Early 1980s in my early 30s my first trip abroad 5 weeks across Europe w some tent camping…I visited a nice travel store & brought a travel iron & hair dryer, plastic raincoat, god knows what else & several RS & other travel books! I had a new beautiful large soft-sided bag w 2 tiny wheels so it kept flopping over. What a disaster on a bus! We had a duffel bag of sleeping bags, tent & blow up pillows too.
Much much lighter today though at 75 I find I have so many toiletries, prescriptions, glasses & medical stuff arghh. I try to layer, mix & match & not bring that special top I may not wear (much).
Great article, and I am so proud of myself. I didn’t have any of these items on my last trip. And I weighed every single piece of clothing. My only downfall is I bring my phone and my kindle and my iPad. I don’t like reading books on my iPad. But I did downgrade to a IPad mini which is lighter. Years of reading your packing posts have trained me well- and yes to zip lock bags for cosmetics and medicine. Thank you
You have written a perfect list! I do take my headlamp, it’s saved me many times. I also take house shoes. I like to get out of my day shoes when I’m lounging. They’ve also saved me from questionable floors. Over the years I’ve gotten better about packing only the essentials. You live and learn. I always say no one is judging my clothing choices. I tend to look like I’m always ready for a hike, and I’m okay with that. Thanks for this great list!
Great article Sarah! I agree with you on not bringing too much extra stuff. We spend March-July in Scotland photographing wildlife (husband) so our packing needs are a bit different, but we do manage carry on only with two 40 liter roll ons and camera backpack for husband (admittedly very heavy, but it's never been a problem) and 20 liter hiking backpack for me (both backpacks fit under the seat on the plane). What's saved us is bringing very few clothes, mainly merino wool which is a lifesaver, and layers. Since we're mostly hiking we have to have hiking boots (wear on plane) and I bring hiking poles. Husband also brings a laptop because he's working and we both bring kindles. We bring limited toiletries and we don't take any meds. A few other odds and ends and we're good to go. Oh and, like you, I bring my down pillow which I stuff in my backpack on traveling days to be replaced with our rain gear when hiking. It's all worked out and if we need anything else Scotland has stores! It's quite freeing to travel as a minimalist.
I always laugh when I see people in the Forum with fall on safari gear and alpine walking sticks. Usually Germans to be honest. I am not traveling by plane this year my medical equipment includes medical scissors and also if I went on a two week trip, my entire carry on would be medical equipment for two weeks. I have to have it on me at all times so walking around with a huge ass bag would suck. I like travelling light, but if I go to food or wine destinations that's the danger. I want to buy the wine and the spices. Buying a Kobo reader saved me soooooo much book weight
We have a family holiday competition - whose luggage weighs the least. We got into the habit of only taking carry-on for a 2 week holiday after one break where we had a sea-plane leg and couldn’t take more. Never looked back. (I always win the luggage-weight game, mainly because my shoe size is less than half of my husband and son’s)
Sarah, I heard your voice in my head while reading this!😊Great writing and helpful tips, always. Smiled seeing you suggest Ziploc bags, my lifelong travel hack. Compression, multi-purpose, see-through…love them. We love traveling light and I still find myself coming home with things I didn’t need, then make notes about it for next time. The 54321 idea, a coordinating palette, and emphasis on clothes you are comfortable in are so true for me. We appreciate all you do to help people live their best travel life!
Love this list! But I still need my emotional support travel pillow🤣🤣. But agree on every item - I use your “weigh everything” advice now when I pack. What a difference it makes
I couldn’t leave a photo with my comment but last week I posted on another social media site a photo of the figurative steamer trunk on wheels that my wife brought on our first trips to Europe that was now sitting on the shelf at a Goodwill. Eight years with me and she’s learned to pack everything in one and a half carry on bags (I give her half the space in mine). She still insists on those packing cubes. It’s not a hill I’m gonna die on though.
I'll never forget your fabulous tour in Sicily, May 2024. Amy and I were delighted to find a late night laundromat near our hotel in Syracuse, only to be locked in. Great adventures with you Sarah, for sure.💞 You continue to encourage me to "lighten up". Just returned from Paris/Loire Valley and am ready to trade my 2 luggage locks for zip ties. Every ounce counts....
Early 1980s in my early 30s my first trip abroad 5 weeks across Europe w some tent camping…I visited a nice travel store & brought a travel iron & hair dryer, plastic raincoat, god knows what else & several RS & other travel books! I had a new beautiful large soft-sided bag w 2 tiny wheels so it kept flopping over. What a disaster on a bus! We had a duffel bag of sleeping bags, tent & blow up pillows too.
Much much lighter today though at 75 I find I have so many toiletries, prescriptions, glasses & medical stuff arghh. I try to layer, mix & match & not bring that special top I may not wear (much).
Agree this is a well thought out article. Thank you.
Great article, and I am so proud of myself. I didn’t have any of these items on my last trip. And I weighed every single piece of clothing. My only downfall is I bring my phone and my kindle and my iPad. I don’t like reading books on my iPad. But I did downgrade to a IPad mini which is lighter. Years of reading your packing posts have trained me well- and yes to zip lock bags for cosmetics and medicine. Thank you
I feel ya, I way prefer my kindle but the extra weight makes me sad.
You have written a perfect list! I do take my headlamp, it’s saved me many times. I also take house shoes. I like to get out of my day shoes when I’m lounging. They’ve also saved me from questionable floors. Over the years I’ve gotten better about packing only the essentials. You live and learn. I always say no one is judging my clothing choices. I tend to look like I’m always ready for a hike, and I’m okay with that. Thanks for this great list!
Great article Sarah! I agree with you on not bringing too much extra stuff. We spend March-July in Scotland photographing wildlife (husband) so our packing needs are a bit different, but we do manage carry on only with two 40 liter roll ons and camera backpack for husband (admittedly very heavy, but it's never been a problem) and 20 liter hiking backpack for me (both backpacks fit under the seat on the plane). What's saved us is bringing very few clothes, mainly merino wool which is a lifesaver, and layers. Since we're mostly hiking we have to have hiking boots (wear on plane) and I bring hiking poles. Husband also brings a laptop because he's working and we both bring kindles. We bring limited toiletries and we don't take any meds. A few other odds and ends and we're good to go. Oh and, like you, I bring my down pillow which I stuff in my backpack on traveling days to be replaced with our rain gear when hiking. It's all worked out and if we need anything else Scotland has stores! It's quite freeing to travel as a minimalist.
I always laugh when I see people in the Forum with fall on safari gear and alpine walking sticks. Usually Germans to be honest. I am not traveling by plane this year my medical equipment includes medical scissors and also if I went on a two week trip, my entire carry on would be medical equipment for two weeks. I have to have it on me at all times so walking around with a huge ass bag would suck. I like travelling light, but if I go to food or wine destinations that's the danger. I want to buy the wine and the spices. Buying a Kobo reader saved me soooooo much book weight
We have a family holiday competition - whose luggage weighs the least. We got into the habit of only taking carry-on for a 2 week holiday after one break where we had a sea-plane leg and couldn’t take more. Never looked back. (I always win the luggage-weight game, mainly because my shoe size is less than half of my husband and son’s)
Sarah, I heard your voice in my head while reading this!😊Great writing and helpful tips, always. Smiled seeing you suggest Ziploc bags, my lifelong travel hack. Compression, multi-purpose, see-through…love them. We love traveling light and I still find myself coming home with things I didn’t need, then make notes about it for next time. The 54321 idea, a coordinating palette, and emphasis on clothes you are comfortable in are so true for me. We appreciate all you do to help people live their best travel life!
Aww thanks Laura! Hugs to you and John!
Hugs back!
Love this list! But I still need my emotional support travel pillow🤣🤣. But agree on every item - I use your “weigh everything” advice now when I pack. What a difference it makes
I couldn’t leave a photo with my comment but last week I posted on another social media site a photo of the figurative steamer trunk on wheels that my wife brought on our first trips to Europe that was now sitting on the shelf at a Goodwill. Eight years with me and she’s learned to pack everything in one and a half carry on bags (I give her half the space in mine). She still insists on those packing cubes. It’s not a hill I’m gonna die on though.
I'll never forget your fabulous tour in Sicily, May 2024. Amy and I were delighted to find a late night laundromat near our hotel in Syracuse, only to be locked in. Great adventures with you Sarah, for sure.💞 You continue to encourage me to "lighten up". Just returned from Paris/Loire Valley and am ready to trade my 2 luggage locks for zip ties. Every ounce counts....
How doe you address medications and supplements? Wigs? Things use folks 65 and up either currently deal with or will in the future?
great useful article