Backpack versus wheeled luggage, small person, RS 15 day Spain trip

Simply go to the store in person and get a back pack with wheels. Don't try to buy something like this online.
A live talking in person salesperson can best help you make a decision.

Not been on the Spain tour, but on the Italy and Greece tours, one can wheel luggage most of the time. There will be the occasional hotel with some stairs where carrying the bag is required.

I would get a wheeled bag and roll it 90%+ of the time and carry it only when necessary, than carry a back pack 100% of the time. If an empty back pack is tiring, I strongly suggest a wheeled carry-on size bag

Definitely agree with suggestion to 'test drive' a back pack before buying one, if that's the choice you make.

18 tours later, still using wheeled 20" roller bag. Never had any problems with stairs, ramps, cobbles, gravel or dirt paths, etc. I'm 5'2, 128# and do try my darndest to pack light.

On the RS tours that I've been on, I'd estimate that about 90% of the people use wheeled bags. I used a rollaboard when I took this tour. Use what you prefer.

Took that tour last year, three of us, all with 21" Travelpro spinners. Easy. I recall walking uphill when visiting the hill towns. You would not want to have your luggage on your back unless you are an experienced backpacker.

Get the lightest weight (<6 pounds) 2 or 4 wheeled, carry-on size (including wheels and handle) bag you can. Pack it so that the total weight is no more than 20 pounds, preferably less for your size.

I have both a 2 wheeled bag and a spinner. I rarely carry either of them. Both roll up and down curbs and stairs just fine. I don't baby my luggage.

If you shop in person, take a measuring device with you to measure the bag including the wheels and handle. Some manufacturers fudge on the size and give the measurement for the packing area only.

If you shop online, be sure to verify the dimensions and pay attention to the weight listed. Sometimes that requires looking at more than one source and comparing the specifications.

I bought a small backpack this year in hopes of using it for the Village Italy tour. I found that I couldn't manage it even at a total of 15 pounds and I'm far from petite. I am so glad that I defaulted back to my 2 wheeled bag for the trip. I had a hard enough time going up and down slopes with nothing. I'd still be struggling to get to the bus if I hadn't used that wheeled bag.

There are many suitable bags out there. This is my Lipault spinner. My bag is about 5 years old now and I think it's heavier than listed here. I used my Eagle Creek 2 wheeled bag for Italy this year and the UK last year. I like the shape, simplicity and maneuverability of the Lipault better, but I like all the easy grabbing places on this bag better. It's easier to put in the overhead bin on the plane.

I prefer U-shaped handles because the Baggallini totes I use for my personal item have zipper pockets that secure them on a U-shaped handle. I've tried the T-shaped handles (because they make the bag lighter) in the store. Besides being useless for securing the tote (it just spins around), I could not hold the handle in any way that didn't hurt.

I haven't been on the Spain tour. Take a close look at the daily itinerary for the level of activity, especially on the travel days when you check out of one place and into another. When it says strenuous, believe it. When it says moderate, think it may be more strenuous than you expect.

Our Village Italy tour is listed as moderately active, in the middle from least to most active. As one of our tour mates said in her trip report, it was the most strenuous of the many RS tours she and her husband have taken. Your Spain tour is shown more toward the most active end of that spectrum and is described as "moderate to strenuously paced." Believe it and be aware that those words may apply to getting from and to the bus with your luggage as much as to the rest of the tour activities.