By TravelGirl:
It really amazes me how much luggage people bring on a weekend getaway or on a 2-week adventure. Why, people, why? Do you REALLY enjoy lugging around bags while you’re traveling? Why is it that so many women must emulate their daily cosmetic routine while traveling for leisure? I just don’t understand it. Leave the make-up at home! Travel light and enjoy your time OUTSIDE of your hostel, hotel, resort, yurt, villa, vacation rental, or cruise cabin. Get out and see the world.
Alex and I typically don’t check our luggage when we travel. Prior to an 18-day trip to Europe in 2005, I took a “packing class” in Edmonds, WA offered by one of Rick Steves’ packing gurus, and WOW did I learn a lot. Since then, it has been my goal to never again check a bag on a plane flight. I admit though that some of my overseas purchases have included many bottles of rum, and therefore, I’ve been required to check a bag on the way home.
If you’ve traveled with Alex and I, you have seen our brows raise when we see the plethora of bags you’ve decided to schlep along with you. Not only does this delay the start of your travels when you’ve landed at your destination, but it also delays the start of the adventure for your travel companions who are waiting with you at the baggage carousel. Out of courtesy for your travel buddies, and to get you moving along to begin your journey, we’ve decided to arm you with a couple of packing resources. After all, you really don’t want to spend your time packing, and waiting for, multiple bags of luggage…do you?
My favorite packing tips for land travel is from Rick Steves.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm
My favorite packing tips for cruise travel is from Cruise Diva, Linda Coffman.
http://cruisediva.com/pack_it.htm
I hope you’ll learn as much as I did. Enjoy!
