Here's my packing report in two postings for my June trip. My separate, soon to be finished trip report will post soon. This trip included solo independent travel pre- and post- RS Berlin, Prague & Vienna tour:
Packing light is always a challenge for me. I use a RS Rolling Carry-On, a RuMe cFold tote (discontinued) and a very small Travelon purse. I also take a packable Eddie Bauer backpack if I need to carry more than my purse during the day.
The absolute best thing I took this time was a packable shopping bag weighing only one ounce that clipped to my tiny purse. Also handy was a 12oz water bottle I could clip to my purse, put in the shopping bag or carry in the backpack. Restaurants filled it whenever I asked.
This trip I got the weight and measurements right for United’s carry on requirements and for train travel. I could easily carry and lift everything. My suitcase weighed 20 lbs, the tote 7 lbs. My luggage scale came in handy. If I hadn’t bought a lot of Christmas ornaments that filled the tote, I would not have had to check luggage for the trip home. Because I had a tight connection at SFO, I wish I had learned that lesson beforehand. Next year buy flat, lightweight ornaments only. Who am I trying to kid? With seven Christmas trees and a sister-in-law who loves Christmas as much as I do, I buy lots of ornaments as souvenirs.
A better idea is to plan longer connection times so my checked bag doesn’t make it home the following day. Along that line, I used Air Tags for the first time. Best thing in the world if you check luggage. Told me that my bag was at SFO in the wrong terminal and still there when I arrived at PHX. I took three Air Tags, one for my suitcase, one for my tote and another for my purse/backpack. The purse one was a little silly because my phone was usually tethered inside. If my purse had gone missing, I wouldn’t have been able to see “Find My” app. When I was taking pictures or following maps, my phone was on a lanyard around my neck so I wouldn’t drop it or set it down.
Here’s a short list of what worked and what didn’t:
First of all, my traveling wardrobe colors are black, gray, red and white print shirts. Everything is mix and match. I took 3 pair of leggings, two black and one gray, folded in a small packing cube. 5 sets of undies/socks in a small packing cube. 7 shirts total, 4 long sleeve and 3 short, all folded not rolled in a large packing cube. Also packed a knee brace and ankle brace which fortunately I didn’t need this trip. PJs were a tank top and running shorts that fit in the undies cube.
I wore everything and did hand wash nightly or every other night. I took a string backpack as a laundry bag, a small jar of Forever New powdered laundry soap and folding hangers. I almost left the RS clothes line home but it came in handy in the least expected way. Motel One Sendlinger Tor in Munich had a self-closing bathroom door which was very annoying so I used the bungee clothes line to tie it open.
I only wore my jacket once, on a chilly day to Dachau. Also wore my bright red plaid rain poncho once. But I’m glad I had both with me, along with a gray sun hat. Most days were warm enough that I didn’t need my sweater; it’s cashmere, lightweight and takes minimal room. I took a lightweight cotton hooded poncho that I love for travel, but it decided to stay in Český Krumlov hiding in the dark recesses of our group dinner restaurant.
I only took two pair of shoes instead of my usual three to save weight and space. I wore the Ryka sneakers on travel and long walking days and Fitflop sandals (not thongs) when my toes needed a break. Walking on cobblestones is hard on my toes, so I bandaged them daily plus wore silicone toe protectors. I was also suffering from seed corns so bandaged the sole of one foot daily. I can cut half of the foot protection supply next trip.