Forgot to mention -- on our last trip DH and I checked 2 smallish bags, and carried on one shared 22" wheely with stuff we HAD to have on arrival (just in case checked bags went astray).

We flew BA out of Boston, and they weighed the carry-on at the check-in desk. It weighed 18 lbs, so was over the 6KG/13 lb limit for those in the cheap seats. But since DH and I were sharing the bag, she allowed it.

So size does matter for carry-ons, but if you're flying BA so does weight. And they are checking, even if the flight is not full...

Could M_kingdom be some middle to older aged man in middle america who wants to get a rise out of people? You like to talk a lot "smack" don't you?

m_kingdom seems to be English who seems to dislike all Americans (gathering from his other posts). He picks on people's English, their language, their travel styles etc. In short he just seems like someone who might need 1) a prescription of Viagra and 2)a real hobby 3)A lesson in world history

People really are too hasty in assuming I'm a man, are they not?

I find it curious you prescribe "A lesson in world history". American did not rule the world, if that was your implication. Furthermore, I do not see how "A lesson in world history" solve people's pseudo-hat and fashion crises.

Dear m_kingdom - and you make a hasty assumption that every poster here is 'American'.

Secondly - from your abundant spelling mistakes and erroneous sentence constructions I have to tell you - you are no authority on the language. Some of the British colonies speak and write better English than the English!

So stop being mean, stop picking on people even if their questions are silly.

I'm afraid I don't do insincere, if I see someone asking a "silly" question, I'll make sure they are aware of it. Sorry to disappoint, but my service isn't American "Have a nice day", as I'm sure you are all aware by now.

If your service is not as sincere as the American 'Have a nice day', it doesnt necessarily have to be English in your face 'Bollocks to you' either, does it?

chicalina, He's a pathetic dysfunctional old man probably with a drinking problem. Here's the advice he just offered someone who had the audacity to pose a question about hats:

" It's a tiny item to pack, there's no issue here, once again i ask you to crawl out of whatever orifice you have managed to get your head firmly stuck up."

He gets off on being as mean as possible. Do your best to ignore the old windbag.

The irony you have just been the creator of.....

dear crepes a go go, I will be taking my own normal mobile phone which is a sony ericson tri-band they work all over the world. I recently used it in Canada and my husband regularly uses his in Europe and Indonesia. I will be back home at the end of April so will let you know if there are any problems

I think that MK is a women and whilst he/she (shim) may be English...I don't feel from the responses that shim posts that they are as "upper class" as they would wish to appear.
Good breeding is evident is so many ways...one of them is being a gracious poster.

If you want to get through the airport smoothly and/or take the train to town ( i.e. Gatwick Express) it pays to travel light. On our first time to Europe in many years, we overpacked; we didn't wear 1/3 of what we brought. On subsequent trips we each only take one 26" case and a small carry-on. Remember, whatever you carry on, you have to carry through the airport--usually to the farthest gate! (Who gets to leave from the close gates??? It's never me!) Once you lug the stuff through airports and especially train stations, you'll be glad you packed light. There are always laundry facilities either in the neighborhood or in the hotel. Also when we are staying more than one week in the same place I take few toiletries--I just go to the local druggist or grocery store and buy small sizes of what I need. It saves on packing and on the chance of something leaking in the suitcase.

My husband and I did manage to pack light last year, only carrying one 22 in. carry-on and a personal bag each -- he had a shoulder bag, and I carried a light weight back pack. I put my purse inside the back pack, and didn't carry much else inside it. That way, I had room for souvenirs. It was very nice not to have to look for our luggage, and much easier to manage just one suitcase in the airport, and we didn't have to worry about our luggage arriving separately from us. That said, it wasn't easy to do, but well worth the effort.

Sandy

Re Huebie:

Pack toiletries in a handluggage, why on earth would you put them next to your clothes? Pack prescription/blister pack drugs in one toiletry case; makeup compacts, "pencils", brushes, foundation bottles, and mirrors in another; everyday creams and ointements in yet another one; hair brushes, combs, and products in one more, maybe bring some conditioner/shampoo - whilst every property I stay at offers "designer" toiletries, I always prefer to use my usual brand of shampoo/conditioner.

Always take trolley cases, I gave up on the other styles years ago, these can be easily wheeled along, from the baggage carousel to your driver standing outside the security zone.

If you don't wear a third of your clothes, so what? At home, you don't wear your entire summer wardrobe in the summer, so why should holiday be any different? It's much better to be offered three outfits to choose your "night and day" ones from than just having two which offer no flexability. The only thing I would say it is silly taking lots of is swimwear, a couple of costumes per week will always suffice.

I may be a Fodorite, but I don't pack light! Never have, probably never will. However, I still manage to heave my luggage around, without grace or style, but I get it done.
Even if my suitcase starts out fairly light, I'm sure to fill it up with purchases. And it's easier for me to maneuver one behemoth of a suitcase that holds everything than a small one and some shopping bags.
Of course, I suffer for it. The worst was in May 2002, when I was visiting my parents in Florida. I did so much shopping for stuff to take back to Europe that I needed to borrow a small second suitcase to go with my large suitcase and carryon. It was going to be a struggle but I figured I'd manage ok. However, two days before the return voyage, I tripped over the cat, did a header into the table, fell and broke my middle finger. You really need all your fingers to carry heavy luggage! Somehow I was able to wrestle all that luggage through Orlando and Paris airports, the CDG shuttle bus, and the Thalys.
I should pack lighter, but I don't.

I stumbled on your discussion by accident & must admit that packing is always difficult for me. My challenge on my forthcoming trip to France,Spain,Italy & Greece between April 23-June 2 will be quite a challenge because I also have to pack an evening dress for a black tie ball in Venice. I'm attending a conference & it's important to seriously network with colleagues from around the globe.
It certainly will be hard to pack just 3 shoes!! This is my first trip to europe. Can you help?! I'm a casual but smart dresser. Lucy from Australia.

Dear ozzietex, could you take a short black dress? I have a Trent Nathan one, you can then wear a jumper over it or shirt under it to casualize it, dress it up with a pashima

I'm the wrong person to ask for fashion tips, but in your case, Lucy, I would suggest you start by packing what you consider the perfect outfit, and think about how you will press it, have multiple pairs of hose in case you get a run, figure out where you will get your shoes shined, etc. Once you figure that out, pack the minimum for other purposes.

Given my tendency to spill stuff, I wouldn't use the outfit at all before the big event. I'd actually be tempted to pack 2 such outfits in case of a disaster, but maybe you could have a shopping expedition in mind should that happen.

I'm curious, all of you who carry your luggage on the plane for a one or two week trip, do you not shave your underarm or legs? Since you can no longer carry any kind of razors on the plane, do you just come back hairy? Or do you go and spend valuable vacation time looking for a store to buy razors at your destination?

I am seriously asking this question, please do answer my question.

Thank you

M_Kingdom,

>>'m afraid I don't do insincere, if I see someone asking a "silly" question, I'll make sure they are aware of it. Sorry to disappoint, but my service isn't American "Have a nice day", as I'm sure you are all aware by now.<<

By any chance, do you have a relative in New York City? Or perhaps you both met in the same "charm" school?