souvinirs

I go to Europe every summer with one RS 21" roller-carry on suitcase and inside that I have a folded up, empty duffel bag into which I can store any souvenirs I may accumulate. If the souvenirs are more fragile and I do not want to put them into the duffel bag to be checked, I put most of my clothes into the duffel bag, check it, and take the suitcase with the souvenirs that I have padded with some clothes, onto the plane with me. Never had a problem with that approach.
I took RS G/A/S tour last year and really enjoyed those countries, some for the first time.

Get beer mats. They are free and don't cost anyghing.

If you buy more than will fit in the bags you take with you, simply buy some cheaper bags there. As suggessted above, take what is most fragile with you onto the plane and check the other.

I would definitely just take the carry on bags. Its a waste of energy to lug around a bunch of extra suitcases just in case you find large souvenirs. If you do, and I have, just buy a cheap bag as someone suggested. The freedom you find by traveling light may just influence how many things you need to take home. Sometimes the smaller the souvenir the more special it is.

Take the carry on, and instead pack a packable totebag or duffel bag (see example here http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/shoulder_bags/Packable-Tote-41111/). Check the carry on upon return, use the totebag as a carry on with anything you don't want to lose coming home.

Sheri, Don't take larger suitcase! If you buy any "large" souvenir's the shop keeper may be able to ship them for you. We did this with a cuckoo clock, and worked out fine. Someone recently suggested here on the helpline to take some bubble wrap. I'm going to try it on my next trip, and make sure that I have a little spare room in my bag. On one trip through Rothenburg my then 11 y/o son bought a wooden sword, and then proceeded to carry it sticking out of his back pack (RS convertible) through Switzerland and Italy for another 3 weeks:)

When we decide to mail something home we first find a post office. All the post offices we have seen in Europe and Britain sell everything you need to ship stuff home, boxes, tape, bubble wrap, padded envelopes, etc. We buy a box, tape and bubble wrap, take that stuff back to the hotel, pack the box, tape in up, take it back to the post office, look for another customer to give the leftover tape and packing to, go to the counter, fill out the customs form, pay the person, and we are done. The problem is that it has gotten very expensive to mail packages home so you have to be committed to the project before starting. We have only had purchases shipped home from Scotland. If you buy something with a credit card and have the store ship it there will be no VAT on the item. That helps offset the postage cost.

I often pack a small duffel bag to use in addition to my suitcase for the return trip. I load the dirty laundry etc into the duffel and put my presents and souvenirs in the suitcase. ; ) Pam

I would agree with previous posters ... stick with the carry-ons, Buy small items and if they don't fit either buy another small bag to check or ship them back to yourself. If a checked bag gets lost on the way back, it is an incovenience. If it gets lost on the way over you are starting your trip with a trainwreck. As was said before, beer mats are not only small, light and free, they are really unique. Have a great trip, hope you make it tothe Berner Oberland.

I do have one rule on beermats- I must have tasted the beer before I will add the beermat. Works exremely well in Germany

You should be able to pick up a fairly cheap rolling duffle bag from a street vendor to put souvenirs in. Alternatively, travel stores like AAA sell a duffle bag that folds down to about nothing you can use to bring extra stuff home. I agree about carrying extra stuff home with you rather than mail it. If you carried-on going there, the cost of checking a bag on the way home is either free or reasonable. I don't mind checking on the way home as much as checking on your way there. If you lose your luggage on your homeward leg at least you have everything you need at home. Just be sure to put the stuff you don't want to lose in your carry-on.