Tag: luggage

Packing Method: 3-3-3 or 5-5-5 or 5-4-3-2-1 or Something Else?carry-on

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Packing for a trip can be a chore, especially when planning to pack all your needs for a 60 day trip in carry-on luggage.

I thought it a bright idea to search the Internet for any packing hints. It became a slight nightmare as I discovered there is way too much information! I’m not a newbie to this carry-on packing idea, I just thought it might be interesting to see what others do!

I previously knew about the 3-3-3 plan of 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 shoes. But, did you know …

there’s a 5-5-5 plan of 5 tops, 5 bottoms and 5 outerwear… hmmm. 

New to me was the 5-4-3-2-1 plan of 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 layers such as jacket/cardigan and 1 = week of undergarments. 

Just as I was about to call an end to this Internet craziness, I saw a 1-2-3-4-5-6. Of course I had to check it out. This plan: 1 hat, 2 shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 socks and 6 underwear. 

Am I any further ahead with my packing list? No. But I’ve checked the temperature in each area I am visiting … good start. Next, thinking about colors that coordinate nicely. Then making a list of must-have items: raincoat, clothing and shoes for one day, and items needed at morning/night: headlamp, toothbrush/paste, comb. Plus travel needs: passport, phone & charger, reading glasses, sunglasses, money/cards, water bottle, universal adapter, and hat. Now I’ll build from here. Wonder what the overall weight will be? Actually, I don’t care!

My goal is to have clothing I can layer for the varying air temperatures. Clothing I can easily wash on the road. Must keep my carry-on bag light as I schlep it on airplanes, trains and taxis. I’ll also have a smaller bag carried on the front of my body for daily activity use. 

The reality about packing: keep it simple! I’m not in the middle of wilderness on this trip; therefore, a store will be within reach if I truly need something I forgot or need more of during my trip. Yes, simply simple and ready for fun! Most important: the carry-on bag needs to fit in the airline “cage” to assure airline personnel all the dimensions for the piece have been met … so don’t stuff the bag … meet their required dimensions.

Next post I’ll let you know where I am going for a few of months! 

Bag with a rain cover! Time to pack it!

Here are my final bags: 22 pounds in Osprey and 13 pounds in black PacSafe bag due to batteries and power bank needing to be close to you and not above in cabinet on airplane.

Finally packed 2 months worth!

Items to Pack for International Travel

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The last couple of years I have been focused on my US travels by van. Preparing for my trip to Italy, I need items specifically for international travel. Here’s my list:

Passport: Needed to be renewed so I had enough blank pages in it and more than 6 months till its renewal.

Global Entry Card: This card makes it easy to move through some airports faster than others around the world.

Visa Needed?: Europe may soon require a visa for entry to any EU country. I’m waiting on details.

Eye mask, ear plugs and N95 facial mask: Airplane time can be more enjoyable when you can darken your eyelids, hear yourself think with no extra noise, and not breathe other’s germs.

Universal adapter/converter: Correct electrical plug for my phone and anything else I wish to plug into the Italian electrical system.

Copies of important info: If a credit card or any other important piece of info was stolen, have a copy of it elsewhere along with customer service contact info to report issue or seek help.

Travel Insurance: Insurance details, plan #, and customer service number, available for your use if needed.

Medicines: Prescription meds should be in containers with the name of the drug on it. Any other meds needed, such as an antibiotic, in case you need it while traveling? 

Download Apps: some apps I use for access to walking tours, or day tours, while on the road. The airline apps are helpful too. Best to download when home so they are ready to use while traveling. An important one: enroll in the STEP Program and download the Smart Traveler app. This alerts local embassies that you’re in the area.

Physical Map: Yes, maps are on our phone, but I love having a physical map of the country I am visiting.

Airline Luggage Requirements: Each airline has size and weight requirements for personal bag, carry-on bag and checked luggage. Know the specifics. The major airline for my coming and going to Europe has no weight limit; however, a puddle-jumper I am taking has a limit of 30 pounds for my carry-on bag.

Foreign Currency: If you have some Euros from a past trip, then you may wish to throw them into your wallet. Rarely do I get money from a US bank before I travel to a foreign country. 

Communication Tools: An iPhone is with me, but decision yet to be made about use of Whats App, AT&T international service, FaceTime, Skype, eSim card or Instagram. Others may have additional choices available to them. How will you communicate while within the country and internationally?

Dependent on how heavy my carry-on bag becomes, I sometimes pack an airline-allowable fork, knife and collapsible bowl to use at hostels with kitchens or when creating a meal on my own. A bandana is also part of my gear since many places do not have washcloths. What other items do you bring? Other trips I may check luggage and can carry more; however, this trip I will travel very light.

I love a physical map!