EUROPE 2023 - SUITCASES & PACKING

I bought two new pieces of luggage for the trip we took to Europe in 2023. I got a carry-on size and checked size. I also found a very nice travel back pack  

Everyone told me not to take the large piece - to try to only use the carry on size. But we were going to Europe for three weeks, and I just couldn’t imagine being gone that long with such little stuff. 

But within a few days of being on the trip, I realized I didn’t need most of what I took and I really could have survived with just the carry on. And about half way thru the three week trip, I was sick and tired of lugging this big suitcase around. I had taken it thru airports, in taxis, on subways and buses, across cobblestone streets and up and down curbs, and it wasn’t worth the effort. 

Try your hardest to not check luggage - most AirBnB places have laundry facilities, take advantage of that.

I felt like I packed very reasonably, and I really did. We were going to be gone for 21 days. So I brought with me - 3 pair of long pants (one I wore on the plane), 2 pair of short pants (because the weather said it was going to be warm), 5 tshirts (one I wore on the plane), 1 tank top, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 sweat shirt (which I wore on the plane), a cardigan, 4 dresses, 1 pajama dress, undies and bras and socks. I wore one pair of shoes on the plane, and packed my sneakers and my sandals. I had shower supplies, a small medicine bag for Rx meds and what OTC meds I brought. I had a makeup bag and extra Rx glasses. That doesn't seem like too much stuff, it seems quite basic, but I needed to use the large suitcase to pack all this up. And had I known the weather was going to be cold, I wouldn't have brought the short pants, the dresses, the tank top, the sandal, etc. I needed less makeup simply because I didn't really end up using much makeup since we were running around so much, I didn't have time.

I have a toiletries bag that is super nice and functional.  But I wish I had not packed it because it is somewhat rigid and it took up a lot of luggage space. I also never really used it as it’s designed to work, so ziploc baggies would have done the trick.

I used packing cubes, which were super great and helpful. They don’t make the suitcase any more compact or anything, they don’t really help with the luggage itself. But when you get to your hotel, packing cubes are a lifesaver! It’s easy to unpack, stay organized, pack up to leave, etc.