Pack as Fodorites pack - light !
 

Honest to goodness I was trying to figure it out on my own. Trust me - I struggled enough ! (I read sites "light packing" - didn't get it).
Just read that for 10 days you only pack 1 22" carryon and I decided to ask if anyone, paleeease, I beg you people, will spend time and give me actual list of clothes that you do take to France on early April for
1 woman and 1 man.
Please, take to consideration that we are meeting people we haven't seen for more then 10 years.

Best regards anf THANK you ALL

Including what you wear onto the plane: 2 pairs of pants, 5 tops, one warm layer, good walking shoes, 1 lighter or dressier pair of shoes, 6 days' worth of undies and socks, perhaps something to sleep in. No appliances.

I don't pack all that lightly. I read that post and couldn't believe that anyone can live out of a 22" suitcase for 10 days! But I tend to be a bit frivolous.

For our 11-day trip to France last year (city, country, beach, mountains, all sorts of climates and a few business appointments), my husband and I took one huge suitcase between the two of us, then we each had a small carry-on and I had a tote.

For this year's "quickie" (five days)trip to Paris in early April, I think we will just take one rolling carry-on each.

I tend to follow the following method when packing:

--One outfit for the coldest temperature/nastiest weather that I'm likely to encounter

--One outfit for the warmest/nicest weather that I'm likely to encounter

--One killer outfit for evening

I consider this the core; then I add separates and accessories that I can mix and match for all other weather and occasions.

It's hard for me to travel with less than two pairs of shoes. Even for this short trip, I'll probably end up taking at least three pairs.

I am stunned !
Anonymous,
if this is correct I can fit 3 people into 1 29".
I have to imagine this ...
No appliances means blow drier and stuff ?
Thanks much

All of this list would EASILY fit in 21 or 22 inch rollie bag and includes what you wear on the plane - and you would have more than 25 different outfits if you choose coordinating colors for everything:

o Wash Cloth
o Toiletries / Make-up (travel sizes)
o Underwear
o Pajamas and/or light robe
o Slippers or slipper socks
o Socks/trouser socks (2 or 3 pair)
o Blazer or jacket
o 1 dress and/or 1 skirt
o Casual slacks or jeans
o Dressier slacks
o 1 or 2 sweaters/sweatshirts
o 3 to 5 tops
o Flat heeled shoes with good soles
o Walking shoes
o Accessories/scarves
o Umbrella
o Raincoat
o Knit cap or warm scarf
o Gloves
o Camera/film/batteries
o Handbag
o Money Belt/pouch
o Hair Dryer / Curling iron
o Adaptor Plug

For a man the list is very similar with these changes:

o Sport coat
o Casual slacks / jeans
o Dressier slacks
o 1 to 3 sweaters/sweatshirts
o 3 or 4 shirts
o Shoes
o Dress shoes
o Neck tie
o Umbrella
o Rain jacket or Poncho/windbreaker
o Hat or Knit cap


Of course there are lots of adaptations/changes you could make, but these lists should get you started.

Agree with Janis. Her list pretty much mirrors mine. We did this for a 2+ week to Europe and intend to do it again in May for our trip to England and Scotland. Because of the possibility of colder weather in Scotland, I plan on packing my silk long underwear bottoms. They take up almost no room in my suitcase. I also pack a small to medium size nylon duffel bag just in case I need the extra space on the return trip.

Here's my list for 2 weeks in March/April, starting in Rome and ending in Paris (it includes what I'll wear on the plane).
The key for me is paring it down to 2 colors that mix/match & never take anything that needs ironing or drycleaning - knits in black and dark gray work very well. And I will be finding a laundry at least once.
I cope with weather with layers - a hat and lined leather gloves make all the difference. A black shawl I carry has been the most all around useful item. It can cover my head for discreet church attire, or I can tie it onto the small backpack I wear (just big enough for a bottle of water and guidebook) if it warms up.
I take a 22" carry on and a very small overnight bag, the size of a small tote, that slips over the handle of the carryon.

1 dressy jacket-black velvet
3 pair long pants
1 long skirt
4-6 shirts
2 sweaters (black mohair, black cardigan)
raincoat - london fog with zipper lining
black pashmini, gray check muffler
umbrella
6+ pr socks, 6+ underwear
2 bras .
2 pr long (lightweight) underwear
blue l/s sleep tee, fleece pants
2 pr gloves
2 soft knitted caps
1 pair lace up shoes- (ecco black suede)
1 pair flats

So really, do you wear the same pair of casual slacks every day? I'd think that, unless washed, they'd be standing on their own by the end of a week.

no you don't wear the same garment every day (top or slacks)

In my list the "dressier" pants are not velvet or anything. Just a solid color in a fabric that would look just as good in the day time or at night.

With one pair of slacks on me on the plane, two in my suitcase, plus a skirt (which I wear almost as often as the slacks) I have 4 "bottoms". Combime them with the 4 to 8 tops and you have a TON of different options . . . . . .

We travel to Europe about once a year and always take nothing more than a 22" roller and a small carryon per person. We usually travel between May and October when it is easier as you don't need heavy coats and layers. However, I went for a week to London on business in December and easily fit everything into a 22" bag. I take (or wear) 3 pairs of jeans or casual slacks, a pair of dressy slacks and a skirt and most of the things suggested by Janis except for the hairdryer. There is usually a hairdryer in our hotel(s). Pack very light - you will thank yourself each day!

If you use the ziploc bags and the larger sweater bags you could easily fit everything in a 26" suitcase. If you have not used these before it's almost like finding religion!
JoeG

I don't get it. Why pack light? It isn't a virtue as far as I know. The airlines are very liberal in their allowance per person and I see no reason not to take advantage of that.

OK, you're all talking about Ziana's original inquiry of 10 days. We're (my husband and me) going for 21 days. Would you increase the size of your luggage? Do laundry more?

Id like to suggest that you choose your wardrobe from one color scheme and then mix and match your pieces so you can dress them up or dress them down with accessories such as scarves, pins, necklaces, belts, etc. Costume jewelry by the way. Bring a very comfortable pair of stylish walking shoes that you can wear with slacks or a skirt. I also pack a pair of heels for a special night out. But, again I keep the colors to one scheme.

You pack light so you can move around without assistance, e.g., get your suitcase onto a train, carry your suitcase up and down a flight of stairs (often necessary to get to the train platform), etc. You are right that if you are going to one hotel and staying for the duration there is no reason to pack light. But if you are moving around there sure is.

I think the most common mistake first-time travelers to Europe make is taking too large and heavy a suitcase. They simply do not realize that they are going to have to carry it a bit and there won't be anyone to help them. I did this on my first trip at the age of 19 (oh so many years ago!) and I promise you people are still doing it today. But of course you only make that mistake once! Still it can make you miserable for a good part of your trip.

Katiebug, I take the same size suitcase for 1 week or 1 month. I think you will find most frequent travelers have come down to that. Yes, you will need to do laundry 1 or 2 times in 3 weeks. It's a good opportunity for some "down" time -- write postcards, catch up on your journal, whatever. I wash many things by hand as needed -- I have some great clothing that will dry overnight and doesn't need ironing.

Hi Ziana,

I just spent 14 days in Spain - returned 3 days ago. I brought a 21" roller, a small backpack, and a smallish purse. I didn't have to check luggage on the way over. This is everything I brought (including what I wore on the plane).

Clothes:

2 pairs of jeans - one blue, one black
1 pair of black slacks
1 pair of khaki-colored pants
5 shirts and 1 t-shirt
1 medium-heavy coat
A pair of boxers and a tank top to sleep in
5 pairs of socks and underwear
1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of black walking shoes

Other:

A small bag of toiletries - no hairdryer
2 cameras - a regular and digital, both pretty small
7 rolls of film
Charger for my digital camera's batteries
An adapter and converter, so I could charge the batteries
A small journal
My Fodor's guide
My folder of information - hotels, airline info, notes, maps, etc.
Money belt
A small cloth bag in case I bought stuff and needed another bag

This stuff easily fit in the 21" roller and the backpack, and my purse fit in the backpack also if I needed it to.

Hope this helps.

Karen

I agree with Marilyn! One week or one month, it doesn't matter. Read Scribbler's and janis' posts and use them as guidelines. Lay it all out, try things on, make sure they mix and match and are comfortable. Leave them out , go back another day. This will get you the right combinations that you will be comfortable in and look and feel the way you want. As Marilyn and others have said, there is no way to keep from schlepping that bag (unless you take one of us to carry it.) Don't forget your wash cloth, if you want one and a small flashlight (also some ziplock bags.) Have a great time. CJ

I purchased the travelpro Crew 4 22' expandable.

Now decisions are what to use for going out during the day.

In Rome we will be out all day. 3 nights in Rome. In Florence we will be there for 4 nights but plan on a day trip or two around tuscany..still not sure where or what maybe Fiesole or Siena.
Venice will be 3 nights. I like to carry the usual things every other woman does. Small amt of makeup, water bottle,map,journal,digital camera.

I don?t see ANY way I could have taken a 22 inch bag for our 6 nights. I had three pairs of dockers, rolled up, 3 sweaters, 2 lightweight sweaters, a couple of turtlenecks, pjs, long john bottoms (which I wish I had worn one night when I got seriously chapped from the Dockers!), nice slacks and top, raincoat, cosmetics, socks and undies for one week, 3 shoes. (The only ones I didn?t wear were the dressy slip-ons.) Everything I packed could go with everything else. My toiletry bag is about 14 x 8 x 4 so takes up a bit of space. If you don?t take one, what do you use to keep all the stuff together? (Contains mostly a small makeup bag, travel size shampoo/conditioner, comb and brush, toothbrush and paste, lotions etc?) *****uh oh, I know, a ziplock bag!**** I fit in a light raincoat in case it was warm and my heavier microfiber coat would be too heavy. (Didn?t need it.) It all fit in a 26 inch duffel. My husband had one as well, although he had a lot of extra room for bringing home the unbreakable things we purchased. (We had thrown in a small canvas bag for bringing home our booty but didn?t end up buying enough to use it.) We each had a small carryon; mine held two small cameras and a fleece I tossed in at the last minute (and didn?t wear), while his had the guidebooks and notes that we brought along. We had room in the carryons to bring home the wine and other breakables we bought (and wrapped in bubblewrap).

Our family of 4 went to Ireland one summer, and all four of us lived out of the same two duffels, but it was easier with shorts and tshirts mostly. Maybe I am traveling at the wrong time of year???

robbiegirl:
Have you seen this recent post?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34477115

allisonm:
Way too many sweaters! Oh course you may bring what you like, but I assume they aren't worn next to your skin, so I would only bring one.

Perhaps I'm ignorant, but if you're on holiday for "10 days" what do you achieve by having such a tiny suitcase? If you are away for perhaps a short weekend, then having such a small case offers you the luxury of time saving by not having to wait for hold baggage to be offloaded.

However, unless you are intending on wearing the same suit, with a change of shirts daily it is pointless to pack this way. For a 10 day trip I'd be taking at least 30 different items to allow a change of clothes two to three times per day. Unless this can be squeezed into a "22" carryon" by some unknown methods, along with 3 toiletry cases, and five or six pairs of shoes, not one person can convince me to change.

I do not know who is carrying your luggage, m-kingdom. Here in States we do it ourselves. Our butlers usualy taking time off while we are on vacation.

All my clothes fit into two large cases, and two handluggages - holdall style. These will fit on any airport trolley, and once through customs my driver will take care of it, then a porter will convey and unpack it in my room so no problem there.

thanks for clarifying this, m-kingdom.

What would I do with my Husband and child's stuff ?

Well, you husband being the gentleman that he is would take care of it. You will have two airport trolleys which will be adequate your family's needs. This way you do not have to make cutbacks, always better to have too much than too little.

All my clothes fit into two large cases, and two handluggages - holdall style X 3 !!!
You got to be single to do this !

I was basing my assumption on your child not having nearly as many clothes as you and your husband.

After twenty years I'm still trying to pack light. It has become a necessity since I no longer care to 'manage' a lot of luggage. You really don't need to take a hair dryer as most places provide them either in the room or at the desk (if you ask). I also prefer the disposal facials cloths since they can be tossed after each use. Most places also provide shampoo/conditioner Look for fabrics that don't wrinkle and are stain resistant and/or can be washed and dried over night. Darker colors are good. Note that Europeans tend to dress for dinner more than Amercians. And remember anything you find you really need and don't have can easily be purchased.

It does not change impossibility if she has 1 bag instead of 2, does it ?

I am printing this out everyone and will be sitting tonight figuring out whther is going to Europe with "only" one suit is even possible and then I might even decide to stay home :(

Have you ever got this pre-trip rush.
I am so bad with packing, so it is seems to me that I am going to just drop everithing and got histerical !

But with your help I will try to get my *** togeather and PACKkhkhkhkh...

Thanx

Holidays are meant to be relaxing, please grow up and/or go to your doctor so they can prescribe you some valium to calm you down.

Ziana,
Go get the ziploc bags now!
JoeG

It isn't always necessary to pack light. How many different places are you staying in 10 days and how do you plan to get around? If you have only 1 or 2 destinations or are traveling by air, there's no need to obsess over the packing issue.

I remember when I was on the train stopped at the Frankfort airport some poor husband hauling 4 (yes 4) huge suitcases (must have been 30" each) onto the train while his perfectly dress wife watched. I was wondering who would haul the suitcases after the husband went into the hospital with a hernia. At least at this train stop you could take an elevator or escaltor instead of trying to haul the suitcases up and down stairs.

elberko, I know I need to improve if we go to Ireland since we will be schlepping bags often. I don't mind taking less clothes since we are never in the same place long. I have the same jacket on in all the photos anyway!

I was glad we packed lite when our plane did not make it to the next airport on time, and we missed the overseas leg. However, the airline got us on a different route within 20 minutes and we arrived at our destination only 1 1/2 hours late, with an extra connection.

We had our two rollerbags and a backpack each - rollers went up in the overhead, backpacks under the seat.
No missing or unattended luggage. Cool.

I remember an old thread asking us how long it would take us to get ready to leave for the airport if someone handed us a ticket to europe. I'll never forget Elvira's answer -- as long as it would take me to go home, pick up my passport and call my catsitter -- or something to that effect:) The point being she would buy anything she needed there:)

I just got back from 3 weeks in SE Asia in a 22" rollaboard. Granted I'm short and the summer clothing that is appropriate for that climate is lighter than winter clothes. I did give in once and have my laundry done -- not at the hotel [who wanted $27 USD], but at a local laundry who asked $1.75 US. But mostly I washed in the sink and hung up to dry. [BTW as a courtesy to housekeeping I try to wash after my room is made up and to have it dry by the time I leave in the morning. If something is a little damp -- that's what those pitiful wall hairdryers are for ;)]

allisonm:

So glad you took my post in the light way it was meant!

The key for me to pack light with a just a carry-on and small additional bag is:

clothes you can easily mix and match (black, grey)
light weight fabrics- no jeans unless you wear them only on the plane
use the bundle or roll method to pack
no applicances
3 pairs of shoes (I am always wearing one pair)

I always bring enough enough underwear and socks for the length of my trip so I don't worry about laundry. These clothing items are small enough I can stuff in without worrying about wrinkling. I also bring enough tops for the number of days I will be traveling. As long as I have 4-5 pairs of pants I am good for 2 weeks. Remember you can wear the same outfit at night a few times because you won't see the same people!

It can be done, try it. You can always buy clothes at your destintion if you feel you need more.

Someone asked WHY you should bother to pack everything into a small (19-22" suitcase). Here are some reasons:

1. Under 22" is considered carry on for most airline (except BA and maybe a few others). If you don't have to check luggage you don't have to
a) worry about the airline loosing it
b) wait for it once you land
which means that you also
c) get through passport control when the lines are shorter, before the hords of people who had to wait for their luggage

2. That size luggage is easy to deal with on public transportation - for example the tube or metro into cental London or Paris. This
a) saves a lot of money
b) saves a lot of time
c) is sometimes necessary even if you are willing to spend the time and money for a taxi (like a rainy monday morning in Paris when NO taxi's were available)

3. Fits overhead or between the seats on trains so you don't have to worry about it being stolen by leaving it in the luggage area at the end of the train.

4. Won't cost an arm and a leg in overage fees if you choose to fly one of the inter-continental airlines like Ryan air, etc

5. Won't break your back if you have to carry it up stairs in your hotel - which greatly expands the hotel possibilities if you don't have to find one with a lift - and many charming, good value hotels in European cities do not have lifts.

In short - it provides you with more time, money and freedom than if you travel with larger bags.