I agree. I don't "need" a 24-inch suitcase. And as a woman I don't "need" more stuff than a man. I WANT to have a few nice things along with me when I'm on my vacations. It's not like I get to Europe that often.

btw I've done the carry-on only thing, and I was ready to BURN those few pieces of clothes at the end of 3 weeks.

I'm traveling for pleasure and don't have anything to prove. It's not like I'm recommending dragging a gigantic suitcase on a train or anything. People often comment on how small my bag is, how light I'm packed. A 24" (besides the fact that you have to check it on a plane) works the same for me as a 22".

When I have spent two months in Italy on various trips I have packed for a week. That has always worked well for me. The only time I had two large suitcases was due to various friends in Italy telling me to pack for horse back riding (didn't happen as the dear horse died), pack for hiking in the Dolomiti (didn't happen as my friends house there got flooded out due to a broken pipe) and to pack for sailing in the Adriatic Sea (didn't happen due to horrible weather conditions). LOL, lesson learned.

Another time while in Italy the weather changed from hot to freezing cold. I bought cold weather clothes (still wear some of them) and via the Italian PO shipped by land my hot weather clothes home. I paid what would now be about 150 Euro to do so (interesting that you came up with the same figure, Doug) and received the box around two months later which worked out quite well.

With a limited wardrobe you will no doubt be sick of your clothes by the end of your trip, Alicia, but it sure beats hauling heavy and large luggage from place to place.

Hi LI - how are you doing?

Doug makes a really good point. It really makes no difference male or female. I teach packing classes and I always get the argument -- from men "It is easier for women because their clothes/shoes are smaller" and from women "It is easier for men because they don't need as much 'stuff' - especially shoes and toiletries"

By the end of the session - everyone agrees it really makes no difference at all. In the long run, the total volume is the same, it is just the individual bits that make up that volume that are different.

Janisj, there is a packing class? I have a realtive I'd like to refer! We are going to Africa together this spring and every time I see her she has another gadget she bought to take to Africa- we tease her mercilessly;-) But I guess you and Doug are right about the size vs extras(accesories and toiletries), I should have thought of that, my husband is 6 feet 6 inches; one shirt is like a pup tent! LOL I guess I feel like I have never missed anything when I have packed light, I've always found a way to "make do"!

Hi janisj, not too great actually. We need to talk.

But back to packing, I think a lot of women pack too many shoes. I have never had more than three pairs. Two good walking shoes and one pair of dressy shoes for restaurants or any time the occassion calls for a dressier shoe. And of course I wear one pair of the walking shoes on the plane. I tuck into my suitcase a light weight pair of flipflops which double as slippers and can also be used if at a pool or the beach. I have one daytime purse and a small clutch bag for when I wear the dressy shoes. I am not as great at packing as our janisj is but I don't think she would flunk me, lol.
I always wear a coat or jacket on the plane so never pack that. I get cold on planes so that comes in handy. And I learned decades ago to always have a coat or jacket with me depending on the time of the year as I was caught more than once with suddenly chilly or even rainy weather. Well for Mexico or Hawaii I have always had a cardigan instead.

Thanks so much for all the packing advice! LoveItaly- I like the idea to pack for 1 week. Then I would have room for the extra suit and cocktail dress etc I will need.

Do you guys have a particular suitcase you like? I love having everything perfectly organized, so something with pockets and compartments would be good.

Also, any ideas about what I should do with my laptop after the business portion of the trip?

ALSO, can anyone recommend an international adapter set? The last one I bought was awful- it caught my curling iron on fire!

Thanks again!

YOur curling iron probably caught on fire because you were using an ADAPTOR and not a CONVERTER. Typically, simpler appliances like curling irons (esp. these) are not dual-voltage. Converters are expensive, heavy, and inconsistent. A curling iron in Italy would cost less than a converter and is probably the only appliance you might possibly need one for. Buy any adaptor set (or use the one you have) and leave the curling iron at home.

I do like Eagle Creek bags, and they are very compartmentalized and actually come with a companion series of packing cubes and folders. They might help you keep organized.

Shipping unnecessary clothing and purchases home is a good idea. I also find that shopping at thrift/charity shops for a few items that maybe I don't want to carry to and from home, even large items like jackets saves baggage space especially if you are not sure you well even need them. Then when you leave to go home you can donate them back. I also buy inexpensive socks and underwear that I don't mind leaving behind. All this leaves more room in my suitcase for treasure I find along the way.

The train stations in Europe have left-luggage rooms. I don't remember what the charge is, but they're quite safe.

You're going on a really LONG trip--and that complicates things. I have a mid-size black Hartmann duffle on wheels that is perfect for a long overseas trip...probably smaller than your Delsey duffle. It has a bottom section for heavier wares (shoes, toiletries, etc.) and a top section for clothing. I can balance a tote bag or backpack on top of this when rolling through airports or train stations. It's been a great bag and very durable.

I like the idea of leaving a bag in London--and if you stay in a better hotel coming and going, they should be accommodating (especially if you tip the bellman nicely). Then you can spend the $150 you'll save on shipping for drycleaning and laundry, which you'll need for the other three months!

Postscript to above:
Left Luggage rooms at train stations or airports usually have a time limit, i.e. one week for bags. You can go online and check out their policies before considering this option.

We traveled across the world, trans-Siberian train, etc., and carried a small back-pack for non-losables, and an LL Bean "2-3 day" roll-around soft side each...using easy-wash and dry travel clothes..hers black with a variety of scarves..and went formal and casual as well. Men: two black Chinese shirts instead of suits..many compliments and conversations. Use a parachute cloth collapsible bag to mail home extras.

I would suggest finding some room to bring a cable-style bicycle lock. That way you can secure your bag on the train and relax in the dining car without having to either lug it along with you or worry about somebody making off with it at a stop along the way.

Less is Best! Pack everything you want to take. Then go thru the bag and take out half. Afterall, you probably will not see the same people your entire trip. Be creative. Inexpensive tops can change the look. One cocktail dress or skirt, two tops, ONE pair of dress shoes (walking shoes are more important, and comfort is the most important. What you pack, you have to carry. I go lighter and lighter every time. Richard Chamberlin's mother once said "We would not care what other's thought of us so much, if we realized how seldom they do".

Re shipping stuff home: brace yourself for sticker shock. It was going to cost me US$120 to have a paper ticket fed-exed or ups'd to me in the states from Poland. You will be looking at several hundred dollars to ship a suitcase. Just for fun, go to the fed-ex site and price 40#. I think leaving it in your last destination before coming home is a grand idea, so thanks to the above poster.

Don't forget about the option of lightening up by giving away the items you no longer need. This could even include the larger, outer suitcase which could be purchased at a second-hand store, shed like a skin when you're ready to lighten up. You definitely do not want to be struggling a large suitcase on and off European trains.

Lucky you, it sounds like a great trip.

I have never shipped a whole suitcase(!) but I have sent home a small to medium sized box of what I didn't need for the rest of the trip (changing climates) just from the local post office (got the box there). It didn't cost all that much for the size box I sent and did lighten the load of the suitcase for the rest of the trip.