Packing smart and light is synonymous with independent international travel. It’s all about being able to pivot if an earlier train from Rome to Florence suddenly becomes available or to fit in an extra hour or two of sightseeing since you were luckily able to stow your baggage temporarily at the train station.
We were oblivious to this concept on our first trip to Europe. We had each used the largest suitcase we could find and packed a month’s worth of clothing for the two-week trip. There was almost an outfit for each day of the adventure, including matching footwear. Fortunately for us, we were either staying in a large private home (thank you again Peter and Traude) or staying at a resort (Valamar Parentino). If there was ever a need to wash our clothes (which we didn’t since we had so much clothing), there was always easy access to a washing machine or the hotel laundry service.
Bitten by the travel bug after our trips to Austria/Croatia and China and inspired by Rick Steves’ travel shows on PBS, we resolved to travel as smartly and lightly as we could on our future trips to Europe (or anywhere else).
After what seemed like an exhausting amount of research (my anal retentiveness rearing it’s ugly head again!), our foremost purchase was luggage. We went with the EC Lync System by Eagle Creek. The greatest appeal of the bag, aside from its light weight and durability, was that it could be wheeled around or carried as a backpack or suitcase when the cobblestones got a little too jarring. Unfortunately, as of this post, Eagle Creek no longer carries this model.
For some reason, Americans are a favorite target of pickpockets in other parts of the world. Maybe it’s the misplaced perception that we are all rich or, in my case, that I am a some famous American movie star. Crickets chirping. Whatever the case, carrying a thick wallet in your back pocket or a fancy hand bag around your shoulder draws a lot of attention, not the good kind though. Yes, it may seem a bit outdated but you’ll be grateful when the petty thief hasn’t gotten away with your passport, credit cards, or wad of Euros. Strike two for us. The Ody Travel Gear Money Belt for Travel RFID is no longer sold but there are many other equally good ones out there. The RFID (“Radio-Frequency Identification”) protection is an added bonus as more technologically-savvy thieves need to just stand near enough to capture your credit card information.
On the subject of what to carry around while seeing the sights, we recommend a day bag. Find something lightweight and sturdy like the Rick Steves Civita Day Pack, which we have used since 2015 and still do today. No only does it scrunch away to nothing in your luggage, the material is extremely soft (you’ll love the straps) and comes with several zippered pockets. The color palette is nondescript and unassuming so you don’t scream “rob me”. And no I am not affiliated in any way though I wish the travel Guru would somehow stumble upon my blog and declare it a work of utter genius. One can only dream.
Clothing is a matter of preference and comfort; only general suggestions can therefore be made. If traveling during the warmer months (which we’ve done only so far), April through September, think light, breathable, wrinkle-free clothes that would look good both trekking around the Colosseum in the day and dining at a casual trattoria in the evening. Avoid bright colors and logos unless you want to be noticed and up your chances of being pickpocketed. Stick to the darker and neutral end of the color spectrum. We prescribe to the packing technique below.
Consider investing in a lightweight jacket for the unexpected drizzle or chilly evening stroll. Our current favorite is the Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff. A little pricey but very good quality. We also do not limit the use to travel and has become our go-to jacket when fall arrives in the Pacific Northwest. Since the jacket can be stuffed into itself it doubles as a makeshift pillow as well.
One often overlooked (usually last minute) item is a Travel Plug Adapter; other countries do not use the same voltage as we do in America. Combined with the number of gadgets and gizmos we tote around (smart phones, tablets, laptops), an electrical converter is an absolute necessity. The below product is used for illustration and is not the actual adapter we use (I don’t remember where we got the one we currently have!).
On the off-chance that you are attacked by a swarm of insects/mosquitoes, toss in a couple Avon Insect Repellant towelettes.
If you use AirBnbs as often as we do or your lodging does not have laundry facilities or offer a laundry service, you may need to hand wash your clothes in a sink or bathtub (we don’t recommend using the toilet or bidet!). Get over it. You think your washing machine at home is any cleaner? Travel-size detergent packets are a perfect fit, literally.
Unless you have mastered the public transportation system in the foreign country (which you should really make an attempt to do), there will be a considerable amount of walking. And, depending on the traveler’s pronation (how the foot falls on the ground), annoying corns and calluses may develop. A former boss suggested toe cushion tubes as a preventative measure.
Slap on a couple of toe socks on those toe cushion tubes and the globetrotter should be golden.
Draw-string shoes bags serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they can hold an extra pair of footwear. They can also store and hide used unmentionables (or, more generally, dirty clothing) so the other cleaner clothes do not get tainted, if you catch my drift. In a pinch, they make excellent storage containers for souvenirs. Combined with the former, trinkets are more likely to make it home safely.
Noise-cancelling over-the-head earphones can be a god sent when trying to drown out engine noise or the crying toddler three rows ahead. But they are expensive, bulky (no matter how they can be contorted), and a general liability. There is the constant concern that they are not misplaced or stolen. Who wants that looming over their head while on vacation? Earbuds are a better alternative. They are lightweight, come in a variety of colors, easily stowed away in a shirt or pant pocket, and relatively inexpense. If you lose a pair, it won’t break the bank. Our favorite is the multi-hued ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-A by Panasonic.
TRAVEL TIP: Many attractions, like museums, have a budget-friendly self-guided tour option, where the visitor is provided a handheld listening device that explains what they are looking at with the push of a button. These devices more often than not come with an earbud jack.
The 3.4 ounce TSA limitation on liquids for carry-ons is not going away anytime soon. What is a traveler to do if they still want to bring their favorite shampoo and conditioner but can’t find them in the convenient travel-size versions?
Unless the visitor is roughing it in the deepest Amazon or stuck in the middle of the Outback with no sign of civilization anywhere, there is a 99.999% chance of a towel or two being somewhere near. If you expect to be one of the unfortunate .001%, bring your own. We have yet to use the ones we purchased.
For someone, like myself, who takes a variety of medications for Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, etc. in the morning and the evening, mini multi-colored ziplock baggies are indispensable. They can be easily popped in a day bag and thrown away (or saved, if eco-minded) after use. The differing bag colors can signify the time of day the medication is to be taken (red for morning, blue for evening) and, by the number of remaining bags, whether the medication was taken. Hmm, six baggies left but only three days more of vacation. Me thinks someone was having such a blast they skipped a couple days.
A telltale sign of an independent traveler are convertible pants. Some attractions, particularly churches, usually require men and women to wear long pants out of respect for their surroundings. Don’t be one of those people!
Wouldn’t it be nice to wade in the ocean off the coast of Nice without having to bring an extra pair of swim trunks or to stick your feet in an inviting fountain in Maria Luisa Park in Sevilla on a scorching hot summer afternoon without having to look like you fell into the water?
Some of the other upscale travel clothing brands are getting on the bandwagon as well.
TRAVEL TIP: If you don’t want to stand out as a foreigner, avoid using shorts unless at the beach, planning on going swimming, or visiting a thermal bath.
If there is one singularly important purchase to make, it is a good, TSA-approved, travel lock. It will keep your belongings safe wherever you are and hasten the gate entry process at US airports. Pre-Pandemic, international airport security are not sticklers like their American counterparts, for obvious reasons.
