'd go have lunch somewhere at the airport. My husband suggested that we check our luggage so that we didn't have to take to lunch, and after some hesitation I agreed.

In the end there were some no-shows and we boarded the original flight. But of course our bags didn't.

So once again I had to trudge up to the luggage office (Delta this time) and fill out the usual paperwork, etc. The bags all eventually arrived and were sent directly to our house via taxi. Inconvenient but not a crisis.

I agree, Kristina, the 22 lb weight limit would be a stretch if I also had to fit a laptop in there. I have traveled with a laptop, either fitting it into my carry-on or calling it my personal item, but these days I just don't bother.

So, I do have to carry some work stuff with me, but since it all fits on a flash drive it takes up very little space. I have prepared lectures en route, but generally do that on paper (since I think better that way) and then turn it into slides at my destination. Because I've often given similar lectures previously it's really just a question of re-organizing and modifying PowerPoint slides that I've already got at hand, and I can do that very quickly once I reach the meeting venue. If I've got time I can do at an internet cafe or similar.

Which reminds of a trip I took a couple of years ago that was the absolute ultimate in packing light: I brought my toiletries, my flash drive, my pillow, and the clothes on my back. It was to Toronto (so the exchange rate was favorable), and I had an afternoon free before I lectured the next day. I finished preparing my talk, had handouts printed at Kinkos, and went shopping for my spring wardrobe.

And it all fit in my carry-on on the way back.

So, I've told you about my experiences with checked luggage mis-connects and carry-on only "save my bacon" situations.

Have I ever been unhappy about my decision to not check my luggage? Not so far. Were I to have a very long layover someplace cool and wanted to leave the airport for a visit, it might be an issue, but so far that hasn't happened.

Have I ever been particularly happy that my bags were checked? No again, with a qualifier. Because if I've done it due to the large amount of luggage I've brought, I am invariably kicking myself, as now I have to wrestle getting it around with me. I do check my bag if I'm traveling with too large an amount of liquid, and since that's either liquor or perfume then I'm pretty happy.

Just came across another instance where traveling carry-on speeds things up a bit: check-in for easyJet. Whereas RyanAir won't let me do on-line check-in, easyJet does, and in fact you can do it as early as 60 days in advance. So I've just done it, and printed my boarding pass as well. So I won't have to queue for check-in at Luton.

My friend from London is driving me to Luton airport, but when I arrive at Stansted (via Ryanair) she'll be working, so I'm taking the Stansted Express train service to Liverpool St station. By booking in advance on the web I can save a bit of cash, GBP16 instead of GPB17 if I buy it on the platform. So I'll go do that now.

Well, darn, the price on the ticket went up, though it's still GBP1 less than if I were to buy it on the platform.

Came across some very cute dresses on-line, with these being at the very, very low end of the price spectrum:

http://tinyurl.com/5dw7kk

http://tinyurl.com/6zcrfj

Lots of customer reviews at this site which help in deciding how an item is likely to fit.

Therese-I tried on that first dress at Target. Cute on the hanger, not cute on me. In fact they had 3 simple little black dresses which would have been perfect for travel, but just weren't flattering (your cats in a bag description fits perfectly).

Hmm. Well, I just ordered that dress in both black and gray, so we'll see. One of the women who works with me was wearing the gray one yesterday and looked great in it, but then she is very teeny.

I've promised not to wear it on the same day as her (assuming it fits).

My Clarks boots came this evening! How's that for service? I ordered yesterday and after I did I got an email that they "upgraded" my shipping. Very nice!

So, the boots fit perfectly in the foot and they are very comfortable. BUT, I am hesitating a little about keeping them. The calves are a little tight and I'm not certain I like the strip of elastic running up the outside. OTOH, I don't know if they would fit without it. Also, I doubt I can find a pair of boots as comfortable that I'd be able to walk in for hours.
So, I am wearing them around the house, debating with myself.

Great news about the speedy service, Kristina. Par for the course in my experience---my delivery routinely shows up the day after I order it. My husband jokes that he's going to try and see if he can get same day delivery by ordering after midnight.

As to the boots, do they actually create a "muffin top" out of the top of your calf, or make it difficult to walk (cramping in your calf)? If not then they are probably just fine, as they're leather and will stretch. It's more of a problem if the boots are too wide, as they slip down.

I have fairly wide calves (but not so wide that that I can wear wide calf boots), and find that a snug fit on the calf isn't a problem. If I can zip them, I can wear them.

No, no muffin top! LOL! They are tight, but not uncomfortable. No way I could tuck jeans into them though.

I wore them for a couple of hours last night. I think I'll keep them. Especially after DH came home and said "wow! what did I do to deserve that?" He like boots on me...

The two dresses from Target came (both gray and black) and fortunately there's no "cats in a sack" issue for me. I ordered medium, and probably could have taken a small (though of course possibly not), but this way there's no issue whatsoever of work appropriateness. They're cute alone, but also work as jumpers: I especially like the gray one with a white blouse underneath.

"Re-purposing" dresses is one way to stretch your travel wardrobe, similar to the way that you can use a pair of trouser or a skirt with different tops. I've got a stretchy black sleeveless shift made of a fairly heavy-weight knit that I can wear alone, as a jumper (with a blouse or turtleneck under it), or as a "skirt", with a jacket or sweater over it such that it's being a dress is not apparent. And of course it also takes me through lots of different social situations and climates: with high heels and nice jewelry it's dinner out in a warm climate, and with a turtleneck and flats it's a casual day ensemble in a cool climate (and if I end up someplace very warm inside, like museums in Amsterdam, I can take the sweater off).

I'm still working on my final packing list---in spite of its small dimensions, 19" x 14" x 9" easily accomodates enough clothes to exceed the the 10 kg limit. And just in case any of you wonder just how many clothes that is, at the moment I've got something like six dresses, one pair of trousers, a cardigan, three woven dress shirts, four knit tops, one pair of knee high low heeled boots, a nightgown, and underwear (slips, panties, bras, tights) in there, along with my "dry" toiletries. Oh, and my usual pillow. I'm right at the limit, so will likely edit things a bit.

I did make a couple of changes to my toiletries...

1. Instead of taking my entre container of solid deodorant (which does not come in a travel size, unfortunately, and being the high maintenance sort that I am I will not switch to a different brand), I've transferred enough for two weeks to a small re-purposed cosmetic container. Since it's no longer labeled "solid" and is soft enough that security could decided it's a cream, I've transferred it to my "wet" 1 qt ziploc. There's still plenty of room in it, and it still fits in the pocket of my rain coat.

2. I mentioned upthread that I often don't use conditoner after washing my hair, as it's oily and I like to go a couple of days between shampoos. I do, however, use a pre-shampoo conditioner (Phyto Nectar at the moment), especially in cooler weather, and so am taking some with me. This product is concentrated and sort of slimy, so I'm packing five separate 1.5 mL containers of the product, one for each anticipated shampoo.

3. I've added my usual in-flight neck support pillow, an inflatable one that I got years ago as a give-away with a bottle of Jameson's purchased in duty free (for my husband).

4. Electronic gear: In addition to noise-cancelling headphones and accessories (including battery charger), I'm bringing my camera (which won't need charging during this period), my Blackberry (which will), and a plug adapter. None of my gear needs a converter. Good thing I don't need a laptop.

Oh dear, I can't seem to pare things down too well. Maybe if I describe the items you can help.

Here are the dresses:

1 black and white geometric print knit dress, V neck, empire waist, long sleeve (loose fitting skirt)

1 black knit dress, V neck, empire waist, long sleeve (fairly tailored)

1 black knit dress, scoop neck, pleated at bodice and empire waist, short sleeve, slightly pegged at hem

1 gray knit dress, identical styling to dress above

1 black knit wrap dress w/collar, long sleeve

1 black knit (silk and cotton sweater type of fabric) dress, scoop neck, 3/4 kimono sleeves, no waist

In addition to the dresses, I've got one pair of trousers and coordinating woven shirts:

1 pair black wool blend trousers (machine wash), wide leg, long (so worn with high heels)

1 black and white woven cotton glen plaid print shirt, short sleeve, stand up ruffle at neck line and pin tucked bodice

1 white-on-white herringbone pattern woven cotton collared shirt, long sleeve

1 plain white woven cotton collared shirt, long sleeve, fitted body

1 sheer cotton gauze print (small green, red, and yellow flowers on a black field) collared shirt, long sleeve

I am also in a packing quandary...trying to pack for a cruise plus Oktoberfest!

That said...it's easier to work on someone else's packing issues!

Looks like you have lots of blk dresses, maybe the wrap or the scoop neck could stay at home this trip? Just a thought..

Good luck on your decisions, now I must go solve my own....we leave Sunday!

Love the cruise + Oktoberfest combo. That's a packing challenge there, but at least there's no Ryanair carry-on limit to consider, I gather.

One or more of the little black dresses could stay at home, of course, but then they'd be sad and lonely, wouldn't they? Though perhaps they could commiserate with all the other little black dresses that I've already decided to leave behind. When I walk in my closet the sense of reproach is very nearly palpable.

Totally understand! I have been auditioning for the trip and it's shameful what lengths black pants will go to to get a call back! I have decided on the stars but am still working on the understudies...

Sorry...meant holding auditions...

They cry, they cajole, but in the end (pun intended) it comes down to who makes me look the best.

Now for the knit tops...

1 black cotton cardigan with embroidered bodice (to be worn with dresses and other shirts as needed)

1 gray patterned dress knit top (surplice/V neck)

1 green solid casual knit top (surplice/V neck)

1 purple solid casual knit top ((surplice/V neck, identical to green above)

I'm thinking I could probably wear all three of these knit tops, plus the cardigan, under my rain coat. Let's hope it's very chilly in Bremen that day.

The more I think about the possibility of leaving one of my dresses behind, the less I want to do it. After all, each of them has been taken out, tried on, inspected carefully for suitability and versatility. They've all passed muster, and are all part of the team, and now I'm going to tell one or more of them that they have to stay home? That they've been benched for the big game.

No, no, I just can't do it.

So instead I'm looking at how I can reduce weight and volume in some others areas. So I've made the following changes:

1. Coins: I got rid of all of them. I had quite a few, left from previous trips, and I guess I'll just be waiting until my next trip to use them up. I could take at least the euro, and make a point of using them in Germany, I suppose. We'll see.

2. Remember the idea about putting some items (like toiletries) in the pockets of my rain coat? I am going forward with that plan, but since I don't want to make it too incredibly obvious that I'm doing it, I want to decrease not only the weight but the volume of the heaviest items. So I've gotten rid of a couple of items:

antifungal cream
salicylate blemish spot treatment

I've also replaced some full containers with partially empty containers (or removed some of the contents):

eye drops
under eye moisturizer
toner

I've moved some items to smaller containers:

facial moisturizer/sun screen
eye make-up remover

Having already decreased the volume and weight of one of my "dry" toiletries, deodorant, I decided to do the same with:

soap (a smaller bar; I use Dove so can easily replace it in Europe if I need to)
shampoo (remember I use Lush solid shampoo, so I just used knife to cut it into four pieces, and am only taking one piece)

So I've decreased some of the total weight, and made my toiletries bag lighter and less bulky.

<<Electronic gear: In addition to noise-cancelling headphones and accessories (including battery charger), I'm bringing my camera (which won't need charging during this period), my Blackberry (which will), and a plug adapter. >>

Can you put these in your coat pockets?

Underwear. Unlike sweaters and trousers, you really do need a fresh pair every day, even if you belong to the "I traveled for 18 months with a pair of shorts, Tevas, and two T-shirts" club. Rinsing them out in the hotel sink is a perfectly reasonable approach (and one that I've done on plenty of occasions), and most hotels even provide you with a nice bottle of liquid for this purpose (they call it "shampoo", but I'm not about to put it on my colored/highlighted hair). Some brave souls even bring their laundry items with them into the shower, lathering them up and stomping around on them, a bit like using a washboard but much more efficient.

But in order to prove that it's not really necessary, I'm bringing a full 11 pairs of underwear for this trip, enough for a fresh pair everyday.

I'm also bringing 3 slips (one of which will double as a nightgown when I staying with my friend in London), 1 bra (in addition to the one I'll be wearing on the plane), 4 pairs of tights, and two pairs of trousers socks. I will be washing out some socks and tights along the way.

Yes, Sarvowinner, I'm putting the headphone charger and my camera in one of my coat pockets, along with my flat iron. The Blackberry goes in my tiny purse (which hangs unobstrusively inside my coat---I'm hanging it from one shoulder rather than across my body so as to avoid calling attention to it). The Blackberry charger unfortunately is too awkward to fit into my pocket, as the prongs don't collapse, so it will stay in my suitcase.

Therese-I think you may have lost me when you said you weren't going to bring the charger for your camera.
The charge may last a long time, or maybe you don't take that many pictures, but that's not a risk I'm willing to take. I've had my camera lose a charge when it accidentally turned on in my bag (and the auto shut off function failed).
I'd forgo one of the 5 black dresses to take the charger, and possibly some other stuff like another bra.

In re-reading your thread, it seems like the most restrictive rules are on Ryanair. I will be very interested to hear if they do weigh your luggage and if they seriously prevent people from having, say, a small purse plus the 10 kilo carry on.
We all know what the carry-on "rules" are on the various airlines, but I'm always astounded at the flaunting of such rules and the lack of enforcement at the gate. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people loaded down with 3 or 4 bags (purse, laptop case, rolling bag, and large plastic bag filled with souvenirs) and they are still let on board. So, I'm very curious to hear how rigidly you find the rules enforced.

Am enjoying reading this, Therese. Could you maybe leave one of the white shirts behind?? To keep the "rejected" little black dresses company in your closet?

Yes, the most restrictive rules are on Ryanair. Ryanair charges very low rates to fly (my fare from Bremen to London is 9.99 euro) but then charges for everything else as well: 4 euro to check in at the airport instead of on line (and because my passport isn't EU I'm not eligible for on line check-in), 4 euro for priority boarding (which may or may not have been worth it), and 4 euro to use a credit card to make the booking. I'll get the 4 euro for a non-EU passport back, since that's the only reason I'm checking in at the airport, but if I were checking a bag I'd be forfeiting that money. Hm, just noticed that the website says this fee has gone up to 5 euro since I booked my ticket.

Ryanair charges 10 euro for the first checked bag if you pay at the time of booking, 20 euro if you pay at the airport. So Ryanair's got a powerful incentive to weigh carry-on bags, and I've got a powerful incentive to keep from going over the limit. If I did end up checking my bag, and happened to go over the 15 kg limit on checked luggage, I'd then have to pay an additional 15 euro per extra kilogram.

First hand experience (posted on various travel sites) suggests that Ryanair agents typically do weigh bags, and do enforce the one bag only rule. When non-Ryanair employees (contract workers, basically, at smaller airports where Ryanair doesn't put its own employees) are handling check in, it's apparently less of an issue.

As for my camera battery lasting, Kristina, don't forget that this is a work trip. So it's entirely possible that I won't take any photos at all, and if I do there won't be many of them.

"Could you maybe leave one of the white shirts behind?? To keep the "rejected" little black dresses company in your closet?"

At this point I'm more concerned that my wardrobe will spend the next couple of weeks plotting against me. Little do they all know that I'm getting ready to do a major cull when I return.

In any case the white shirts live on the lower right side of my closet, and the short dresses live on the left side. So they really don't know each other that well, and likely wouldn't be much of a comfort to each other.

[and yes, my closet is large---not ridiculously large, but large enough to be an object of envy among my friends]

...sorry I've missed some of the fun, but I am dong the final casting as we leave tomorrow!

Was that only 4 or 5 tops that you are taking??? And did I miss the bottoms part? I don't have any dresses so have to rely on tops and bottoms, don't have a final count yet,

but I did come up with a solution for formal night on the cruise...I have a long,black dress that is
about 3 years old so not terribly out of style that I think I'm going to bring and then leave on the ship...Brilliant right?

And how about if you wore 2 or 3 of the dresses on the plane? Then everyone can go!

Back to the casting room...

I've got a total of 8 shirts (4 woven, 4 knit), plus the cardigan. Where on earth did I get the idea that this thread was about packing light? The only bottom I'm taking is the one pair of black trousers (machine wash wool blend, so dressy enough for work but not a big deal to pack or launder).

I was thinking of possibly wearing one of the dresses over the trousers, with one of the knit tops under the dress and the cardigan on top of it. If push came to shove I could probably just wear my entire wardrobe, stuffing my pockets with toiletries and underwear.

The evening gown solution is a stroke of genius. I hardly ever wear one more than once, so abandoning yours after you're done with it (especially considering that you've already worn it) doesn't seem all that bizarre an idea. Have you told her that she won't be going on to Germany? She probably wouldn't feel comfortable among all those dirndls anyway.

I do have one really great black evening dress that I will wear again. It's black (whoa, you're surprised, aren't you?), made of a stretchy, machine washable knit, and somehow both sexy and work-appropriate all at once. Hmm, maybe I should bring it with me... Oh, hold it, what am I thinking?

Oh, hold it, that's seven tops + the cardigan.

LOL! This thread is more fun than packing!

Now let me get this straight...you've got:
1 bottom
6 dresses
8 tops
11 undies/slips
various electronics
cosmetics
tights/socks

And this all fits in a 19 incher!!!

How do you do that?

would love to try to wear it all!! How freeing to have no luggage...and when you come home you can tell everyone you lost 15 lbs!

Shhhh....we're not telling the evening gown a thing!She's too busy looking at herself in the mirror to notice us anyway!

Oh, the 19 incher is nothing special--it's making the Ryanair 10 kg limit that's the impressive part. Of course, I'm cheating by using the coat pocket trick (and dressing like there's a blizzard on the way), but if I had to I could get everything I need in the bag and still manage. Of course, I'd have to compromise some of my high maintenance ways, and that's not the plan. I'm going to be high maintenance AND travel Ryanair carry-on only.

I'll almost certainly be doing some shopping in Bordeaux, but won't need to worry about the Ryanair 10 kg limit at that point.

"How freeing to have no luggage..."

Did you see my mention upthread of the time that I brought an essentially empty suitcase with me to Toronto and bought my summer wardrobe there the afternoon before I gave a lecture? Good thing I found some cute stuff, or I'd have had to give my lecture in jeans and a T-shirt.

Sounds like a great idea! Maybe I'll just unpack my:
3 capris
1 jeans
1 travel type pant
1 dressy pant
1 black skirt
3 3/4 sleeve tops
2 ls tops
2 camis
2 dressy camis
1 gold sweater
raincoat
swimsuit
undies etc
shoes

and just shop when I get to Rome on Mon!

BTW suitcase weights around 22lbs so easily makes AA's weight allowance...the black gown gets to come after all!

Good luck on the rest of your packing,Therese, and on everyone's packing adventures...

Have a great time, lvillinois. And note that you've just made Ryanair's weight allowance as well (22 lb = 10 kg), and without even trying.

Therese-
Thanks for the kind thoughts! It's good to know I can pack for Ryanair!

Of course, since I'm packed and the flight isn't til late afternoon, the rest of my closet is pulling out all the stops to come along! I'm fighting the "just one more thing" syndrome...

You have a good trip as well and I hope to post a report on my return...

I've now packed and weighed my carry-on with everything in it, and it comes in at 25 lb (11.5 kg). So I'll only need to wear or carry 3 lb of whatever to meet Ryanair's requirement.

Because I travel quite a bit for work, I don't necessarily know all that much about my destination apart from the work I'll need to do there. I won't have much time for sightseeing, so don't bother getting a guide book as all it will earn me is an envy headache from thinking about all the cool stuff I could be doing instead of working.

I do make a point, however, of checking out the local public transportation and how to use it. I print a copy of the subway or tram system, figure out the cheapest fare option (usually not buying single tickets), and print a map of the streets around my hotel and the work site. If the map's too large to fit on a single page (or if it does the font's so small that my printer can't reproduce it, and I can't see it) I crop it (usually there's a PDF version) and just print the part I care about.

So I've done that for Bremen and Bordeaux. Both have lovely tram systems, though unfortunately Bordeaux's does not serve the airport there, so instead I'll take the JetBus. My hotel is next to one of the stops on the bus route, so that's easy.

Both of my TATL trips require that I change at CDG. Yes, Roissy Charles de Gaulle, an airport that enjoys a reputation every bit as storied as the Bermuda Triangle's. My outbound layover is 1 hour 20 minutes, and my return is 1 hour 10 minutes. And just about now many of you (well, assuming that more than eight people have actually read this far) are moaning "Oh, god, no, you'll never make it."

Well, maybe I will and maybe I won't (though past experience suggests that I will---I've made plenty of connections at CDG that were under an hour), but there's no point in panicking. I just need to figure out my Plan B (and Plan C).

As it turns out, if I miss either my CDG-BRE flight or my CDG-ATL flight I'll very likely just end up on the next plane. And in both instances there are several more available flights that will get me where I need to go that day. Of course, then I'll have a longer layover, and if that's the case I may as well take advantage of it and take a shower, right?

I don't belong to Delta's Crown Room Club because I almost never need it: my domestic flights rarely require a connection, and if they do the connection's too short for me to visit a lounge. But when I travel internationally it can come in quite handy, and fortunately I'm Platinum Medallion with Delta, and that means that I can visit SkyTeam lounges when I'm traveling internationally even if I'm traveling coach (which I always am, unfortunately).

To find out the location of the SkyTeam lounges at CDG, I simply go to www.skyteam.com and under the Travel Resources tab is a drop down that includes Airport Manager. Click and follow instructions, and you get a list of the lounges, what they offer (showers, for instance), hours of operation, and access (some are restricted to First/Business only). Very handy.

Well, here I am back from my two week/three destination trip, all with carry-on luggage only. Lots to share, including a couple of new things that I discovered along the way, but sufficiently jetlagged at the moment that I'm going to wait to post in detail.

But if anybody has any specific questions I'll answer them first.

Hi Therese-

Welcome back!

Last night I helped my Mom pack for a 16 day trip to Germany, Austria and France with just a 22" rollaboard and smaller carryon bag. This was a BIG accomplishment and I'm so proud of her. She's flying United Business all the way so she doesn't have the weight requirements you did.

I also wanted to give some feedback on those Clarks boots I bought. They are great! Very comfortable, right out of the box.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip and wondering what you learned. I will be packing this weekend for my upcoming 8 days in France.

Congrats on getting your mom into carry-on mode. I did the same for my mom on a recent trip to Rome (talking her through it from a distance) and she was delighted at how easy it was. An old friend/colleague with whom I'd trained years ago was at the meeting in Bordeaux, and she mentioned that she'd followed my example and packed carry-on only this trip, and was surprised at how easy it was.

Day 1: ATL to CDG on Air France

My journey started on Sunday evening. My husband very kindly agreed to take me to the airport, and since traffic was light this trip took less than 15 minutes. He dropped me at the door, closest to the Air France desk. This desk is not particularly well-marked, as it's really just part of the enormous Delta check-in area, but I knew where it was because I'd used it a few weeks previously to check in an unaccompanied minor (an exchange student who was with us this summer). As I approached the counter an agent stopped me and checked to make sure I needed to enter the line, glanced at my bag and asked if it was carry-on, and gave me the appropriate tag without further questioning or weighing. The counter itself was manned by the same remarkably unprofessional group of irritating women as last time, but they did finally manage to generate my boarding pass. I considered asking about switching my seat, as I'd decided against booking a bulkhead seat initially, as I knew that I'd be booted if there were lots of families with infants who wanted to use bassinets, but in the end figured they'd probably screw it up. I proceeded to security (very quick) and on to the E terminal.

I was hoping the the Delta lounge would still have some decent food, but I was too late for the early evening spread that Delta generally provides for the transatlantic crowd. And the bar was out of most of the beer. So I had a Big Mac (yes, a Big Mac) and washed it down with a Miller Lite. Nutella on crackers for dessert. Not impressive. Come to think of it, I had to explain to the dragon lounges that I was, in fact, entitled to enter the lounge in the first place---maybe they were just trying to spare me the trouble.

Next stop was a gift shop, where I purchased two candy items, a pecan roll and divinity. These are both traditional southern sweets, and I would be taking them as a hostess gift to London, so would need to take their weight into account for the Ryanair flight.

I finally proceeded to the gate and boarded. Cheerful Air France crew. The flight turned out to be only about half full, with one of two bulkhead seats in front of me occupied, and only one of the four middle section bulkhead seats occupied. Next to me was a very pleasant (if perhaps excessively chatty) young man from Jordan (now a U.S. citizen) who was going to visit family. Before the flight even took off the gentleman in front of him reclined his seat nearly into this poor guy's lap, and I pointed out to him that he could move the very minute that the cabin door closed. And that's exactly what he did, scoring two seats for himself, and leaving me with two of my own. Non-bulkhead seats, so the center arm rest could be pushed up, but not so far as is possible on Delta equipment so not nearly so comfortable.

As I mentioned upthread, this equipment on Air France has AVOD. If you read Air France's description of their AVOD it sounds pretty darn amazing, but never forget that the web site usually describes the best case scenario, and this was not the best case: movies start at set times, and there's no re-winding. Very little in the way of music or other options either, but since I was planning on sleeping none of that mattered to me.

The first drink service started quickly. I got a glass of champagne, explained to the flight attendant that I'd already eaten (he took the news well---really, a very cheerful AF crew), used the champagne to wash down my Ambien. Ear plugs in, groovy bug eye shades on. I remember very little about the flight.

Day 2: CDG to BRE on Air France

The flight into Paris arrived more or less on time, and I headed for my next flight to Bremen. I've never missed a connection at CDG (including many that were less than an hour), but it never hurts to move along as quickly as reasonable. I arrived at the gate in plenty of time, and in fact the flight was even delayed a few minutes. Or rather I think it was delayed a few minutes: not only was that two weeks ago, but I was likely still under the influence of the Ambien. Certainly not too groggy to negotiate the complexities of air travel, but very possibly enough to result in a bit of amnesia for those events. This is a very common occurence with sleep meds and anti-anxiety meds, and doesn't bother me in the least. I am truly on automatic pilot in this setting.

Day 2, cont.: BRE to Bremen Swissotel, via tram

Bremen does not at first perhaps seem like the coolest place in the world to visit, but in fact it's got a lot going for it from the business traveller's perspective. A very pleasant and modern airport that's located close to town, plenty of reasonably-priced hotels and restaurants, and an excellent system of public transportation. The clean and efficient #6 tram picks you up right at the airport. You can buy at ticket inside, or buy one on the train. Note that you'll need coins or small bills if you buy on the tram, as otherwise you'd end up with 3 kgs of coins in change. Fortunately for me I ran into a colleague from Milan on the tram and he had change (because of course I hadn't brought any myself, worried that I'd have too much weight).

Note that the tram would not be ideal if you've brought along large suitcases. Cabs are available, of course, at somewhat greater expense.

The hotel was the Swissotel, a brand new property in Bremen a couple of blocks from the train station. Very attractive, large lovely rooms, remarkably attentive staff, free 24 hour use of computers in the lobby (including a color printer), so no need to hunt down an internet cafe to finish up my lecture. The old city center is lovely, and is beautifully lit at night. There was a party one evening on a riverboat, which was scenic in a non-traditional way due to the number of factories along the banks. The nicest was the enormous Kellogg's cereal factory, as it smelled of caramel and chocolate.

Day 6: BRE to STN via Ryanair

So, this is it, the moment of truth. Will I be able to meet the Ryanair carry-on requirements? Will they even bother to weigh my carry-on? Bremen is, after all, not exactly a Ryanair hub, and some of their less popular destinations are reportedly staffed by contract employees who don't necessarily enforce the rules.

All will be revealed tomorrow.

"Bremen is, after all, not exactly a Ryanair hub"

It is one of their most important bases in Germany together with Hahn and Düsseldorf.

You're correct, Pvoyageuse---a look at Ryanair's web site today shows over twenty destinations out of Bremen. None of them, unfortunately, anywhere near Bordeaux.

So it shouldn't come as a surprise to find that the Ryanair staff at Bremen were every bit as rigid in their enforcement of the rules as I'd anticipated.

My flight to London Stansted was originally scheduled to depart at about 9:30. Ryanair had sent me an email notifying me of an earlier departure (at 9:15) several weeks earlier. The email prompted me to accept the change, which is a nice feature for me (as it makes me notice it) and of course a nice feature for them, as I can't later say that I never got the message.

I'd been out a bit late the night before (dancing and inhaling the corn syryp-y goodness of Kellogg's breakfast cereal), so my 6:00 AM wake up call came earlier than I'd have liked, but I got up, bathed, packed, breakfasted (on tea from the hotel, and fruit and yogurt that I'd purchased from a supermarket in Bremen), and made it to the tram by a few minutes after 7:00 AM, arriving at BRE soon after check-in had opened.

In my coat pockets were: the two candy items, my flat iron, my camera, my Blackberry, my "wet" toiletries, and my Bose headphone battery charger. Around my neck were my Bose headphones. On my body were the following items:

high-heeled knee high black boots
black trousers
gray patterned knit dress shirt
green cotton knit casual shirt
purple cotton knit casual shirt
black and white geometric print knit dress
black cotton cardian with embroidered/beaded bodice

and socks/underwear, of course.

So, did I look like the Michelin man? No, not really. Was I too hot? No, as it was cool in Bremen that morning and I didn't have to stand on line (I was one of the first passengers to check in). Was I claustrophobic? No, as it was chilly and I wasn't yet on the plane.

So, the weighing in...

I approached the desk, which was staffed by a young-ish Anglophone woman (so unlikely to be a local contractor). As she looked for my reservation I asked if I should weigh the suitcase and she looked at it and said, somewhat doubtfully, "Carry on?" I answered in the affirmative and up it went onto the scale. We both looked at the readout and she smiled. "Wow, that's impressive. Just inside the limit." It was 9.9 kgs.

She was finishing up, answering my query about how I should go about getting reimbursed for the charge for checking in at the airport (email Ryanair, apparently, which should be interesting), when she noticed my very small purse. She pointed out that I'd have to fit it into my suitcase, which I proceeded to do. I didn't bother to transfer any of the contents to my pockets first (I did remark that one could hardly be expected to carry one's money and credit cards in one's socks, earning a laugh in response) and the total weight came up to 10.3 kgs, but she didn't protest, as at least I didn't have any trouble fitting it into my suitcase (it squished in very nicely on top of my pillow).

Day 6, cont: BRE to STN via Ryanair

Security was immediately after check-in, and staffed by a nice young man who had me take out my toiletries, take off my coat, and take off my headphones (which he referred to as my "mickey mouses" and had forgotten I was wearing). I started to take off my boots, and he said it wasn't necessary, but then of course I set off the alarm and got to get patted down (very thoroughly) by the nice young woman on the other side.

The Ryanair departures area at Bremen includes a small cafe (where I bought and consumed a ham sandwich and an orange juice, a nice late breakfast), a restroom (where I changed out of everything other than the black and white dress and black trousers, moving those items to my suitcase), and duty free. I rarely buy duty free, and this was not exception, but I mention it because it turned out to be an issue for another passenger.

Immediately before entering the gate area is a border control kiosk. Again, staffed by a nice young man who took quite a while to figure out that I'd entered the EU via Paris. The usual questions about what I'd been doing and where I was going, and then it was over and I was headed for the priority boarding waiting area.

I'd paid extra (probably 5 euros) for the privilege of boarding early, and wasn't entirely sure whether it would be worth the trouble. But it looked like it would be, as we'd be walking from the gate directly to the plane.

I was the second person in line when I arrived, but turned into the third person when a middle-aged Engligh businessman took the seat (this area has seats) between me and an older woman. In addition to his carry-on, he had several duty-free bags of liquor, and about 30 minutes before departure this was noticed by the gate agent (who was the same woman who'd checked me in). She told him he had to fit the bags into his carry-on, and he protested and she insisted and he whined quite a bit (apparently trying to enlist the support and sympathy of his fellow passengers, none of whom cared in the least) and whined some more and then finally rummaged around in his suitcase and fit the items in just fine.

Boarding started and I was the second person on the plane (I walk quickly), and scored 1C, exactly the seat I wanted. Lots of space in front of me, flight attendants available for chat if I got claustrophobic, etc.

The seat next to me was finally taken by a Ryanair pilot who was headed to STN for an interview. Pleasant guy (German), and the flight passed quickly. On time arrival. Altogether a very pleasant experience, and one I wouldn't hesitate to repeat.

Day 6, cont: STN to London via Stansted Express

No wait for checked luggage, of course, so I headed directly to the platform for the Stansted Express, which would take me to Liverpool Street Station in central London. I'd pre-purchased the ticket (thereby saving GBP1), so just had to have the paper ticket printed from one of the kiosks on the platform. I made the first train, which pulled out of the station as I was getting settled in my seat. Pleasant ride to London that ended at Liverpool Street Station, where I purchased an Oyster card from a full-service window and had it loaded with GBP10. Quick ride via Central line to Notting Hill Gate, and a five minute walk to my friend's apartment (whom I'd called from Liverpool Street Station), who let me in and showed me around. Her apartment is lovely, very bright and sunny, but as it turns out the way to get a bright and sunny apartment is to live on the top floor. Top floor of a building with no elevator. How happy was I to have only one small bag? Ecstatic, believe me. Even climbing these many, many steep stairs (without a bag) left me a bit breathless. [note to self: work out more]

She returned to work, and I made myself a sandwich, started a small load of laundry, and took a nap. Her housekeeper arrived while I was sleeping, and she hung my laundry up to dry. It's a hard life, but somebody has to live it.

Hi Therese,

So glad to read your report after the anticipation of the preparations!

When you added your purse to the bag at the check-in desk, could you have been charged for the resulting .3 over 10 kg if the young woman at the desk had decided it necessary to abide by company rules?

Thanks for the thread. Cheers.

In the end I did laundry twice in London, once when I arrived and once the night before I left, so I quite literally left London with a suitcase of entirely clean clothes. I'll point out that this wasn't necessary, but it did mean that I didn't have to think twice about running through two or more changes of clothes a day while in Bordeaux.

I'd also done some shopping in London: four long-sleeved cotton T-shirts for my daughter, an aqua jacquard jacket and white cotton blouse for myself. It all fit just fine into my suitcase.

I'd off-loaded the candies, of course, leaving them with my hostess.

Yes, scotlib, I could have been charged for being over the limit at that point. Had that possibility arisen I was prepared to take everything out of my purse and put it in my pockets (as it was money, passport, credit cards, and a couple of make-up items), so that only the weight of the purse would have been taken into account. If the weight had still been too high I was prepared to actually put the purse in the trash.

Oops, just realized that I've got my counting wrong: Day 6 is really Day 5. So now we're up to Day 7, where I leave for Bordeaux.

Day 7: London to Bordeaux, via easyJet

I'd had a lovely time in London (shopping and eating, mostly) and now it was time to continue on. My flight left early afternoon, and my friend had volunteered to drive me to LUT, from which easyJet's flight to BOD departs. Had I known how much effort this involved I'd have declined the offer, but she is a very generous person and likely would have insisted. We spent the morning over a leisurely breakfast. I packed my bag and she packed me a lunch. Anticipating roadworks, we left earlier than seemed necessary, but in the end this turned out to be a good idea, as traffic was backed up.

I'd already checked in on-line, and easyJet doesn't weigh your single carry-on (and yes, they were very strict about having a second bag of any sort, so my purse was in my suitcase, and passport in my coat pocket), so headed directly to security. There I found a very, very long line, peopled predominanty by prospective passengers without a very firm idea of exactly was expected of them. Very tedious.

By the time I got through security it was very close to boarding time for my flight. LUT doesn't assign gates until the very last minute, so you wait in a central lounge area where you are welcome to pass them time drinking and shopping (hey, they knew I was coming...). Once the gate is assigned an announcement is made and you and your fellow pax hustle to the gate. Your boarding pass is inspected, your carry-on is noted, and you are told which line to wait in. I was in the first line, SB (for Speedy Boarding). The second line is SA (for Special Assistance, mostly families with small children), the third line is for anybody else who'd checked in on-line, and the fourth line is for any hapless soul who'd left things to the last minute. I was third in line, and once again scored seat 1C.

I spent the flight playing with the many, many toddlers and infants on the plane, a crowd of whom had migrated to the open space in the front of the plane.

Day 7, cont: BOD to Bordeaux city center, via JetBus

The easyJet flight's departure had actually been delayed by about an hour, but since that information was clearly displayed on the monitors in the departures lounge, as well as the anticipated departure time, it presented no problem. We finally took off and made good time.

BOD is a small, new airport. It's not located in Bordeaux, technically, but in Merignac, an adjacent town. It's not so far from town as, say, the low cost carrier airports that serve Frankfurt, but it's nowhere near as convenient as Bremen (which I'd describe as the most convenient airport I've ever encountered, frankly). There is a convenient shuttle service, the JetBus, that runs between the airport and the train station in downtown Bordeaux there. It costs 7 euro, and you buy your ticket on the bus. If you have packed large bags you can stow them under the bus, but if you've got just carry-on they'll fit easily onto the smaller racks in the bus. There are several stops in downtown Bordeaux, but if you're leaving the airport you need to tell the driver where to stop.

My stop was Gambetta, a central square that was 5-10 minute stroll from my hotel. The hardest thing about the entire trip was figuring out precisely where I was at that point, as of course I needed to know in order to figure out which direction to head. Sorted, I headed for my hotel, rolling my bag over the usual somewhat rugged pavement.

This area of town is largely pedestrianized, and features lots and lots of shops. A bit of foreshadowing there...

Day 7, cont: check in at Hotel de France

I'd booked my hotel several months prior to this trip. Tripadvisor is a really excellent resource for this purpose, as it lists bajillions of hotels, and said hotels are extensively reviewed by people just like you and me. There are definitely instances in which posts are generated by shills, but these are generally pretty easy to identify (and Tripadvisor both screens reviews before their posted and may delete those flagged as not genuine). My initial scan of hotels in Bordeaux was not encouraging: a few properties outside of town that were nice (and entirely inpractical for me), lots of business-type hotels built before France had quite figured out that it would need to meet international standards for hotel construction, and lots of small 2 and 3-star places (which can vary markedly in cleanliness and service). I initially checked out the hotels suggested by the conference organizers, all of the members of the Accor group (which includes Ibis, Novotel, Mercure, and Sofitel). Accor is generally a very reliable chain at a good price point, but reviews as Tripadvisor suggested that the Bordeaux properties fell well short of the usual standard. And given the weak dollar they were not particularly inexpensive.

So after some searching I came up with Hotel de France: http://www.hotel-france-bordeaux.fr/ If you visit the web site you'll notice that it's in French and Japanese only (no English, that is), so possibly a bit disconcerting if you don't speak or read French yourself. In fact, though, English isn't a problem, as the reviews at Tripadvisor demonstrate. Other strong points to this hotel were the low price (55 euro for single, 59 euro for a double, 7 euro for breakfast which is reportedly very good, though I didn't try it), proximity to public transit (JetBus as well as two separate tramway stops), proximity to the meeting venue (about 10 minutes on foot), and quiet location.

Quiet location is important when considering in-town properties like this one. One of the best ways to do this is to inspect the street level view and look for cafes or bars. Large towns in France (including Bordeaux) can be checked out at pagesjaunes.fr. Many others are available at google maps. Rue Franklin (where the hotel was located) is a street that dead ends onto a pedestrian area, and the street level commercial enterprises are all posh shops (Hugo Boss at one end of the street, for instance). Very little noise from cars, and likely no raucous drinking parties. Probably perfect.

So, having disembarked from the JetBus and found my bearings, I proceeded to the hotel, entering the tiny lobby to find a young Asian woman (presumably one of the owners, and presumably the one who is Japanese) manning the desk. I identified myself as Madame X (well, not really) and she smiled and handed over my key and that was it. No checking of my passport, no scanning of my credit card, etc. Just the key and a smile and I headed to my room.

No elevator, of course, and the stairs were a bit twisty (though very attractive, with a pretty curved handrail) and a bit narrow, and it was four flights up. The room was actually fairly large for a single (at some point it might have been used as a very small double), and the bathroom had been recently redone and was very clean. Comfortable bed, TV with satellite (including CNN, just in case I wanted to watch the financial debacle unfold in real time). No real closet, just an alcove with hangers (fortunately lots of them, though I still had to double up to accomodate my ridiculously large wardrobe).

Probably my favorite thing about the hotel was the set of French doors that opened onto a small balcony (large enough to stand on, not large enough to sit on), right over the entrance to the hotel. Lovely.

A tip re booking hotels in France (or pretty much anywhere else): you don't have to do it in French (or whatever), as English will work just fine. I speak, read, and write French very well, and I still carry out virtually all of my written communication with French hotels in English. Much less risk of misunderstandings all around, I think.

I do typically put a message (in French) at the end of the message pointing out that a response in French is perfectly fine, but the response is invariably in English.

Another really nice aspect of this hotel was the breakfast room. I pointed out upthread that I didn't eat breakfast there, but since it was left open during the day for use as a lounge I did get to enjoy it. It's a large room right above the reception area. A large flat screen TV occupies the wall at the far end of the room, and the long wall running the length of the room is broken up by several sets of French doors/windows (similar to the one in room) that open onto the street below. About 8 tables surrounded by comfortable wicker arm chairs, several jars of candy out for the occasional snack, guidebooks (including some in Japanese), daily periodicals and magazines.

So if you wanted to read while your husband took a nap you could use this room. Or if, like me, you were stopping off mid-afternoon to drop off some books, your colleague could wait in the lounge.

Very civilized.

What I didn't like about this hotel?

Well, as it turns out there was some construction going on in the neighborhood, an old building around the corner that was being entirely gutted and remodeled. And say what you will about the French work week, these guys didn't waste any time getting going in the morning. So if I wanted to sleep past 7:00 AM I needed to use ear plugs. Which I did one morning (as I'd been out late the night before) and slept in until 10:00 AM. I wasn't missed at the meeting, so no problem.

Okay, here are some tips to share:

1. Small hotels don't always leave every possible convenience in the rooms, but they very often have them available. A plug adapter is a good example. A hair dryer is another. My room didn't have one, so I asked at reception and one was provided, right then and there.

2. Irons (provided by the hotel) are a nice convenience, especially if you're travelling for work and somebody is likely to notice that your shirt collar has gone all wonky. A flat iron designed for hair (the sort that looks like salad tongs) works very nicely for quick touch-ups. I used mine to adjust the ruffled collar of my black and white check cotton blouse, and re-did the crease in the front of my trousers where they'd slipped forward on the hangar and gotten bunched up and a bit wrinkled. No ironing board needed, of course (as there are two surfaces in this appliance).

I was looking back through this thread (while wondering if anybody's reading it---if you are, feel free to give me an "atta girl" or ask a question, even if you think I'm going to answer it anyway) and recalled the discussion of my tiny purse and potential security issues.

No problems security-wise, and I actually found that it was much easier to simply carry the purse in my hand, as a clutch, rather than use the long over-the-shoulder strap. I used the wrist band, so the weight of it was on my arm, and just rested the purse in my hand, such that the flap was held shut by my grasp. Credit cards and cash all in zippered compartments inside the flap, business cards and tram pass in the outside zippered compartment, and my MARTA subway card and SkyMiles in the credit card slots. Meeting badge, powder, lipstick, pen, gum, and Blackberry all fit nicely in the main compartment.

When I was standing around at coffee breaks or receptions I could let the purse dangle (as my colleagues are unlikely purse snatchers) while I used two hands to eat and drink.

Hmm, now that I think of it, I left the long strap at the hotel.

Therese, I love this post! You've done a fantastic job.
I was thinking, if you don't mind, I would post a link to the packing page of my (travelogue) website to show everyone what and how I pack carry-on only. Or I can post it on another thread.

Today my mother emailed me from Germany...
"Do not bring shampoo, conditioner or soap...we have been staying at Sheratons and I have plenty for both of us..."
I immediately thought, "cool, less to go in my liquids bag!" I am meeting her in Paris on Saturday.

A link would be great, Kristina. I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.

While sorting through my receipts yesterday I came across another purchase I'd made in London, this one at Boots. For those of you not familiar with it, Boots is a chain of drugstores in the U.S., and is well-known for its in-house products. Many of these are now available in the U.S., at Target (where I've seen it) and CVS (where I haven't, but then I haven't looked). The world keeps getting smaller, doesn't it?

Anyway, the item in question isn't a toiletry product but a container, specifically a container for travel. It's a stack of five clear plastic jars in which the bottom of one serves as the top of the one below it. The material is sturdy but relatively thin. This is in contrast to the small jars that tend to come in, say, cosmetic bonus giveaways, as those typically look like they'd contain a reasonable volume from the outside, but are made of very thick plastic to keep the inside volume to a minimum. Add the volume and weight of the fancy lid and you've got a very wasteful product.

I've got another trip coming up in a week or so, so I'll try using it then.

Therese, I've been following your thread from day one. It is interesting seeing how your planning came to fruition, plus you have lots of really helpful tips and ideas.

Day 18: BOD to ATL, via CDG

My flight from BOD to CDG was scheduled to leave quite early, at 6:50 AM. So if I made my 1 hour 10 minute connection at CDG I'd be back home in Atlanta by 1:00 PM. At the time that I made the reservation this seemed like a good idea. At 4:15 AM, when my alarm went off, it seemed somewhat less ideal. I'd remembered to charge my Blackberry and headphone battery before going out the previous evening, but stayed out later than I should have. Oh well, there's time to sleep on the plane.

Between 4:15 and 5:15 I breakfasted (yogurt, fruit, whole grain crackers), showered, and packed. In London I'd purchased a jacket and five tops (and the cool little toiletries jar I describe above) and while in Bordeaux had purchased a black skirt (a somewhat exaggerated A-line in a black knit fabric, lined), boots (by Salamander, black knee-high with a low heel, button detail on the side), and quite a few bandes dessinees. These are usually large format but fairly thin hard cover books.

I'd also acquired (through the meeting) a reasonably nice backpack, and I used this as my personal item. I'd definitely be breaking the the Air France 12 kg limit, but since I was ticketed on Delta and flying the TATL leg on Delta equipment was hoping I wouldn't get an argument.

So, into the backpack went my wet toiletries, my dry toiletries, my jewelry, books, headphones, and notes from the meeting. Oh, and my lunch. I think I mentioned somewhere upthread that I don't eat airline food, so I packed a small baguette of whole grain bread, a package of bresaola, small packets of Boursin, two plums, radishes, three Actimel yogurts (which fit into my wet toiletries bag), and a package of chocolate waffle cookies.

Into my carry-on suitcase went everything else, and there was quite a bit of it: two pairs of knee high boots instead of just one (as of course I was wearing the low heel ones I'd brought with me, along with the short-sleeved black knit dress from Target and the jacket I'd purchased in London), the clothes I'd brought with me, the clothes I'd purchased, the pillow...

This sort of packing requires a very positive attitude and considerable strength, as you really need to wedge things into every possible corner. I started with the boots, and packed each of them as tightly as I could with underwear, stockings, electronic gear, shirts, even dresses. Who needs packing cubes when you've got boots? Around them I wedged everything else, finishing off with my pillow and sitting on top of the suitcase to zip it. Because the main zipper on this bag is not on the seams, once the bag is zipped there's not much pressure on it, as the pressure is instead distributed to the seams, which are very sturdy. It all fit, and I weighed it (did I mention that I'd brought a scale with me?). In the neighborhood of 12 kgs.

At 5:20 AM I called down to reception to ask the clerk to call me a cab, saying I would need it in 10 minutes. He called back 20 seconds later to ask me where I was going and I told him. He called back 4 minutes later to say that the cab had arrived. No layabouts, these French cab drivers.

Five minutes later I was downstairs and checked out. Cab ride to BOD pleasant, with nice chat with the driver about the character of the French in general and people in Bordeaux in particular, etc. With tip the fare came to a whopping 45 euro. I'd have taken the JetBus (which was only 7 euro), but it didn't start running until 6:45 AM, much too late for me. Oh well.

Ah, another early riser out there. Thanks, sarvowinner.

Day 18, cont: BOD to ATL, via CDG

Check-in at BOD went smoothly. An Air France agent directed me to the main line, but then there turned out to be a large party of people from somewhere in eastern or central Europe travelling together, and they kept cutting in front of me. So I looked around and noticed a desk agent who wasn't doing anything and figured she was probably doing the premium check-in. So I leaned over and asked "Elite Plus?" and she smiled and answered "Oui" and I scampered over to that side. She didn't even look at my bags, and issued boarding passes for both of the flights.

The flight was full, and I later heard that a Lufthansa flight had been cancelled. Lots of Americans on the flight, all disappointed that breakfast service didn't include orange juice (and a bit repulsed to find that hot chocolate was a standard item). I'd had a coffee at the airport while waiting to board, so chose tea on the plane. On time departure, on time arrival.

Day 18, cont: BOD to ATL, via CDG

The flight to the U.S. leaves from 2E at CDG, as usual. I've been through this terminal so many times it's started to feel like home. There was a new (to me, anyway) system in place where an agent sorts you into different lines according to the urgency of your flight. She asked where I was headed and I responded "Atlanta."

"Which flight?" she inquired further (as I might well have booked a longer layover).

"The next one, very soon," I answered.

She knew which one it was and directed me to the yellow line. There's also a green line (for those passengers who have hours and hours in which to do nothing other than roam the aisles of duty free) and an orange line (presumable for passengers with very tight connections or delayed incoming flights). Very nice.

Speedy passport control, speedy security, and then to the gate, where there was no wait whatsoever.

I boarded and took my usual emergency exit row seat. I took advantage of the lull in boarding to get myself situated: headphones, eye shades, etc. Because emergency exit row seats have no storage in front of them, my backpack would have to go in the overhead bin for take off.

And that's when I realized that I'd made a mistake. Can anybody figure out what error in packing I'd made that morning?

Okay, here's a hint: what single item is most likely to keep me the happiest on a long, daytime (so I'm not sleeping much of the time) TATL flight? Sure, I'll spend some time drowsing, and some time eating, and some time reading, and some time walking up and down the corridor keeping my bladder empty, but what will I mostly be doing on this very nicely equipped Delta flight?

And no, I won't be joining the mile high club either.

Therese,

If it were me it would most emphatically be a book or 2!

about your scale...how much does it weigh? and is it one of those 'hang your bag on a hook' sorts?

lynda

You packed your PILLOW in your checked suitcase!

My luggage scale is a very low tech affair, lyndash, that is exactly as you describe, a "hang your bag on a hook" type. It doesn't weigh very much (though it is a bit bulky), so in the end I decided it was worth bringing. I did compare it to results on two different scales at home, and it was reasonably close.

I did have books with me, but experience tells me that I'm going to get tired of reading (so will want to watch movies), and that even if I do read I want to listen to some quiet music or at least just block out the ambient noise (of which there's a great deal on planes).

So I'm going to need my headphones. Look back at my packing job at the hotel in Bordeaux. I definitely mention packing my headphones in my daypack, so what's the problem? And I'll go ahead and say that I did remember to include the cord that runs to the input jack, as well as the volume attenuator.

So what did I forget?

"You packed your PILLOW in your checked suitcase!"

No such thing, julia_t, as I don't usually check a suitcase and this time was no exception.

So my pillow is easily accessible. Not in my day pack, but the very top item in my carry-on suitcase. I don't usually use my conventional pillow on planes in any case, instead using an inflatable neck pillow.

What a hoot this thread is Therese. We arrived in Italy today - the following is our editor's packing tips for 23 days in Italy during Fall:

It's a challenge to pack for 23 days in Italy in a 24 X 16 carry-on and a tastefuly large handbag, but incredebly liberating. Contents include 2 pair of black pants, a black dress, a body-hunging black skirt, a black cashmere sweater, a black cashmere sweater-wrap, several camisoles, and 1, repeat, 1 pair of comfortable evening shoes, a cashmere scarf, 1 pair earrings for day and a smashing pair for night, and one of your nicer necklaces, and that's it for jewelry.

How to streamline cosmetics. I'll be travelling to 5 different areas. The first day in each city, I have my hair washed and styled, thus eliminating packing any hair products, and I look and feel great. And I bring that which needs to be cleaned to the local lavanderia. By the way, your clothes will never be so pampered.

Hint. If you don't check a bag, you are ready for any flight cancellation - just take your bag and you are first in line at the substitute flight.

My 1 pet peeve: I bring my own airline-size down pillow and mini-size cashmere blanket. I am prepared for any uncomfortable terminal, any plane, any train, or hotel. When I am on vacation, it's all about me feeling good and the elimination of stress.

Oops I misread, I thought you were checking your suitcase of the way home, and taking on board the backpack and purse as your carryon items.

Oh well, I give up! What mistake did you make?

But thank you for this thread, next week I am flying BA to Dubrovnik and planning on NOT checking bags (at least on the way out - coming back I will probably have to after shopping well!) so I have found this most helpful.

BTW, I am a contact lens wearer and have to carry solution as well as spare lenses - do you happen to know from your research if this has to go into my liquid allowance bag or can I carry it separately as a medicine? I haven't been able to track down this information on the BA or TSA websites as strictly speaking it is not a medicine. All I can find is that individual contact lenses in their own little cases can be carried separately in hand luggage. There does not seem to be any mention of the solution needed to clean and wet them with.

So if I have to add the solution to my 1 litre bag of wet stuff I will have to ditch the hairspray, moisturiser or sunblock to fit it in LOL!!!

Lots of Americans on the flight, all disappointed that breakfast service didn't include orange juice (and a bit repulsed to find that hot chocolate was a standard item).

I LOVE hot chocolate! Wouldn't want to drink it With the oj, but I will certainly take it in place of oj for breakfast!

Very interested to know what item you are missing ...

julia_t, your contact lens solutions fall under the exception category as follows:

"All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes"

So they can be packaged separately from your toiletries, but still have to be presented for inspection, and should be very clearly labeled. The volumes can be larger than 100 mL as well (though you'll hardly want to be carrying around large volumes of saline).

As always, you can run into a security person who disagrees with you, and then you may end up purchasing solution at your destination. Fortunately the world's been getting much smaller of late, and this sort of thing is widely available.

Motorino, I think I could just about fit your editor's packing list into my tastefully large handbag and forego the carry-on altogether.

I do often travel with a large wool/silk paisley scarf that doubles as an extra blanket on the plane, but didn't this time.

Okay, so here's my packing error: I packed the headphones and the cord and the attenuator in my day pack, where I could get to them easily, but these are noise-attenuating headphones, so they require a battery. I'd charged the battery the previous evening, but instead of taking it out of the charger and putting it in the headphones, I packed it in my carry-on suitcase, still in the charger. And since I was packed in a very crammed in, not very tidy fashion, getting to it wasn't going to be too easy. I did recall that I'd stuffed it about halfway inside of a boot, and was even pretty sure that it was one of the high-heel boots, but that wasn't really going to make it easy to find, especially once I opened the suitcase and its contents burst forth in a sort of textile volcano.

So there I was considering just how badly I wanted my headphones (badly) and how much I really cared if complete strangers witnessed me stooped over my very untidy suitcase (not very much, but some)when the flight attendant suggested I use the small galley area next to my seat. Another flight attendant (a middle-aged man) stopped to see what I was doing, and I just looked up and said "Don't ask." I found the battery pretty quickly, and zipped up the suitcase (removing my pillow for once, while made it easier) and re-stowed the carry-on.

The flight was only about half full, so in the end I took another set of two seats and spread out. I got some lovely sleep, and watched several movies. Delta's AVOD is much superior to Air France's older version, with movies on demand (that you could pause and rewind) and a large collection of music CDs.

Day 18: Home in Atlanta

The Delta flight into Atlanta was due to land at 1:00 PM but was actually about 15 minutes early. A gate was available, and we disembarked and walked to Immigration as usual to find no line up whatsoever. Passengers are usually separated into U.S. and other, but there were so few other that I ended up being sent to one of those desks, where I had a nice long chat before getting my passport stamped. Customs again was just a straight walk through (and of course I hadn't waited for a bag, so was one of the first passengers to arrive). An agent noticed that I was probably carry-on only and directed me to a line that he said would be faster (though it was also the line for wheelchairs, so I'm not sure that's the case). I was the fourth or fifth passenger through, and on my way.

I'd called my husband from the plane to see if he could come pick me up from a MARTA station, but since it was so early in the day he had a conflict. So I took a cab instead.

Here is my packlist page:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/BasicPacklist.html

I leave tomorrow morning. I have to say, I edited it a lot, but I'm sure I could have gone with less.
My rolling bag weighed about 25 lbs full, but still has room inside, plus room to expand if needed.
My other carry on which incudes my purse, camera (DSLR), laptop, accessories, and toiletries weighs more than I care to admit, but I'm not limited to your weight restrictions Therese.

If anyone wants to check out my other trips and this one to Paris just go to "home" on the link above.

Have a great trip Kristina

Look's like Kristina leaves today (later on, that is). Have a great time, and thanks for sharing your blog. Lots of great stuff there, and not just about packing.

Bonjour from Paris!
I am here and all luggage arrived with me (since I was all carry on). Took the RER into the city from the airport and the only struggle was up and down a few flights of stairs in the Metro.
I will be posting my trip report and photos later on my website.

This is an amazing thread, after about 2/3 of it my eyes were glazing over, but I do have a question for the person or anyone else who mentioned the Scottevest. I clicked on the site and it looks very interesting. Our trip is October 15, so I'd need to move quickly on this.
Questions: Was the sizing fairly accurate? It seems to run sort of small according to the measurements, but I'm not sure.
Were you happy with it? Did it hold up? Did it get through security OK?
I'm female, traveling with DH to Amsterdam, Belgium, France, doing some WWII battlefields, and this looks like it would work very well for me.
Any advice is appreciated!

Challiman, the poster who mentioned the Scottevest, crckwc1, hasn't posted since the one to this thread, so may not be too active on the forum at the moment. Were I you I'd call the company directly and ask about the fit, as it looks to be a very hands-on operation that would be able to answer your questions.

The product looks to be very well-made.

Great news re your smooth travels, Kristina. Have you decided yet how to spend the money you saved on your airport transfer? Croissants? Champagne?

Day 19+: Denouement

The cab home cost $45, as opposed to the $1.75 that it would have cost to ride MARTA home. The MARTA train comes all the way into the airport---you walk directly from the terminal onto the platform, so it really easy ridiculous easy to use. The closest station to my house is about a 30 minute walk, but some of it is very hilly, so not ideal for a jetlagged person with luggage, even rolling luggage. Until fairly recently MARTA operated a connecting bus that passed directly in front of my house, and the driver would very nicely stop to let me off there. Unfortunately the closest bus stop is now a 15 minute walk from my house (most of it uphill) and the total trip is much longer, as the bus takes a circuitous route to even get there. So I took the cab, wasting money and gasoline and trashing the environment.

Of course, this was work, so I'd be reimbursed for the $, but that's not the only thing that I consider in the equation.

Day 19+: Denouement, continued.

When I travel for work I have to keep very close tabs on my expenses, making sure to obtain and retain receipts as I go. It can get pretty complicated when the exchange rate is sliding around so much, so when possible I use a credit card, and can then check my bill to see exactly what I was charged.

This particular trip required that I submit receipts to two different sources for reimbursement, as the cost of the trip was split between them. It'd done, and the checks are on the way.

Day 19+: Denouement, continued.

The other thing that I make a point of retaining is my boarding passes. I fly so much that I earn lots of miles with my preferred airline's frequent flyer program (Delta SkyMiles), and so my incentive to earn them is even greater. Delta is normally very good about giving credit for flights on their own equipment---you can literally board a flight and then check your account at Delta.com, and you will usually find that the miles for the flight (which you haven't yet even taken, just boarded) will have been credited.

Codeshare flights, where I am ticketed on Delta but flying on another airline's equipment, are another thing altogether, and often require that I fax documentation that I've actually taken the flight to Delta's SkyMiles customer service center. The best documentation (in addition to your eticket) is your boarding pass, and Delta invariably responds quickly to the fax, posting the miles within hours of my sending the fax.

Note that this issue may also arise if you are moved to a different flight, particularly if that flight is with another carrier. Occasionally I've been put on another carrier that isn't even part of SkyTeam, but Delta still gives me credit for the miles.

Day 19+: Denouement, continued.

Unpacking. I generally unpack within a couple of hours of arriving home from a trip, as I want to get my laundry done and my suitcase put away.

Doing so gives me a chance to reflect on what I could have left behind, and what I wished I'd taken. On this trip I never got a chance to wear the following items:

gray patterned dress knit top (apart from wearing briefly during the Ryanair check-in)

white woven blouse

white herringbone woven blouse

I don't consider this a failure in my planning, though, because if it had been cold and rainy in Bordeaux they'd have come in very handy. Had I not done laundry in London mid-trip I'd most likely have worn them.

The next question is whether there was anything I'd wished I'd brought but hadn't? Well, not that I'd bring it on this trip, given the weight restrictions, but I've come to realize that I'd really like to have an ionizing travel hair dryer, as this type does leave my hair smoother and softer. I don't know if these exist. I did look for an ionizing model while in Bordeaux, but not too hard, and didn't see one.

Yeesh, talk about high maintenance...

Therese, thanks for your suggestion of calling about the vest. I think I'll do just that.
I take it you live near Atlanta. My bro and SIL live in Alpharetta, and on a visit last year I rode the Marta from the airport and it was so nice and easy and clean! Sure wish other cities that presently have nothing like that would head in that direction.
Thanks for all the packing help, too.

My pleasure, Challiman. I'm also considering the Scottevest, so do report back with your experience.

If anybody else still has any lingering questions or suggestions, please feel free to post them before this thread toddles off to sleep.

Back from our 18 day trip which included 4 days in Rome, a 7-day Greek Isle cruise, and Oktoberfest.

Enjoyed this thread before I left and am happy to see it is still in the top 50!

Will be posting about how successful my packing was soon...

Looking forward to how the trip worked out, lvillinois. Did you bring back a dirndl?

Back home again, this time after a week's business trip to Portland, OR. So not European, but all the same packing tips came in handy, plus I scored something I'd been looking for...

Remember my search for a small, dual voltage, ionizing hair dryer? Well, the dryer at my hotel (a big fancy U.S. chain) was terrible, so I headed out to the drugstore around the corner and found exactly what I'd been looking for, made by Revlon. It's small (the handle folds down), weighs a lot less than my regular one, and is advertised as being 1875 watts, and "true" dual voltage. It will be interesting to see whether it is: U.S. dual voltage appliances will typically only work on the lower setting when in Europe, and then tend to run really hot. My next trip abroad is in January, to Paris (first stop on a 'round-the-world itinerary), so we'll see it works as it should.

Oh, and yes, the trip to Portland was entirely carry-on, and I took a truly ridiculous amount of clothing with me (I literally changed clothes at least once and sometimes three times a day) and purchased more while I was there. And no laundry, not even rinsing out stockings.

I'm glad to see this thread will not die. But it sure takes a long time to download on my slow connection.

Something I looked for was a small, hard plastic makeup kit with a separate lid. In bathrooms with not much counter space, I wanted to use the upside down lid to contain and organize what I use each morning. I found just what I needed in the craft section at Target, three plastic boxes that clip on top of one another. I use only the top tier and lid, but if I develop an urge to haul around more makeup, I could add another tier or two.

Love your screen name, Coquelicot. One of my favorite flowers, and then it's got the other name as well, so whenever I hear the one I have to remember the other.

Yes, the unending thread... But then the topic is unendingly fascinating to some of us (and unendingly tiresome to others, but then that's what makes the world so interesting).

I picked up a couple of other items in Portland which will come in handy when I travel. I found them while visiting the Saturday Market (which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday, and I was there on a Sunday). They are large woven scarves, both labeled "Tibet" (and according to the salesman made of wool, but I gather possibly yak wool, and very, very soft), and both fringed. One is a red and green paisley, and the other is an apple green and gold small floral print.

Here's what I use this type of scarf/shawl for:

Doubled over and looped at neck (to wear with coat in cold weather)

Folded small and looped around heavy shopping bag handles (so as to keep thin handles from putting so much pressure on the skin of your hands)

Draped over my shoulders (as cover-up and/or warmth when wearing something a bit dressy and bare in the evening; a nice splash of color is you wear a lot of black)

Draped over me in-flight (essentially a second blanket, and unlike the airline's version one that I don't mind having so near to my face)

I used the apple green/gold one on the flight home from Portland.

Hi Therese-
I wanted to give a follow up to my traveling carry on to Paris as well.

I wore everything I brought except 1 long sleeved t shirt. I never had to wash out anything.

Had I not had the "dressy" event, I could have done without the high heels and dress and there were a couple of items I only wore once and could have done without (sweater vest, skirt). I wore my new Clarks books almost every day and they were wonderful.

I didn't do much shopping, but I did come home with 2 new scarves, 3 ties for my husband and 8 heavy duty cool plastic resuable shopping bags from a Parisian grocery store which I will enjoy using at my local Trader Joe's. In addition I had a huge, 3 lb, spiral bound Michilin Map Book which I'd borrowed from friends while there and had to bring home for them because I'd forgotton to give it back!

I also bought a 200g. can of Foie Gras in Perigeaux for my husband but it was comfiscated by the French TSA before I got on the plane to come home! If I'd checked my luggage on the way back, that would not have happened. Personally, I don't think of foie gras as a "liquid" but they would not let me on the plane with the can.

At the airport on the way home there was a major meltdown of United's computer system and I was very glad we were not checking bags as it was very hard to even get a boarding pass printed.

Finally, I have to say, going through security was a bit of a hassle with everything:
Take off coat, jacket, scarf and shoes.
Take out liquids bag and laptop.
Rolling bag
Smaller carry on bag
Push it all though the machine and walk though the screening gate with boarding pass and passport in hand while trying to keep your eye on everything.
It's just a lot of things to juggle at one time.
On the other hand, it's a small price to pay and I didn't have to wait for my bags on arrival in Paris, or worry about them not being there when we had to change planes in DC on the way home.

But remember that the only difference between going through security with your carry-on and without is the actually carry-on bag:

You'd still be wearing coat/sweater/scarf/boots.

You'd still almost certainly have some sort of liquid that you needed to put in a ziploc bag even if it wasn't all of your toiletries (and note that airports increasingly don't make you bother with taking the the ziploc out---ATL's been doing this for a while, and PDX was the same).

You'd still have your laptop, because nobody checks a laptop (and note that here again many airports are now only asking that you open your laptop case, not take it out).

So far as I can tell, short of traveling naked there's no hassle-free way to get through security.

While I generally agree with Therese, I will caution that her experience with laptop cases does not agree with mine.

My laptop still must come out of the case! The only exception I have seen is the new "TSA friendly" laptop cases which the TSA "claims" can just be "opened". Since my experience has been that training TSA agents is kind of hit or miss I am not bothering to invest in the approved case anytime soon. I will let my fellow travelers train the agents first.

Before our last trip someone on Fodor's suggested a travel vest, which I basically disregarded at the time. Then I found I needed one for my photography things and the usual map, guidebooks, etc. I wore that vest every single day, no purse required, leaving me hands free to play with the camera, hold on in Metros, examine things in shops. It was wonderful.
I now plan to incorporate that vest into my carry-on plans, it is a jacket with zip-off sleeves and depending on the weather I'll have either a jacket or vest. It has 18 pockets. I know I sound like a salesman for this product, but think it will be so much easier to get to things in flight, even if I still take a small carry-on. I'm only 5'2", and if DH isn't with me I often can't reach the overhead bins, so this is really great for me.
The pockets are secure, so as the vest goes through the screening it should keep things in place and not as easily grabbed by those that try to snatch things at that point.

Challiman - do you have a link for this travel vest?

was it this?

http://www.scottevest.com/

YK and Amsdon, Yes! Someone on Fodor's recommended it, sorry, can't remember even which forum it was on.
$119.50 for the jacket with zip off sleeves, free shipping from Magellan. You can order it directly from Scottevest, but I saw it in a Magellan's catalog and with free shipping I did it that way.

Challiman - it looks nice but I refuse to buy clothes online without trying it on first. I'm short like you with short-ish arms, so nothing fits me well unless they are in petite size, as the regular sleeves tend to be 2 inches too long.

YK, I very rarely order any clothes online, being petite and having the same sleeve-length worries you do. I actually bought a vest in a photography shop, but honestly, it is too long and it looks like I'm on safari or going fishing, a tan/greenish color that goes with very little. They also had a black vest but it was really bulky and heavy. So, I am willing to try this, at least.
I will say that I contacted Scottevest originally, and they apparently have good customer service. The rep offered to measure some of the pockets to make sure my extra camera lens would fit. I think it does give some of the actual measurements online.

Oh boy, I just went back on THIS thread, Oct. 4, and it was THIS thread that I got the info. Guess my mind isn't working very well. But to clarify, the vest I had worked very well, it just didn't look so great. I love the idea, so ordered the Scottevest, which should arrive this week. I'll actually measure the sleeves if you're interested.

I wish they made a woman's jacket that was a bit more feminine...but with all those pockets & things.

Trust me, this is WAY more feminine than the one I originally bought! LOL, I looked like the Crocodile Hunter. I need all those pockets, for photo stuff, and also to free up my hands for my DSLR camera. I fell on my first DSLR, destroyed the lens, have been trying ever since to free up my hands as much as possible. Not easy for a thief to grab the vest, either, unless he had a weapon and demanded it be handed over. Great for metro tickets and maps and water bottle and snacks,too. But, I don't know how feminine it will actually look. Hopefully it will solve some of my travel issues, though.

Challiman-I'll be interested to hear how everything fits in that jacket without making you look like the Michelin Man
I especially want to know how the extra camera lens fits (telephoto?).

Challiman - I'm confused. You bought a travel vest for you recent trip, but you didn't like how it looked? So you just ordered a new one (with removable zipper) from Scottevest, for a future trip I suppose?

Yes, I'm sorry, I went back and read my post and realized it was confusing.
First I heard about the Scottevest on here, did some research, but the time was too short to get it here in time for our trip. So, I went to a photo store and they had the two kinds of vests, and I got the one that was tan/greenish and loved the concept, freed-up hands, room for camera stuff, etc. But, it was too long and now that I can see all the pictures, I realize I did look like the Crocodile Hunter! It worked great, just the looks weren't so great.
So, I have now ordered the Scottevest Women's Jacket with sleeves that zip off. I got a catalog from Magellan's and it offered free shipping so I ordered it through them instead of directly through Scottevest. As far as I can tell, those are the only two places to order it, but that might not be correct.
In any case, it should be here in the next couple of days and I'd be glad to give you an honest appraisal of how it looks, feels, holds the stuff I need to carry, etc.

I may indeed look like the Michelin Man, it is a telephoto lens, but my previous efforts have made me look like a pack mule!

The best part of this is that I have a friend who is much taller than I am and really wants a vest. We have a trip to Rome in March and I'm going to give her the original vest if this one fits. She's also into photography and likes to carry extra lenses and filters, so it would work out well.

I have also fallen twice this year on trips, no major injuries, but I'd feel better if my hands were free to brace myself if it happens again.

Sorry the posts were so confusing. Sometimes in my effort to be brief (rarely succeed at that) I leave out details or summarize when I shouldn't.

Wow, this thread woke back up with a vengeance, and all over the travel vest.

The keys to the scottevest's more feminine styling are the vertical princess seams, the vertical alignment of the zippers (many of them superposed on the princess seams, and the fact the business end of the pockets is all on the inside of the vest. Even those pockets that you access from the outside of the vest are actually inside the garment, so that will minimize bulges on the outside.

This sort of styling is always slimming. The jacket with the zip-off sleeves doesn't have as much princess-seaming, and also has a conventional flat collar that looks too much like a man's jacket for my taste. The vest has a stand-up, mandarin style collar that is less reminescent of a man's jacket.

And of course the lack of sleeves means that there's one less fit issue to deal with. For warmth I'd layer it over something, or if it's raining I can fit it under a lightweight raincoat.

Challiman - thanks for the further explanation. I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Scottevest when it arrives.

However, I think no matter how many people rave about it, I still won't buy any clothing without seeing it and trying it on. I suppose I can order it and return it if I don't like it, but that's just too much trouble for me.

And personally, I don't like vests, though this one is technically a jacket. My shoulders and upper arms are always the first to get chills and get cold, so vests don't do anything for me.

BTW, the women's jacket on Scottevest website is $200. But you got yours for only $120?

YK, I have the Magellan's catalog in front of me now, and it shows the Women's Essential Jacket, W0814 for $119.50. I see it says the jackets have 20 pockets, vests have 22. You can find this at www.magellans.com
I'm not sure how that shows up once I post.
The Magellan's ad says specifically that the sleeves zip off, and that they also offer the Women's Classic Travel Vest for $99.50.
I wore the other vest under my coat in Europe, failed to notice that it hung down below my coat, not a pretty sight. Unless the weather is mild, a vest wouldn't be warm enough for me, either.
It is worth a try to me. If it doesn't work, I will send it back. If Magellan's is as easy to return as Travel Smith I will be pleased. I have a few pieces of their travel clothes, had to return only one, very easy.

Thanks. The Magellan website shows the jacket better than Scottevest's website. It looks pretty good on the model, though she looks like she's a foot taller than me and there's nothing inside the pockets.

The prices at the Scottevest web site are essentially the same as the prices at Magellan's: $120 for the jacket, $100 for the vest (as of five minutes ago this evening, in any case).

There are some more expensive jackets at Scottevest (with more features), but they are specifically marketed for women.

have you ever tried to order a size up to fit into boots if you have muscular calves? just curious.

Hmm, somewhere upthread I must have mentioned something about having trouble finding boots that fit my (wide---women with narrow calves have trouble as well) calves.

Anyway, no, I've not found that going up in size makes enough difference in the circumference of the boot shaft. The boots have to fit in the feet, and if the shaft is too narrow then you're pretty much out of luck (though it's theoretically possible to have some boots altered to increased the shaft circumference). Some boots are made in wide calf versions, of course, and in that case switching to the wide calf option will generally do the trick.

Oh, and just noticed a typo in my post about the price of the Scottevest items: the more expensive coats are not specifically marketed for women.

Hey, again. I checked the tracking number and the vest is due to arrive Monday. I can't wait to see how it works out. And how I'll look. Of course, if my camera isn't repaired and returned I won't need the vest anytime soon.
I really like this thread, everyone has been so nice and helpful. A pleasure to read and oh such useful information. Thanks all.

Looking forward to hearing how it works out, Challiman, as I'm considering getting one for my 'round the world trip in January. As per the web site you could actually put a laptop computer in the back section, which would be a cool way to deal with the Ryanair weight restriction. I'm not sure I'd want to walk around for a long time with that much weight in the vest. Then again, I did board a plane wearing three shirts, a dress, a cardigan, and trousers under a coat full of toiletries and electronics.

Jacket/vest update:
First of all, I really like the look of the jacket. It is black and looks nothing like the "fisherman's vest" I originally bought. I would wear it with almost everything I usually travel in and it would look fine. Keep in mind that I don't get dressed up to travel, no heels or fancy clothes, usually black pants or dark jeans, sweaters, casual jackets, etc. It is also Teflon coated and would be water resistant.
The big test was if I could get my 55-200 lens for my DSLR camera in one of the pockets, and I CAN! And it doesn't look like the Michelin man, either. I haven't fully loaded it up, and the truth will come when I do that and go out to take pictures, have guide books and maps, etc. in there.
I don't use an IPod, so haven't tested that part of the jacket, the system to thread your wires through.
There are indeed many pockets, of all sizes, seems it would be very convenient while traveling.
I do not see a pocket that I think would accommodate a laptop, which I think someone mentioned.
I am short and the sleeves are just a little too long, which I will hem about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. There is an inside cuff that won't show even if I hem it.
The only problem is that one of the zippers is not working properly. I called Magellan's and asked how to return it, and get another one, and they are sending the new one out in 3 days and I will return this one in the same packaging. I was very happy they were so helpful and no questions asked at all. Honestly, I didn't do anything to it, just examined it all over to see that all was well, and one of the zippers was zipped up to the top but the bottom was gaping. So, if I do get another one and there is another zipper problem, I would not think it was well made and would send it back for a refund.
As for size, I ordered a large based on their measurements, particularly the waist measurements, since that is a problem area for me, and I also wanted to be able to layer under it, but also not have it so thick I couldn't layer over it. I could have easily worn a medium, but not sure if that would allow for layers underneath and might show the lens bulge too much. I think I would actually call them to discuss size if your measurements, like mine, don't exactly follow one size in the chest, hips and waist.
I like the collar, it is not one of those stand up things, which I find irritates my neck, but it is close enough that wind would not be much of an issue, especially with a scarf.
Without the sleeves, it is comfortable and fits fine and looks nice.
So far, I say two thumbs up, despite the cranky zipper. I think Magellan's would make it right even if I wore it for a short time and then had problems.
Hope this helps. I'll update after I get the new one.

Therese, sorry, I posted without checking, and it was you that mentioned the laptop fitting in the back. It does not have that. Or at least I can't find it! I'm going to check the website and will get back to you with what I find out.

OK, I have checked the Scottevest site and found a jacket that mentions a back pocket that could hold a small laptop. The one I have does not have such a back pocket. The one I saw on the site is the Scott Jordan jacket and appears to be much heavier than mine.

Challiman, it's specifically the vest, not the jacket, that has the back pocket that one could (potentially) fit a laptop into.

Great news on being able to fit your lens into one of the pockets, and still not look too bulky. The overall styling of the coat looks like it would be a bit more forgiving of a slight bulge, as it's not quite as fitted to begin with.

I actually prefer the stand up collar style of the vest, and wouldn't need to store any single items that were all that bulky, so would probably go with the vest.

Therese,
Looks like they have several kinds of jackets and vests, all different options, so hopefully we'll both have what works best for us.

I do see the vest you are talking about and remember that I couldn't get that page to give the descriptions or features. I had trouble with it again today, but finally see it. It does indeed have all the features you mentioned, and probably is a bit more feminine than mine, but I just can't tolerate those collars.

Could you elaborate on your big travel plans for next year? It sounds very exciting. Where all will you be going and for how long?
Your traveling and packing wisdom is greatly appreciated.

Travel Jacket/Vest update:

The package arrived and I was anxious to check the zippers, since I'd had the one zipper that didn't work when I got the first one. All zippers work fine.
In each pocket there is a little card that has suggestions for how that pocket can be used.
The fit, as mentioned earlier, is good, a little roomy, which allows for layering underneath, but not so bulky I couldn't layer on top. The sleeves zip off easily and are even labled right and left.
The sleeves are just a little long, maybe an inch, and easily hemmed if I decide to do that.
This jacket has all sorts of techy stuff, a place to put your iPod or MP3 player, and run the cords inside the jacket and into the collar. That isn't a feature I'm interested in.
What appeals to me is that it is black, will go with most of my travel clothes. It has pockets that I can put my extra zoom lens in so that it will be handy. It has document pockets, change pockets, an eyeglass pocket, and places for ID and passports, etc.
I like the length, it hits below the waist and about mid hip, which is good for me since I'm short and they don't offer it in petite.
So far I am very pleased with the jacket. I first intended to get just the vest, but this can be worn either way. The regular vest, as Therese says, can even hold a small laptop.
I can definitely get a lot of stuff in the pockets. I'll try it on my next trip, in December, and let you know how it actually works.

Hi Therese,
I have been a longtime reader of these forums (first-time poster!), and I have to say your threads on packing light are my favorites. You mentioned a 'round the world' trip beginning in Paris in January - I just wanted to implore you to start another packing thread and let us know how you plan to tackle that trip!
Thanks,
Lisa

Wow, your first post ever, and it's to ask me to start another packing thread? <blushes profusely> I can hardly refuse under these circumstances. And as it turns out I am starting to think about it, as I've got another trip and Christmas to get done in the interim, so don't want to leave it until the last minute.

I'll post a link here once I get the new thread started. A bit swamped today, so unlikely to start before tomorrow.

Oh, and an important update to post re the backpack-style bag that I purchased way back when, anticipating that I might use it for the trip described in the present thread. Here are the specs:

Victorinox Standard Traveler 3.0 Standard Overnighter. As per eBags.com it weighs 3 lbs and measures 21" x 13.25" x 5.5" (before unzipping an exansion panel that makes in 7.5" deep). It's got backpack straps that look pretty comfortable but no chest or hip strap.

I ended up not taking it, as the backpack straps were too long for me to use comfortably, particularly if I had it fully loaded. Rather than return it, though, I kept it with the assumption that my 18 year old son (who is a good 6 inches taller than me and much, much stronger) could use it. And use it he did, on a Thanksgiving holiday trip to Austin, TX. The rest of us had rolling bags, and he had the backpack. He didn't bother to use the backpack straps, but did mention several times that he really liked the bag overall.

So, good on me.

Thanks, Therese - looking forward to the next installment!

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