I don't use those wheely thingies - they are heavy, awkward to manoeuvre and hard to pack efficiently. I use a very lightweight backpack.

<<Luisah on May 28, 10 at 8:16am
<<It is possible to souvenir shop with only carry on...>>

Sure it is, but I don't want to.>>

Exactly!

<<It is possible to souvenir shop with only carry on...>>

I only carry on and I always have space coming back because I bring gifts for over the family when I go to Italy. So, yes I can shop and bring things back in carry-on.

I love thrift shopping and I found one in Lisbon and some others in Barcelona (Humana), I will dig also in San Sebastian.

I can't compromise on shoes as I will no wear used shoes, but clothes is another story, mostly when I have washer in almost every apartment I'm renting.

I guess I will never master the art of packing. I have a sister in law who always looks fabulous everytime we travel together, or when I saw her travelling pictures. She seems to bring her wardrobe and squeeze it into her suitcases. She will wear different clothes everytime, sometimes with different shoes and bags. She wouldn't forget bout the accessories either.
I don't like the hassle of dragging too many bags so I tried my best to pack light. But for example when I was in Paris and surrounded by beautiful Parisian women, I couldn't help but to think to bring my little black dress and high heels when I had dinner in a nice restaurant. Or when I saw my holiday pics I saw how boring I looked wearing the same clothes (tho with different pair) and always in 'safe' colors : black, brown, white.
I guess we can't get it all.

Lightload towels www.ultralighttowels.com are beach towels that fit very comfortably in a pocket. For packing light and space saving they are unbelievable. They also provide insulation from the cold and rain. I totally recommend.

inspired_traveler,

Since I have 'travel clothes' they become nostalgic. When I look back at our travel pictures I often think, wow I can't believe how long I've had that (fill in the blank) - what a great purchase that was!

I usually look the same (+/- 10 lbs) so it's the backdrops that change. That seems appropriate to me. Old clothes are old friends and I never mind seeing them. It's a shame that you don't feel good about your old pals.

Eleanor Roosevelt said (my favorite quote of all time): "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

A question regarding the oft-repeated suggestion of packing a couple of pair of "slacks" -- I was wondering how useful they'd actually be in the heat of summer in Europe. I've been leaning toward bringing mostly capris due to the heat, and maybe wearing a pair of pants on the plane over. And if we don't anticipate eating out anywhere fancy, how necessary is a dress? Thanks.

beeswing,

Often slacks are cooler than jeans and can be anywhere on the spectrum from casual to dressy. Many people take slightly dressier ones so that they can dress up if/when they want without packing anything extra. I generally don't wear capris because I think they're unflattering on me and I burn. I'd rather cover my skin with lightweight fabric than have it open to the sun.

As for packing a dress, it entirely depends on you and your plans. For many women dresses are comfortable and very cool. For me, I'd only pack a dress if I knew or had a very good idea that I would need to dress up more than black pants. I don't think I've ever packed a dress for travel. I pack a single pair of black pants and know that those are plenty dressy enough for anywhere I'd be going.

<<And if we don't anticipate eating out anywhere fancy, how necessary is a dress?>>

I think dresses, or skirts and light tops, are always cooler than slacks or jeans (I do usually take a pair of ultra-light jeans, though). I don't take them just to get dressed up for dinner or whatnot; I frequently wear dresses and skirts during the day for sightseeing. They have to have pockets, though.

If you like skirts (and I do, unless I'm hiking or something - I think they're cooler than slacks or even capris in the summer), something like this could be a flexible option. It's a long skirt or you can wear it as a bandeau/halter dress. I wore my black one that way to a wedding, with a blue wrap, and it looked great. Just gives you a dressy option that doesn't take up any more space!

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/prod...&p=58665-0-376

I pack a couple of light skirts with my capris. You can wear them to dinner with a nice tee (not with writing) and a little jewelry and sandels and be perfectly fine. Just a note ladies..... unless you know the ladies room facilities of where you're going....slacks and capris are not the easiest when you have a porcelain hole in the ground....skirts come in very handy then. Yes, you find them in Italy. I haven't run into them anywhere else yet.

beeswing~ Yes, I only take capris (& knee length shorts) for Europe in the summer. I would never wear long "slacks" in the heat and I don't like skirts/dresses for myself. For the kinds of places I go, this is a perfectly fine wardrobe.

"slacks and capris are not the easiest when you have a porcelain hole in the ground....skirts come in very handy then."

That's a different topic, but I don't agree with the above statement.

I don't think there is an easy way to use the hole in the floor.

Top tip when using holes....remove mobile phone from pocket ;)

OMG!
How often do you encounter this "Hole in the Floor"???
I thought those were popular only in China, per my ex FIL

The last one I encountered was at the restroom at the Chiavari train station. Nice new tile on the floor...small round hole.

They are common in a number of countries in Europe - France and Turkey spring to mind.

I found a "squatty potty" in Padua at the Cathedral. Solved the problem by holding it until I could find a regular toilet. One of my best travel tips is if you find decent facilities, use them whether or not you think you need to. It could be a really long wait if you don't.