2 months abroad, 1 22 in. suitcase!
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:10 PM
#3
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Congratulations! It surely makes life easier when you do that, doesn't it. I did the same thing for 9 weeks in Eastern Europe and Germany, but I did cheat in that I brought a little valise for my electronics (and odds and ends), since part of the time I was living in a dorm with no hair dryer.
I'm 70 years old and a weakling, so carrying a light suitcase like that just simplifies my life and makes me much more mobile.
I'm 70 years old and a weakling, so carrying a light suitcase like that just simplifies my life and makes me much more mobile.
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:36 PM
#4
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All I can say is Thank God my husband doesn't visit this site!! I would never hear the end of this.
Since I don't have to worry that he will read this and expect the impossible from me, I can safely say "Bravisima"!! How did you do it??
Since I don't have to worry that he will read this and expect the impossible from me, I can safely say "Bravisima"!! How did you do it??
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:41 PM
#8
I always take a 22 in for a week's travel no matter where we go. My husband is the heavy packer. If we ever get to Europe, I will try to get us all in 22 inchers and hope that I will be able to plan a place with laundry facilities about 1/2 way through.
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:53 PM
#9
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I still want the list E_M! Seriously, I have always considered myself a light packer and have always gone with the thought if I have enough for one week I have enough "forever". And I have had several two month vacations..but not with a 22 inch piece of luggage. So HELP please!! Inquirying minds want to know. Thanks.
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:06 PM
#11
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The mindset is, can I carry my belongings up 5 flights of stairs? Italy and Russia aren't big on elevators and such. No disability laws there. Heck, in Russia, the stairwells don't even have lights.
I will admit that it helps that I am a size 4 and that it was summer.
I wore on the flight a pair of black cotton pants, white T, cashmere hoodie, and beige leather ballet flats.
I packed:
1 pair of black sandals
2 pairs of linen pants
1 linen skirt
6 Ts/Camisoles
8 or so pairs of underwear
1 long sleeved shirt (that I never even wore)
1 cashmere sweater (that I didn't wear, either)
1 black silk dress for evening
1 silk scarf to wrap around my head a la Sophia Loren/Grace Kelly
Err...that's it. I packed extra light, under the assumption that I would be shopping in Italy. One week into the trip, I had to purchase a proper pair of walking shoes as I was recovering from a broken foot. I washed things out in the sink every 4 days or so and hung them out to dry. Linen should be hung out to dry, anyway. My cotton Ts and camis were thin enough that they dried within a day under the Italian sun.
All clothes were either white, beige, or black. Accents were colorful silk scarves and my green sweater. And red lipstick.
I will admit that it helps that I am a size 4 and that it was summer.
I wore on the flight a pair of black cotton pants, white T, cashmere hoodie, and beige leather ballet flats.
I packed:
1 pair of black sandals
2 pairs of linen pants
1 linen skirt
6 Ts/Camisoles
8 or so pairs of underwear
1 long sleeved shirt (that I never even wore)
1 cashmere sweater (that I didn't wear, either)
1 black silk dress for evening
1 silk scarf to wrap around my head a la Sophia Loren/Grace Kelly
Err...that's it. I packed extra light, under the assumption that I would be shopping in Italy. One week into the trip, I had to purchase a proper pair of walking shoes as I was recovering from a broken foot. I washed things out in the sink every 4 days or so and hung them out to dry. Linen should be hung out to dry, anyway. My cotton Ts and camis were thin enough that they dried within a day under the Italian sun.
All clothes were either white, beige, or black. Accents were colorful silk scarves and my green sweater. And red lipstick.
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:23 PM
#12
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EM
Well done!
You sound very elegant-a size 4 to boot.
But what about toiletries (or did you rely on one red lipstick
) and the (for us) growing list of electronics (camera, ipod, phone etc etc)with their own personal UNIQUE (why not universal?) attachments??
Well done!
You sound very elegant-a size 4 to boot.
But what about toiletries (or did you rely on one red lipstick
) and the (for us) growing list of electronics (camera, ipod, phone etc etc)with their own personal UNIQUE (why not universal?) attachments??
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:24 PM
#13
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The "trick" to packing light if there is one is doing laundry every so often and only bringing 2 pairs of shoes maximum (flip flops for seedy showers do not count).
I must admit that I generally end up with a 26" suitcase though, but I generally home exchange and stay put, so I only cart the suitcase to my destination and then to the plane at the end.
Congratulations for really packing light!
Please give us a trip report. I would especially enjoy hearing about Russia. I went to Moscow and St. Petersburg on an elderhostel tour a couple of years ago and had the best time. I am going back to take the Transiberian RR in August 2007. I have to say that elderhostel had the best tour organizer. Violetta really made the trip for us and I found out recently, yup, she is going to be the guide for the Transiberian! Looking forward to using my very elemental Russian language skills again and seeing Lake Baikal!
I must admit that I generally end up with a 26" suitcase though, but I generally home exchange and stay put, so I only cart the suitcase to my destination and then to the plane at the end.
Congratulations for really packing light!
Please give us a trip report. I would especially enjoy hearing about Russia. I went to Moscow and St. Petersburg on an elderhostel tour a couple of years ago and had the best time. I am going back to take the Transiberian RR in August 2007. I have to say that elderhostel had the best tour organizer. Violetta really made the trip for us and I found out recently, yup, she is going to be the guide for the Transiberian! Looking forward to using my very elemental Russian language skills again and seeing Lake Baikal!
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:53 PM
#14
Congratulations! See - it isn't so hard after all.
Just so happens I gave one of my packing demos today. 37 retired teachers - going in they were mostly in the 9 pairs of shoes for 4 days camp. They came away convinced a 21 incher really is doable. (and I let them take 3 pairs of shoes
- of course one pair is on their feet on the flight over)
Just so happens I gave one of my packing demos today. 37 retired teachers - going in they were mostly in the 9 pairs of shoes for 4 days camp. They came away convinced a 21 incher really is doable. (and I let them take 3 pairs of shoes
- of course one pair is on their feet on the flight over)
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:00 PM
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Thank you E_M, and the good news for me is that you dress like I do right down to the linen pants and skirt. I just never thought about all of that would fit into a 22 inch piece of luggage. I need to buy a new piece of luggage and wanted to buy a 22 inch but everyone said "oh no, it is not big enough!". Well know I will. Thanks again for sharing your travel packing tips, I truly appreciate it.
Jul 20th, 2006, 03:42 AM
#17
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No phone, as I don't have an international chip inside. No ipod, because I didn't want to be listening to tunes. I did take my camera.
Tolietries were the standard face cream with spf protection, mascara, powder, tweezers, etc....a tube of sunscreen, toothpaste & brush, mouthwash, floss, and a travel size container of shampoo and conditioner. Contact lenses & glasses. I used hotel soap. All were packed in a plastic bag, lest there was a leak of some variety.
The silk dress was packed in dry cleaning plastic, which guarantees no wrinkles, even though it was crammed into a corner.
And a bikini. I definately packed one of those.
The one thing I couldn't deal with is shaving...I got waxed when I could. If anyone has a tip to deal with this for next time, that would be great!
Trip report to follow later.
Tolietries were the standard face cream with spf protection, mascara, powder, tweezers, etc....a tube of sunscreen, toothpaste & brush, mouthwash, floss, and a travel size container of shampoo and conditioner. Contact lenses & glasses. I used hotel soap. All were packed in a plastic bag, lest there was a leak of some variety.
The silk dress was packed in dry cleaning plastic, which guarantees no wrinkles, even though it was crammed into a corner.
And a bikini. I definately packed one of those.
The one thing I couldn't deal with is shaving...I got waxed when I could. If anyone has a tip to deal with this for next time, that would be great!
Trip report to follow later.
Jul 20th, 2006, 04:32 AM
#18
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Me too EM. I reckon you have to be able to manage your own luggage when travelling. Thanks for the tip on carrying a silk dress in a dry cleaning plastic bag. Never knew about that and it will make a big difference on my next 2 month trip (September/Oct to UK, Croatia, Greece, Spain, think about all the temperature changes there!). I too am just back from StP, interested to read your comments.
Jul 20th, 2006, 09:36 AM
#20
Rufus - your problem was suggesting you do the laundry yourselves. Most launderettes in the UK/Europe will wash/dry/fold laundry for you, and for about the same cost (or only a teensy bit more) as you doing it yourselves. You can run off for a great leisurely lunch and when doen - so is your laundry.
