Our bagI am finding that the more trips I go on, the smaller my suitcase gets. On our last business trip overseas we both decided that this time we didn’t want to drag huge suitcases around with us.

We had done that on so many other occasions and were tired of it. So even though we were away for 7 weeks we only took what was pretty much the size of an overnight bag….maybe slightly bigger. And you know what?…when we got back we realised that we hadn’t used even used some of the clothes we packed….so we could have packed even less!

What is it about packing that makes us many of us want to pack everything including the kitchen sink. Do we think that they don’t have shops in other countries where we can buy any of the stuff we leave behind?

I know when I am packing I have to stop myself from taking stuff that I don’t really need. I keep thinking ‘ well maybe I should take this just in case’. That ‘just in case’ thinking is what usually amounts to me over-packing.

I am getting so much better and have learnt plenty over the years about just what to pack. I figure I am not going to see anyone I know over there so I don’t need to look like the Queen of England and nobody is going to know that I have worn the same pair of jeans three days running except whoever I might be travelling with. I am sure they will let me know real quick if I start to smell a bit funny.

So my biggest tip to anyone who is going on a trip is to look at the suitcase you are thinking of taking and then toss it aside and choose something half the size. You really don’t ever need as much as you take and it will make your life a whole lot easier getting into taxis, checking in at airports, walking from the hotel to the train station to get to your next town and just generally moving from place to place.

Its when you get to places like Venice where you are walking up and over bridges continuously that you really appreciate having a smaller suitcase. We had average size cases on that trip and it was really frustrating lugging them up and down the steps at each bridge crossing.

The cases we have found to be very useful have a zip off backpack attached. This is really handy when you are out and about at theme parks or day trips. And the case has wheels which is a definite must when you are travelling.

So just be mindful of what you are packing, remember you can always pick up a souvenir tee shirt to wear if you get desperate, but keep it to a minimum and you will have a much more enjoyable time.

Filed under: Travel Tips

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