Doing laundry is an interesting cultural experience and a great way to talk with the locals.

I wish had more tips to share but I think that Isabel has mastered the system.

Barbara - thanks for your confidence. I just spent the afternoon packing and repacking (and I don't even leave for 5 more days) - trying to have a contingency for every possible senario. I guess I do have to admit to being a bit compulsive about this. But I really really don't want to have to check anything - even though I personally haven't ever had a bag lost (but then I rarely ever check bags) I know so many people who have lost luggage and that's not how I want to spend my vacation.

I'm confused. Are we allowed to answer about what we carry-on, if we also check a suitcase?

I'm with Barbara about doing laundry at a laudromat being a great cultural experience. I have posted a story about those experiences in the past. The Let's Go set of guide books usually list laundries, both self and send out. I usually try to get a week's worth of clothes in my carry-on, and then I plan to do laundry at about five to seven days. Works great. I am always sorry when I decide now to check bags and end up with a bunch of stuff to cart around. PJK

ditto on the full service laundry best $ we ever spent on our recent trip to Quebec. 2 adults and a toddler's worth of clothes for less than 30 bucks! They were open late---and she repacked it into our suitcase for us! We have also decided that we can purchase basics when we arrive since we aren't pinching pennies as much these days when we travel. Esp with a baby--diapers take up a ton of space!

I limit shoes as well...one pr brown slip on merrells to wear and 1 pr black walking shoes and I pack clothes that coordinate. I might love that cute top but if it doesn't mix/match well--I leave it home.

I agree about using packing cubes. I bought a set of three for both my husband and I about 10+ years ago and I cannot begin to tell you how many times we have used them. We both travel now only with a large backpack, which has a detachable daypack. My purse, small packing cube, Ziploc bag and a book usually go into the small daypack, which I keep detached. The two larger packing cubes hold all my clothes, etc. and shoes, hair dryer (if I do bring one) and a raincoat (which is also packable in its own pocket). We travel at least six or more times per year and haven't checked luggage for years. I also agree with Isabel - I am a bit compulsive about the packing thing. I am always thinking of how I can reduce what I take, what to pack, etc. It is almost kind of a game for me in some ways! I know it sounds weird, but I do love to travel!! Even with all this, I overpack sometimes. I am still working on perfecting what I take on a trip. We also traveled in April to a wedding and only traveled with our backpacks. I had a long, fancy gown I kept in a dry cleaning bag and just rolled in the bag. It was surprisingly unwrinkled when I arrived for the wedding. My husband carried his suit in his backpack and it also arrived in great shape. Just our experience. We are 50 and 51, so not your average 20 something backpackers, either. We just decided after traveling both with checked luggage (years ago) and with just carry-ons, that the carry-ons were a lot easier. We do wash undies, etc. out in a hotel sink if need be and that works well. We even have just used clear shampoo for our detergent and that works great. Suave sells a cheap clarifying brand that works great. It is fun to buy your own toiletries in another country also. An experience we got a big kick out of actually! My next trip is in September, but we are both hoping to travel to Europe again next fall. I enjoy reading the experiences of others on this forum.

Isabel,

Could you please tell me the company that makes your fold up tote bag? I was looking on line yesterday and found one company that makes them but would like to know if there are others.

Thank you.

iloveto travel18- Can you give details about the large packpack you use instead of rollerboard? Brand, size? Sounds like something I would like to try.
Thanks!

More nonsense..."I don't have time to wash my socks". "I can't wait for checked baggage". "I have to change my 'outfit' every four hours". "Why can't I wear what I want into a church". "Will they laugh at my loveable obese husband in his shorts and white sneakers?". "Should I carry an umbrella if its going to rain?". Add some more!

Whether I'm traveling with only a carry-on or with additional checked luggage, I always wear my black vest with 29 pockets of varying sizes, shapes, zippers, magnets, etc. At the very least, I can carry everything I would normally carry in a handbag, and it's so convenient on the plane not to have to deal with a purse. If I really want to make use of all those pockets, I can carry a guidebook, cell phone, sweater -- you name it. Of course I look ridiculous, waddling around with those bulging pockets, but it does solve the problem of the one-item rule, and so far I've not been weighed. This is really handy on the low-cost European airlines which allow very little weight for carry-ons.

TOSS IT! My strategy is packing items I can use and throw away. After numerous trips that ended with luggage that “magically” doubled in size, I had to do something. I like to shop and learned that I needed to purge items along the way in order to have room to bring back the goodies.

Toiletries – I bring a disposable razor, just enough makeup, shampoo, etc. If I run out of something -even better! That’s an excuse to go and buy some Italian shampoo or French soap!! At the end of the trip, toss those empty and nearly empty bottles away. I was shocked at how much room this opened up in my suitcase.

Clothing – This might sound strange, but pack the undergarments, t-shirts, etc. that are getting older, have holes, stains, etc. and take them to sleep in, etc. Instead of washing them out, throw them away after you have worn them!! As a trip approaches, I start to set items that I don’t wear anymore but don’t have the heart to throw away. Taking this approach not only saves some time washing items but also clears up room in the luggage as you go. It also makes room for NEW clothes on the trip!!

It really works!!

Don't take any toiletries, except travel size toothpaste, etc. Buy them at your destination, and use hotel shampoo, etc. Toiletries tend to weigh a lot. I guess I'm lucky that I don't need contact lens solution, or anything like that!

Guide books weigh a ton. Read before you go, and take a few print-outs of important info, if needed. Bring maps, but get in-your-pocket guides at your destination. They will have basic info.

Electronics = lightweight camera, cell phone charger, travel clock. Period. Buy batteries there.

I wear my heaviest items (or carry my jacket) on the plane. Of course, it's easier in the summer, but even when it's cool, I can find light-weight sweaters to bring & keep the weight down. Shoes can be a problem, too, so flip flops are a major life saver in the summer!

I try to stay in a place with a washer & dryer. Some things just turn out better when they go in the machine. Or, I just take things to the cleaners. Usually doesn't cost much.

Also, pack a light nylon bag in your carry-on or luggage. If you end up buying stuff on your trip, you can check one bag, or even two, and carry another on.

Even with the restrictions, I am amazed at the luggage people manage to get on the plane. Some women I've seen can't even lift their bag into the overhead compartment. If it's that heavy, how the heck did they get it that far? One time I saw a Japanese guy try to carry a TV in a cardboard box onto the plane!!! The flight attendant just looked at him like he was crazy (which he was) and said he would have to check it. I can't believe the box even fit through the aircraft door!!

Bookmarking. Great tips, thanks

While not quite as adventurous as the "Positano Post Office Fiasco", my "Sorrento Laundry Night" actually turned out to be fun! There are very nice people at the laundry! You make fast friends when someone can tell you which dryer is hot and can tell you how the darn things work.

I also use packing cubes and also use eagle creek packing folders - properly folded clothes take less room and always look great. I wear my coat, sweater, jeans, heaviest walking shoes and bring a folding bag to stash the shoes. My coat becomes a pillow and the sweater is stuffed along the window since i like window seats but hate cool air blowing on me at night.
I have a favorite lightweight pair of flats that take up little room - that's my back-up pair of shoes.

I take a few medications and ask my MD for samples to last thru the trip. and i throw away the boxes and keep as little of the original packing as possible.

My 20 inch bag has an expandable zipper - I can stuff my purse/personal item in there to get thru security, then pull it out so i have access to what i want during the flight and stash the carry-on in the overhead bin. I use a wrist security wallet - http://www.beltoutlet.com/armwalbyen.html

Since i like to drive to explore my destinations I need a good map - I buy a Michelin map and make a copy enlarged to 139% - an 8x10 section prints out around 11x17 - much easier to read if you are my age. I find that that size is just about as far as i want to drive in one day so I make copies of segments of the map for each travel day. I cut and paste info about destination and must-see spots as well as where I plan to stay/reservations. I print this on the back of the 11x17 map...no need for guidebook and everything for each day is on a single page, which I can toss as I go.

And i bring a novel that is set in the location I am visiting...fun to read while I'm travelling and i write little notes about the trip around the margins of the first page of each chapter, making a uniquely personal souvenir/notebook.

My most important travel piece is a 20 year old Liz Claiborne small leather purse with a long strap. My passport, change wallet(for credit card & Euros)foldup reading glasses, kleenex, gum, lip gloss, mirror and pen all fit great, and its about the size of a large slice of sandwich bread, and only a bit thicker. My suitcase is a 19 inch $10.00 from K Mart that weighs practically nothing. I don't stuff it and since I don't check it, I'm not afraid that luggage attendants will break it, tossing it around. I stick to light weight stretch jeans and Chico's black slacks witha black cardigan. Assorted sleeveless tees and a few blouses that work as a jacket unbuttoned or as a shirt. my flats and clunky sandals which is what I'm most comfortable in, also go in and I wear my sneakers and a terry or jersey black sweat suit. I don't do laundry on vacation so I do take enough undies and bras so I can change each day and those take up the most room. No robes either and I sleep in a tee. I do check my backpack through because I always take coffee and a heating element and the rest of the stuff is things I want, but won't go crazy if the airlines lose it, like makeup and umbrella. My meds I keep with me. I haven't used packing cubes, just giant zip locks and those seem to make my suitcase heavier. I don't know why, and it may just be my perception. I haven't actually weighed them. And I do pack one of those really cheap plaid plastic bags to ship home dirty laundry or newly purchased treasures. Everything I take is travel size or lightweight, except for the clunky comfortable sandals. In case anyones interested, they're Wolkys.