travelgourmet

<I>I've found that depends. Most allow a computer bag as well as carry-on. Most also allow a quite large women's handbag as well as the carry-on</I>

Well, I find enforcement sporadic, but the 10kg weight of the main carry-on is above the weight limit on every European Star Alliance carrier. The total weight of the 2 bags also exceeds the total weight allowance on Air France and KLM. I am pretty sure it is not compliant with the rules of any LCC. As far as I can tell, the baggage noted above would meet the letter of the rules only on BA.

Again, enforcement is sporadic, but it can happen. I suspect that, with a few exceptions (SAS, from their hubs, for example), you will usually be able to carry on your stuff without a problem, but one should be aware of the risk, as you are outside the rules.

suze

GLG~ Why do you need "3 pair of PJs"?

avalon

Though my suitcases are carryon size, I always have checked them then I don't have to lug them down the airway and aisles and hold people up while I struggle to get them into an overhead , which may or may not be near my seat. I've not ever had to wait too long i baggage claim, the main holdup seems to be deplaning while everyone struggles up and down the aisles looking for their bags!

GypsyGurl

GLG and all,
Thank you so very much!! I am definitely using the tip about leaving my nice jewelry at home. In fact my daughter and I made a run to our local thrift store to pick up some "vintage" jewelry that is fun, cheap but will accent our outfits nicely.
I have never worn leggings, but it seems that all the posters on this board suggest wearing them with sweaters or long shirts so I am going to try them out, see if I am comfortable in them and who knows, I may even get a new look going!
One nice thing, that I just realized, is that my daughter and I wear the same size clothes. So, she and I can share our clothes while on the trip. Although it might be embarassing to her to see her middle aged mother wearing a Grateful Dead or Hootie and the Blowfish t-shirt in public!
GG

GreenDragon

Avalon, my main delay has been that the airlines have lost my luggage in 5 of my last 10 trips. I won't let them have that chance again!

avalon

You must have the worst luck of all , greendragon. In over 40 trips to Europe and numerous US trips I have never had luggage lost or delaydQ KNOCKING WOOD

Christina

I really would not suggest a middle-aged woman wear leggings out in public if that is your sole clothing on your bottom half.

GreenDragon

I guess I do - our last trip to Scotland, there were 6 of us. Three of us had delayed bags, my dad, me and my friend Kim. Dad got his in one day, Kim had to go to the airport and get hers day 3, I finally got mine day 5 after much calling and harassing.

aussiedreamer

• I have a confession, I couldn't do 'just' carry on, but this is the trip that I WILL PACK LIGHT!!!!! & this is very helpful. The lighter I pack the more 'stuff' I can bring home for DD currently living in London, but coming home in a few months.

Jeans are a must for me & its amazing how many times you can wear them before its 'just wrong' Books are an issue, but I can't 'rip' them apart. Scarves are the best, I bought quite a few (okay 12) on our last trip. Great souvenirs & lovely gifts. I also buy a local t/towel again souvenir and very handy. I always buy my shampoo/conditioner on arrival and just leave whats left. My eeepc netbook was my best purchase, fits in my handbag.

Not sure if it will help anyone but I hang my clothes on my large ironing rack a week or so before I pack (I did this yesterday) and everytime I pass it I can 'cull' things. I find it easy to see whats there and what I can put with what. Although this can work in reverse i.e. adding more.

Thanks for the great tips, I WILL PACK LIGHT!!!!

socaltraveler

>>I really would not suggest a middle-aged woman wear leggings out in public if that is your sole clothing on your bottom half<<

Definitely going to agree with this, no matter how long your top is - leggings are not pants. And I would say the same for tee shirts printed with any slogans, bands, etc, unless you are 16.

I don't use packing cubes but I do use large (2 gallon) ziplock bags, for the same purpose of separating items and getting rid of air dead space.

HappyTrvlr

I agree about the leggings plus they will be too warm for Italy in October.

StCirq

GLG - whatever would you need FOUR pairs of jeans for? Actually, I travel with less than half of what you listed.

As for leggings, I love them and do wear them with knee-length long-sleeved tops in the fall. I don't see that it's much different from wearing tights and a knee-length dress, which I also like to wear.

As for jeans, I do like to have a pair when I travel, but mine are literally almost featherweight-light and have some stretch. I don't typically wash them, but if I did they would dry out just as fast as any other pants I'd bring.

ekc

I wore a pair of leggings under a knee-length skirt and a knee-length dress all over Italy last October and was very comfortable - much more comfortable and better looking than bare legs!

abenedek

<<Well, I find enforcement sporadic, but the 10kg weight of the main carry-on is above the weight limit on every European Star Alliance carrier.>>

Not true, the weight limit for "hand luggage" on Lufthansa (a Star Alliance Carrier) is only 8 kg, so be careful and check with your carrier specifically.

However, I'm quite thankful that Lufthansa allows 2 carry-ons (plus a hand bag or laptop bag) for business and 1st class, since I will be attempting to go carry on only for the 1st time next month

Thanks to all for the great packing tips!

travelgourmet

<I><<Well, I find enforcement sporadic, but the 10kg weight of the main carry-on is above the weight limit on every European Star Alliance carrier.>>

Not true, the weight limit for "hand luggage" on Lufthansa (a Star Alliance Carrier) is only 8 kg, so be careful and check with your carrier specifically.</I>

I think you need to reread what you quoted. We actually agree that the carry-on is heavier than the Lufthansa limit. Checking with your carrier specifically is always a good idea, but in this case, it doesn't change the answer.

abenedek

You're absolutely right. I read it to say that 10kg was the weight limit, not above it. Thanks for the clarification

nfmasek

For the type of camera...unless you are planning on doing exceptional photography, you can get very good results with small (not an slr) camera about the size of cell phone. We use a waterproof Fuji that is waterproof to about 2 ft...maybe more I forget. But what is really nice, is if it rains you can still take pictures outside in the rain, and not worry about how delicate most digitals are. Also, if you drop it in a fountain, it wont be ruined. Please remember to wipe it off and dry it per manufacturers suggestions. And attach it's "leash" and put it around your hand. You dont want it hitting the pavement all he time. (there is no neck strap) It has a closeup feature that, on its sreen at least, is closer than my dslr's closeup lens. It has tons of settings about 1/4 that I know pretty well...
It does a lot, its small and water wont wreck it.

GypsyGurl

Thank you nfmasek,
We have a very good Cannon camera that is waterproof and shockproof. It also has a very good camcorder feature. We took it with us to Hawaii and came back with some awesome shots. I just thought since this was our first overseas trip it would be nice to get a "better" camera but I think instead of putting out a huge amount of money on a professional camera I will just purcahse another Cannon as well as some extra memory so both my daughter and myself can take tons of pictures.
Thanks so much for your help!
GG

GoodLuckGirl

My recommendation for 4 pairs of jeans is for Gypsy Girl's trip of 3 weeks duration. One pair for the flight,along with a top, jacket, and pashmina. The rest for the remainder of the trip. And, again, 3 pairs of PJ's for the 3 week trip. StCirq, we are talking 21 days!! I do adjust my clothing for the length of each trip. And layering is the answer with unpredictable weather. I bring old PJ's and discard them as I travel from city to city. The same thing can apply for my tops. An ancient Italian (which I am) tradition/superstition is to leave some personal belonging behind to guarantee a return to that city. Similiar to the Trevi Fountain coin toss.
And, leggings with boots and a mid-thigh sweater or jacket is a nice look. And, what do you consider "middle age"? And weight? Neatness and cleanliness goes a long way.

GypsyGurl

Goodluckgirl,
Thank you for all the tips, especially the one about leaving your old p.j's behind as you travel! My mother-in-law packed old undergarments for her trip to Scotland and just threw them away as she traveled from place to place. We all laughed at this, but after reading your post it actually makes since to just pack old undergarments, toss them as I go along so I won't need to wash them out each evening. I would much rather use that time to stroll along the streets, drink wine or just sit at an outdoor cafe. Also, middle-aged is 50ish, with a nice shape so I could pull off leggings, it's just that I am a flannel shirt, boots and jeans type girl. But I am going to try the leggings just to see if they are comfy.
GG
GG