Preparing For Our Dream Trip and Lessons Learned

  “He who would travel happily must travel light.” – Antoine de St. Exupery

BEFORE WE GO

Since October of 2017, Monty and I have been planning and anticipating our (probably) last trip to Europe. While waiting for the day to finally arrive I have been collecting travel items to use that don’t take up too much space and are light. I started with a suitcase. When I went to Italy in 2006, my first time out of the country, I did what most do. Try to take my entire closet. I didn’t know what I would want to wear and anticipated different weather. Big mistake. I had a suitcase you could put a 5 year old in and fill it up. My aunt who I was traveling with did the same. I didn’t know until I began the trip that I would have to deal with both cases plus carry ons. I have learned my lesson. I researched and shopped locally to find the best suitcase for me. Rick Steves is a great resource for travel tips and ideas but I can’t travel with just a backpack.

I decided the weight of the case was part of the key to something I could deal with. I wanted a case no heavier than 7 pounds empty. When were at AAA one day talking to our travel agent I noticed they had a suitcase display. Hmmm, they have a small one about 22” and weighed 6.5 pounds. Good size I thought. We will check out bags along the way but just in case I take it as carry on; I can lift empty but can I Iift it full of clothes?

Looks like too much

It All Fits!

Packing Cubes Work!

                                                                Just so happened it was on sale, so it was purchased. As I gathered other travel items I kept seeing advertisements for travel cubes for the suitcase. I had never used them but I thought I would give them a try. I began building my shopping list of wanted items and added the cubes. Onto other items needed. Shower shoes for swimming, I am not a swimmer but we will be on a cruise at the end of the trip so I might get my feet wet. Also double as hotel room shower shoes since I am a germaphobe when it comes to foreign travel and unfamiliar water. We decided to not clutter our suitcases with our toiletries and use whatever the hotel offers since most have it available. Just my own toothbrush and toothpaste. Need a USB universal charger. Good walking shoes. Sandals would be good when we get to our cruise. 

Now for what will I wear? I decided on two pairs of slacks, black and navy. I have enough tops to go with either. I purchased some new tops since most of my closet is outdated and out sized. First thought was to take several pairs of leggings but the countries we are visiting don’t seem to have embraced the super casual American dress, so just a black pair for lounging or under a skirt. I lay out 1 long skirt, two short, two dresses. Mix and matching tops and pants, dresses, and skirts I have about 25 outfits for 16 days. Not bad. I can layer if the weather is too cool and have enough to make decisions instead of feeling stuck with whatever is available. Also allows for stains and when I am unable to wash. Oh, look for travel washing soap. On the list.

Okay, let’s see if it will fit in the suitcase. Looks daunting but I have my 8 cubes. I start with the larger one and roll everything tight as possible and zip the cube. All tops in one, pants and skirts in another. Dresses, scarves, socks, and undies in another. There’s a shoe bag too. Two pairs will fit. Placing the full cubes into my case I am shocked that it all fits. And very pleased too, I am convinced packing cubes are the magic solution to organizing the suitcase. 

I unpack everything and am anxious to pack for the real thing. Monty will use his case that opens up flat, rolls and can hang his dress pants and shirts. I can use some of his space for odds and ends if needed. We each will have a carry on and that’s the total of our items. Light and compact is the only way to go. We each need to care for our own items since there are a few times we will have to walk dragging them behind or lifting into a bus or train. I learned that on the first time trip. As I said I made the mistake of using too large of a suitcase and filled it too full. So did my Aunt. I ended up having to deal with both cases at times. My arms got a workout.
Moral of the story: pack light and easy you never know what will happen and your strength will be required. Body and soul. 
My advice:

Pack as little as possible, pack light. Test, test and test, make sure you can handle it on your own. I love travel so I will sacrifice what’s needed to make it easy on me.

 WE RETURN

Okay, now for lessons learned after spending 16 days in Europe. Did I take enough? Too much? What worked, what didn't? This is the list of items I took and got into my case. I have stricken the items not worn.

SKIRT                                         TOP        
 Short black                                 Red        
                                                    Yellow        
                                                     Pink        
                                                    Black/gold        
   Short red/black print                 Black 3/4
 Long black print                
   DRESS         
Orange print, blue print     
 LEGGINGS                
  Black Long              
  Black short      

SHOE                                    Black sandal, beige slip on, black closed toe   

PANTS

Black, Navy  i
White Capri                          Navy/white stripe

                                              Peach/white stripe

                                              Pink/black print

                                              Pink solid 3/4 sleeve

                                              Black solid

                                              Yellow solid

                                              Teal print

                                              Black/white print          

MISC

Rain Jacket
Folding Umbrella
Shower Shoes

Tights
 Cuddle Dud set

 Panties - 8   
 Bras - 3
Scarves - 4     Used 1, bought 2
       

As you can see I took items unneeded and not worn. From the weather reports, I had expected Edinburgh to be cooler and rainy. We arrived and had three days of sunny, warm days. Shock!! I did wear my light rain jacket on a couple of mornings but usually I didn't need it at all. 

A lovely Scottish day - rare sunshine

I knew Italy and Greece would be warm so my tops were short sleeved and lightweight. I was cooler in the capri pants or leggings. I did wear my black slacks when we toured St Mark's Bascilica. Wore my black skirt to Vatican City. Most Romans wear black due to the high concentration of churches and it is a sign of reverence (no bare shoulders  so I always had my black scarf with me in case I needed to cover up). I ended up wearing what was the most comfortable and that I could wash and dry easily overnight. 

One thing I would absolutely do next time is I would take disposable panties. Not a depends type item. I found some online that you can wear up to two times (if needed) and throw away. Space saver and I discovered my cotton panties do not overnight. Also, there is not a Target or WalMart on every corner. Most of the hotels offer dry cleaning services which worked if we were there more than 2 days. It's an overnight schedule, not same day. 

Shoes. I thought I was taking comfortable walking shoes. My Sketcher closed toe black were great but I didn't want to wear everyday and I was used to wearing socks with them. When I was wearing capris  I needed to wear them barefoot. Fortunately near every hotel we were at was a Pharmacy nearby. I was able to find shoe inserts which helped that pair. My black strappy sandals looked great with everything but I couldn't walk the cobblestones all day without discomfort. I tried those rubbery inserts they make for sandals but that wasn't enough. 

The flat slides were worse. By the time we arrived in Rome I knew I had to do something or I'd never survive the rest of the trip. Near our hotel was a Italian leather shop that had women's sandals. I purchased a black strappy pair with a 1 1/2 inch cork platform. Very comfortable. A bargain since I was not paying USA prices. That was my shoe for the rest of the trip. Now how to get the other shoes home. We are running out of space. Maybe next time just a good pair of athletic shoes with good support. To heck with fashion.

When I was in Italy in 2006, I purchased a lovely leather purse in Florence. While in Venice I found a small purse shop off of St. Mark's Square. I actually didn't think I needed another purse but the prices were just so reasonable. To buy in the country of origin is so less expensive. I couldn't pass up a beautiful browning leather bag and a small, cute red/black cross body that is made of very soft leather. Had to have. 

Monty's packing was the same. He also took too much including 2 long sleeve shirts never worn. He used a suit bag type that loads flat and folds in half, zips up and has wheels. It worked very well for him. He did end up buying a cloth duffle bag at Hard Rock Cafe Venice to carry most of the souvenirs home. 

All in all we did well, learned a lot about the clothes we actually wear; what's comfortable when walking for hours of sightseeing. I did purchase a dreamy pair of pants in Greece and a beautiful top in Turkey. So I should've packed less knowing I would purchase items abroad. I don't know what I was thinking.  I will have lots more room next time for souvenirs, I wanted more t-shirts.

As you put items in your bag, seriously think about it. A suitcase is precious real estate and use the space wisely.

Bon Voyage!