Copyright (c) 2009 Jason Boehle
European travel is great for the mind, body, and soul. European travel without the luggage is even better! Many travel gurus will agree that when traveling overseas, less is best.
Rick Steves, legendary travel expert of PBS, insists that the only luggage one needs for a European trip is a simple backpack. For those of us who check at least one bag just for a day trip, this may be a bit extreme. To help you go from baggage check to single carry- on, follow these tips:
1. Make a List- Making a list can simplify the process of packing. It also decreases the chance of forgetting something important. Take a look at your trip's itinerary and list the items you will need for each itinerary item. For instance, if you know you will want to enjoy a morning jog by England's country side, write "running clothes and running shoes" on the list. Check them off only when you put them in your carry- on. Remember to put your passport at the top of the list!
2. Traveling is Not Your Personal Fashion Show- We all like to look our best in public and this is true for European travel as well. But bringing four colors of the same shirt, simply because you might "feel" like wearing a certain color one day, takes up valuable space in your carry- on. Remember that the focus of traveling abroad is to gain new experiences and learn about different cultures, not to debut your newest pair of high- heel boots. Wear your bulkiest items on the departing flight and pack only what is necessary.
3. Always Use Travel Sized Toiletries- Unless you are planning to live in Europe for half of the year, you do not need to bring a jumbo bottle of lotion from Costco. Simply go to your neighborhood Target or WalMart and buy compact plastic containers sold on the travel container aisle. Ration the amount of lotion or face wash you will need for the duration of your trip. In addition to taking up less space in your small carry- on, they will most likely be under the TSA regulated amount for carry- on liquids and gels.
Packing light relieves you of the immense burden of lugging large suitcases all over Europe. With a small carry on, you are free to take all of your belongings wherever your travels may take you!
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Jason Boehle, adventure traveler and creative writer invites you to visit
http://www.goldenbooktraveler.com for more European travel resources like this one.
