Man, I hope I never sit next to some of you folks on the flight back home! Three shirts and 3 pairs of socks for 10 days? P.U. And why the need to travel with a carry-on? Checking your bags might cost you 15 more minutes of waiting when you land. In the meantime, how many hours are you losing when you (hopefully) go to launder your stinky wardrobe.

I take as big a suitcase as I can so that I can later stock up on groceries to bring back. If I start running out of room, I begin tossing my ratty underwear, shirts and/or socks. When I pack I take a little less than 1 shirt for every day. Usually I'll buy a t-shirt or golf shirt somewhere on the trip. Last trip I bought all new underwear and only unwrapped it when I got to Europe. (I have to admit it was a little stiff and uncomfortable) And since I have no hair, the only appliance I take is my battery charger for my digital camera and CD player.

As a long-time light-weight packer, I am THRILLED with my new 24" rolling suitcase. I always used a 22" (or smaller!) before that this extra room packing in the new one is heaven. The 24" includes an expandable zippered top for the trip home, if needed.

For 1st timers proudly packing a 22", be warned that many airlines now go by the WEIGHT of carry-on luggage not just size. So that ziplocked stuffed 22" may be required to be checked.

<i>&quot;Man, I hope I never sit next to some of you folks on the flight back home! Three shirts and 3 pairs of socks for 10 days? P.U.&quot;</i>

<b>LOL!!!</b>

After all of this wonderful advice I am trying to convince myself to try the 3 pants a week trip. My main reason for doing this is the train ride from Rome to Florence and the Venice. How difficult will a full size suitcase be to get on a train (1st class)? I guess it's about a 26 inch one.

You'll have to step up about a foot, and then negotiate about six steps in all, if I recall correctly. That's in addition to getting the suitcase along the platform, and possibly a few steps into the station. If you don't mind leaving your luggage at the front of the car, you should be able to do that if there is space. Otherwise, you'd probably want to lift it over your head and put it in the overhead.

You can test all of these steps at home, most likely, to see how comfortable that is.

This is information as of two weeks ago, but I might not have a perfect recollection.

Well, as I said on another thread, this packing light thing is all new to me and I'm giving it a try before my next trip. I was used to taking the full 30&quot; suitcase, but after almost giving myself a hernia getting it off the Eurostar in Paris, I thought I'd try for something smaller and lighter on a future trip. I know the 20 incher will be doable, but just not sure if I can go that light for a two week trip. My garage is beginning to look like a luggage shop with all the different size pieces of luggage in my quest for the &quot;perfect&quot; combination. I'm still taking notes and working on my packing &quot;skills'.

damama--It's not all that difficult. Of course, it depends to some extent on your physical condition.

It's not like you are going to be getting on and off trains every day for 3 weeks. From your message it looks like it will be twice--I wouldn't think you'd have much difficulty, and even if you do it's quite likely someone will help you.

Of course, the lighter you can pack the easier it is, but, again, since it's not something you'll be doing many times on your trip, it shouldn't be that big a deal.

We are going to three different countries within 2 weeks in the beginning of September. Paris, London, and the west coast of Ireland. Will there be much difference in what we should pack for each country? Due to weather and itinerary differences I'm not sure how light we can pack. I would think we would be a little dressier in Paris and London and in jeans in Ireland. Any advice?

Looks like a lot of good advice! DH and I are planning our first trip to Germany (or out of the country at all!) at the end of March to see our son iamgurg. He is planning on taking us to many places that may be two ot three day outings. He hopes to have a car but we may traveling by train once out of Bamburg. I will try the 24-26 inch (shared) with a nice carry on for each of us, for a weekend trip we have planned first. Traveling lightish....Last time we took way too much luggage! I will continue to keep on eye on postings here for more ideas, also, M_kingdom is kinda funny

Just a newbi






Just a newbie!

This is what i always travel w/as well &amp; many times fit in many of my daughters clothes as well. If we have to wash underwear &amp; socks once, no biggie. We always take a small container of detergent as well. Leaving for Az. tomorrow for a week...5 pair of undies, 5 T-shirts, 4 dress shirts, 3 pairs of khaki type pants, 1 pair of shorts, 1 swimsuit, 6 pairs of socks, extra pair of shoes, 1 medium weight pullover, toiletry bag, eye glasses, 2 books &amp; a portfolio for work.

What's with all these jeans? Unless you going on a short trip and/or in the winter, you're going to have to wash those jeans sometime and then wait hours for them to dry. I am not exaggerating. Dryers in Europe are smaller and less efficient. And jeans are heavy to carry. Women can buy jeans-looking tencil -- if they must.

Hello dear travelers, this thread is a year old!

But regardless it has some good info.

I pack, even if for weeks of travel, for one week. It seems if one has a week of clothes etc. then one can manage a longer trip. At least that has always worked for me.

I sure love clothes, shoes etc., but do not like packing too much.

And always have only three pairs of shoes, one I wear on the plane, and two pairs in the checked on suitcase.

Keeping to black, and some other colors keeps things simple also.

Rather then carry a shoulder bag plus a carryon I put two bags in my checked luggage. The daytime has the lingerie, and the small (evening) one has something else. My carryon is the only bag I take on the plane. And in that I have a wallet that has my CC and ATM Cards, my airline tickets or info, passport. So when I go to the head on the plane I take that with me. Another small bag has toothpaste, toothbrush etc. The carryon bag is small enough to put under the seat. I do not take a change of clothes, but do put in a change of underwear, as well as a bottler of water, a bag of dried apricots and reading material etc. Also a small flashlight and whatever small items I think I might want access too.

The less one packs the happier and easier ones trip is IMHO.

Kathy, Thank you so much. I have emailed both places. We will see. Ihopp, I emailed Le Clos du buis this morning. I am awaiting news. Stu, Thanks so much for the website. I finally got in, and now I am just sitting like a fat frog, waiting for a fly! Thanks everybody. Sharon

I think it all boils down to what you can't live without and what works for you.

Here is what I am taking for a month in April 2007

3 pair slacks tan\jeans\black for evening
6 shirts (1 evening)
6 underwear\4 socks\2 bras
1 pj set that doubles as short set
1 all weather lightweight jacket with hood
1 day\evening jacket
1 Swimsuit just in case
3 Pair shoes
Walking, Tennis, old but fail poof pair sandals
First aid Kit\corkscew\knife
Toiletries\ Make-up
Scarf\umbrella
Camera\batteries
Money Belt
Adapter Plug\phone charger
I have a 24-inch bag

Carryon Backpack is Small one
Laptop computer
Cell phone
Folder with reservations etc.
Carry-on will have
Phone, Camera, Computer
Book to read, Eyeshade, earplugs
Spare pair underwear\toothbrush\pills
Tickets, Passport

shanart: Are you sure this is the thread you meant to post to?? It is a <u>very</u> old thread about packing and I think you wanted to post it to one of your threads about hotels . . . . . .

Bookmarking - I know this is old but some of these packing lists seem really helpful for me!

Don't full 29&quot; rollers weigh more than 50'. Our 25 &amp; 26 come out to 48 or 49 '

yep - a full 29&quot; bag can easliy weigh 75 lbs or more.

You know, by the time I was mid-way through the reading of all the posts, I started just scrolling through to find M_K's posts......

Entertaining really.

DH and I have packed in those 22&quot; bags and done 30 days in Italy 2 years ago. Mix and match, a couple of slacks, a skirt, several tops, a jacket/sweater, couple of scarves to spruce things up. and as everyone said-GOOOOOOOD shoes, several days worth of underwear, a little powdered laundry soap (to rinse out drip dries overnight). i usually take 2 pair of shoes, 'cause i had one come apart on me one time. hahah--that was another story.
no appliances, a cheapie raincoat/poncho, toilitries. I tend to pack only black or navy blue slacks/skirt--everything goes with them, and i always wash them out by hand in the sink at home, squish all the water out with a towel that i can, and hang them up to dry. I time the drying to make sure they will work overnight for me. hate wearing damp clothes--hahaha-but i have!
surfingmomma