What size suitcase would you take?

I always take a 21", and I always check it. The only time I took a bigger bag anywhere was to China (23") in the winter, when I needed bulkier clothes.

For this length of trip I would just take a carry-on bag. Though if you are flying direct, it's probably safe to check it, and you could bring a larger bag and more items, But it will be more hassle to lug around. (Don't pack too heavy whatever size you choose) I think if you can make do with the carry-on it's best. It's a challenge to pare your items down to only the best, necessary things, but worth it, I think.

I like the idea of packing lighter, but would not want to wash clothes every night or other night. I can understand maybe your undies but not my main clothes. I would rather go to a Laundromat (we did this in London) and have everything clean and dry at once. Sure it took away from our sightseeing time, but we got to see how the locals managed, and to use the internet nearby. Plus we realised how darn expensive it was too! Still beat the heck out of handwashing shirts, t-shirts, pants etc.

It's only 10 days. Pack for a week, so you don't have to handwash too much, and if you feel to check your bag, go for it. I probably will.

Everyone has their own travel style and you need to know what fits your temperament. For us, it makes no difference if it is 3 days, 30 days, or 3 months. We take exactly the same clothes -- basically wear 1 and pack two changes. I look pretty much the same, but Marcia is capable of getting about 15 looks out of three changes. She is very good with belts, scarfs, and sweaters. We use carryon size bags -- she weighs in about 18 pounds and mine is 22 to 24. I get to carry the heavy stuff.

If you're worried about not having room for souveneirs, put all of your stuff in a backpack, put it inside your 21" carryon and take it that way. You can check your dirty laundry to come home (who cares if it arrives after you?) and carry your new purchases in your backpack.
Good luck!

Rick's convertible carry-on backpack. And depending on the airline's rules, likely a separate, smaller backpack to go under the seat with stuff for the flight in it.
I'd take enough clothing for several days and wash at least once about halfway through.

My answer for a 10 night trip to Ireland would be one tote to carry on the plane and a small (21" or less) rolling bag to check. I try to think about the logistics of getting my luggage to where I am going. Think about how many flights of stairs you will be carrying your bags, will your bags fit into the car trunk easily, how far from parking will you have to transport your bags, how many times will you be lugging your luggage, etc. I take clothing I can easily wash out in the sink and my husband does a load of laundry after one week and includes my jeans in his load.

Thank you for your help, everyone! I'm not too worried about having room for souvenirs--I am more worried that our suitcases are too big (we just bought new, 28" suitcases). I am now starting to regret that decision, and might have to go back to the store. I had just planned to take my backpack on the plane. It is a direct flight, so I am not worried about checking our bags.

Thank you!

Wow -- 28" is about twice what you need. Large suitcases causes two problems -- with lots of space there is the temptation to continue to add "just in case" items so you end of up with a lot of stuff that you don't need or use. Second, it will be difficult to keep the weight of a 28" suitcase under the 50 LB limit. Weight in the high 30, low 40 pound range are difficult to handle.

As someone else suggested earlier, for the stuff you buy we carry an extra, backpack style of bag that we stuff all of our dirty clothes in on the return, check that bag, and carry all of the purchases in our carryon bags. Just don't buy any swords or knifes.

We bought 29" suitcases two years ago and though they had wheels, I can't tell you how much we regretted that decision. Amazingly enough, we never went over the weight limit, but they were a pain to haul up steps, on trains/buses. Ours were the soft kinds, but still. Each of us (family of 4) had our own luggage. Now looking for bags no bigger than 22".

My family and I have taken two one-month vacations and numerous shorter ones with one carry-on each. I traveled a week in Germany with 1 1/2 changes of clothes in a daypack (and I'm working my way back to that).

After each trip, I ask myself, "How could I have taken less?" It is so much nicer not lugging around extra weight, especially when you are using public transportation. Checking luggage is a hassle. I like to hit the ground running (so to speak) when I land and it's nice not to worry about lost items. If something was lost, I wouldn't know where to forward it to because I don't travel with a set in stone itenerary.

If your clothes are versatile, layerable, easily laundered, relatively wrinkle free, and everything mixes and matches, it's amazing how many looks you can get out of a small bag.

My husband and I went to Ireland for two weeks this past March, each with a 20-inch rolling suitcase (one was the older style RS rolling suitcase). I carried a large tote bag for my laptop and liquids and he carried the older Avanti bag with guidebooks and maps.

We wore our heaviest clothing and shoes on the plane and I rolled everything into packing cubes. I did hand laundry of socks and underwear halfway through the trip.

We rented a car and our bags fit perfectly into the trunk. When we were in Belfast, we found a laundry near our B&B that washed and dried our clothes while we travelled to the Antrim Coast, then we picked it up on the way back. It cost 6 pounds but saved us so much time on our vacation that I felt it was money well spent.

We had to check our suitcases on the flight back from Dublin - only one bag was allowed as carry on because the flight was so full. Luckily, I had put all of our important items in our tote bags that we carried on with us.

Nicole - You didn't mention what type of car you are renting... A 28" suitcase is huge and most of the rental cars in Europe are not. Many are just small hatchbacks that barely hold two 22" suitcases and small carryon bags in the trunk. You might be able to put one in the backseat but that means you have to be with the car the entire time they are visible.

22" or less. Carry on. You shouldn't have to do too much laundry if you're only there 10 nights.