Last month, I went on a two-week European excursion. On this vacation we went to multiple cities in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and with that came a lot of traveling. Since we were on the move more often than not, it made the most sense to not check any luggage and instead only use one carry-on suitcase and one backpack. Space was very limited so it is crucial to understand the tips and tricks to utilize it and pack efficiently. This spans from choosing your backpack to deciding exactly what to pack and maximizing the space you have to have a successful and low-stress, fun vacation.
My biggest stress prior to this trip was how I would be able to fit two weeks' worth of clothes in two bags and still have room to buy souvenirs abroad. The best way that I did this was by making a slideshow of each of my outfits. I planned out what I was going to wear, day and night, and only packed those items. I am known to be a severe overpacker so this strategy was actually super helpful. I took photos of each item of clothing, assigned them to specific days, and packed all of my clothes into my carry-on. Having a carry-on with two large sides was perfect because I had more space to organize my clothes. Specifically, I had one packing cube on each side filled with dresses, shirts, and pants, and I put a mini laundry bag on the side where there was space to separate the clean from the dirty. I was able to fit every single clothing item in this suitcase as well as two purses.
Check out my look book!
The personal item that we used was a backpack. I got the perfect backpack from Amazon and I could not recommend it enough. The dimensions of it are that of a carry-on but it still fits comfortably under an airplane seat. In this, I put my shoes, which were in a specific bag to not dirty my other items, my makeup and toiletries, a book, my personal items, identification cards, my passport, and any miscellaneous items that I bought while I was there. The netted pocket inside was perfect for socks and underwear and while the bag may have been stuffed full, I found it better than a normal backpack given the amount of space. I mean, I bought a purse in Florence and I was able to fit that, as well as the rest of my souvenirs, into this bag. This backpack also opened as a suitcase would so it was easy to see and organize everything rather than having to dig through it like a normal backpack.
Wearing bulkier items on travel days is also a great way to maximize space. Each day we traveled to a different city or country, I wore my zip-up sweatshirt and sneakers as these items would have taken up the majority of space in my bags. It was definitely easier to pack because it was summer and all of the shoes were sandals and the clothes were smaller and less bulky than if it were wintertime but two weeks is still a long time and we made it work. If you find yourself traveling to multiple places over a longer span of time, I would highly recommend utilizing this method of packing as it is the easiest way to transport all of your belongings efficiently without having to worry about wasting time at baggage claim at every single stop. Have fun on your next excursion and make sure to use my shopping list below for all of your travel necessities!
Shopping List:
Comments