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Packing

labguides

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I'd like tips for packing.
I have a 22" Eagle Creek and an Eagle Creek tote on wheels.
I have no problems packing summer weight clothes. I usually travel light, knowing that I can wash things out every couple of days. This trip, I will not have time to wash.

But.. now, I need to pack Fall weight clothes.
pants, tees, sweatshirt, heavy sweater, tennies, makeup, meds, phone/camera chargers, heavy socks, udies etc.


Suggestions?
 

DeniseM

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I'm thinking along the same lines regarding my upcoming trip to London. Are you going to have a washer and dryer where you are staying? If you can't wash anything that makes it much more difficult. My plan is to take coordinating pieces for 3-4 days and to do a small load of laundry every night and hang it to dry. I'm going to stick with synthetics that will dry quickly. I took some jeans and a cotton sweater on my last trip to the UK and they took days to dry, so I'm not taking cotton this time. I have a full-length water-proof synthetic trench coat that is really light and packs small, and I'm going to take a sweater to layer underneath it, when needed.
 

eakhat

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We traveled in France, Germany, and Switerland for three weeks, and I used a suitcase that was small enough to be a carry on. I had clothing for warm weather in Nice, France, and clothing that would keep me warm in the Switzerland mountains. It took several months to get the appropriate clothing, shoes and luggage. I purchased a Rick Steves suitcase and purchased clothing that was lightweight and easy to dry. For the colder weather, I used a fleece jacket liner and REI silk underwear. Another year we traveled in Spain and England for four weeks, and I used the same suitcase.

Whenever we were at a place for two or more nights, we handwashed dirty clothes; we purchased a portable clothesline from Rick Steves that was very useful. Having a smaller suitcase was really nice for train travel and walking up hotel/B&B stairs.

Good luck!

Elaine
 

labguides

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Normally, when we travel, I wash every couple of days. However, this trip is different.. there are 5 ladies traveling together.. I doubt that anyone wants to see my undies drying in the bathroom. The hotels probably have laundry facilities, but I don't want to take time away from my friends to do laundry.

I'd like a good method of packing clothes.
 

DeniseM

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The vacuum bags work well, but they sure wrinkle the clothes! The ones that you roll don't require a vacuum to repack when you come home.
 

Chrisky

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How long is your trip. With 5 women, you will all have to do laundry at some time. Do it all together one morning. When we were in Scotland for 3 weeks, I did a big wash once. Other than that I had good wool socks for my walking shoes that wick away moisture. I had one vest, one wool sweater, one quilted jacket that I wore on the plane and could use as a pillow, and one rain jacket that was very light and packed well. All long-sleeved T-shirts were colour coordinated. All socks and underwear were packed in the shoes or rolled. You can buy microfibre underwear that dries overnight. I took small sizes of toothpaste and shampoo etc. Scaled down the makeup and only took the bare necessities. I only took one suitcase and a small knapsack as a carryon.
 

darcy

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For cool weather city-type trips (which many of our European trips are, because we travel in the offseason), I have a standard wardrobe that fits fine into a standard rolling carry-on size bag, and does not require doing laundry:

- 2 or 3 black skirts (2 for up to a week, 3 for longer; at least one of them long if I expect it to be cold); cotton or travel knit - nothing bulky;

- 1 shirt for every 2 days: I have a collection of inexpensive short-sleeved colored t-shirts (the type specifically fitted for women - not junky logo t-shirts) from Target/Wal-Mart type stores; they come in various neckline types for variety;

- one long-sleeve cashmere sweater, dark color in cable knit to minimize stains showing; cashmere is much less bulky than most cotton or wool; if I don't need to be so warm, I take a long sleeve cotton sweater;

- black silk long underwear bottoms that I wear under the longer skirts;

- black tights - weight depends on how cold it will be; also black over-the-knee socks that I wear with the long skirts over the long underwear; about 1 pair for every 3 days;

- underwear - sometimes I plan to wash, but they don't take up much space, so often I take enough for the whole trip;

- one light raincoat - the one I use is a winter coat shell that has a warm liner, but I don't travel with the liner, I just layer my sweater underneath and am always warm;

- stylish blue denim jacket with colorful scarf - looks good with the black skirts, and can even be layered with the sweater if necessary;

- one hat, one pair of gloves if it will be cold;

- one tiny purse that packs very flat, for an evening restaurant or something - most of the days I carry a larger purse that doubles as my carry-on.

- I reluctantly travel with a small travel hairdryer since they often aren't available at the types of places we stay in Europe;

- minimal makeup and toiletries (minimal = no nail polish/remover, no perfume, no tweezers, etc.) in travel sizes;

- for a truly cold/wintery city trip, as opposed to fall/spring or cool days and cold nights, I substitute some long (but still lightweight) shirts for the short-sleeves and sub one or two pairs of pants for skirts (pants that can be worn multiple times), some warm socks for tights.

- On the plane: travel knit pants; the cashmere sweater or the denim jacket, over one of the t-shirts.

- Most important: you can't pack light if you take too many shoes! Make sure you have really comfortable shoes that are broken in before your trip. Max 2 pairs - one to wear and one to pack. A lot of times, one will do. Personnally, I have two pairs of black Danskos that go with anything. If I expect a little out-of-city stuff (such as hiking) I might sub sneakers for one pair. Never more than two pairs except possibly a small pair of flip flops if you expect an indoor pool.

- For international trips, we typically check the clothes bags. I carry on ipod, noise-cancelling earphones, cell phone, camera, reading materials, minimum jewelry, medications, glasses in a large purse.

- Number one rule of travel with darcy: don't pack more than you are willing to carry around! Even when I have wheels, I have had to carry my luggage up many a subway stairway or hotel with no lift! :)

Most of all, have fun!
 

dioxide45

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The vacuum bags work well, but they sure wrinkle the clothes! The ones that you roll don't require a vacuum to repack when you come home.

We have never had a problem with the space bags wrinkling our clothes.
 

TerriJ

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Don't tell anyone, I wear the same items more than once, except for underwear and such, which I squeeze enough of in for the trip duration. I also like to mix and match!
 
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