silverblossom

I've looked all over the net and everyone seems to use backpacks no disrespect intended but I'm not a backpack type of person. Could I possibly get away with travelling with a carry on suitcase or maybe one checked and one carry on. We'll be visiting 20 places all air travel some domestic but most international. Thank you for your help in advance

doug_stallings

With that many connections, you'd do better if you could always carry your bag on the plane, but that's not going to be possible if you have a bag with wheels (it doesn't have to be a backpack ... a bag like a Tim Bihn Tri-Star would also work quite nicely, or a cheaper version like the ebags weekender convertible).

But if you do want to check bag on the majority of flights, then you could go up to 22 inches, though I would strongly recommend a bag of no more than 20 inches and a small backpack or bag for your actually carry-on.

On a long trip like this, the best strategy is to pack for exactly one week and plan to do laundry along the way as needed. If you need additional clothing, it can be purchased cheaply almost everywhere in the world except for Europe, and even there you have some options like H&M. That's what I'd do at least.

thursdaysd

As Doug says, you should pack for a long trip as if it were a short trip. I do take a backpack, but I travel overland, not by plane, and if you're only using planes wheels would make more sense. (Although not sure what you mean about a backpack type person.) One checked and one carry on is likely the most you want unless you're traveling business class or are willing to pay excess baggage fees (check the rules for your overseas carriers). For my packing list for long term travel (10 months the longest so far) see http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...take-part-one/ and follow the links.

suze

A small rolling suitcase is OK. My 22" or 24", packed to no more than 25 lbs. is my norm... but I do have to check it. If you can manage doing carry-on only in a 19-20" roller, I think that would be ideal!

The trick, as the experts above have already mentioned, is pack for 1 week, regardless the length of the trip. thursdaysd has an excellent imo.

silverblossom

thank you so much everyone and thursday by the remark I meant I don't like to carry them I tore something in my shoulder years ago and they aggravate it, I will check out the above info thanks Doug Thursday and Suze much obliged

christycruz

We did a RTW trip and I had a 21" roller suitcase with a small carry on that I could attach to the roller. The only times it didn't work out well were when we stayed up a few flights of stairs with no elevator (happened a few times), and getting on and off boats. Otherwise it was great.

I agree, pack what you think you need, and then halve it (at least!). My favorite odd things to pack are new hair bands (much better than rubber bands) and a universal sink stopper. I found many hotels don't have plugs for the sinks...so you can't wash your clothes I imagine. And there was often only a shower so the stopper came in handy quite a few times.

silverblossom

Just read my time to travel thank you for guiding me there very helpful

aliced

You dont say how long/short the durations will be at each destination but on our last trip of 3 weeks, we spent as little as 1 and as many as 4 nights at hotels; with one night you cannot wash and have it dry by morning even with the new 'wonder wear' that is designed for such. Also, your itinerary for the day may have you out early and not back till very late. Some facilities lend themselves to washing far more than others. I'd bring a change of clothes and other necessities in a carry-on and check no larger than a 24-25" bag as light as you can find. I recently found a combo of upright and duffel by High Sierra that gives the narrowness of a duffel but with zippers both mid-way around (as in an upright) as well as on top (as all duffels) the accessibility was ideal for multi-packing and hidden backpack straps just in case you need to move even faster in terminals etc. When packed fully w/ 3-4 pairs of shoes to boot it weighed in at less than the magical 50 lbs too The flat velcroed 'packers' for shirts kept those items pristine when not worn for few days but nonetheless had to be repacked, found in all luggage/travel sites.

thursdaysd

silverblossom - glad my lists were helpful!

aliced - "with one night you cannot wash and have it dry by morning" - well, yes you can, provided you buy the right fabrics and wash your day clothes before dinner (I take an "evening" outfit) - or even after dinner for a few things. Buy the right underwear and shirts and you can practically see them dry while you watch. Still, I agree that more nights make it easier, and are less hassle all around, anymore I try not schedule less than two nights in one place, and at least three or four if possible.

nodebtworldtravel

I understand your apprehension about backpacks but you're going to hate dragging around a carry-on and a checked piece of luggage on a long term trip. You have to constantly monitor it, you have to always have a hand on it so it is not lost or stolen, and you'll want to keep your hands free in case you need to pull out your wallet, open a door or break a fall.

A backpack on your back never gets lost or stolen.

Tuli

GUIDE BOOKS: Me too, I don't care for too much Accomodation & restaurant info - it is easy too find in other resources; I prefer a SMALL / LIGHT book that I can carry (the guide could come in 2 separate parts: sightseeing and "room & food").

MAPS are important, but pictures not necessarily: The internet is loaded with pictures of every place in the world so that one can get an impression (thus having a lighter book. After the trip, I prefer my own. Most pictures in books & magazines show the places & surrounding FROM the air, RATHER then show the view SEEN when IN location!

One BIG PROBLEM with guide books, i.e. Fodor, is that every town, view point, falls, castle etc. is "Spectacular", "Magnificent", "Unsurpassed Beauty" and so on. PRIORITIZING is of utmost importance, since one typically doesn't have time to see everything in one trip. Some things are a matter of personal preference, but if one is, f.i. interested in scenery (architecture, art, history...) it would be helpful to grade / prioritize places by these criteria (even just a plain list of names - the description given elsewhere in the book).

I AM LOST! I am now planning a trip to Berner Obeland. I do not know what to CHOSE and visit in BERNER OBERLAND, being interested in Scenery, Photography, Nature, Architecture. I would appreciate prioritizing of the following, based on these criteria (I am planning on staying in LAUTERBRUNEN unless INTERLAKEN is more time/transportation efficient for my following plan, coming & returning to Zurich, is it?):

Please put in PRIORITY order the groups and in the groups, or any other grouping:

A) THE VALLEYS, MOUNTAINS(2 days).

1. Jungfrau (Kleine Schydig, Mannlichen -can be visited w/o Jungfrau)
2. or Schilthorn (Stechelberg, Grimmevals, Murren falls-can be visited w/o Schilthorn)
Wengen and Murren definitely
3. Grindelwald First, Schynige Platte (Wildersville)
4. Falls: Traumelbach, Staubach , Murrenbach,

B. THE TWO LAKES - 1 day (is any of these in priority to anything in A - in The Valleys & Mountains?):

1. Brienze, Rothorn, Ballenberg, Iseltwald …
2. St. Beatux Hohlen, Harder Kulm, Unterseen….
3. Thun, Spietz, Hilterfingen, Oberhofen…,

Plus 2 x 1/2 days for any of A or B.

4. BERN (on the way back to Zurich) - priority to any of the above?

In the LUCERN area: Pilatus or Titlis, Rigi, else….

OceanBreeze1

For a month in Europe, wld a wheelie be inadvisable b/c of all the cobblestoned streets? (France, Italy, Spain & Germany)

Silverblossom, like you, I am not crazy about having a pack on my back for a month but don't know what to do. When are you doing your RTW trip?

silverblossom

we're going in july and i'm losing it, we're doing safaris and desert trips and who knows what, the shortest stay anywhere is 4 days, in Asia i was going to do overland but i've changed my mind. i'm not checking luggage just the one suitcase, but then there're the cameras and laptops and jeez if i have to put a back pack on my back there's going to be heck to pay, i don't think you should worry about your wheelie unless you're moving around a lot

thursdaysd

The trick with backpacks is to buy the right one. The load should go on your hips, via the hip belt, NOT your shoulders. If the backpack is properly designed and fitted it will not feel heavy: if it is not you will feel the drag on your shoulders. I use a convertible backpack, with straps that zip out of the way for flights. I recommend spending time at REI if you have one near - they will load up their packs and let you walk round the store wearing them so you get a good feel for what will work.

OceanBreeze1

Thanks sb & td,
What is REI? I am in Canada.

christycruz

BTW, the best way to get clothes to dry quickly is to roll them up in the hotel towel, press on the roll, and wick away as much moisture as you can. Using this method, most of my clothes will dry overnight.

thursdaysd

http://www.rei.com/ - unfortunately, from the website it looks like REI is US only. Don't know if there's a Canadian equivalent. This outfit: http://www.jet-setter.ca/en/index.html in Montreal carries Eagle Creek, which is what I'm using (although I don't like the current version as much as my 2002 edition.)

steve1218

The REI equivalent in Canada I believe is MEC.

OceanBreeze1

Thanks! Will check on those!

65775

We lived in and traveled around China for one year and then took the Trans-Siberian, etc. trains around the world for another couple of months. We are 68, but in pretty good condition. Each used one of the LLBean small ("2 to 3 days") wheeled parachute cloth cases,and one a SMALL back pack and the other a kidney-shaped shoulder bag. These were perfect. Suggestion: do your packing and then try to run 50 yards carrying your stuff...and then lift it above your head a couple of times. You are welcome to communicate of we can be of help. jack