Yes yes and yes! It’s especially essential to pack light if you’re staying in an Air BnB in Europe, where they may be no elevator. You have to be prepared for narrow and steep staircases, no elevators. Another thing to keep in mind is that European hotel rooms are smaller and often have less storage space. If you stay in an Air Bnb, the rooms can be small and oddly shaped. It’s been a little while since I’ve been to Europe, but I remember European bathrooms having much less counter space then American ones
I was thinking toiletries, such as toothpaste, shampoo, hair gel. I’ve never bought clothes abroad unless it’s something super unique or I forgot my pajamas, but even then I pack leggings and a tshirt that can double as pajamas.
Yup, when we were in Europe, I believe there were only stairs at all our lodgings and we were inevitably on top floor. Bath was often charged as well. So glad I could travel lighter then. Now I’d need to bring my O2 gear, which is bulky and heavy in addition to my carryon suitcase. Lugging everything up and down narrow stairs is exhausting.
A friend of H’s travel tip (before crazy travel times now) is don’t travel where you want to go travel where you can get a cheap ticket. This is how he saw Israel, Cuba, Malta, Croatia and many more places. This friend also only takes a carryon bag and brings old clothes when he travels that he throws away after he wears them! He then has plenty of room in the carryon for anything he wants to bring back home.
I guess we’ve done a bit of that. We travel where our frequent flyer miles (from husband’s business trips and our United Visa purchases) go the furthest. That’s how we ended up in Hawaii in February for the first time ever… two round trip direct flights from Denver to Honolulu at ideal times, for 75k miles total. Of course we went with one week’s notice, being retirees with flexible schedule. I sometimes bring old clothing on overseas trips and leave in hotel to make space in suitcase for souvenirs. Husband thinks it is stupid.
Years ago the “bring old clothes and leave them” was a favorite tip especially if you visited poorer places where someone might appreciate your cast offs. But as it turned out very often the discarded clothing just created problems for hotel staff–it would have to go to lost and found, the cleaning staff was afraid of being accused of stealing etc. Not really a great idea.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll think on that perspective. My method is to leave a shirt folded on the edge of the trash can (with the thought that the housekeeper can opt to trash or keep).
Travel during the shoulder season. We went to Costa Rica last October. The weather was great (drier than usual) and it was the week before the tourist season started. The staff was so attentive. Airfare and hotel rates were also lower.
Pack light. Avoid checking bags. We use carry-on bags 99% of the time now. The one time I checked one last year, it was lost. Well, it showed up the next day and I got a voucher for it. One trip to Rome, I thought I’d buy my toiletries there. I ended up spending more than I needed to so I’m back to taking my 3 oz. containers of my favorites. But in Paris, DD and I had a blast shopping in a pharmacy for Cauldalie products and others. Lower than US prices.
Laundry service - do it! I also carry a small bottle of Febreeze spray to freshen clothes.
In-flight tips - compression socks. My feet would swell without them. Mask and ear plugs for the plane and hotel.
Yes! We knew some people who went to Italy and France (it was their first time in Europe) at the end of June, beginning of July and they hated it. It was hot and crowded. They were in Venice and it was shoulder to shoulder in St. Mark’s square. The next time they went to Europe, they went in March and had a much better time, they couldn’t believe how much less crowded it was! If don’t have to, why go at the hottest and most crowded time?
Rise EARLY. DD raved about her visit to Venice. They walked the streets while the shop-keepers were preparing for the day, before anything was open. Very few tourists yet awake (and some great photos).
Agree with shoulder season. We considered March for some travels, but the daylight hours are also limited, so it is a balance.
H and I love Europe in the early spring and late fall when fewer tourists are around. We have also been to Europe and Ireland in the winter and had wonderful trips. We had a great trip to Asia in the late fall. We don’t travel far from home in the summer because it is just not worth it with all of the crowds.
Be a good steward of the location you’re visiting. Follow warning signs, don’t trespass, say please and thank you a lot(!), be gracious, try to speak the language even if it’s only a word or 2, lower expectations regarding what you’re used to at home, don’t litter, don’t take rocks, shells, or other “souvenirs”…take only memories and leave only footprints, try not to touch everything. Get up early and go to bed late. Sleeping in for when you’re home not when you’re someplace to explore.
Eat local food! The first time I went to India I was 16 and my mom was horrified that I was eating food from the street vendors. It was insanely delicious, and I lived to tell about it! She was the one who asked where to find an Italian restaurant in Bangkok (she found one!). I had never eaten fish (outside of tuna from a can) until I visited Hawaii when I was 14. Game changer!
Try something fun - cave tubing in Belize. Zip lining in Puerto Vallarta. Whitewater rafting in Acapulco. Cenote (fresh water sinkhole) snorkeling all around Mexico. Glacier hiking at 10k feet in Alaska. E-bike riding around the active volcano lava flow on Big Island, HI.
Even if you only fly once a year, spring for TSA pre-check. Its a game changer at the airport and probably the best $70 I ever spent.
RE carryons: I am different than many of you. DH and I both hate schlepping bags around the airport, so we check our main bags as soon as we can. In my mind, having to wait a bit at baggage claim is a small price to pay for the convenience of ditching the luggage.
Now we share one small carry-on. We fill it with a couple changes of clothes (just in case), meds, jewelry, our laptops and anything else of value we might be taking. In 30 years of traveling together we’ve only had one lost bag and it was delivered the next day so we just don’t worry much about lost luggage. With just the one small carry-on everything is easier–secrity, killing time at the airport, finding overhead space on a sold out plane, and getting off the plane quickly.
I also stopped taking a regular size backpack for my personal item. Instead, I take a very small backpack that holds my kindle, my id, a bottle of water, migraine meds just in case, chlorox wipes, glasses (in case i need to take out my contacts), and a couple bags of trail mix. I’m 5’10 so its so much more comfortable having the space under the seat in front of me open.
May have been said above, Apple AirTags in anything checked. Global Entry if you ever fly internationally (also gives you TSA pre-check domestically).
@JustaMom We enjoy eating local food, but there are some areas where that can be risky. Be prepared to deal with a digestive upset. We do a prophylactic dose of pepto bismol, and pack Imodium. Also get a Rx for Azithromycin to have in case of a bacterial infection.
I have a large backpack to carry on, and a tiny one that folds up to the size of a wallet for day treks.