OUTinkerbelle

Am planning a 2-week trip to Eurpoe with my 13-year old daughter for next summer. The plan is to do the first week in Paris (daughter's dream) then head to Belgium via train to visit a friend for 4-5 days.

Am doing ok with the planning of the trip (thanks to all of your posts and trip reports I've been reading for the last 2 months).

My issue is luggage. I would LOVE to do the trip with carry-on only. However, I have travelled very little and never outside the country.

I currently own the eBags Weekender eTech Convertible and have used it for two long weekend trips and think I'm ok with taking that to Paris (although my eye is on the eBags MotherLode TLS Weekender Convertible). My question is this - what to get for my 13-year old daughter? She is 5'3" and weighs about 120 lbs with a muscular frame. I would love for her to back pack too but I think she might be more comfortable with a wheeled bag and a small school type backpack.

Final question - This trip is going to be part of her Christmas this year. My family is helping me to surprise her with it at Christmas (they all know how badly she wants to go to Paris). Any ideas on how to surprise her with the trip?

THANK YOU!

Iowa_Redhead

I <b>LOVE</b> my eBags MotherLode TLS Weekender Convertible bag! Adore it, love it and will use it for probably every trip from now on. I just got back from two weeks in Italy and it was fine, even though I tend to pack more than I need. You can fit way more in this bag than you can in a traditional roller carryon bag. I'm 5'3" too and it fits me fine. The straps are all adjustable and fit very comfortably. I didn't feel like it was too long for my short size or like it was pulling me backwards. It swings up onto your back pretty easily. I had no problems putting it in the carryon bins (even on a small regional plane) and being able to expand it while we were traveling for extra space was great.

eBags usually (always?) has free shipping and returns so you can always order one for each of you, see how much you can put in it compared to the eTech you already have and decide if the difference is worth it. When I got mine, I pretty much emptied my laundry basket into it by just quickly folding clothes and stacking them in there. If you're going to a friends house in Belgium, then you really only need to pack for the week in Paris and could probably do laundry at your friends place.

I combined the MotherLode backpack with a messenger bag as my daypack. Personally I prefer a messenger to a backpack for a daybag, partially due to security and partially due to comfort. A backpack is simply not secure and a messenger can be pulled more in front of you when you're in pickpocket-friendly areas. Paris is usually considered pickpocket friendly simply due to the large number of tourists.


As for how to surprise her, put together a "Paris kit" and wrap it. You could wrap her bag and put travel stuff in it. A Paris travel guide, some 3oz empty bottles for shampoo etc, an application for a passport, an iTunes gift card for music on the plane, a blank travel journal, a map of Paris, etc. If you buy a bag ahead of time for her, wait until it's close enough to Christmas that she can toss some clothes in the bag, try it on and still have time to return it if it doesn't fit right or incase she prefers something else.

OUTinkerbelle

Iowa_Redhead

Thank you so much for your comments!! The more I read about the MotherLode TLS the more I want it for myself as well. It is also nice to hear from someone who is about the same size as my daughter.

Good idea about application for a passport! The other things I already have for her but the passport application would be fun and it would take her a minute to figure out what it is.

If you don't mind me asking - what kind of messenger bag did you take? I've looked at a few. My camera is larger than a point and shoot but smaller than a professional camera. My mother owns a tiny Bagalinni that she took to Italy but she only had a point and shoot camera and it is just too small for me.

Iowa_Redhead

I took the CitySafe 200 (http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...n=detail&id=25).

That was largely due to being warned so heavily about pickpockets and similar problems in Italy. I liked it and it worked for what I needed, but I'm not sure how well it would fit a camera like yours. I put a digital book, a journal, a P&S camera, an apple, PB crackers, a bottle of water, my wallet and passport, sunglasses, sunblock, a tiny handheld fan and a large hair clip in mine. I also would put small purchases (jewelry, post cards, etc) in it. For me, it felt a little longer than I really wanted, and somewhat narrow inside. The smaller version felt way too small for the stuff I like to carry.

If you don't need a "security" bag (and you likely don't) then just flip through ebags and see what looks like it has potential. I much prefer a messenger bag over anything else. I can have it pulled around a bit forward and have my hand on it for security, or I can swing it a bit more behind me and keep my hands free when climbing bell towers and such. Depending on the style, in black a messenger can go with slightly dressier clothes while a backpack can't.

Messengers tend to be pretty narrow on the bottom, which might be part of the problem with your camera fitting. If you put your camera in a bag with the screen down and lens up, it might have a better chance of fitting, but would also have a better chance of being damaged. You could buy a small padded pocket for your camera to protect it, but that would take up a good share of your bag space. Flip through eBags and see what you can find that looks like it has potential (free shipping and returns are a good thing) but also look around town at Staples, Best Buy, etc. Sometimes they have good sized camera bags that can double as a daypack. For my previous trip, I took a small - medium messenger bag that was simply rip stop nylon for the body, with a zipper pocket on both sides.



As for the MotherLode, I posted a bit of a review right after I got it.

<i>I just folded clothes out of the laundry and started putting them into it, then I added a handful of things I knew I'd want to have on a trip. Into the bag went:

2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of slacks
8 shirts (7 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve)
7 bras, 8 undies, 7 pairs of socks
A messenger bag purse
A fold up duffle bag
Bathroom bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, small items, etc)
Ziplock with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razor, etc.
Full size hairbrush
A pair of tennis shoes
A pair of thick slippers (same as a pair of sandals)

The bag wasn't even CLOSE to full! Nothing is rolled or put in compression bags to make it smaller.

I only had items in the main compartment and hadn't even begun to play with the pockets on front or the laptop pocket on the back. There are quick-adjust straps on the outside that really help compress the bag to help it fit in overhead bins even easier. The bag can be expanded 1.5-2" the whole way around. The backpack straps are comfy and tuck away really quick. I have the duffle bag strap on it now and that's actually pretty comfy too for shorter time periods. </i>

suze

Personally I do not like backpacks. I would recommend small rolling suitcases for both of you, 19-21" if you really want to try to do carry-on only for the flight (I never do) or 22-24" if you are willing to check it thru. Pack them to no more than 25-30 lbs. Plus one small tote, purse, or daypack for each of you in addition.

suze

Le Sports Sac brand is good to use as a tote or purse because it weighs almost nothing empty but they are still quite sturdy.

Lizzie_17

I second Le Sport Sac. I use the deluxe everyday bag as a day bag. It has lots of zippered compartment and even has an expandable zipper, like on luggage. You won't need to in the summer, but I can even fit a light sweater in it when needed. If it gets dirty you can just throw it in the washing machine. They are not cheap bags (in price) but I have had some for 15+ years and still use them!

Lynnaustin

Here is what I do for "trip gifts". As has been suggested, put a Paris kit together then put it in a nice plain white box. I then copy pictures off of websites for the trip location (there are plenty of gorgeous Paris pictures around) and I photo copy a picture of the airplane. Then glue these pictures on the sides of the box. Then you can wrap the box in Christmas paper.
I have also wrapped airline tickets and an itineray but that may be too far out from your travel date.
Whatever you do, she will be so excited.

OUTinkerbelle

Lizzie and Suze - thanks for the advice on Le Sport Sac. Will look them up and see if I can find a local store that carries them.

Lynnaustin - what a fantastic idea! She can then keep the box with the Paris photos on it to put her keepsakes from the trip in afterwards!

THANKS for all of your help! Keep the ideas coming!

suze

It doesn't have to be 'Le Sport Sac brand' if that's too expensive but any kind of nylon tote that weighs almost nothing. My main point is to try and have my empty bags (both suitcase & purse/carryon) weigh as little as possible when empty.

november_moon

I am a fan of LeSportSac too. They have some crazy prints, but I always go with basic black. They carry them at Macys - other stores too, I am sure. I really like that you can adjust the strap so it can be worn cross-body or over one shoulder as needed. I've even put the strap around my waist and cinched it up sort of like a bumbag for bike riding.

LindaBrinck

Vera Bradley quilted bags are great for travel. Very light. They make many different sizes and shapes. I prefer them to Le Sport Sac because they have a little more structure and feel more substantial. I've loaded some of them with very heavy weight. Also they are very pretty. Not sure how they would do as checked bags, but for carryon - they are great.

frogoutofwater

I travel a lot and I much prefer rolling suitcases, too, especially for the kind of trip you're planning.

One thing that both of you should do in the week before your trip is pack your suitcase and check to make sure it's light enough to carry. While you'll be able to wheel it most places, you'll have to lift it up over curbs, on and off trains, hoist it into luggage racks or overhead compartments, etc.

PS - I posted a list a little while ago of my carry-on only packing list.

aliced

I could never take any Vera Bradley to Paris. "When in Rome..." sorry, they're just too summer-on-the-east-coast and announce you as "American" -- hey, it's about blending in. Baggelini is a great brand instead of LeSportsac.

BlueSwimmer

I suggest a rolling suitcase for your daughter, especially if you are going to have a backpack. I went on my first trip to Paris at 14 with a very overstuffed duffel bag and my dad ended up carrying it (and my sister's) much of the time, leading to family grouchiness.

If you have one pack and one small roller, you can switch off when you get tired. My husband and I have Eagle Creek travel packs and they do get heavy and give us sore shoulders sometimes, so for our next trip we may do the one roller/one pack idea to provide some relief.

For the Paris gift pack, what about a novel set in Paris, too? There's a young adult novel out about the dancer who posed for Degas' famous statue called Marie, Dancing. It sounds a bit "realistic" (she's from a poor family and dancing is a way to earn money) but is getting good reviews.

november_moon

Those Baggelini bags look great - I might have to pick one up

Vera Bradley bags have been mentioned on a few threads lately, so I did a search to see what they look like. There are definitely some really loud prints, but they also have black, brown, navy, etc. Those might work for people who aren't interested in the summer-on-the-east-coast look. The only thing I'd be worried about is the absorbant nature of the quilted material.

Sassafrass

Have had a couple of Baggelini bags and gave both of them away after a couple of trips. Love the LeSportSacs and similar bags because of their weight. Try out whatever you think you like. Put your camera and all the other stuff you think you will be carrying in it and carry it around for a couple of days.

Even for going a few blocks from subway to hotel or down long walks through the airport, I hate carrying things, so have given up backpacks. Rollerbags all the way, and make sure whatever small carryon I have will also fit on the wheeled bag.
I personally love bags that are nearly duffle shaped, but open like a trunk on top, with one zipper going, not down the middle, but around three sides of the top. For your daughter, I suggest something inexpensive from someplace like TJMaxx, Marshalls, etc. That way, it is not a great loss if it is used only for one trip.

For the surprise. If you are near a store like Homegoods, they have sturdy, old fashioned, suitcase style boxes with leather handles, metal buckles, etc. They make them covered with travel stickers, tickets, pictures, etc. I have two: one with Venice motif and one with Paris motif. They are charming and could be used as your gift container. They were only about $10.00 to $30.00 each (depending on size) and are great for storing pictures and other things later. Mine are stacked near my piano for extra music books.

Lexma90

I (5'1", 114 lbs) and my 12yo daughter (4'9", 78 lbs) both take rolling 21'-inch bags. I have a day bag, smaller than a backpack, that I/we carry when out each day. She takes a backpack that she carries her "stuff" in; books, Nintendo, etc., that doesn't go out except when moving from location to location. That works well for us. We don't carry on only; we check our bags.

Enjoy - it will be a lovely surprise!

OUTinkerbelle

Thanks everyone for the great replies! I ended up with the eBags Mother Lode TLS Mini 21" rolling bag for my daughter (in her favorite color - GREEN). I also bought her a nice sized back pack to take on the plane for her Nintendo, books, etc. Not sure what I'm going to take yet for myself. Will look more into that after the first of the year.

Still haven't quite figured out how to present everything to her Christmas morning yet but I really appreciate everyone's ideas.

BLue Dance - thank you so much for the book recommendation! My daughter is a ballet dancer and on her school's pom squad. That book sounds like the exact thing I should get for her.

Thanks everyone! Will post back after Christmas to let you know how the surprise went!