Packing Light and Right
- Christopher Graves
- Jul 15, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2021
The first time I went backpacking in the mountains I didn't have a clue about how to pack and what to bring. So I loaded up everything I WANTED and after a few miles of hiking my 50lb backpack seemed like a 1000lbs and I begged by friends to take some stuff - I even left some things on the trail to pick up on the way back!
A STATE OF MIND
I think many people are like me in that we want to be prepared for EVERY situation, rather being prepared for the necessities. After a number of trips to Europe I still eliminate things that never get used - it surprises me how much I don't use, or barely use, which then get taken off the list for the next trip. I don't worry if I forget something as surely I can find what I need regardless of where I am at. Thinking in terms of necessities is asking yourself if you will use what you pack enough to make hauling around worthwhile. Mindfulness of what you are packing helps you be more aware of what you have and need, and one carry on size bag gives you plenty of what you need!
Art In Europe Tours require everyone to travel with one carry on bag and one daily carry bag, a packing light method and philosophy that will only help to make your trip better.
Packing light means learning to use a 9x14x22 inch bag (backpack or roller bag) as your carry on bag, and one small daily carry bag. This is usually the universal size for a carry on for most airlines in the US and transatlantic flights. On the Art in Europe tour travel days there is a lot of walking with your bag to and from train stations - you don’t want to drag a 50lb trunk all over the cobblestones of Europe. Check out the links at the bottom of the page to help with your packing needs. Trust me when I say that whether you are going for a week or a month you will have all you need!
THIEVES AND PICKPOCKETS
Remember that you're NOT trying to stand out as a tourist who is an easy mark for thieves. In Paris one year little did I know I was being followed by a man who had targeted me as a tourist. I was too busy looking at my phone and getting directions to notice. I have no idea how long he followed me but he followed me right into the lobby of the hostel, stood behind me as we checked in, and quickly and quietly stole my small daily carry bag when I put it down for just a couple seconds to hand my passport to the clerk. It was a busy place with lots of people so I was distracted, but he was gone in a flash! Thankfully all my real valuables were in my money belt, but that bag had a treasured sketchbook!
As Rick Steves states:
"Thieves target vacationers — not because they're mean, but because they're smart. We're the ones with all the good stuff in our bags and wallets. Loaded down with valuables, jetlagged, and bumbling around in a strange new environment, we stick out like jeweled thumbs. If I were a European street thief, I'd specialize in Americans — my card would say "Yanks R Us" ."
Hauling large suitcases in major cities such as Paris is not blending in and marks you as a possible target. By lugging large bags you will more than likely be hassled by porters, targeted by people like my thief, and others only looking for your money. Just wait until you walk outside of Gare Du Nord in Paris - there will be many just waiting looking at you and sizing you up. With one carry on bag you are free to move on with little to no hassle, and comfortable in that you have everything in your control - just don't put your stuff down in the crowd!
MAKE YOUR TRIP EASIER, BE MORE FLEXIBLE!
By packing light with one-bag travel you get rid of the chance of lost or stolen luggage by the airline - a terrible way to start a trip - because your bag is with you always. You are more flexible if there are last minute flight changes and you need to run to another part of the airport at the last minute. And after a long flight while others have to wait for their bag to come to them in the airport you are off to the city ahead of the crowd!
BAGS, BAGS, BAGS
The travel bag industry has exploded over the past few years, with a dizzying array of styles and choices to choose from. Today's bags today are well built, practical and made for travel in ways my grandparents could only dream of.
Backpacks
I personally prefer a soft sided backpack as it's easier to stuff into an overhead compartment. I like being hands free while moving in and through the airport or train station which can make your movement so much easier and smoother. And I am also grateful my health is such that I can carry it and not have to deal with the noise of wheels on the cobblestones of Europe. A good backpack will have sturdy zippers and be able to be thrown around airplanes and trains with no problems. It should also have all the practical pockets and packing room that you need.
As a design nerd who loves to research travel bags here are a few of my favorites:
$150 and Less
These bags are very well made, functional and a good value.
$150 and Up
These bags are amazingly designed, stylish, built to last (some forever), and can be your home away from home for years to come.
Look for 35-45 liters of storage, with well padded shoulder straps and padded pockets for your electronics (laptop or pad). Some duffel bags work great if they have shoulder straps, but you will need to bring padding for your electronics. There are many reviews on You Tube to give you more insights on a particular bag.
I'm a big fan of packing cubes to help organize and control the contents in your bag. They really help keep everything exploding around the room before, during and after the trip! If you haven't tried them I highly recommend packing cubes.
Roller Bags
Rick Steves says it better than I can:
"A rolling bag (like my Rolling Carry-On) frees your back for a smaller day bag, or you can set your smaller bag on top and roll it along. The drawbacks: bags with wheels usually cost more, weigh substantially more, and offer a little less capacity than backpacks of similar dimensions (since wheel wells and the retractable handle cut into the internal space). Wheeled bags are great in airports, but can be cumbersome when negotiating narrow B&B staircases, crowded subways, and villages with cobbled or stepped lanes.
Unless you're traveling with your own butler, remember that you'll need to lift and lug your wheeled bag from time to time — up stairs, into and out of overhead compartments, on and off transit, over muddy footpaths, and perhaps above cobbles if the wheels are clackity-clunking loud enough to wake the whole village. Look for a rolling bag that's as roomy and sturdy as possible while still being small and light enough to lift and fit in a plane's overhead bin. Plenty of wheeled bags are well-designed for a typical European trip."
Regardless of the bag you choose, remember you are trying to minimize, not maximize the load you carry.
For those concerns about the desire to purchase souvenirs there have been some on our tours who will buy a cheap duffel bag in Paris, fill it with their purchases, then check that bag for the flight home. For them the cost of the checked bag (depending on airline) was worth it and was able to bring home some souvenirs.
HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT RESOURCES & TIPS ON ONE BAG TRAVEL AND THE ADVANTAGES OF PACKING LIGHT:
Rick Steves has been a powerful influence on thousands with his guidebooks and travel shows. He has multiple pages of tips and trick on travel, and excellent packing lists for both men and women that you can download - a list that I use every trip. Here are his recommendations for packing light.
This is a fantastic resource for researching bags, packing tips, and travel hacks. This video is a great look at how to pack for one bag travel from a mans perspective, and this from a female perspective.
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