I’d like to be one of those people who travel to Europe for weeks at a time with only a small carry-on bag. Let’s just say I came close to achieving this goal.
I recently traveled to Austria for 11 days, and I managed to get most of my items in a carry-on bag that converts into a backpack. My husband had to take dress clothes for a work conference and had his checked bags paid for, so I allowed him to carry a subset of my clothes and toiletries.
In other words, I had “a cheat bag.”
We flew to different locations, and I spent my first several days in Salzburg while he started his conference in Vienna. I knew I wouldn’t have access to the checked bag for three days, so I packed all I needed in my carry-on backpack and my purse.
I wanted a backpack instead of using my usual rolling carry-on bag because I knew I would be schlepping my belongings from the airport to a commuter train, on foot while sightseeing in Munich and to the train station and on a bus to my Salzburg accommodations. Then again when I took a train to Vienna and a couple of subway rides to our Vienna hotel.
The old cobbled, uneven streets and walkways can be trying terrain for rolling bags, though I did see plenty of people lugging them. My convertible backpack bag (you can zip the shoulder straps into a hidden compartment and use it like a regular bag) served me pretty well in all that traveling.
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Top travel recommendations
I’m recommending this Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack. It has roomy compartments, comfy shoulder straps and straps and buckles that cinch to make the bag as small as possible.
The packing cubes I bought also proved helpful. I used one large cube for clothing I didn’t need until Vienna and tossed that into the hubby’s checked bag. For my backpack, I used a medium-sized cube for most of my clothing. I had a small bag for items I wanted on the plane: my tablet, a few magazines, snacks, a journal and a bag for cords. Before I sat down for my 10-hour flight, I grabbed the small bag and tossed my backpack into the overhead bin.
For someone who struggles mightily with disorganization, a handful of packing cubes and small bags made a big difference. The old me would have my entertainment items loose in a pocket of my bag, and it would have taken me several minutes to gather everything together.
Full disclosure, I lost a library book somewhere in Vienna, so I won’t say I am miraculously cured of absent-minded behavior.
For my toiletries, I used plastic quart bags (and a gallon bag I threw in Shawn’s checked bag). Plastic bags allow you to see what you have at a glance and are essential for getting through TSA. Seriously, I think I had six different liquids for hair… Do you think that means I have a problem?
A plastic quart bag also held my jewelry. I used a funny travel hack of carrying my necklaces on a toilet paper tube to keep them from tangling. Worked like a charm! Inside the quart bag, I had a small cloth bag to hold earrings.
In addition to the packing aids, I’m recommending these sandals from Clark’s. They’re quite comfortable, even on days when you walk eight or 10 miles. My new Adidas running shoes also made the grade. No blisters from either pair no matter how many miles I logged while seeing sights. I averaged eight miles a day, hitting 13 miles on my most ambitious day.
The travel “don’ts”
As for the negatives, I packed too many jackets. Austria and much of Europe is in the midst of a heat wave. Many days in the upper 80s and low 90s. Now that doesn’t sound that hot to this Texas girl, but here’s the thing. Most buildings have no air conditioning. And it was exceedingly humid. Imagine, if you will, Houston in the summer with no AC and you get the idea of how hot it was.
I needed more skirts and shorts and fewer jeans and jackets. Because I had access to a washing machine for the last four days of our trip, I could have eliminated almost everything I put in Shawn’s big checked bag. Lesson learned. Traveling light makes the trip less stressful (and your back less achy).
On the way home, I gladly checked my backpack because Shawn could check two bags for free. It’s good to be a Platinum Rewards Member. What a relief to not have to schlep the bag through the airport and on and off the plane. It took a while for us to get through the custom’s line. Our checked bags were waiting for us when we got to baggage claim.
We also bought lots of souvenirs, which became the bulk of our carry-on items. Another reason to embrace checking bags.
When I think about it, do what works best for you in checking bags or not checking them. Traveling to other countries is an adventure, and don’t let your luggage concerns keep you from enjoying your trip. Embrace a cheat bag if it lowers your stress levels. Break up with the idea of packing perfection and just get going!
I’m so thankful to get to go on this European Adventure with Shawn. I studied in France one summer during college and traveled to a handful of other countries. But this was our first overseas trip as a couple. I hope it won’t be our last!
Whether you’re headed to Europe or a weekend at the lake, enjoy new experiences and spending precious time with your loved ones!