Elfie-<BR>Don't know about Croatia, but I did laundry while I was in Italy and France. That's how I was able to get by w/ the small suitcase for 3 weeks. <BR><BR>I would still recommend a small suitcase, unless you have a porter who'll be carrying your luggage throughout Europe for you.

Yes, Elfie, no matter how long you're gone for, the stuff you take and the size of the suitcase stay the same. Bring enough for a week and wash things.

I would just add to all that are going to use a 22' rollaboard to Europe-be sure to buy some of those small combination locks before you go. They are about $5.00 apiece but well worth having one for each piece of luggage(whether carryon or checked).There are times when people think that there is room in the overheads only to find out at the last minute that they must check their bags at the door-the locks give you piece of mind when handing over your bag.They also help on the train/buses overseas when you must leave the bag at the front of the train car. Have fun!

Last summer, Ryanair was very strict about carryons and checked baggage with respect to weight. And, the dimensions allowed were slightly smaller than on the other international carriers I had checked out. Post 9/11, they became worse. Others may have as well. If you go over, they charge you obscene penalties as yet another way to make up the money they "lose" by charging such cheap fares. Be alert to the rules! (I did find them stricter at the London/Stansted end than leaving Ancona, but don't recommend taking chances if you are on a tight budget.)

Elfie: I think 22" is too small for your bigger piece of luggage if you're going for 6 weeks.

Good post, Abby! I learned a lot.<BR><BR>Do a search on packing - there are tons of great ideas & advice. The bnest I ofund (and used) was the following: <BR>When you're doing your "practice pack" (and really packing) use ziploc bags and dry cleaner bags. Fold your underwear, t-shirts, nighties, socks, etc and flat as you can and put them in a few ziploc bags. Kneel on them and press out the air. You can get a full-length nightgown down to a flat 1/4 inch thick pack. Use dry cleaner bags inside AND between your nicer clothes and they won't wrinkle-honest! Pack half of each of your clotehs in both suitcases in case one gets lost and you'll still have some clothes to wear. Be sure to put in a copy of your itinerary in case your luggage needs to follow you somewhere.

Has anyone flown United lately?<BR><BR>I checked their web site and their<BR>measurements are, pretty much, like the other US airlines.<BR><BR>Does anyone know if they are STRICT with<BR>the carry on's?<BR><BR>thanks

The longer the trip, the more important to control what you lug around. Biggest bag 22 inches, and no more than eight pounds when empty. Second bag can hold 90+% as much as the first bag, but should only weight eight OUNCES empty (nylon duffle - - small-to-medium).<BR>

With the new security regulations, you can only bring on-board ONE carry-on and an item of a 'personal nature' (a purse, a briefcase, a small backpack-purse). Many people with a carry-on and a second small carry-on have been asked to check-in one of those two. Don't assume that you can bring your 22' on baord and another small piece of luggage/bag.

topping<BR>

Those of you who get by with nothing bigger than a 22" piece, do you carry cameras and film? Do you wash your shirts and pants every single night, or are you just not very active or do you just not sweat much? Do you carry medicines? Do you wear coat and sweater and heavy walking boots on the plane? Do you carry extra eyeglasses? Do you carry dicitionaries and a guidebook? I'm trying to imagine how it all fits in.

Boots, dictionaries, guidebooks - nope<BR>Camera, extra glasses - yes<BR>Medicines -- nothing prescription, just a few aspirin, Pepto-Bismol and bandaids.<BR><BR>Washing -- I take enough outer clothes for 3 days, extra sox and undies. I wash them by throwing them in the bottom of the shower and stomping on them as I was myself, then give them an extra rinse, wring them out in my towel after I dry myself. If you don't take heavy cottons, this works out fine.

ttt

I'm packing to go to a friend's house in another state for 5 days, and I'm having a hard time getting everything into one 22x9x14 roll-on. I don't know how you all go away to Europe for weeks, and go hiking and swimming and to concerts and dressy restaurants and take meds and travel info and dictionaries and film and fit it all in a 22" piece of carryon luggage. 'Tis a mystery.

&lt;&lt;I don't know how you all go away to Europe ... and fit it all in a 22" piece of carryon luggage. &gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Note: as posted above...<BR><BR>"Second bag can hold 90+% as much as the first bag, but should only weight eight OUNCES empty (nylon duffle - - small-to-medium)."<BR>

We just got back from 2 weeks and it was not hard having all our stuff in 22 in. bags. Lugging the bags in the tube, up 5 flights of stairs, stuffing them into a small rental car....we were so happy we had traveled light! You will NOT regret it! We washed every couple of days...no big deal! We did have to buy some cold medicine for my daughter...but that was sort of an adventure. (Did you know they put codeine in over the counter medicine in Ireland???) Finally, don't forget the weight! Our bags were the right size but too heavy to carry on. It turned out that checking them wasn't a problem. So it was ok.

Mistified - you are right, you can't design a hiking and a fancy restaurant wardrobe that will fit in the one bag. With one bag (plus a daybag) you can be 'upscale casual' but the Dior gowns are going to have to stay home, and the three Michelin star restaurants may have to do without your business. : - ) Either that, or you decide to be the bloody best dressed hiker that ever was!<BR><BR>You must also choose between space, weight, hassle, and lots of choice; or spending time and money to do regular laundries, and seeing your choices reduced to what shirt and sox you'll wear today. Choose your poison. : - )<BR><BR>

I have a tought situation here: 2 adult with a 4 year old, will take train from venice to florence, then rome. What is your best bet? Please help!!! thank you.

I check my 22" and carry a 17" carryon. If you fly again, while in Europe, I believe some European airlines limit the carry-on to 17 or 18".

My husband and I both have 22' Eagle Creek bags. His is expandable(but refuses to expand it). We have done a two month rail pass with these. I use a backpack as a carry on to save my shoulder. We use launermats along the way. Have always found them. Yes I do get tired of my clothes but manage. This year we will be doing a 2 week Elderhostal in Ireland to start our trip.Will be gone six to eight weeks.I guess the people at the Elderhostal may get tired of me wearing the same clothes but that is their problem. We will be in various climates so that makes it trickier. I recently found some 2 1/2 gallon ziplock bags. tried them out and they really compress. We have cut to the minimum but we both take a lot of rx. meds which can't be eliminated.