Packing

[Sarah]

Having read all of the travel threads recently, I have an off the wall question...how do you pack when going overseas?
I am an only child of my parents' middle age, and so I travelled with them a lot when I was little. We would go for 35 days, and take one carry on suitcase (this was in the day where you could still take a reasonable size carryon). Essentially, you would want to burn everything you took with you when you got back, but it made packing simple. I still travel this way when going away. My mom and I figure that I need 3 outfits for England. I'm staying in a B&B 3 nights, and with my cousin 3 nights. But that will be almost as much clothing as if I was going for 3 weeks.

Here's mom's and my list for a trip to Europe:
- 1 skirt (or dress...but the skirt's more versatile)
- 2 pairs of pants (one black, usually one jeans)
- 2 pairs of shoes (wear one, carry the other)
- 4 shirts
- 1 cardigan
- 1 coat that doubles as a bathrobe
- 2 pairs underwear and socks (I highly recommend Tilley for both)
- pajamas

So what do the rest of you pack when you go away? Am I the only one who keeps trying to pare it down even more, just to prove I can ;)??

Sarah

[JHaris]

I'd definitely pack a small umbrella. You didn't mention when you were going and from what I can see right now, that part of the country is getting alot of rain and cold. In view of that, pack another warm sweater that could go with pants and skirt. Also, you can sleep in it which I have done. I stayed sometimes in people's homes who were business associates of DH and they definitely believed in lowering the heat at night quite a bit.

Hope you have a good trip!!!!

Joan

[donleyk]

Great thread. You've given me something to think about. We are going to Hawaii in May and packing is certainly going to be a dilemma. Thankfully, we don't have formal engagements planned. We need to a flashlight and other "non" essentials. It's going to be interesting! I want to leave plenty of room in my suitcase for shirts and souvenirs, too.

[Chefzhat]

What you pack is almost as important as HOW you pack it. We travel extensively, and here's what I've learned:

Coordinate colors - black goes with and under everything!

Pair together outfits, lay flat on bed, stacked, then roll. Saves on room, and saves on wrinkles.

A good black or navy blazer works as a blazer, coat, or to dress up a skirt, and is handy to wear to/from destination because of all the pockets to put keys, tickets, chapstick . . .


Debie

[Sarah]

In this case, the wardrobe that I suggested is pretty non seasonal. For spring or winter, I would definitely say an extra sweater. For summer, maybe a pair of shorts. Always an umbrella or rain poncho. I'm just wondering if the rest of you wish you could pack light, or have mastered the art.

Sarah

[funnybone]

Am I the only one that over packs? I take way too much, but I just can't help it. I can never decide what to wear on a particular day, and I never know what the weather will be. If I only pack enough, then I am bound to get things dirty. I count on only wearing something once. Am I the only one?

The worst trip to pack for is a cruise! Talk about way too many clothes being needed!

[jrichards]

I'm a terrible packer! I have traveled a lot, lived oversees, and am still not very good. I used to joke that part of the dilemma was that I have big feet, and shoes take up so much room! People with nice, small feet could fit at least 2 pairs in the room one of mine took up. :D The same thing with my bras prior to breast reduction. Now I can fit many in the space that one cup used to take up. LOL!

When I lived in England, my roommate was the WORST packer. Not only did she go crazy on how much she was bringing, but she brought WEIGHTS in her bag! She'd just gotten into a fitness routine and wanted to bring them. That was insane. She should have bought new ones after arriving in England.

I'm pretty good for my business trips (only bring carry-on), but for fun travel involving many types of activities is a different story.

Jennifer

[gertdog]

I am always trying to pare it down!

For two years I did a ton of travel for my job, and I learned that it was not a lot of fun to lug enormous suitcases around the continent. I made a list of essentials and typed it into the computer. Now when I travel I print a copy of the list, then review it and tailor it to my specific needs for that trip (e.g. shorts instead of pants if it is a tropical vacation, etc.).

Sarah, what you listed sounds very similar to what I packed for a trip to France last year. Except I packed a lot more underwear, so that I only had to do wash 2x total on the trip (mine was a bit longer than your England trip). Never more than 2 prs. of shoes.

I love those packing cubes you can buy from Eagle Creek and LLBean... they keep everything organized.

For the France trip, I took one bag that converted to a large backpack, plus a small rucksack as a carry-on. My bag contained one large packing cube with my shirts rolled up in it, one small one with underwear and socks, and my cardigan, pants, and toiletry bag tucked in around the edges. It was so nice and easy to carry around!

[SueK]

Originally posted by funnybone
Am I the only one that over packs?
Nope! Count me in as a fellow overpacker! God knows DH wishes I could learn the art of packing sensibly! He is good at it, after all his travels, but I am still awful. I take at least twice as much as needed, justifying it by saying "If we get stuck, I'll still have clean clothes!"

It's even worse if my destination is within driving distance. Then I practically dump my whole closet in my suitcase.

[luv2cook]

my problem is I never want to wear what I've packed after I get there!

[Laura B]

I used to overpack, but I have considerably improved in my light packing skills in the past year. When I went to Australia for a month in 2000, I took practically every item of clothing that I owned. THREE suitcases. And I ended up wearing just a few items mainly (we had a washing machine and dryer so I just washed the things I was wearing the most). This past March, I went on a business trip to Europe for a week and I only took a handbag and one small roll-on suitcase. I was so proud of myself. And when we found out we were at the wrong train station in Paris for our train to Luxembourg and we had to run through the streets in the rain at night to get to the right train station, boy was I glad that I just had one little suitcase with me!!

I am also a huge advocate of the packing cubes and packing envelopes from Eagle Creek. I love them. For that trip to Europe I bought a large garment bag packing envelope that was a lifesaver with my business attire.

For my trip to Paris next month, I will again just be taking one roll-on suitcase and a purse. I'll use pack-it cubes and pack only really versatile items of clothing that can be mixed and matched with each other. Also, I try to pack things that pack small and don't wrinkle easily, etc. I've invested in some clothes from LLBean Traveller that are fantastic. They are some of my fave clothes at home, too, but they are great choices for travel because of the fact that they pack very small and they don't wrinkle easily and most can be handwashed and then be dry by morning. I pack little woolite packets to wash things if I need to.

For good travel clothing and packing accessories (like the pack it cubes and envelopes), I love the following web sites: www.llbean.com (click on the link for travel wear and gear and that will take you to LLBean Traveller), www.magellans.com , and www.travelsmith.com .

[cchhbb]

This might be considered a little strange, but it works for me. I used to travel full-time for business and often to foreign countries. I hate to check baggage, but knew I would be picking up a few things while traveling. I did my Christmas shopping when I traveled generally.

I do most of the things others have recommended. My co-workers in Puerto Rico thought I only wore black and tan for years until they saw me in some pictures taken at home where I have a whole closet to my disposal.

My tip is that when I know I will need some extra room in my suitcase for the trip home I go through my closets and find clothes that I really don't like that much. I then throw these clothes away during my trip.

My DH and I went to Spain a couple of months ago and carried on baggage only. We each had a pull along suitcase and a small day pack. My purse fit in the day pack. We threw away our underware and socks daily and a couple of t-shirts. This allowed us to have extra room for some treasures. It also forced me to clean out our closets.

I also keep a Harrods vinyl shopping bag in my rolling bag. This shopping bag has been used several times when my purchases out matched the throw aways. This bag is really strong and can carry just about anything I pick up.

Cheryl

[JHaris]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by funnybone
[B]Am I the only one that over packs? I take way too much, but I just can't help it. I can never decide what to wear on a particular day, and I never know what the weather will be. If I only pack enough, then I am bound to get things dirty. I count on only wearing something once. Am I the only one?

In all the traveling that I've done, I am still "everything but the kitchen sink" packer. DH gets so exasperated. I like colors so doing black and navy all the time is hard....All the travel catalogs such as Magellens and Travel Smith have great clothes, but until I lose more weight, these cling too much. Have to have more than 2 pairs of shoes since feet and legs start to hurt and have to change footwear.

Don't travel in pants because of the restrooms either on the plane or elsewhere are not the cleanest. Trying to do a balancing act in plane RRs can be quite comical as you try to keep your slacks from resting on the floor!

Has anyone tried the gymnastics with the rrs in Italy. That was an hysterical time and coming out to see the quizzical look on DH's face because he knew what I had just gone through.....I didn't believe him when he told me...thought he was kidding.

Joan

[JanetB]

Has anyone tried the gymnastics with the rrs in Italy. That was an hysterical time and coming out to see the quizzical look on DH's face because he knew what I had just gone through.....I didn't believe him when he told me...thought he was kidding

JHaris -

I had to respond to this. I went on a bus tour of Europe a few years ago. Public restrooms all over Europe were a treat - but Italy!! I will only say - even though I really really needed to go when I got off the bus - I practically sprinted inside the restroom. Then I saw it - and for those who know not what we speak of - it was for all intensive purposes - a sink in the floor with a larger hole. And, I couldn't quite figure out how I would go with jeans on. And, I was very concerned that I might lose my balance and fall.

I asked the girls that I was with how does one . . . The response came from the tour guide who was outside the window calling in to me (in between hysterical laughter) to put my jeans around my neck!! It was too much for me. I wasn't going to use it. My bladder cooperated - I just really didn't need to go for the five hours it took us to get to Rome!!

:-)

[JHaris]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JanetB
[B]

JanetB,

You're lucky you could hold.... I had a skort on with stockings and there was no question of delay. So hopping around on one foot as I disassembled would have put the whole restaurant in hysterics had they seen the "American". The couple with us were natives and couldn't see why I was so upset............... glad that the rest of the countries I visited including my DH homeland of Hungary was a bit more civilized.

Of course we won't discuss being chased by a angry rooster as I made my pregnant way to the small building out in back of the farm house way out in the country. The people who lived there were short, so was the building and I had to back in. Such are the adventures of RRs in Europe.

Joan

[nmody]

My biggest dilemma is traveling with my company. The dress code is business casual which for men is easy....khaki's and polos, but for women, we might as well dress business! Plus workout clothes & shoes, PLUS the casual activities in the evenings (for example, I am on a business trip to Orlando for 4 days next week....business casual attire, evening out at universal studios, awards banquet, plus meetings during the day!) How do I pack all this plus my computer and accessories!?

On a side note, I went to India with my mom last year for 18 days, I packed 2 huge suitcases with stuff for other people (family back home), and a carry-on + backpack for my stuff. Has anyone used the bathrooms in India??? It is a hole in the ground with two footprints to tell you where to put your feet, no toilet paper (they still use water to clean), and a bucket with water and a cup !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o

This is in the developed parts too!!!!