Teens and packing light
 

We will be in France and Italy for 2 weeks this summer. Flying from home to JFK, to Paris, to Rome, to JFK, back home. Since there are four of us we will be using shuttle services between airports and accomodations.

I am pretty insistent that we all bring ONLY 20" carry-on size bags and maybe one small tote each.

Now here are the problems:

My kids want to bring backpacks. I'm not too happy about this as their current school backpacks are too small (my kids have REALLY big clothes). Should I buy them the Rick Steves backpack kind of suitcase?

Will we actually carry on these suitcases? Or will we wish we had checked them through?

I'm telling the teens that they have to leave all their electronic toys at home due to their inability to recharge them in Europe. They will try to bring some sort of stuff that takes batteries instead. Good idea or not?

I'm just concerned about
A) Looking like the Clampetts wherever we go,
B) Taking up too much space wherever we go, and
C) Feeling like we can't move because we have too much stuff.

Is this a realistic plan? Any advice on moving the family around easily? Thanks!

The first time my family went to Europe, I was 13. We all overpacked and BARELY fit into the rental car. I had a huge backpack with my cd player, cds, books, and who knows what else! Ever since that trip, we've limited ourselves to 1 carry on and 1 small personal item each, same as the airlines allow. You will never regret carrying on your luggage or packing light. I'm sure your kids will survive without electronics for 2 weeks. Europe is so intersting, I've never had time to read much more than a magazine or small book on the plane or before bed.

The more you bring, the more you have to regret bringing, so pack as light as possible. I've never used the Rick Steve's backpacks, but they seem very reasonably priced. Places like REI have a good selection for comparison. I have a wheeled Victorinox backpack that I love. I use the wheels for airports (unless I'm in a hurry) and use it as a backpack the rest of the time. But wheels make it heavier and take up internal packing space, so if you're looking for a good bag to use ony for vacations, then a backpack is a great choice. Be sure to get them the kind with a good waist belt! Makes all the difference.

Have a great trip! Pack lightly!

IMO, it is OK to let teens bring their toys. Last summer, we spent 2 1/2 weeks in Scandinavia. My kids had their disc man's (or whatever you call those things...could be MP3s or IPODS or whatever, but something to play their music). You can get adapters for recharging at any travel store. Mine also brought portable DVD players. While they saw and did a lot on this trip...certainly quite a few museums, it was VERY nice for them to have their toys during down time in the hotel rooms, on train/boat trips, etc. Mine had each one large duffel bag type thing that we checked and then their back packs, including toys. I had bought padded back packs (meant for laptops) for their DVDs.

In years of travel to Europe, my kids have always brought one 22" roll-on suitcase and a backpack to carry books, journals, CD player, etc. The backpacks work nicely because once in Europe that's all they need to carry around during the day - to keep sunglasses, book, journal, water bottle, etc., and a place to stash small purchases. I think a backpack for teens is far more practical than a tote.

wliwl -
I can't speak from experience, except the experience of traveling around the States with far too much luggage, but I can tell you we are planning to pack pretty much the way StCirq describes above when we go to Europe this summer. My two teenage daughters originally though I could not possibly be serious that they would each have to fit everything in a 21" carry-on and a smaller personal bag, but I think it will work much better than checking luggage. (My daughters clothes do tend to be a bit skimpy, which I suppose will help)

My husband is the one in our family who wants to use a Rick Steves backpack/suitcase. I gave him one for Christmas and he is delighted with it.

Good luck!

There usually isn't any problem with recharging equipment but at this point I've discarded anything that isn't either dual voltage or something requiring a converter. My batter-operated electric toothbrush has been a real Godsend.

As far as being able to carry on BOTH a 20" bag AND a "small personal bag"...well, that will depend on the airline and how strict they are..since I suspect that "small personal bag" you have in mind is going to be bigger than a purse or laptop.

I think backpacks are a great idea..I use one all the time in Europe since it is convenient for carrying around the stuff I like to have at-hand during daytrips, etc.

The best way for your kids to figure out what is worth packing and what isn't is to make sure THEY carry it, lug it, stow it, wherever you go.

As to your concern for "looking like the Clampetts"...I wouldn't sacrifice anything in favor of "appearances" cause nobody will care anyway.

Cudos on the pack light philosophy. I hate checking bags and avoid it if at all possible. Baggage claim is an added hurdle to overcome when trying to get out of the damn airport. When carrying your backpacks on the plane the chance of lost luggage or delays at baggage claim is ZERO.

Your kids will need something larger than the backpacks they use for school. WalMart, travel stores, and on-line shops may have some that are cheaper than what Rick Steves sells on his web site. There may be some available that are more kid-sized than the full-size travel backpack.

Each child can take his or her carry on and a daypack-sized backpack. If you're not using it for the actual clothing, the pack they use for school is fine for size. In it they would, as another poster suggested, take sunglasses, sunscreen, a book, water bottle, sweater (maybe) and one "toy." There's a lot of down time while traveling on planes and trains, and some kids either can't read because of motion sickness or simply don't like to. An Ipod or DVD or gameboy is a godsend during those times. If you have more than one child and they each take something different, they'll be able to switch during the trip.

If you buy a large backpack as the actual suitcase, it will be too big to use as a daypack, and probably still won't hold as much as the suitcase. If all suitcases have wheels, and kids' extra packs are on their backs with their hands free, that will make things go more smoothly.

I know exactly what you mean about looking like the Clampetts! When we took our daughter to an international irish dancing championship event in scotland a few years ago, we had to carry on the competition dress, a spare dress, two pairs of dancing shoes, the wig (don't ask!) and everything else she needed for the event. The dress bags were shaped so oddly that many people came up to us and asked us what was in them. We looked like the Irish Clampetts, and it was a humbling experience!

Teen shoes take up an enormous amount of packing space--current styles are really heavy and clunky. Your kids should be able to manage with two pairs of shoes. Whenever you move from place to place, be sure to have them wear the bulkier pair of shoes and pack the smaller ones.

Just wanted to add to someone else's comment above.

We flew Virgin Atlantic from Boston to London last year.

Limit was ONE carry-on item, and the weight limit was around 15 pounds for that item. And, yes, they checked the weight of your carryon, as well as took note of what you were not checking to be sure it was only one item.

Of course, this was for the cheap-o seats in coach. I think it was different for business class and first class.

With these tight restrictions, how do any of you do "carryon only" for a trip to Europe?

Gayle

Not every airline has a strict weight requirement for coach class. I usually fly Delta and they've never check the weight of my bag.

As far as how to make do with just a carry-on bag, here are a few sites that go into some detail:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/backpack.htm
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/womenpacking.htm

After my first trip to Europe I realized that I didn't even use 1/3 of the stuff I packed and used another 1/3 only once. The key is to think in terms of what you can do without, not what *might* come in handy.

We all do the 1 carryon bag per person as well. We tell the kids that whatever fits in their bag they can take. I don't care if they have one outfit and the rest makeup or whatever, lol! They have to carry their bag and decide what they truly need. We have traveled like this ever since they were born though, so they are used to it.

My husband and I both managed to do carry-on only for our trip to Italy, and we flew British Airways, whose weight limit is 13 pounds.

We first looked for the lightest luggage possible, which ended up being nylon jansport duffel bags which weighed in at a mere 6 or 8 ounces each. He wore one pair of shoes only, I wore one and brought a light pair of sandals.

We were lucky it was summer, so our clothes were less bulky than they would have been in winter. We wore the heaviest/most space consuming outfit and packed the rest.

Toiletries were all packed in a travel size and if we needed extra we bought it there.

I do have to say, though, that even 13 pounds gets heavy when you only have the option of carrying it on your shoulder. My right shoulder was very red and sore by the end of the trip.

I travel regularly for business with a 20" or 22" wheeled suitcase (Victorinox) and a large (about 35 litre) Victorinox daypack.

I don't think you should try to restrict everyone to "carry-on" only; the extra time associated with picking baggage at the carousel doesn't really add that much time, and you're only making a few stops. The weight, size and manoeuvrability of each person's luggage is, however, a big issue. That's the real reason for the 20/22" size limit on each person's main suitcase.

I find that wheels are essential. I took a Mountain Equipment Co-op type convertible backpack/suitcase to Europe in my 20s, and found that it was quite heavy to hoist onto my shoulders, but even worse to drag around without wheels. Since then, I've almost always travelled with wheeled suitcases; you can drag them almost everywhere (up and down cobbled hilly streets in Italy, etc) and move fast. But there will be moments when you have to lift them (subways, trains, etc). That's when you find a 24" suitcase too heavy.

I'm not a fan of the "wheeled suitcase with backpack straps" for the reason mentioned by someone else on this thread. The full-fledged wheels take up space and add weight. A compromise might be a duffel with a handle two small wheels without a hard frame in it, plus backpack straps.

Finally, I'd suggest that you make your teens do a "pack" and drag test well before you leave home. Get them to pack what they want to take into their main suitcases/packs and their daypacks (including all clunky shoes, personal electronics, hairdryers and cosmetics). Then make them haul it in and out of your car, up and down some escalators, on and off a subway if possible, and, to conclude, have them jog a block or two on a bumpy sidewalk. I'll bet they figure out how to lighten up, after your practice run.

Practice run is a great idea. People end up handling their bags a lot more than they think they will.

I agree with the other posters who've suggested getting your kids bigger padded backpacks, and letting them bring their ipods, or CDplayers. As another poster pointed out, it's not that difficult to pick up a small adapter at most travel stores. Having these items from home helps immeasurably in the event of a flight delay, in transit, or just down time at the hotel.

However, the backpacks or a small tote per person are all I would carry on board. If you're traveling in coach, chances are good that your luggage may not fit under your seat or in the already crammed overhead bins. On top of that, many intra-European carriers have much more stringent rules, and you may have to check your luggage at the gate.

If you pack light, and leave the platform shoes and/or overalls at home, there's no way you'll look like the Clampetts!

Why would teen packing be so different than anyone else? That said, I would be a tiny bit more generous than you stated...

One 22" rolling bag or one Rick Steves backpack/suitcase per person + one carry-on tote whether a pocketbook, messenger bag, or small daypack each.

DO check the main bag for each person, rather than carry it onto the plane. Depending on the airline, transatlantic flights have strict weight restrictions, and I personally do not think it's worth it to insist on dragging everything onto the flight with you. I've done it both ways, and don't see the purpose.

Even checking luggage thru, the most important part is that you are packed light and easily mobile after arrival.

The other thing you should think about a little (but don't get obsessed about it) is the security of the stuff you travel with. Explain to your kids that they shouldn't take any electronic toys they can't afford to lose, because you won't replace the electronic toys if they're stolen or misplaced.

Figure out who and how the family valuables (passports, tickets, credit cards, expensive cameras, etc) will be carried and used to reduce the risk of theft. If you're staying in hotels (which likely have safes), you don't have to cart all of your valuables around with you at all times. But there will be times when you're vulnerable (usually while in transit). A family loaded down with luggage catching a train or subway is a good target for thieves. Keep your credit cards and bank cards to a minimum (eg your spouse carries the Visa, you have the Amex, and you each have a bank card from a different account/bank). Make copies of important documentation (including credit card numbers and contact numbers), leave one set with friends at home, and bring one set with you. If your kids are going to carry their own passports and tickets, you might want to make them wear the "under your shirt" invisible wallets while you're in transit. Probably not necessary for the parents, but you should be vigilant in Paris and Rome. Ask your kids to help you monitor situations when you're more vulnerable to thieves, e.g. when removing money from ATMs. You could even ask them to do some internet research on scams and tips to avoid being scammed.

Leaving the subject of safety, you might also consider "bribing" your kids to reduce the volume of cosmetics and styling products by taking them to Sephora (or somewhere similar) and offering to buy them some nifty travel size products and containers that they can decant their favourite products into.

More on the subject of theft avoidence...

I keep my credit cards, big cash denominations, and passport in a moneybelt strapped to my waist, between my pants and underwear. In my wallet I keep at most a day's worth of cash.

This way, a pickpocket can do only minimal damage to me (barring a strip-search mugging, of course). Even if all my luggage and my wallet is stolen, my trip can go on with little interruption because I still have my credit/debit cards, my passport, and a few hundred dollars in big currency.

I'm not sure if these kids are 13 or 19 year olds, but I think having them responsible for some amount of cash would be a great idea.

Besides living thru this family trip happily, hopefully you are training up future travelers of the world. The more you can interest them in internet research, seeking out things that they want to do, learning to deal with language and currency differences, jet lag, money/tickets/paperwork, reading maps, etc. can be an incredible learning experience.

elenm:
Funny comment about shoes. My 15 year old (boy) has size 13 shoes!!! My 18 year old is a size 11. Needless to say, they will have to manage with ONE pair of shoes/sneakers. I'm hoping to buy them some kind of (colored?) sneakers that don't look too sneaker-y. They will be hard to take out to too nice of a restaurant, but oh well. I do recall in Paris about the only people I saw wearing sneakers were teenage boys. So maybe this will work. What do you think?

I have bought us all the Rick Steves moneybelt things - which are on sale right now for $8.45. The boys will carry their own valuables. I've never used one before, but all the talk of crime in Rome has me feeling a little extra cautious. (Although mugging a 6 foot 5 inch man/boy may give them pause.)

suze:
I am hoping to get the kids very involved in trip planning. So far their only interest seems to be in reenacting the DaVinci code and the other book...Demons and something???

I can sort of understand though because we are leaving the day after HS graduation, and with all the college planning etc. my eldest is (as he puts it), "burned out looking at brochures." (i.e. lazier than usual)

Actually, my first challenge will be getting them out shopping for luggage, clothes (I want to buy them those zip-off pants), and shoes. My kids HATE shopping and will do anything to avoid it. But sometimes that in itself results in their overpacking. They throw in more stuff because they don't have the one right thing that would work best. I want all clothes quick dry - and they will want to bring their huge cargo pants that take an hour in an American drier to dry. Either that or they'll just be really dirty. (They won't like that either.)

Actually, I am so excited about this trip. They are going to have a blast. I'm totally happy that they are the ages they are for a trip like this. I can send them out to get food if they don't like our plans. They can go do something else if they're bored with us. They can haul their own stuff (and maybe mine too). It's perfect.

oh well, whatever floats their boat (re DaVinci code to raise interest).

i'll make the plea for TWO pair of shoes though for each person. one on your feet and one in the suitcase. take less clothing if necessary to accommodate. you can always weaer a t-shirt an extra day but NOthing can spoil a trip quicker than having blisters or your only pair of shoes gets wet because you fell in a canal (whatever). two pair is my shoe minimum for any person any trip.

other hand, if you'd be willing to shop for shoes w/ teens on the road, then wait and see if the one pair will cover them.

I wonder if they sell really big men's sandals in Europe? Or maybe I'll have them bring their Tevas?

I'm the opposite wrt shoes. They're bulky and heavy, so one is all I ever bring. Hey, you can't wear more than one pair at a time. And I can't imagine a scenario where my shoes would get soaking wet so that I'd need another paid right away. That happens to me maybe once every 5 years in my normal life, so I don't know why I'd plan for that contingency for my vacation. An extra t-shirt, pair of socks, or pair of underwear would be much more useful than an extra pair of shoes, imho, so I would never substitute shoes for clothes.

On the other side of the coin buying an extra Tshirt or two and socks in sure quicker and easier then shopping for shoes (although I love shopping for shoes).

wliwl,

You've gotten lots of great advice! When we went to Germany/Italy a few years back, we all carried Rick Steves bags. I'm a big fan of them! We had 3 teens in our group of 7 and everyone had one RS bag and one daypack. We used trains and public transit nearly exclusively and had no problem.

BTW, we carried on our RS bags. I would suggest you purchase your teens the RS bags and let them haul their stuff on their backs as they desire. Whether you carry them on or check them is your choice.

Also, here's one more packing light tip -- Get some Hefty X-lg zip top bags. The key to packing light is being able to squeeze all the air out. You'll be amazed at how much clothing you can fit into one of these bags, when you sit on it and squeeze out all the air. Throw a few extra bags in empty, as you'll lose the seal on a couple along the way.

Good luck and have a great trip!

DeeDee:
Did you have the Rick Steves bags that convert to backpacks? I see he also has the rolling ones now. Thanks.

Our kids are pretty low maintenance with regards to makeup and accessories but the teen girls backed big duffels for their trip to Germany. We had a "dry run" day when we went over everything they'd packed and explained why winter hiking boots wouldn't be needed in Germany in June and why just bringing shorts would be a bit too optimistic. That being said our 14 yr old insisted on bringing her volleyball. Since our policy was - "you pack it - you carry it" we let her. On a LONG, painful wait in Charlotte she amused herself and our 6 yr old son with practicing in a corner of the terminal - but of course that was the only time it made it out of the bag.

I am in agreement with everything suze said. First of all I don't really see the reason to not check your bag on an international flight and as she said, the overhead bins get full or there are stricter weight restrictions. I do agree you should limit the size of your teen's suitcase. Last summer my 17 yo daughter packed a 25-26 inch because she is a clothes freak and couldn't leave anything home. I was going to battle her about it, but in the long run she was happier that she had her things with her. The only stipulation was that she would have to handle her own suitcase which was a little interesting when we were getting on and off some local trains. She is 5'2" and weighs around 105 lb so it was not easy for her. I think next trip she will travel lighter.
A backpack is definitely a must for carrying items around during the day.

Secondly, as suze said, take more than one pair of shoes. My friend that was traveling with us only brought one pair of shoes. They were good walking shoes and she had broken them in. However, after one day of walking around London especially on the cobblestones of the Tower of London, she had blisters and no other shoes to wear. She bought moleskin which helped some but her feet hurt the whole trip. She wore a pair of my daughter's shoes for a while but they were not much better. Myself, I took several pair of shoes and was glad I did. All of them were broken in but the pair that I thought would be the least comfortable turned out to be the best for all the walking we did. I realize your son's have big shoes (not like packing girl's sandals) but nothing can ruin your trip more than sore feet.

Yes, we own two and I borrowed two from my sister on our last trip. I am probably going to just buy two more. I think my 18 year old wants to pull the wheeled bag. So...I may purchase 1 or 2 wheeled bags from RS this time.

I have looked and looked for comparable bags that I could buy in a store and have not found one that compares in lightness (wt.), cost and versatility. It's a very well made bag for $100 or so. I've been checking Ebay for some used ones, but, alas, no luck!

My 21 yo daughter read Dan Brown's
"Angel's and Demon's" before she went to Italy and specifically Rome. I also had a hard time getting her to plan ahead and she was like your older son - "too much school work, etc to think about it". But she loved the book and when she finally got to Italy, it really sparked her interest in what to see. She spent 5 weeks in Italy last summer and the rest of the summer traveling around Europe. Rome was her favorite city among all the places she went so I know your son's will like it.

to paula1470~ thanks so much for the kind words. the "perfect pack" is a passion of mine (strange but true) so i appreciate it when others see the beauty of my ways -LOL. i am certain i have spent more time than the average jo(sephine) trying different methods.

and not to be a bore on this subject, but i can't imagine wearing only one pair of shoes for 2 weeks straight with all the walking you do on a European trip. YES to wliwl, bring the Tevas as a second pair would be perfect.

if anyone is buying a new rolling suitcase, both of mine (a 22" or 24" i carry one or the other depending the type of trip) came from JC Penny or Marshalls and cost ~$50 each and have lasted years.

Great advice, suggestions! Just one more comment on teen toys - i.e. ipods, DVD players. My teens ARE in fact big readers. I must tell you trying to carry enough paperbacks to occupy them is no less difficult than the music/DVD thing. We had to buy English paperbacks in Rome after a 2 week trip to Italy and it was very expensive. Also, IF they take "disk man" type things, you can take books on tape (well, CD actually) as well as music. My kids listened to the Davinci Code last summer, courtesy of a friend who loaned us his CD set. I also concur that they should be allowed to check a bag and do not insist on carrying everything on board the plane.

I just had an idea of a place to visit for your teens. They are into the DaVinci code, right?

Why not visit Leonardo's home town of Vinci? It's in Tuscany, between Pisa and Florence. It's a small and pretty hilltown, but there's not much to see EXCEPT a fine museum dedicated to Leonardo. They might find it neat to walk the same streets Leonardo did as a boy.

I did it as an easy day-trip from Florence and it took 1/2 a day.

You should also take them to the Tomb of the Capuchin monks. It's in central Rome somewhere, attached to a church (but I can't remember which one). It seems that several hundred years ago, a group of monks, in a fit of piety, took the skeletons of several hundred monks and used the bones to create a kind of "macaroni art"/mosaic and structures in a series of rooms. Very strange. I seem to recall an altar made of monk bones and even a kind of chandelier.