MomDDTravel

Suze - you were all very right

I was trapped in the house with her recovering from foot surgery and I think getting ANY PLACE at the time sounded good.

I need to find a lighter suitcase. The one I have seems very heavy. I packed it for our trip for 10 days back east and it came in at 33 pounds WAY too heavy..

Please let me know gruezi - I am making a trip there from Salzburg one day (as it stands now but will most likely be tweaking things)

MomDDTravel

suze we were posting at the same time. I need to get it around 25 pounds or less. I have a bad back and am sure I will have to help out my 11 year old.

I am starting to dread this amazing trip.

suze

My 24" roller always weights ~25 lbs. heading out... but that is for trips to Mexico or Hawaii where it's a beach vacation staying in one place. For Europe and moving around I'd want it even less than that. Like 20 lbs. max.

Most suitcases weight between 7-12 lbs. empty, so that really messes up the packing light plan.

MomDDTravel

Yes, it really does... If I can do that alone it is going to be a huge accomplishment for me.

gruezi

Dawn,

I hope I can be blunt here.

You know what I think? Once you are on that plane and heading over here, you are going to breathe the biggest sigh of relief.

You are just forgetting how wonderful it all will be and the amazing bonding you are going to do with that beautiful daughter. Remember how quickly she will be off to college. It's a blink of an eye. I have traveled a lot this year with my girls - together and individually. It is just the most priceless time together. I promise you will have a great time.

I am making it my job to keep reminding you!!

gruezi

suze

honestly, i concentrate nearly obsessively on my packing. i realize it is partly to keep any pre-trip jitters and nerves in check. works fairly well, i might add. plus i'm always packed beautifully!

MomDDTravel

suze - wanna come to Orange County?? LOL I could use some solid help packing.

Gruezi - PLEASE keep telling me... I am getting a little frantic...

esm

Mom, you're not the only one! I get frantic when it gets close to travel and although I travel light, I never pack until the day (and often the night) before a trip.

I haven't read all the responses so I apologize if it has been mentioned before. My suggestion is to tell your DD to write her impressions/memories of this experience, not necessarily every day. A few years ago when my son was going for study abroad, I gave him a cheap notebook with the same idea. He gave me a mini eye-roll but ended up writing about his experience and was very happy to have a record.

gruezi

don't worry, I will...

Just start making a little pile on a chair or bench in your bedroom. Put only those things you love to wear when you travel and think layers and neutral colors. You can add and subtract a bit over the next few weeks. Before long all you'll have to do is put it all in a suitcase.

g.

MomDDTravel

I like that suggestion Gruezi - I will begin to do just that...

suze

that is exactly my way too...

i use either the back of a door or the bed in the guest room and just start with the things i'm sure i want to take. if too many things pile up then i eliminate some of them. take you FAVORITE clothes but not too many of them.

suze

but seriously... i'm happy to help long-distance. If you want to type out a list of what you're considering i'd be thrilled to offer suggestions.

suze

my qualifications... i went on a 3-week trip to europe once (visiting friends in Switzerland, then on to Venice, on to Paris) with only a gym bag.

gruezi

We were afraid to say it at first, but suze and I would actually like to come to your house and pack for you and DD. Suze, I call the ironing and placing tissue paper between everything so it looks nice when they get there

gruezi

gruezi

my qualifications are I was a girl scout for 9 years and a girl scout leader for 6...

I also have a packing "issue." I just enjoy it too, too much. Ask my family for references if you need them.

Hey, suze, maybe we have a business idea here?

hee, hee.

gruezi

bratsandbeer

If you happen to be looking for a lighter weight suitcase check out the following.

http://www.bagsandbaggageusa.com/pag...OD/FPROD/RSK19

Rick Steves has some nice looking lightweight luggage. The 21 inch suitcase looks great. It is cheaper at this website by $20 and you get free shipping.

Think we are leaving about the same time. I am taking my 17 inch expandable suitcase and my healthy bag and what I can't get in there doesn't go with me. Will be gone 24 days.

LoveItaly

Actually our Sacramento Valley Fodorite Janisj does have this type business. She gives lectures all over Northern California regarding packing with only a carryon bag. Personally if I am gone for more then a week I would probably still check a smallish bag and for carryon I like the duffel bag I have that fits under the seat in front of me.

Dawn, are you happy that you are cutting your time in Europe with your daughter short by a week?

suze

I was going to mention that too... JanisJ already has a successful business giving classes to help people pack light.

I prefer to check my suitcase no matter how small it is. Becauyse I have come to absolutely HATE dragging it around airports, keeping track of it at transfers, on and off planes, even before the gel/liquid restriction was put into effect.

My 22" goes thru-checked, and a large tote with anything valuable or needed for emergencies, plus a 1/2 change of clothes comes with me onto the plane.

MomDDTravel

LoveItaly - I am okay with it - It is really only 5 nights difference and I think it was just way too much. I have worked on the details of the trip today and am breathing a little more.

I actually still need to figure out what I am firmly doing Oct 18 - 22 - I have reservations in Venice but am not thrilled with the place - so have looked around a little today.

Suze - don't go tempting me to get you down here. Gruezi - would treasure your help as well. I simply am having a hard time wrapping my arms around this one.

I weighed my bag today and it is about 11 pounds empty. sigh.

Brats I will check out that bag but would SO prefer to not buy any more luggage..more money for this insane trip!

I made sure we had our seats on Airfrance today - and there are plenty of seats left so I booked an asile and a window - praying no one wants to sit in our middle. That will make a world of difference to my dd.

I will start to lay out my stuff after I get back from next weeks camp with dd. I am a counselor of 7 eleven year old girls in the mountains for 5 days. Lord help me now

gruezi

suze,

great minds think alike...

I'm a checker too.

Just don't mind having time to pee and comb my hair on the other end while my bag is "delivered."

g.