Thanks for all the ideas...it has been a real challenge, to say the least! But it IS kind of fun in a way to see how little is truly essential. But in the past week or so I've asked myself more than once, "Why am I doing this???" I am amazed, however, by how much can fit into that one tiny, Eagle Creek bag...it IS a really nice bag! Should be, for $200, right?!

We leave today and I am still trying to decide what clothes will make the final cut!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...BB8D42TFMJT12N

eks - I haven't read this thread yet, but just want to wish you a safe, fantastic trip! I look forward to your TR. Eat well!!

Just a heads up that at SFO last weekend (United's area) they were pretty fussy about dept of the bag. I have the Rick Steves 22' which went through fine but wouldn't have if I'd packed it as full as usual.

Dept --> depth

hi...wanted to add my recent 10 day trip experience if any help/future searches on this topic.

This is not mean to scare anyone, but on my recent trip, Alitalia lost a travel buddy's checked bag for reasons unknown it did not make it with her to the final destination of Rome, with 1 U.S. connection. She was at the airport super early. As we know, any airline can lose a bag, but what a mess it all was. The customer service number re:the lost bag was a nightmare involving repeated calls, hangups, on hold "musak" and "no english speaking reps working". (luckily our italian speaking hotelier was willing to call Alitalia repeatedly and the bag finally showed up 4 days into the trip....) ** see below, "clear customs form". She ended up being compensated in some way, not sure of the details there, and luckily kept calm and did not let this ruin the trip. Great attitude of course helps.

For me, I had decided long ago to make carry on a goal for this trip. Yes! you got it, accessories help you like your minimal outfits :) I purchased the eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel from walmart online. It is very roomy, so carried it on, with one other small personal item (leather bag with straps) and packed a folding bag inside the motherlode that I used for items purchased on the trip and also for items I wore, that I was not reusing/washing in the sink. My only challenge with the motherlode bag was with a larger foot (size 9.5 womens) i could only jam 3 pairs of walkling shoes in that bag. (as it turned out during a sept. trip and hot weather, I ended up wearing (thick) flip flops for the entire trip, b/c they were most comfortable for me personally.) The flight was full, but overheads had a lot of room left in them. Humorously so, my travel companions packed awfully, and I ended up schlepping some of their bags around! Go figure...

For my trip home, I did check 1 bag, and carried 2 smaller bags on. My future planning for next trip: Know and carry with me lost baggage process of whichever future airline I use. i.e. My travel buddy's experience involved having to fax a clear customs form so her bag could be cleared through customs without her there.... something I have learned this trip from her experience. And something they did not even tell her or the hotelier in many of the repeated calls to "customer service". I will also research a light wheeled carry on or fold up wheely thing. (On the trip home, I got to the airport early, and it got heavy lugging 2 small bags around, while shopping in the airport).

Have a wonderful trip!

just been trying to find a carry-on case [55 x 40 x 20 cms] that fulfills ryanair's requirements for our trip this weekend. DH, bless him, has now brought home TWO cases that are probably too big - one was a wapping 25 cms, the latest one is 21-22cms.

the problem dimension is the depth - the wheels stick out a bit beyond the case. I had this problem when we went with Easyjet to Barcelona last year from Bristol - they made me stick it in the hold and charged 2 x the normal checked baggage fee. on the way back they couldn't care less about the size of the case but were paranoid about passengers having only one carry-on item including cameras, sandwich bags, etc.

should i risk it? it is REALLY difficult to find a bag which is only 20 cms deep!

Just wanted to report back that I am home after a week in Italy armed only with the one, new carry-on 20" Eagle Creek bag, plus the Kipling backpack. It was supremely easy, although I am not sure how well this would have worked in winter if we were toting heavy clothing. I was a bit circumspect about purchasing things, but did manage to take home several bags of dried pasta and lots of cheese, in the carry-ons.

I never thought it would work and I have fresh resolve to edit further for the next trip. There were several items of clothing that never made it out of the suitcase! I certainly wore a smug look when I breezed through customs, past the crowds that were nervously awaiting their checked luggage around the baggage carousels at JFK last night!

YEAHH!!! Great job. Didn't you feel free?? I love having another convert.

And - as to the winter packing, layers are the key. Go classic. You'll be wearing your primary warm item, which for me is a beautiful suede swing coat, so you don't have to pack that. A couple of pairs of slacks (wear your heavy wool or double stitch pants) a few long sweaters and two or three plush turtlenecks should do it. Toss in a pair of low-heeled black leather boots and black leather shoes and you are done. Wear your black suede Merrell clogs on the plane.

Gray and black are very "in" right now, so that makes winter packing a breeze! Mix and match.

Pack Light!

"...several items that never made it out of the suitcasy..." ?!?!

Well, then you could have gone for an even SMALLER bag (at least in the summer...)

Eks..glad to hear about your carry-on only success. You're right, one of the best parts is passing through customs, and immigration ahead of the rest of the passengers.

Congratulations! It's a very liberating way to travel, I think. Just back from another 2-week trip with carry-on only, and know well that small smug smile, breezing through customs and out the door as most other passengers gather around the luggage carousel. And I agree with mom23rugrats: winter packing is just as simple and successful.

Welcome home eks - looking forward to you TR!

Just back from Italy with carry-on only; had to cut my trip short 6 days for family emergency so was gone 10 total, but am sure I would have lasted the full time.

I used 22' Rick Steves rollerbag; Eagle Creek envelope folder for clothes, a mesh rectangular bag for underwear, mesh bags for electrical accoutrements and personal care implements, and the plastic bags for medical and liquids.

What I wore the most were washable black Talbot slacks and white, black, and gray long sleeved JJill shirts; also wore a couple of short sleeve shirts and a Pucci long sleeved shirt.

This trip I wore closed shoes (Paul Green slip on sporty walkers) mostly vs. the sandals, due to weather/time of year.

I had brought a Bagallini fold up bag for shopping but didn't get time to shop, so gave it to a fellow traveler in our group and just carried home the one bag. I did pick up herb blends at FCO gourmet shop for gifts and stuffed them into the bag's corners and my tote bag.

Regarding winter clothing-- I don't travel much in winter but a lady in the party I met up with in Italy had a lovely compact black quilted jacket (small square quilting not the big puffy jackets) and Coach light weight boots. I can easily see wearing those on the plane and still being able to carry on most items including rain slicker if needed.

Thanks, CPG! I loved Puglia and will get around to a short report soon.

Ann:
The black quilted jacket is a great idea for winter, since it is light and you could wear it and also use it as a pillow on the plane!