packing light

Do the airlines you're flying have weight restrictions for carry on bags?

We often fly within Europe, and the budget airlines have a slightly different standard for suitcase sizes. We use a 21" TravelPro ultralight carry on bag, but it's even 22" with the swivel wheels on it. From time to time we have to argue with gate agents trying to make us check the bag--and charge us for it. Our old 22" rolling bags were more like 10 lbs, and we try to stay within 22 lbs. total.

Every time we return home, we find that we didn't even wear half of what we took. I've gotten down to where I pack 2 pairs of heavily starched slacks/jeans. I take a shirt for every 3 days we're gone, and I rotate them daily. Everyone can do with less in their bag. The only shoes are on my feet.

My wife's having mobility problems, and we take her lightweight folding travel scooter. I tow her rolling bag, and I use a backpack 21" suitcase. She has a big purse for toiletries, etc. And we travel with zero assistance from anyone. The scooter takes her to the door of the airplane, and then it goes "gate check" into the bottom of the airplane. Funny how gate agents don't bother checking our bags now--and we go to the front of the que.

You saved 4.5 lbs by switching luggage which is a lot. How many tops and bottoms are you taking? We leave in 5 weeks and 1 day for Italy but who’s counting. I am going to start test packing soon.

April may be gorgeous and warm, or wet and rainy... Or BOTH. Merino base layers are light and very versatile (my DW uses a really nice black one as a LS top on occasion). Buy an umbrella if you need one.

diveloonie, a few years ago, I also switched to a lighter (7.5 lbs) suitcase that I found at TJ Maxx. And I've been buying up lightweight tops to fill it with...so I can pack more variety in less weight!

Now I need to get busy trimming my 2 guide books, otherwise I'll be back to where I started!!

Tammy, I’ve taken a couple of Sarah’s classes over the years at the Travel Center. I always learn something new. I too recall her philosophy “It doesn’t matter what you pack, it’s what it weighs!”
I think you will be pleased with the lighter bag. I have been successful with about 18 lbs. We usually travel in the fall and pack lightweight clothing, mostly sink washable. Enjoy your tours!

I'd recommend Travel Fashion Girl. I find it easier to relate to her clothing choices. She has videos on you tube and Facebook as well. I aim towards 19-20 lbs, but my paperwork seems to put me over the top often. My purse is often 5-6 lbs. with my electronics, etc.

I usually go with 22 pounds total. It's manageable for me on a tour if I have to pull it from the bus to the hotel.

When I read your post I just thought of something about your Paris and HOF tour. For your 1 night in MSM, consider taking very limited items for overnight in your day pack/bus bag. From the bus parking lot you take a small shuttle to Pont Passarelle, then offload and walk thru the Mont to your hotel. The street is small and can be crowded so much easier to manage if you've just got minimal luggage with you. The group may be split among 2 or 3 buildings. I think this was our hotel I've marked on the map but the building I was in was up the road, a turn back to the left uphill and a continued short-ish trek from there. A couple of others were a bit further than where I was staying.

SORT of relates to light packing, lol....

Once I was on a flight and they did weigh the carry on bags.

@Pam, funny you mention that about a smaller bag for MSM. I have been reading TR’s and had already made a note from your TR about that!

OMG....that is so funny! I didn't remember that I mentioned it but trust me I was glad I did.

When 2 other group members and I were headed back to the meeting place the morning we left, there were all these small electric golf cart vehicles that were delivering supplies to the restaurants/bars/tourist shops. It is a steepish street and on one of them a metal beer keg came loose and came bouncing down the street at us. We 3 jumped up on the steps of a store front while it went bounding by, lol. We were all glad we were fairly nimble and didn't have to jerk bags out of the way!

Packing light is easy. It’s only intimidating the first time because you take a leap. After that, you either revert to your old multi-bag ways or you wonder how much stuff you can eliminate next time.

If you are cruising the interwebs for additi9nal packing help, try these:
https://herpackinglist.com

https://onebagtravels.com/

https://www.onebag.com/

Thanks for all the responses.
Mary, I plan to take 4-5 tops and 1 LS top and 3 pants. 1 being a pair of capri’s. I’m struggling with which pants to take the most. Since I will be in Paris a lot, I want to be comfortable because I will be walking a lot, but also somewhat stylish and I mean that very casually as I am not a fashion person.

I leave next week and can’t get down below 22 lbs, mostly because first time in a long time traveling in very early Spring to wet and cool weather conditions.