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How to Pack Light: Five Weeks with a Carry-On!

Packing for any trip–a weekend in wine country, a month in Europe, or something in between used to be second nature for me, but my skills got rusty during the pandemic. What I did and did not bring on my first post-Covid lockdown trips were proof of that! Thankfully, I’ve had lots of trips and plenty of practice packing light since then.

Here’s how NOT to pack! What do they have in those big bags? And why?

I just got back from five weeks in Europe with only a carry-on roller bag and one personal item. If I can do it, so can you. Here’s how to to get organized and travel lightly on your next adventure.

These are my bags– for a five-week trip to Europe.

Get Organized

Waiting until the last minute to pack means throwing stuff I don’t need into my bag and not bringing the things I do. Make a list or download one from one of the many online sites that offer them free. Do a “preliminary pack” about a week before you’re leaving and finalize right before you go. This goes for your suitcase (you won’t be checking it) and your one allowable “personal item” — mine is a tote that carries a small purse, laptop and essentials like travel documents and medications.

Light layers took me comfortably from hiking in the Dolomites…

Check the weather.  Unless you’re traveling in mid-winter cold, you’ll want to pack light layers.  We stayed in a castle in Tuscany, went hiking in the Dolomites, wine tasting in Friuli, explored small cities in the Marche, spent time at the seaside in Abruzzo, and revisited the eternal city.

…to the Adriatic seaside, and lots of places in between.

The weather was very different in each of these places, but by taking layers, my five-week wardrobe fit nicely in my carry- on (thanks to packing cubes) and I had the appropriate clothes for all the weather we encountered.

Take Half the Clothes and Twice the Money

That’s travel advice someone shared with me years ago and I still take it to heart. Chances are you’re going to be moving from one destination to another and seeing different people in all of those places. No one will know you’ve worn that outfit five times already.  People everywhere dress much more casually than they used to– keep that in mind as you select your travel wardrobe.

Choose clothes you’re comfortable in– a trip abroad is not the time to discover your pants are too tight. If you’re like me, you may even add a few pounds on your travels so clothes that fit a little more loosely at the start of the trip is a good thing. I often bring a few things that are nearly ready for the donation bin, wear them a few last times and leave them behind– more room for new purchases in my bag!

Neutrals are always appropriate. Use accessories to change your look.

Choose neutrals. Pick black, white, camel, gray or navy as your base to create a “capsule wardrobe,” which means everything goes with everything else. Use accessories for a pop of color (I love scarves) and to change up your look. Remember the 3:1 rule– three tops for every bottom. Lay out whatever you think you need and then put at least one third of it back in the closet.  You don’t need it—trust me.

Consider the activities you have planned. Your wardrobe for hiking in the Italian Alps is going to look a lot different than a theater-going marathon in London. Obviously, you’ll want performance fabrics for athletic endeavors. Choose natural fabrics, think cotton and silk, that will keep you comfortable for everything else. Merino wool works for most of the year and linen can’t be beat for hot summer days. Separates will provide much more flexibility than dresses or jumpsuits, but I always bring a dress, just in case I am going to the theater after a hike in the mountains.

Some trips include all kinds of activities and events. We went from mountain hikes in the Dolomites to concerts in Salzburg and Vienna!

Nice trousers, a button down shirt and a sweater will be fine for a night at the theater for men, though many we saw at classical concerts last fall in Vienna and Salzburg were in suits.

People dress much more casually than they used to, even on a Saturday night in Rome.

You do not need five pairs of shoes. Bring comfortable flats that can also go out to dinner, walking shoes or sneakers for daytime, and sandals or flip flops (good as slippers, too) if you’re headed to a sunny locale. Three pairs is plenty and be sure they’re comfortable. Blisters will ruin that romantic Parisian stroll you planned. If you’re hiking, or going into wet/snowy weather, that’s a different story. Wear your heaviest shoes/boots on the plane. Never bring new shoes and leave those cute heels at home! Streets are cobbled or uneven in many destinations. Men can get by with sandals (in warm weather), walking shoes that are comfortable but dressy enough for evening out, and a good pair of sneakers.

Check out their footwear– flats and sneakers. Cobbled streets like these in Seville are more the rule than the exception.

If the weather is changeable, I pack a puffer jacket and a vest (Patagonia’s nanopuff is my go-to) and a lightweight, waterproof shell with a pair of gloves and a scarf tucked in the pocket. That combination sees me through all but the coldest conditions.

Laundry

Pack for no more than a week, no matter how long you’ll be traveling. Wash lighter things in the bathroom sink in your hotel. Bring inflatable hangers and a few plastic clothes pins (also good for keeping drapes closed) — and use hotel shampoo as laundry soap. For heavier things like pants and shirts we use Google Maps to find a fluff- and -fold cleaner with drop- off service near our lodgings. We dropped our laundry off in Kalamata and learned it was the same cleaner the hotel used, but we paid the local’s price. They even delivered our clothes back to our hotel for us.

If we can’t find a drop-off fluff and fold, we head to a laundromat.

If you’re staying in an apartment with a washer, lucky you. Don’t expect to have a clothes drier in Europe—you’ll likely have a clothesline or drying rack. That works, too.

Medication, Documents, Jewelry

Bring extra prescription medications in case your return is delayed—and these days, it easily could be. We woke up to a text announcing our flight home later that day from Madrid was cancelled. Keep medication in its original container, or to save room, get pill pouches (tiny plastic bags available at pharmacies), peel off and apply the label from your Rx bottles and you’re set. Never pack medications in your luggage.  Ask your doctor for paper copies of any prescriptions you take regularly in case you need to get more abroad. 

Keep passports and other documents, medications and any valuables with you at all times, not in your luggage.

Leave jewelry at home.  Unless you wear it every day, don’t bring it.  You don’t want your bling bringing unwanted attention.

They Sell Toothpaste Overseas

Hotels usually provide shampoo, bath gel, body lotion, soap, etc.– the basics will be waiting for you. No need to pack them.

Don’t bring every toiletry and beauty product you use at home. Stick to travel sizes of the few you must have and buy what you need when you arrive. Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and other necessities are readily available in most places you’ll be going. Remember–those 3.4 ounce liquids must fit into a quart- sized bag. If you transit through London Heathrow you will have to go through security again, even if you are departing from the same terminal you flew into. British Airways’ “quart” bag seems a tad smaller to me and you must be able to zip the bag completely closed or risk having your products confiscated. Not sure if you can carry it on? Check TSA.

Sunny skies can change in a heartbeat. Pack light layers and an umbrella and you’ll be prepared for almost anything!

Take an umbrella and a swimsuit no matter where you’re going.  If you unexpectedly find yourself at the seaside or it turns out your hotel has a pool, you don’t want to frantically shop for a swimsuit— a daunting proposition at the best of times. A small, foldable umbrella is great for sun protection when you’re trekking through sunbaked ruins, as well as for the rain that’s bound to fall.

We wouldn’t have wanted to miss a sunset swim at the Castello Delle Serre in Rapolano.

Go Carry On

Don’t check your bag.  In the old days I used to drag along a suitcase that was nearly as big as I am.  I’m not a tall person, but you get the idea. After a certain British airline lost my luggage on the way to a Mediterranean cruise, I now check a bag only under duress. I like knowing my belongings are right above me in the overhead compartment, especially if I’m making connections.

Don’t give airlines a chance to lose your bag or waste time waiting at the baggage carousel.

I’ve heard so many horror stories about lost luggage but this is one of the worst: A friend’s luggage was recovered at London Heathrow four months after she returned from what should have been a romantic anniversary trip– everything was wet and ruined. Don’t let lost luggage ruin your trip before it even starts.

Imagine dragging these bags around Rome?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your chances of rebooking or going standby are much better if you haven’t checked luggage.  When our flight home from Brussels was cancelled at the end of a busy Easter Week, we got the last seats on the next flight out because we had our bags with us.

While these aren’t huge bags, she’s got two of them, and a duffel, and a purse. Take at least a third of what you think you’ll need out of your bag– you don’t need it. I promise.

Use your coat as an extra carry on. Fill the pockets with small items (not liquids). Put a second jacket inside the first and put a vest or sweater in the sleeves.  Make every pocket count!

If you travel with a portable medical device it does NOT count as your one allowable personal item. You can bring it aboard along with your roller bag plus your purse or backpack/tote bag. My husband has one and he takes advantage of any extra space in the device’s carry bag.

Stay Connected

Electronics need chargers and converters so be sure to pack enough for all your devices. You may also want to add an international calling/data plan to your mobile phone before you go. Use WhatsApp to stay in touch for free and use free WIFI when you can, though obviously not for sensitive information. You can also get a new SIM card at your destination(s) but be sure to let friends and family know your new phone number.

Someone recently asked me if they needed converters for their hair dryer and other styling tools. The answer is NO– because you’re going to leave those things at home. Every hotel and apartment rental I’ve ever stayed in anywhere in the world has a hair dryer.

He’s heading to the gate with just the right amount of carry-on luggage, no matter how long the journey.

The take-aways–Pack light. Leave valuables at home.  Keep passports, medications and other hard -to -replace items with you—not in your luggage.  Don’t check your bag unless you absolutely have to, and remember, if you forget something, 99 percent of the time there will be stores where you’re going. Ready, set, pack!

Navigating Travel as Covid Continues– Updated!

Note: I’ve chosen to leave this post up as a reminder of what travel was like not that long ago. Let’s hope this experience remains in the rear view mirror!

Remember when we could book an airline ticket, grab our bags and go? Covid has changed how, and even if we travel, for what feels like a long time now. As I prepared for my first international trip in nearly two years last fall, I learned just how different things had become. When I returned to Europe last month, the rules had changed again.

Covid has changed so much about how and even if we can travel.

Vaccination and documentation requirements, for leaving the country and returning, seem to change almost daily both in the USA and abroad. Check government websites for any and all countries you will visit or transit through for updated Covid information.  Some countries still require testing, proof of vaccination, and forms that must be completed online before you can board the plane.

We traveled to Italy last fall, transiting through London’s Heathrow airport. We needed proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of travel (we scheduled free tests cvs.com), a completed EU locator form euplf.eu, a UK locator form gov.uk, an Italian Declaration Statement esteri.it, our vaccine card showing at least two doses, and of course, USA passport, before we could obtain our boarding passes.  The UK has no restrictions right now, and masks are no longer required there or on planes or airports in the EU. When we went to Portugal and Spain last month we still needed to test to enter Portugal and locator forms were also required. Had we flown into Spain, none of that would have been necessary.

We didn’t realize we needed a UK Locator Form just to pass through Heathrow Airport last fall. All restrictions have been lifted in the UK– for now.

We flew on American Airlines which uses VeriFLY, an app you upload your documents and test results to for easier airport check-in.  See if your airline uses one of these services. I wish we had downloaded it before we started our trip– we would’ve known we needed the UK Locator form before we got to the airport, saving time and undue stress as we scrambled to complete the form on our phones before we could check in.

If your airline uses an app like VeriFLY download it– it makes check-in much easier and lets you know exactly which forms you’ll need before you head to the airport.

I strongly suggest you carry paper copies of all of your documentation in case you can’t access digital copies.  Not only did we need these to obtain our boarding passes, but also on arrival in the UK, before we boarded our flight to Rome and again when we landed in Rome.  We also had to show negative Covid test results, vaccine card and EU locator forms when we checked in to our first hotel in Italy. This spring, we used Verifly again and it made life a lot easier!

Check specific requirements for every country you plan to visit.

Carry your Covid-19 vaccination card at all times. You will be showing it a lot if you’re traveling in an EU country.  In Italy we needed our vaccine cards to enter all buildings including museums, shops, restaurants, hotels—nearly everywhere we went. In Spain and Portugal we rarely needed to show it, though we kept it handy just in case.

A clear plastic sleeve will help protect your card. I got ours on amazon.com.  At the moment EU citizens and people from 16 other countries can get a digital “green pass” but most Americans cannot ec.europa.eu.

You’ll show your vaccination card at the Green Pass check everywhere you go. Keep it handy!

Bring disposable masks. Mask mandates are changing all the time. They are still required in many places where social distancing is not possible in the EU and other parts of the world.  No discussion. No exceptions. Wear your mask if you’re asked to.

Masks may be required in EU countries and many other parts of the world.

Check your documents!  Is your passport up to date?  And by that, I mean will it be valid six months from your scheduled departure?  If not, renew it now and be prepared to pay extra to expedite this if necessary. Everything takes longer in the time of Covid. I just renewed mine. It took six weeks with expedited processing, though the website said it could take up to 11 weeks. For more visit travel.state.gov.

Make copies of your passport and leave at least one copy at home with a friend or family member. Keep one with you in a secure location and keep a copy on your phone. This will come in handy if your passport goes missing.  Having a color copy helped my husband get a replacement passport in a hurry when his was stolen in London. It also was helpful for the police report he had to file before the new one could be issued.  Never pack your passport in a checked bag.  When you’ve reached your destination lock it in your hotel safe and carry a color copy. Do not leave it in your room unsecured.

Be sure your passport is valid for six months from your departure date.

Notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling abroad.  Nothing will ruin your trip faster than having your credit card frozen because of fraud concerns. Make a note of contact numbers for your cards and keep it in a secure location in case they’re lost or stolen. If you don’t already have a four- digit pin, create one as soon as possible.

We haven’t always been notified when a flight has been delayed or cancelled. Check your travel plans with your airline regularly.

Check in with your airline regularly.  Flights are cancelled and changed with shocking frequency these days.  Both our outbound and return flights were cancelled, rescheduled, and changed again before we left for Italy. Our return trip from Madrid last month was cancelled the same day we were scheduled to fly and we got a “bonus” day there. Your airline will also have updated Covid information for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Book your rental car ASAP. Rental cars are harder to come by and much more expensive than they used to be.  This is true everywhere.  The sooner you book the more likely you’ll get what you want and at a better price. Try autoslash.com for price comparisons for the major rental companies.

Coming home can be fraught with anxiety these days as everyone must be tested for Covid before returning to the USA.  We are one of the few remaining countries to require this and it is not as easy to organize as it was even last fall. At the moment rapid tests taken within 24-hours of departure are needed. Your hotel can usually book you an appointment.  Ours had a nurse come to our room in Madrid to administer the test. If you’re going elsewhere, bring your passport to the testing appointment–you will need it to receive your documentation.  We paid 50 Euro each in cash in Madrid for our tests in April.  Last year in Rome it was 22 Euro each at a pharmacy. Be aware that some pharmacies do not test on the weekend, appointments are required, and because few countries require tests, not all will provide necessary documentation.

You still need proof of a negative Covid test to return to the USA. Check for current requirements.

Summing it up—Check current requirements for all countries you’ll visit or transit through, as well as testing needs for returning, and make appointments in advance. Keep your vaccination card handy. Be flexible– and very patient. Now go out in the world, be safe, and have fun!

Note– This article was originally written in January 2022 and updated in May 2022.

Headed to Hawaii? What to Know Before You Go

Note: Even though Covid and the many restrictions (travel and otherwise) that came with it is behind us, I’m leaving this post up to memorialize the experience!

It seems like almost everyone I know is either on their way, just returned, or is planning a trip to Hawaii.  With most international destinations still off limits for Americans, Hawaii is the perfect escape—mainlanders can enjoy a far flung holiday without leaving the USA.  A trip to paradise during the pandemic is not going to happen without planning though. Gone are the days of buying a ticket and showing up at the airport. The State of Hawaii has testing requirements and rules in place to safeguard the health of its citizens and those wishing to enjoy a tropical get-away.  Here’s what you need to know before you go.

First step—visit Safe Travels: State of Hawaii https://travel.hawaii.gov Here’s where you’ll find all current travel rules and requirements.  They change frequently!  You can also find helpful information at http://hawaiicovid19.com. You will need a Covid-19 test within 72-hours of travel and it must be administered by an approved testing organization. These are listed on the website. We used Carbon Health at San Diego’s airport.  It was seamless and our results were back in plenty of time to upload and add to our documentation on the SafeTravelHawaii site.  It was not inexpensive—we paid $170 each but knowing we’d have our results back on time reduced our stress level considerably. 

Visit https://travel.hawaii.gov before you pack for paradise!

There is also a mandatory online questionnaire to complete. Once you’ve submitted all the information required, the State of Hawaii will send you a QR code.  You will need this to check in for your flight and at your hotel. Some car rental companies may also want to see and scan your code. Consider printing a copy or two and keeping it with you along with a printed copy of your negative Covid-19 test results.  WiFi can be spotty and you may need to show the QR code even when you can’t access it on your mobile device.

Each of the Hawaiian Islands has their own travel regulations. In Maui, you need to download the contact tracing app, for example.

if you’re traveling to Maui, as we were, you’ll need to download the contact tracing app for the island.  Each of the Hawaiian Islands has their own, very specific rules and travel between islands also requires compliance with local regulations.  You must meet all of these requirements even if you are fully vaccinated.

Alaska Airline’s pre-screening meant we got off the plane and started our vacation with no further Covid-19 checks necessary.

Your airline may also be of assistance in your travel preparations.  We were able to complete a pre-clearance check before boarding our Alaska Airlines http://www.alaskaair.com flight.  The wristbands we were given meant once we landed, we were free to leave the airport with no further interactions or delays.  Hawaii means business– there were officials positioned throughout the airport, checking for wristbands.  Those without them were whisked away. 

Hawaii is a very popular destination right now, especially since most international travel is still off limits to Americans.

There is a mandatory quarantine in effect for anyone arriving without the required testing and documentation.  I read recently of a couple who tried to bribe a TSA official upon landing without having been tested.  They wanted to avoid quarantine and instead were arrested. 

We spent lots of time admiring rainbows, whale watching and staring at the sea in Maui.

Be sure to book your rental car when you buy your air tickets. I’ve heard horror stories lately about the lack of rental car availability and the outrageous prices being charged. Do not expect to find a rental car without a reservation on any of the islands.

Because Hawaii is such a popular destination right now, make restaurant reservations before you leave home.  We were lucky to get reservations for the last two nights of our 10-day holiday. 

Many popular restaurants were fully booked for the first week of our vacation. We would have booked our favorites before we left home, had we known!

Due to Covid restrictions, restaurants are operating at limited capacity and reservations are a must at most places. Some of the more casual eateries will accept walk-ins and we had a luck with that at Maui Brewing Company www.mauibrewing.com on our first night. If you’re craving beer and a burger (or that tasty kalua pork), this is a great option and it’s family-friendly, too. I’m not much of a beer drinker but our friendly server gave me a few tastes to find one I liked– the Wiamea Red was my pick.

The Wiamea Red and Hazy Big Swell IPA were perfect with our burger and tacos after a long travel day.
Maui Brewing makes a wide range of local beers from Bikini Blonde lager to the very robust Imperial Coconut Porter. They offer flights so you can try a few!

They offer their beer to go with or without take-away food orders and it’s priced better at the brewery than the Safeway.  They have two locations on Maui and two on Oahu. We ate at the Lahaina/Kahana outpost.

If you are up for a night out and enjoy Asian cuisine, Star Noodle in Lahaina www.starnoodle.com  gets two thumbs up from us.  We had such a delicious lunch that we returned for dinner later in our stay. 

Great food and a fabulous location make Star Noodle one of our top picks!

The seating is almost all outdoors and right on the ocean–just what you want on a Hawaiian holiday.  All the noodles are made in-house and both the Hot n Sour noodles and  Singapore noodles were delicious. 

All the noodles at Star Noodle are made in-house and are delicious!

The Nuoc Cham wings were so tasty we ate them both times!  The Adobo Ribs were excellent as were the Colossal Tempura Shrimp but beware—these dishes sell out and when they’re gone, they’re gone. 

These Nuoc Cham wings were so good we ordered them twice.
We enjoyed a lunch and a dinner at Star Noodle. Reservations for both are required!

Star Noodle is located right next door to the Old Lahaina Luau www.oldlahainaluau.com and during our dinner we could hear the drumming and the singing from next door.  I even caught a glimpse of a few performers headed to the stage. 

The Old Lahaina Luau is still one of the best and most popular on the island. They sell out months in advance during the high season.

This brought back happy memories of traveling to Maui with our kids when they were younger and a trip to the luau was a Hawaiian highlight. The concierge at the Westin told me that the Old Lahaina Luau is still one of the best on the island but get your tickets way in advance—it sells out quickly!

Dukes is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On our last night in Maui, we opted for the extremely popular Duke’s Beach House www.dukesmaui.com since it was just a short walk up the beach from the Nanea.  We had booked early in the trip and honestly, my expectations were not high but the food and the service far surpassed what I imagined a place packed with tourists would offer.  I had delicious, seared ahi and my husband opted for a huge and tasty burger.

The ahi was perfectly fresh and seared just right.
They make a big, tasty burger at Duke’s Maui.

 They offered us a complimentary Hulu pie—their signature dessert, but we were too full to accept. They also had live music—a treat after being locked down for so long– and they’re right across from the beach so tables close to the esplanade have lovely views. Duke’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make reservations!

Grilling at the oceanfront condo we rented took the sting out of cooking on vacation.

After cooking at home for months and months, we found ourselves still cooking on vacation most nights, but the change of scenery made it much more palatable! We stayed in a condo in Kahana our first five nights  https://www.vacasa.com/unit/15880 and had a well-equipped kitchen and sparkling clean BBQ grills in the pool area which we used nightly. It was pretty special to grill just feet from the ocean and enjoy our meals on the balcony while whale watching!  That’s something we can’t do at home.

We had rainbows at breakfast, whale watching at lunch, and spectacular sunsets before dinner every night from the balcony at our Hololani rental.

Our last five nights were at the Westin Nanea, an upscale timeshare on the north end of Ka’anapali. We had a very large two-bedroom unit with an eat-in kitchen and all the amenities we needed. http://marriott.com The pools were busy but the adjacent lawn area and beach were peaceful.

Both the Westin Nanea and its sister property Ocean Resort Villas further down the beach were buzzing with activity during our stay.
We had a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining area plus a balcony with table and chairs at our two-bedroom, two bath villa.
There was plenty of room to spread out in our unit at the family-friendly Westin Nanea.

Dining options on the property were very limited due to Covid but BBQ grills were placed throughout the expansive property so we’d grab a glass of wine and our fish and head down the elevators to cook most nights. We met some lovely people while preparing our meals!

Guests will find BBQ grills throughout the grounds at the Nanea.

If you are planning a “self-catering” holiday in Maui where you have a kitchen and/or grill available, be sure to stock up at the Costco near the airport.  We got most of the basics, wine, and fantastic fresh fish there.  I also picked up a lightweight rain jacket which came in very handy on this trip. You’ll also find chocolate covered macadamia nuts, Hawaiian coffee, and other edible souvenirs at a fraction of the price of the touristy shops around the island.  Watch out for the chickens roaming the parking lot! 

These chickens were in Lahaina but their cousins were everywhere– including the Costco parking lot.

If you don’t have a Costco membership or just want a few things, the Lahaina Safeway will have what you need.  We made a trip or two there, as well.

Pick up pies both sweet and savory—it is vacation after all–at Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop in Olowalu https://www.leodas.com.  There’s always a line but it goes quickly.  The Olowalu Lime and Chocolate Macadamia were my favorites!

Leoda’s is a popular stop for sweet and savory pies, sandwiches and more.
Avoid disappointment and go early or order online! Pies sell out and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Right next door is the Olowalu Juice Stand and Farmer’s Market for fresh fruits and vegetables, ice cold coconuts, sweets and more.  We watched a Farmer’s Market clerk with a machete make quick work of a coconut, preparing it for a customer in minutes– paper umbrella and all. There’s also a small general store and the Butterfly Farm here.

Grab one of Olowalu Juice Stand’s tropical smoothies and head next door to the Farmer’s Market where fresh coconuts and pineapples are big sellers.
We didn’t go in, but the Butterfly Farm is close to Leoda’s and the Juice Stand in Olowalu.

After a long year of not traveling, our trip to Maui was just what we needed. It was exciting to be on an airplane again and to spend some time in such a beautiful, tropical paradise—without ever leaving our own country! 

What a wonderful trip after a long year without travel!

Next up, I’ll share about some of the places we explored in Maui when we weren’t gazing out to sea, watching for whales, and enjoying rainbows!

Note- This article was written in April 2021. Many Covid-related restrictions have changed since that time.