Packing Light

The difference between a fantastic vacation and a dreadful one can often come down to the amount of luggage you bring. You will never hear anyone say, "I wish I had packed more" after returning from a trip.

Rick Steves, the Public TV European travel guru, only allows the members of his escorted tours to bring 1 carry-on size piece of luggage per person...even when the tour is 3 weeks long! Can’t be done? Yes it can!

Packing for a vacation can be a daunting task, especially when you're unsure of what you need to bring. 

Here are some suggestions for cutting back on the amount of stuff you think you need to pack for your next vacation:

Make a packing list:

Before you start packing, make a list of all the things you think you'll need. This will help you organize your thoughts and prevent you from over-packing. Stick to the list as closely as possible.

Pack versatile clothing:

Choose clothes that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. This will reduce the number of items you need to bring and give you more outfit options.

Plan to do laundry:

If you're going on a longer trip, plan to do laundry instead of bringing enough clothes for the entire trip. Many cruiseships, hotels and vacation rentals have laundry facilities, and some even offer laundry service. 

Leave non-essentials at home:

Do you really need to bring your hair dryer, straightener, and curling iron? Consider leaving non-essential items at home to save space and weight in your luggage.

Choose lightweight luggage:

Invest in lightweight luggage to maximize the amount of weight you can bring with you. Remember, airlines often have weight limits for checked and carry-on luggage, so every pound counts.

So, next time you're packing for a trip, consider cutting back on the amount of stuff you bring, and see how it enhances your travel experience.