Living out of a suitcase for 3 weeks or more....
We usually travel April-May the weather can range between freezing and balmy
throughout the length of our trip, so I pack accordingly
I bring 1 small suitcase and 1 carryon with wheels. I pack far less than the strict inter Europe
airline guidelines, which are 8 kilos (17 pounds) for your carryon and 15 kilos (33 pounds) for your checked suitcase.
I prefer using the cube method and I roll my clothes within the cubes.
Suitcase
1 jeans
1 pair black capri or ankle length pant
1 black cardigan or vneck sweater
1 pair tan capri or ankle length pant
1 tan cardigan or vneck sweater
1 black shorts
These are your base outfits, as they can all be mixed and match to create
a variety of looks based on the weather. I'm wearing one of them on the plane
5-7 shirts/blouses that go with both black and tan
3 bras - black,white, beige
10 pairs of undies
2 pair of black socks
1 pair of white cotton fluffy socks for nighttime (they feel great after walking all day)
2 pairs of "dumper" short/top pajamas...these will be left behind at the end of our trip
1 bathing suit
Accesories-barrettes, headbands, gold stud earrings, black band watch w/gold face
IDepending on the destination, I leave my engagement ring at home and only wear the gold band
IF FORMAL NIGHT
Keep in mind you don't have to attend formal night, you can go to the buffet.
However, if you want to this is what I bring....
1 little black dress (that can be easily rolled up) which I will glam up with accesories
I will also bring a cute little beaded purse
Shoes
1 pair of black loafers
1 pair of flat sandals
1 pair of strappy sandals for formal night (if no formal night, leave at home)
Toiletries Bag
whatever you personally use..I have found it's never cheaper in Europe.
Outerwear
1 LLBEAN Black Windblocker fleece jacket
1 LLBEAN light gortex windbreaker
(excellent combo system-that covers ALL weather)
1 pair black mittens- CHEAP from Target
1 scarf (can be used as pareo with bathing suit)
CARRY ON
Organizer of trip info
Electronics kit -
ipod, cell phone, camera, batteries, chargers (the igo system is used), converter,adaptors
Netbook
prescription medicine
small makeup kit size bag with imodium, bandaids, neosporin, chapstick, eyedrops
travel flashlight and alarm clock
travel size toilet paper
ziplock bags
baby wipes
DAY PACK
It's Black,
I'm currently using Le Sport Sac Everyday Deluxe Bag in black, though I have used LLBean and Baggalini in the past. Make sure, it's not too big that museums won't let you in.
Side notes-
While on land based vacation NOT CRUISE
I bring my EUROPEAN hair dryer and curling iron and then I don't need the adaptors and converters
and......
I plan on doing laundry through our hotel at least once and then extra wash for undies.
When making our hotel reservations in advance, the hotels that we have many nights at
I always confirm they have laundry service AND ask for a price list to be emailed to me.