Stupid question I know - but how does one pack lightly? We are going to the Chamonix, Lake Como and Paris. I look at everything that is laid out on the bed and everything has to come!! How many pants - shirts sweatshirts should someone bring? Dont you get hot and sweaty during the day? I cant see wearing shirts more than once before they will have to be washed. I dont know how anyone does Europe with a backpack!!

The best thing that I have found is Danskin Packables. They are light weight, don't wrinkle and look really good. They have a package called the weekender that has a knee length skirt, a shell, long sleeve jacket like shirt and pants (come in either black or brown) plus you can buy other things to add to outfits, shirts, skirts etc... They are wonderful. Check out the link below. <BR> <BR>http://www.instylenetwork.com/danskin/

I just finished packing for ten days in Italy-- All I bring is one small duffle bag with a long black roll up dress, one long black roll up skirt (lightweight and non-wrinkable), one black and white sundress, a pair of shorts, and capris, a few tees shirts that are washable, all underwear is able to be thrown out as I go along. The only shoes I bring are what I wear on my feet (CLark's sandals) (black) and a bathing suit. The hotels all have hair dryers--- my husband and my 15 year old son bring their own duffle bag with a very few items. Enjoy your trip! <BR>Mary

All the hotels have laundry and cleaning services so you pack for 4 days and use them!

Chamonix is the one that causes the problem. I do not know how the temperature is now, but in September they already had snow and it is really windy there. We did layering, with a sweater and then fleece jackets which are good for cool nights elsewhere. We packed lightweight fleece gloves in the pockets with headbands for the ears, and it was still cold! Keep in mind that is only for at the top. In town a sweater was fine. We went for 21 days and did wash once in the middle. Humidity was not that high, except for the Rivieria and we were able to wear shirts twice. Layering does help. We wore alot of shorts and short sleve polo type. Inevitably everyone wears there favorite clothes anyway.Also do a search for packing and there are some excellent tips. Relax and have a great trip.

I am also a big fan of hotel laundry and dry-cleaning services, and I always factor a little of that into my <BR>trip budget. Even if you are on a tight budget, most large cities have landromats, and in an hour you can sip a coffee, wash your clothes, and mingle with the locals. Knowing that my clothes can be refreshed, especially when going to more than one location during a trip that is lasting more than a long weekend, really takes some of the pressure off me when I am packing. I still overpack, but less so. <BR>As mentioned, I also save up old underwear that can be thrown out along the way, and I also have some packets of Woolite so I can wash out u.wear, a shirt, or even pants in the sink/tub if I need to; even shampoo will work in a pinch. Many hotels have an iron you can borrow if you need it. This is one reason that I don't travel with jeans; it addition to being, in my opinion, limited in adaptability, they can't be washed out in the room in case of accident because they never dry.