Lightest way to travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need room for stuff you buy along the way also.

FedEx.com
UPS.com
DHL.com

[Anonymous]

Full seviice laundry is much more popular there than in US. Take advantage.

[Anonymous]

Rent a car.

[Anonymous]

PP again! Since you are taking trains, be aware that the overhead space can be small and your bag(s) may not fit. This is especially true for fast speed trains. The seats can be cramped on those, too.

You will then need to put your bag on a storage rack, usually near the doors. That can be worrisome as it might be easy for someone to grab it and go.

You may want to consider getting one of those reuseable twist/ties in a large/long size, neon color. (Nite Ize) is one brand. That way you can quickly tie the handle of your bag to the suitcase rack. If someone is looking for a grab-and-go, they won't bother untying your bag and the neon color is a warning that it won't be an easy mark. The tie can come in handy for lots of other uses too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my advice (as an older woman) is to get something with wheels. You do not want your trip ruined because you hurt yourself trying to lug around a backpack!

The key is learning/practicing to travel light. I did a six-week solo trip to New Zealand/Australia when I retired. Had to pack clothes for everything from beaches to mountains. I did it in a carry-on size rolling bag.

IMO, the most important advice I can give is to get a bag with TWO WHEELS, not four. I know four wheels is the predominant style now but two wheels is easier to get up and down stairs and roll over cobbles, if you need to. And you will need to. The other advantage is the two-wheel styles usually have sturdier wheels (similar to roller-blade wheels).

If you want to cover all options, you can combine both backpack and rolling bag. I have a Kipling rolling backpack that I used every single day for commuting on the Metro and it lasted for years. It is small but if you used it, and a tote bag that fits on top, you would have as much space as one larger carry-on bag. In a pinch, you could put the backpack on for a short period and carry tote bag by hand. It would also be easier to keep both bags with you on trains, buses, etc. It's really a matter of choice - a carry-on bag or two smaller bags (one with wheels).

If you intend to bring back a few baubles, another thing you can do is the "throw and go" method. If you have older but still serviceable clothing, especially underwear, take that with you and throw it out after you've worn it. Same with shoes, which can take up a lot of room.

Otherwise, I look for clothing that is quick-dry and can be washed out in the sink. I have a couple of plastic folding hangars which I hang things on.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement and enjoy the wonderful freedom it brings! Buon Viaggio!

Can the Kipling rolling backpack fit under the airplane seat in front of you?

Yes! As long as you don't overstuff it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my advice (as an older woman) is to get something with wheels. You do not want your trip ruined because you hurt yourself trying to lug around a backpack!

The key is learning/practicing to travel light. I did a six-week solo trip to New Zealand/Australia when I retired. Had to pack clothes for everything from beaches to mountains. I did it in a carry-on size rolling bag.

IMO, the most important advice I can give is to get a bag with TWO WHEELS, not four. I know four wheels is the predominant style now but two wheels is easier to get up and down stairs and roll over cobbles, if you need to. And you will need to. The other advantage is the two-wheel styles usually have sturdier wheels (similar to roller-blade wheels).

If you want to cover all options, you can combine both backpack and rolling bag. I have a Kipling rolling backpack that I used every single day for commuting on the Metro and it lasted for years. It is small but if you used it, and a tote bag that fits on top, you would have as much space as one larger carry-on bag. In a pinch, you could put the backpack on for a short period and carry tote bag by hand. It would also be easier to keep both bags with you on trains, buses, etc. It's really a matter of choice - a carry-on bag or two smaller bags (one with wheels).

If you intend to bring back a few baubles, another thing you can do is the "throw and go" method. If you have older but still serviceable clothing, especially underwear, take that with you and throw it out after you've worn it. Same with shoes, which can take up a lot of room.

Otherwise, I look for clothing that is quick-dry and can be washed out in the sink. I have a couple of plastic folding hangars which I hang things on.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement and enjoy the wonderful freedom it brings! Buon Viaggio!

Can the Kipling rolling backpack fit under the airplane seat in front of you?

Yes! As long as you don't overstuff it.

Yikes! I just looked at Kipling's page and it looks like they no longer have the two-wheeled rolling backpack I use. Sob! Not sure about the new model(s) and if they'd fit under seat.

[Anonymous]

Rolling carryon and a small backpack/daypack. You will be fine. Don’t pack everything in an enormous backpack. That’s crazy.

[Anonymous]

^ Another option may be High Sierra. They have some two-wheeled backpacks WITH a double handle (not single) which is easier to attach another bag to.

[Anonymous]

Travelpro has an affordable two-wheeler which fits under the seat. H: 17.5 in. W: 14.5 in. D: 8.5 in.

Couple this with a squishable backpack/bag which can ride on top when you are rolling, and you'd have plenty of room.

[Anonymous]

I agree with small rolling bag and a backpack. Did this for 3 weeks last summer. It spreads the weight.

[Anonymous]

Some great responses in here—thanks guys!! 👍

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my advice (as an older woman) is to get something with wheels. You do not want your trip ruined because you hurt yourself trying to lug around a backpack!

The key is learning/practicing to travel light. I did a six-week solo trip to New Zealand/Australia when I retired. Had to pack clothes for everything from beaches to mountains. I did it in a carry-on size rolling bag.

IMO, the most important advice I can give is to get a bag with TWO WHEELS, not four. I know four wheels is the predominant style now but two wheels is easier to get up and down stairs and roll over cobbles, if you need to. And you will need to. The other advantage is the two-wheel styles usually have sturdier wheels (similar to roller-blade wheels).

If you want to cover all options, you can combine both backpack and rolling bag. I have a Kipling rolling backpack that I used every single day for commuting on the Metro and it lasted for years. It is small but if you used it, and a tote bag that fits on top, you would have as much space as one larger carry-on bag. In a pinch, you could put the backpack on for a short period and carry tote bag by hand. It would also be easier to keep both bags with you on trains, buses, etc. It's really a matter of choice - a carry-on bag or two smaller bags (one with wheels).

If you intend to bring back a few baubles, another thing you can do is the "throw and go" method. If you have older but still serviceable clothing, especially underwear, take that with you and throw it out after you've worn it. Same with shoes, which can take up a lot of room.

Otherwise, I look for clothing that is quick-dry and can be washed out in the sink. I have a couple of plastic folding hangars which I hang things on.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement and enjoy the wonderful freedom it brings! Buon Viaggio!

PP-How your trip go? Were you lonely? Did you have a hard time with the physical demands? I am open to broader tips about pulling off solo travel in old age!

[Anonymous]

There's a reddit forum called "HerOneBag" that is specifically discussions targeted to women who travel light.

My recommendations -- a small rollaboard suitcase, a medium sized cross-body purse, and a lightweight packable backpack (e.g. Eddie Bauer does one that's called the Stowaway packable backpack). Use the purse and the suitcase for travel days, and then the backpack for longer excursions

3 pairs of shoes. One pair of sandals that you can walk a mile in and go out to dinner. One pair of walking shoes that will cause you no problems after five miles. One pair that's light, packable and waterproof (like slides or flip flops) that you can toss on to go to the beach.

I pack outfits for 6 days, plus what I'm wearing, plus extra undies. I suggest detergent sheets for sink washes, plus a short length of cord you can hang up to dry your clothes in the shower stall. Quick dry is useful if you need to wash in the evening and pack things the next morning. ExOficio carries quick dry undies that folks like. Trickier if you'll be taking overnight trains, though.

Get yourself a Turkish towel for beach trips; they fold up very small. A hanging bag for your toiletries, especially if you'll be doing things like trying to shower in tiny bathrooms.

Have a blast!

[Anonymous]

The trains in Italy are fantastic. Left Bologna this morning. Yes to light roller bag. Yes to few clothes and sink laundry.

My husband likes hotel laundry and I literally laugh at how absurdly expensive it is, but fast.

I have two slacks, two sweaters, two blouses, two scarves. Sunhat that doubles as rain hat. Too many toiletries. And, yes, I won’t see 60 again either.

I have a flat waist pack I love for passports, credit card, hotel key card, cash.

[Anonymous]

Agree w/15:00 poster except rolling bag (of any size or weight) ended up hurting my opposite hip. I had to go with a backpack.

One pair of shoes only. The ones you wear.