For a normal travelller who stays at an hotel with a lift and porter - the majority certainly have a lift, otherwise they really would not be worth considering; organises a transfer or can easily take a cab what is the point of having to weat the same item of clothing again? When at home one always wears cleanly cleaned and pressed garments so why change when on holiday. I couldn't fit my handluggage into a 22" case let alone the clothes, it is really most impractical. Furthermore why waste the 30kg+ allowance that you are buying in the price of your ticket?

Isabel!!! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO
You made it all VERY clear to me. I thank you wholeheartedly.

M-kingdom.. is your driver busy in october?

"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."

Just an FYI. The airlines are NO longer quite so generous with their luggage allowances. Today while I stood in line in Norfolk VA to change my ticket TWO people were charged overweight fees for international luggage. There was a lot of screaming (Including from those of us stuck behind these people) It was expensive. CHECK THOSE WEBSITES!!!

This topic has got me thinking.

Does anyone know what happens if you've packed a 22" carryon, but didn't weigh it....

(For illustrative purposes imagine that it is over the weight limit - and imagine you're on a European carrier - such as Swiss or Iberia.)

You get to the gate and for some reason, the airline thinks your bag might be too heavy, do they (a) gate check as I think they would in the US on domestic flights or (b) make you go all the way back to ticketing at the front of the airport and check the bag yourself?

Does anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks,
SRS

Gate check. They're (typically though irregularly) interested in enforcing the rules not in sending you to Baggage Check Hell.

To SRS, regarding Swiss Airlines and being overweight:

Last year on a flight from Paris to Zurich, my husband's 21" bag was 5 pounds overweight. We were at the ticket gate when they stopped us. We had just finished a 2 week trip thru France and had acquired lots of guide books. So, he had to stop right there and unpack the heavy stuff into a small duffle to carry on, then check his 21" bag.

I am proud of all of you pack lighters! More power to you. It goes against my genetic makeup to pack light! I probably will be declared the "former Fodorite, known as Judyrem". Oh well, let the good times roll! I am off to London tomorrow SCHLEPPING my 25" bag filled to the brim! :-D Judyrem also known as heavybags ;-)

By the way, the reason for the screaming in Norfolk was that neither of these people had anything to repack into. Their carry on's were small and FULL! so.... they paid... I could not hear the amount.

My suggestion is to go to www.ricksteves.com and read his suggestions. They do work and I can do it. (I don't always since I travel a lot with my mother who could NOT do it no matter what!)

m_kingdom:

I always travel in clean and pressed (well, wait a minute - not necessarily ironed, but at least wrinkle-free) clothing, and I do change my clothes every day (not two or three times a day as you have mentioned - what's up with that? A body odor issue?), and I still find I can easily manage with one 22" suitcase for a trip of one week or four.

I don't have personal drivers. I do stay in hotels with lifts. I don't use porters (show me where they are when you disembark the train at Périgueux, please?), and I have NEVER had anyone unpack for me at a hotel. I think I would freak if I did. But then, I'm not spending the 400 € or whatever it was you said one needed to spend to have a good night's sleep in Paris.

Your travel style is obviously derived from the Grand Tours of the late 19th Century. Modern travelers, unless they have fetishes or are too wealthy for their own good, don't take two large suitcases and two carryons and six pairs of shoes. Heavens! People travel around the world for a year with less than that.

Your packing advice is unfortunately virtually useless for anyone visiting this board. We all know better, even those who tend to overpack.

In my few months of posting to this board, I have yet to understand why anyone takes the bait of m kingdom.

In reading M-Kingdom's last post, one is inclined to believe that the extra luggage room is merely to bring back some extra bottles of wine! (wink, said with a smile and only kidding around).

Fortunately, not everyone packs light and tries to bring all of their belongings on board for a three week trip. There are very few planes that could actually accommodate every passenger on board bringing a 22" carryon. The last passengers in coach wouldn't have a chance to stow their bags. The size of the crap that people bring on board and somehow get away with is amazing. I've seen two people throw enough baggage in an overhead that was meant for two rows of three. Keep that in mind.

Bill

St. Cirq, don't ya get the feeling that m kingdom is pulling our collective leg?

Packing ideas depend on : time of year, having a car or not, will you be with a group of people, seeing friends or relatives etc., do you go to dress up places etc.
My husband and I usually travel in late Fall or early Spring when it is cool, just the two of us,we rent a car,stay in 3 star hotels usually or nice B&B's, move every day or two, and while we don't eat at extrememly fancy restaurants..we do eat well in mid to upper restaurants sometimes.. Black slacks have always done me well,(even at the opera in Vienna in Nov.) along with a dark jacket(or lightweight black raincoat).
I take 3 black stylish polyster pants, black (or beige cartigan) with bright knit shirts under , OR long sleeved comfortable , nice looking knit tops. 2 pairs black walking shoes....etc
One of the fun parts of traveling is finding a laundrymat in the middle of a two week trip....experience visiting with local people or other travelers. Takes a couple of hours at the most and sometimes there is a big supermarket closeby to experience that!
A little nylon bag , 4x6 inches folded, and put in the suitcase will expand to a fairly large bag on the return and can hold all the dirty clothes, leaving room in the suitcase for minimal purchases.
One can only wear "one outfit at a time", and though I occasionally get tired of myself in the same things...I am always clean and, hey, when traveling why not make it easy and concentrate on the travel part?
Having said this, we usually each take a 24 or (26") suitcase...leaving them in the car at night and only carrying a small little duffle bag into the hotel with toilteries and change of clothes.
The two times we WERE with a group in one location for two weeks, I of course took more variety of colors and various changes of clothes.Well, everyone is different, but I always enjoy hints and reading how others do.

May I presume that we all like to explore, by foot the places where we are travelling to? Let's suppose I can, after a few hours sightseeing, walking around the shops, etc. one's clothes become creased and tired looking, and are as such completely unsuitable for wear again unless they are pressed. However, it is terribly dull to be seen in the same thing day in, day out so change a couple of times a day to avoid this.

I think nudist resorts would suit lots of our travellers here, they'd never have to worry about what to wear.

I think match.com will suit m_kingdom !If he disrespects "travelers here" so much why bother to be here ?
(just fell like my collective leg was pulled again)

Well.... maybe one of us could get a job as M_kingdom's porter. We could pack light. We could just wear her excess.... It's not like anyone who has that much stuff will notice.

However, I think this woman is a figment of her own imagination! She is not even a realistic traveler when you look at how the truly rich travel.

What makes you think M-Kingdom is a woman?????

Well done Ziana, a very interesting post with passion of both sides. My packing is very similar to Scribbler's except I bring old underwear that I throw out each day (Vacation time is always time to buy new underwear, I just leave the new ones home.)and I don't bring the longjohns. I also include a small bottle of Woolite to do a small hand wash. I love the freedom of not having to lug heavy bags. 1 22" and a carry one (for all my meds etc) is plenty for a week or a couple of weeks. Actually I find I pack the same for a long weekend as I do for two weeks. Different tops and a few scarfs can make an outfit look differently. For my husband, two pairs of pants are sufficient. The one he wears on the plane and an extra one. Tops, a sweater and a brazer that he wears on the plane. I also save any of his boxer shorts that are looking a bit frayed to use a throw aways. M kingdom can't be real. I have not seen anyone travelling with that much stuff since the Titantic days.

I always think I travel relatively light seeing people with hundreds of cases and trunks in the lobbys of the various hotels i stay at.

You probably do "travel light"..most people who loiter in hotel lobbies where they aren't actually staying do so!

precious pretensious prat!


Oh my, I thought this was the "three word answer storyline"...

JonJon, I was thinking the same thing you were. M_Kingdom has always seemed to have a male tone to his posts, but won't confirm if he/she is male or female.

i'm next... where are the rocks?

whether or not you like what s/he writes, m_k has spiced things up around here. and things have gotten pretty bland.

Is packing light a Fodorite tradition or something? As a newbie here I'm not aware of the history. For those who are taking public transport and staying in hotels without elevators, sure, travel light. Otherwise, I see no reason to.

CarolA -- good suggestion about checking with your airline. I just checked with the one I'm booked with for my July trip and they allow PER PERSON: 2 checked bags, each bag no more than 50 pounds plus 1 carry-on plus 1 personal item such as purse or personal computer. So, this airline, at least is still pretty liberal, since that means for 2 people we can have about 300 pounds of luggage -- which is more than even I take.

For a trip of 10 days or more, my wife and I usually travel with a couple of 26-27" suitcases and a carry-on bag. I don't find it especially difficult to handle a couple of suitcases of this size--especially since they have wheels. I guess when I get much older and more feeble it might be a problem, but it hasn't been an issue for the 30+ years we've been traveling together.

I bring pretty much what the other light packers bring with them. Also, I include a bathing suit and instead of long underwear, I pack leggings. Both of these items do double duty:
If I want to do yoga or make use of a gym I can wear the bathing suit and leggings. For hiking the bathing suit is useful under my clothes. Leggings are great to wear under clothes if the weather is cold. Of course I'm always ready for a swim if a pool is available.
I take only clothes that dry overnight and I test them first. I love the idea of the Ziplock Washer!
I found a great little duffle bag that folds down to a size that accomodates my husbands shaving gear and at the end of our trip expands to carry home the goodies.
This year I got a great little Timex analog watch that is waterproof and has an alarm. I can leave my travel alarm clock at home. (I just don't trust wake up calls.) The alarm flashes and beeps so it really woke me up.

I missed the ziplock washer...where is that post..??
M-kingdom..what is the ziploc washer?

Robbiegirl, do a search for "critical packing accessories."

Robbiegirl,
I should have made an effort to be clearer. What I called a "Ziplock Washer", is using a zip lock bag to do the hand laundry. It's a simple and very clever. I'll never do my hand laundry without a ziplock bag at home or on the road.

Somehow, not much has changed here in the last couple of years. Everybody thinks THEIR way is the BEST way.

I like to travel light. I have done it both ways, thinking I had to have everything in my closet plus shoes to match each outfit. As I have aged, I delight in finding ways to "de-clutter" my life including the way I travel. I pack fabrics that are easily handwashed, can dry overnight and resist wrinkling.

For parts of our upcoming trip, we will be driving so the amount of luggage we carry is really only limited by the space in our trunk. However, the last leg of our trip will be spent in London and in order to be able to splurge a little on our hotel, we will be taking the tube into Victoria Station and the Gatwick Express back to Gatwick for our trip home. Packing light will enable us to do this more comfortably as noted by others above.

If you are physically able to lift those heavy suitcases when necessary, go for it. We each have our own travel style and it's doubtful anybody can convince you to change unless you want to.

For my 8 day solo rail trip to Great Britain this past Late January this is what I took and why. I knew that I would have to haul my bag as I was constantly getting on and off trains and doing a bit of walking with my bag. Also being 64 years of age I didn't want to tote a large, heavy load. So, first I only take travel sized toiletries that fit in a ziplock sandwich bag. For the rest, two pants, 8 pair of socks, 8 shorts, three tee shirts, two polo shirts, roll up slippers. I wore my only sweater and shoes and jacket on the plane. All of this in a gym bag weighing 13 pounds total. I did hand wash two tee shirts along the way.

my daughter and I will be traveling to Italy in April and plan on carry on luggage only. I am taking black/brown pant and jeans, two twinsets (green/cream) a long and short sleeve tee, undies. I will wear jeans/jumper and jacket on plane. 2 pairs of shoes both rockport (one brown one black). If I get sick of anything then it can go in the local St Vinnie's and buy new Italian fashion ahead of when it arrives here. Most times you don't use half the stuff you take. The only appliance will be my mobile phone and charger both tiny.

Woodsie - tell me more about the mobile phone you are taking with you to Italy. Is it one of those international cell phones? Have you used it in Europe before? I have been wondering about the feasability of one as I will be in France for two months this summer. Would like to hear some first hand accounts. Thanks.

Thanks for keeping it alive.
I am reading and had already put boxes out (as was suggested) which I am trying to fill with stuff which I need right after I placed it in box and closed it :)

I am looking for the converter to charge my cell phone but found HUGE one for $30.00. I saw one for $10.00 - now I am confused, stuff knows nothing about it usually (Circut City, Sally Beauty)

I have 25 days to live ... until departure though, will I make it ?

M_K

"cleanly cleaned"

What does this mean? As you berate others for bad English, I think you should at least make sure your posts make sense.

cleanly cleaned? Is this like when I "dethaw" meat for dinner?

Comment and Question.
I'm with the light packer contingent because I don't like to lug heavy stuff. However, I'll be checking our 22 inch bags so that I can carry nail scissors and other "lethal weapons" that won't make it through security for hand luggage.
Question: Have you used the bags that you roll and squeeze out the air? Look like they'd save a lot of space but you'd wind up with VERY wrinkled clothing.

Vera

Te vacuum bags do work but the problem is most folks use them to carm a lot of extra stuf into their small suitcase and it ends up weighing just as much as a larger bag.

The way I use the bags is only for 1) any fluffy or thick sweaters or down vest/jacket I might take. This really saves space and doesn't add much if any weight; and 2) I sometimes take one empty and use it for dirty clothing on the way home.

Maybe it's generational thing. When I was a teen (back in the Dark Ages) I would take one whole bag just for shoes... Now I just don't have the patience for all that schlepping and packing and unpacking, so try to travel lighter every time. I'm getting better at it.

My one really bad experience with too much luggage was when my daughter went to England for her junior year. She went in early summer to work before Uni started, so only took summer stuff. I planned to go over to York for a long weekend, and take her winter stuff and books with me. Packed them into two HEAVY suitcases on clunky wheels (pre-Wheely bag days). When I collected the bags from the carousel at Heathrow, I discovered the wheels on one suitcase were broken in transit (the book bag, natch -- LOL!) I took the Airbus to Euston, planning to get a taxi to Kings Cross to catch the train. It's rush hour and raining when I get there, so not a taxi to be found. Anywhere. I start to walk, carrying the bags... Egads, what a nightmare! At last, a kind gent took pity on me and offered his help (I was about ready to sit on the curb and cry). He was a Russian visiting prof walking to the station, but I think I would have given him that bag even if he looked like he might, um, keep it! I still think of and appreciate his kindness.

(And I think m_kingdom is a guy.)