I’m back from a great trip to Italy. I went to Bologna for 3 nights, Padua for 2 nights and then started the RS Village Italy tour. After that finished I went to Milan for 6 more nights.
I’ve been traveling more in recent years, doing the Covid catch up and mindful of working on my bucket list now while I still can. I’m gratefully hale and hearty but turn 75 next month, so I’m starting to feel the ticking clock. At this point my packing is pretty much routine. Always carry on, always a total of 3 pair of pants, 4 tops, 4 undies, 2 bras, 1 thigh length thin thermal bottom, 4 pairs of socks, 1 sleep shirt, and 1 sleep crop bottom. Because I run cold I always wear another layer, so this trip I had 2 merino cardigans. Also I had 4 scarves to brighten up my very boring wardrobe.
I wore Ariat leather boots on the plane and packed a pair of Saucony sneaks. I have an almost knee length raincoat with a hood and a removable liner. I wore it with the liner in for the first 2 weeks but then removed it when it was reliably in the upper 60s to 70 in the afternoon.
My bag weighed 17-18 lbs. I think my personal item was under 5 lbs but I don’t see it in my notes. I’ve converted to a smaller purse and personal item and 3 trips in, I’m still very happy with my choices there.
I wash my undies every time I shower and do my tops as needed in the sink. I had 1 T, 1 lightweight turtleneck, 2 button long sleeve no iron cotton shirts. The cotton button shirts dry really fast, the T and turtleneck can take 24 hours but very doable for 2 night stays in the same hotel.
I bought some Forever New granular laundry detergent after reading about it here on the forum and poured maybe an ounce of it into a small travel bottle. I would use it or shower gel for sink wash. But I am very happy with it now after I somehow got black grease on the sleeve of my coat. I thought, uh oh. I tried a quick clean without much success but then doubled up on the powder and used my small nail brush and really scrubbed it and it worked. Stain gone.
The lighter I travel the better I like it and I wish I could get my carry on weight down even more. I think I’ve reached my limit. I read what Jean and Jane can do and I’m very envious but for the life of me I can’t figure what else to jettison. They are the true light packing queens. I have minimal just in case meds in a ziplock, small emergency sewing kit, 2 folding hangers and also a bag of teabags and a coil cup heater but I’d sooner leave out the meds than the tea bags!
Happy for any questions or comments…..