Luggage Lessons

I have noticed quite a few sales on luggage recently. There are plenty of gigantic bags out there and some cute little ones, too, but what should you be purchasing as you begin to think about packing for our trip to Europe? I will share what Tom and I have found to be the easiest ways to transport our essentials: a carry-on suitcase, a backpack, and a daypack.

Since all transfers are included on the tour, you might want to think about a larger suitcase if you’re planning on purchasing gifts to bring home, including wine or other liquids–you HAVE TO check any liquids over 3 oz. coming home! Our trans-Atlantic flight allows ONE FREE checked bag, one carry-on, and a smaller personal item. Your checked bag cannot weigh over 70 lbs, very manageable. This is the bag, ideally, you want to reserve for things you buy overseas–and dirty clothes to come home! I also like to pack some bubble wrap for glass, liquids, and delicate items; some Ziploc quart bags; and some Scotch tape or duct tape (wrap it around half a toilet paper tube) to help me pack and secure items before returning home. Of course, you can always choose to ship delicate items you may purchase, or gather everything together in a box and ship it home right before we leave Europe–the choice is yours.

Most of the time we travel, Tom and I choose to travel light; it’s a lot easier to handle a light suitcase and a backpack each. Air regulations stipulate your carry-on bag measure no more than 20 x 15 x 9 inches and not weigh over 17 lbs. If the bag measures any more than these figures, it will have to be checked. I recommend you ensure the right dimensions if you’re looking to purchase luggage before the trip, then pack it and weigh it. If it’s too heavy, ditch a few superfluous items until it weighs the limit. This carry-on gets stowed in the upper compartment inside the plane, so we always have access to it during the flight if we need it. Tom and I pack all of our clothing and toiletries in the carry-on. It is our closet overseas.

The second bag we like to carry is a full backpack. This we also carry on the airplane and stow beneath the seat in front of us. I pack medicine, snacks, collapsible water bottle, headphones, inflatable neck pillow, Kindle reader, guidebooks/travel literature, and my rolled up daypack inside this bag. My backpack is Wenger made by SwissGear and includes padded shoulder straps; it is super easy to carry and light despite what I may stuff into it. The website is currently offering a free leather wallet with every purchase–bonus!

The third bag we carry is actually stuffed inside the full backpack: the small daypack. This is the bag we carry each day with essentials we need for a full day of sightseeing: collapsible water bottle, guidebooks, rain jacket/scarf, and camera/tablet/phone. Since we will be staying two nights in most of the cities we visit, it will be easier to carry a small daypack with you than lugging a full backpack (which can get jostled/in the way). Also, some sights we visit may not allow full backpacks, but will allow a smaller, personal bag. My daypack comes from Thirty-One bags and measures a mere 13 x 9 x 5 inches. Unfortunately, I didn’t see an exact match to my bag on the website, but there is a Sling-back bag that comes pretty close to what I’ve got at 15 x 11 x 5 inches.

Ultimately, luggage comes down to what you’d like to tote around. The full allowable baggage is: one checked bag, one carry-on, and one personal item. If you are asking for a First-class upgrade rather than sitting in Economy class, then you are allowed two checked bags. Whatever you decide, remember that YOU are responsible for carrying your own luggage through the airports, including customs, upon our return to the States. If you have additional questions, please contact me through the Island Mission email address with which I have already contacted everyone. Next up: clothing.