Really some great ideas...here is another one I found on the web. Don't fill you bag with lots of clothing - the weather can change instantly and you are sitting with clothes you can't wear. When you get to your destination (any large city in Europe) hit the thrift shops and buy what you need, plus you will look like a local instead of a tourist. If you don't want to take it home, throw it away. But, I bring mine back and put them on eBay.

Another tip, which someone may have mentioned and I overlooked, roll your clothing up. It is amazing how much more you can get into a suitcase if everything is rolled up. I do this mostly for my return home so I don't have to buy another travel bag for my goodies...it really works, and surprisinly, things don't get as wrinkled as when you fold them????

When we went to Italy, I took a couple of pair of tropical wool slacks, a couple of pair of capris and some thin tops. I will tell you that my entire stack of clothes took up less room than one pair of my husband's thick cargo pants from Old Navy. Tropical wool slacks fold up very flat.

After doing a search and getting a lot of this information, I did a dry run. I was amazed that I was able to get my stuff for a 3 week trip in a 22in rolling suitcase. However, where will I put the wine I want to buy along the trip and bring home?

missypie,

Where does one find tropical weight wool pants?

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. I wear them all summer in Texas and don't feel hot.

Sorry for the double post. I was trying out the "edit" feature where you keep going back...I must have done it wrong.

My biggest packing worry is coats and jackets. I'll be in London the first week of April and that could be cold or hot. I'll check the weather the day before I leave, but how accurate is that in a changeable climate? It seems easy to buy what you need when you get there, but with the poor state the dollar is in, I would rather not buy things I can pack. Suggestion on the coat/jacket thing??

April will not be that cold. Bring a light coat (like a trench) and something warm for underneath if necessary.

And April won't be hot either. Mild is possible - or cool.

Just take a a rain coat w/ a zip out liner. That will work for any eventuality from mild to freezing cold (though freezing cold isn't too likely)

I agree with buying some clothing along the way - I am a total non-shopper, but even I found myself buying clothes when we went to Germany, and having fun doing it - LOL. Next trip, I am planning on doing some shopping too. I don't imagine I would go so far as to bring only 1 or 2 changes of clothes, but I will definitely pack lighter.

When I travel in winter, instead of taking sweaters (which can be bulky), I take extra turtlenecks. I then double layer the turtlenecks - so the next day, I can put the one that was on top on bottom! The layers are great for cold weather and wind and they aren't bulky, easy to wash. Its also easy to 'dress up' a t-neck with a pretty necklace!

I should also mention that Febreeze really works for freshening clothes.

Packed in one main bag for one month in Italy & Spain, mid-May to mid-June. Like cupspinner & others, packed it all in a wheeled carry-on (hideous red one) with an expandable zipper (bag was full on the way home and I checked it) and a small daypack/purse thing that I borrowed from a friend and didn't really like (moral=take the tried & true!).

If memory serves (2005 trip) this is what I took:

On the plane I wore black LLBean yoga-type bootcut black comfy pants, tank top, print long sleeved T-shirt, nice black hoodie and my heaviest shoes.

In the suitcase (I also use the large zip-lock bag system, more or less):

-one pair of well-fitting jeans (I always take 'em, wear 'em, love 'em)
-two pairs lightweight capris
-one pair of shorts for hiking & beach
-one knit skirt that rolled into practically nothing
-another tank top
-another long sleeved tee shirt
-a couple short sleeved tops
-a long-sleeved buttoned shirt for hiking
-2 pairs cute & comfortable sandals
-jean jacket (wore w/capris & skirt)
-very lightweight rainjacket (the one thing I only wore once, but had rain in Italy previously at this time of year, so thought I would need it)
-a big cotton scarf that served as a sarong at the beach, a shawl out at night and many other uses
-bathing suit
-nightgown
-baseball cap for hiking days
-a week's worth of undies & some socks
-toiletries in small containers (coordinated w/ traveling companions on the 'first aid' stuff)
-laundry soap in packets, a few little plastic clothes pins, and an ancient inflatable hanger -- all totally useful & used on the trip
-photo copies of the pages I needed from guidebooks; took a couple of the smaller ones & coordinated w/traveling companions

Didn't take a hair dryer; everywhere had one & in Spain, where the hotel didn't, I borrowed one from my local friend.

Washed things out, including the lightweight pants, in the sink --esp after nights out in Madrid at the smokey bars!

I stuff shoes w/socks, roll things and fill the edges of the suitcase, etc. I knew I would need another bag for the way home -- I like to check my dirty clothes, which I am sick of anyway, & hand carry any treasures I am bringing home. I would have bought a cheap little duffle but ended up getting one from my friend. I sometimes just pack an empty one in the suitcase to begin with.

I do have some micro fiber undies, but I basically hate the material, and really look for fabrics I like and will not overly wrinkle. In the spring & summer I do take a lot of cotton, but most of it shakes out fine, & if it is thin enough, it will dry quickly.

I washed the jeans a few times when we were staying in one place a long time and had a washing machine. I just love my jeans & don't feel like me w/out a pair...

It is sooo worth it to take one bag only!

Meant to add that I, like others here, end up washing my clothes out in the hotel shampoo, but for some reason I always stick in the packet of laundry soap...

And, I always take my little roll-up down travel pillow, eye shades & ear plugs (crucial when sharing rooms!).

Microfiber undies - bras, too?

One item we always take to help with hotel room laudering---round (heavy duty) balloons. Blow one up, stick inside a shirt or blouse that's been washed, and it separates the layers and makes for much quicker drying. You can always leave the inflated balloon for the quizzical hotel maid! (or pop).

3 pair of underwear... always in a rotation of washing and drying. Ditto socks.

3 pairs of pants that can stand up to a few wearings before washing.

Scarves and jewelry aplenty.

2 pairs of "I could walk to China (if you live in Minnesota) shoes."

And as many shirts and overshirts and jackets that you can wear or fit in a 22" bag. Last visit I had so much room that I kept adding tops, linen tops. THANK GOODNESS, it was so warm in Amsterdam that those linen shirts were much welcomed.

Brockbank-

I HATE being cold, so I think a lot about your question when I pack, even if I am going somewhere warm. What about cold air conditioning or a windy day? Here are my tips:

For the coat query, I would second the idea of a raincoat with a zip-out lining. You can take it on the plane hanging over your arm, so it doesn't take up precious packing space in the suitcase AND you can use it as a blanket on the flight AND you can zip out the lining and use it if you encounter warm rain.

Another option if you want a sportier look is to take a polar fleece jacket/pullover stuffed inside a small travel pillow case onto the plane with you, where it acts as an excellent, puffy personal pillow and again, saves room in your suitcase. You can use it in hotels with flat pillows, too.

Also, I would never go anywhere without at least one cashmere sweater- a turtleneck in cold climates and a cardigan in warm climates. They are light, cozy when it gets chilly, and airy to throw over a sundress or t-shirt in strong air conditioning or on a breezy summer night. They pack small (rolled with tissue in a ziploc to prevent wrinkles) or serve as a great layer on cold flights. And a little Febreeze really helps them stay fresh for many wearings.

If you wore a cashmere sweater on the plane, took your lined raincoat hanging over your arm, and took a fleece in a pillow case, you would be all set for even a really cold snap, and you would be so snug on the plane, without adding anything to your suitcase!

Have a FAB trip!

>We too use the travel clothesline and it works like a charm. We also take a small bottle of Woolite to wash things out in the sink or tub.>

I always buy my Woolite at Monoprix and leave it for the maid, so that I don't have to carry a bottle in my suitcase.
Sandy