I’m currently on day 7 of a 22 day trip to Ireland, Switzerland, and France. Ireland has been typically cool, and I also had to pack for warm/thunderstormy (as well as two formal weddings). I managed it in the smaller Paravel carryon, a smaller Lands’ End duffle, and a backpack. Will be doing laundry midway through in Geneva but think I could’ve made it without for a trip half that length! I did use packing cubes (not vacuum bags) but don’t think they’ve done much for me so far. It’s been a tight squeeze but working so far. Pack with fabric type in mind, and decant some wrinkle releaser into a travel spray bottle!
Vacuum sealing is great, but if you open the seal mid-trip and are moving locations during the trip it can be challenging to re-pack. The storage cubes are better IMO to keep you organized and for ease of re-packing. If you pack more than one pair of shoes make sure you stuff things inside your shoes to maximize space. My experience with this: I had a carry-on and small backpack for my 10-day trip to Japan where we spent 2-3 days in various cities. Everything needed to be light enough to move from place to place and not cumbersome to take on public transit. I did wash a couple shirts on the trip.
Will. I have the same issue. Also going to Italy for 14 days at the start of October. Planning fits that will fit in a carryon is stressing me out. I’m planning on doing a small laundry run at some point on the trip.
I’m wondering if you and Barret have suggestions for where to look for a affordable sport coat. I’m channeling my Talented Mr Ripley meets Stanley Tucci here, and other than RL, I’m not finding anything great. I’m also picking footwear, and other than loafers….. is it totally trash to wear any kind of sneakers in Italy?!?
No packing advice, but the last two times I’ve tried to carry on my Away Bigger Carry On, security has made me check it and claimed it’s too big. Just a heads up!
I went to Paris for a week in May and Air France lost my luggage in my layover at Heathrow for the full week (8 nights/7days) we were there. I luckily had brought 2 days worth of clothes in a carry on, but ended up having to buy basically a whole new wardrobe. (Poor me having a shopping spree in Paris, I know.) My biggest suggestions would be to wear the shoes you plan on wearing for the entire trip for your flight because shoes take up so much room in a carry-on, wear whatever you wear on the plane there on the plane back home, take only one pair of basics like jeans/chinos or shorts because you can wear them more than once, and have your hotel wash your basic clothing once, if needed. Also, I was able to fit everything I bought while in Paris in my backpack and carry-on so you can definitely fit more than you think in those two items.
I’m currently on day 7 of a 22 day trip to Ireland, Switzerland, and France. Ireland has been typically cool, and I also had to pack for warm/thunderstormy (as well as two formal weddings). I managed it in the smaller Paravel carryon, a smaller Lands’ End duffle, and a backpack. Will be doing laundry midway through in Geneva but think I could’ve made it without for a trip half that length! I did use packing cubes (not vacuum bags) but don’t think they’ve done much for me so far. It’s been a tight squeeze but working so far. Pack with fabric type in mind, and decant some wrinkle releaser into a travel spray bottle!
Vacuum sealing is great, but if you open the seal mid-trip and are moving locations during the trip it can be challenging to re-pack. The storage cubes are better IMO to keep you organized and for ease of re-packing. If you pack more than one pair of shoes make sure you stuff things inside your shoes to maximize space. My experience with this: I had a carry-on and small backpack for my 10-day trip to Japan where we spent 2-3 days in various cities. Everything needed to be light enough to move from place to place and not cumbersome to take on public transit. I did wash a couple shirts on the trip.
Will. I have the same issue. Also going to Italy for 14 days at the start of October. Planning fits that will fit in a carryon is stressing me out. I’m planning on doing a small laundry run at some point on the trip.
I’m wondering if you and Barret have suggestions for where to look for a affordable sport coat. I’m channeling my Talented Mr Ripley meets Stanley Tucci here, and other than RL, I’m not finding anything great. I’m also picking footwear, and other than loafers….. is it totally trash to wear any kind of sneakers in Italy?!?
Thanks friend.
No packing advice, but the last two times I’ve tried to carry on my Away Bigger Carry On, security has made me check it and claimed it’s too big. Just a heads up!
I went to Paris for a week in May and Air France lost my luggage in my layover at Heathrow for the full week (8 nights/7days) we were there. I luckily had brought 2 days worth of clothes in a carry on, but ended up having to buy basically a whole new wardrobe. (Poor me having a shopping spree in Paris, I know.) My biggest suggestions would be to wear the shoes you plan on wearing for the entire trip for your flight because shoes take up so much room in a carry-on, wear whatever you wear on the plane there on the plane back home, take only one pair of basics like jeans/chinos or shorts because you can wear them more than once, and have your hotel wash your basic clothing once, if needed. Also, I was able to fit everything I bought while in Paris in my backpack and carry-on so you can definitely fit more than you think in those two items.