 Let's face it, no one ever came back from vacation saying: "I wish
my bags had been heavier." A good traveler's goal is to carry the bare
essentials and leave the excess at home. How to put your luggage on a
diet? Follow these easy tips: 1. Do your homework. Call the hotel, motel, or your
friend's house where you're staying and ask the following: do they have
a hairdryer, iron, ironing board, beach towels, bathrobes, sand
toys---basically anything that's bulky and that you'd rather leave at
home? If the answer is yes, do not under any circumstances bring your
own. 2. Check temperatures and events at your destination. Only pack what corresponds---do not bring "just in case" clothes. 3. Choose a central color to pack around. A neutral
colour such as brown, black, or tan is a good place to start, then
bring accessories and accent pieces that go with this color palette. 4. The numbers game. A good rule of thumb for trips
less than one week long is one shirt per day, one layering jacket or
sweater, one bottom per every two days (but never less than two pairs
of pants), no more than two pairs of shoes (one you wear and one you
pack), underwear for every day, and seasonal additions, like a bathing
suit. 5. Wash it out. If you're traveling for more than a
week, follow the same numbers as above and plan on washing clothes
instead of bringing more. If you're in a country with a good exchange
rate, or aren't on a tight budget, take advantage of the hotel laundry
service or dry cleaning. Otherwise, bring individual packets of Woolite
and a travel stain-treatment stick (Tide to Go is the best one). 6. Write it down. Make detailed lists of everything you
plan to bring. That way you can easily see if you've allotted six pairs
of pants for a four-day trip. Be honest, note everything---including
socks and underwear---and then stick to your list when packing. 7. Downsize toiletries. Pick up travel-size versions of
your favourite products whenever you see them, not just when you're
getting ready to travel. If you can't find miniatures, buy small
plastic bottles and decant from larger units. 8. Wear your heaviest shoes, sweater, and jacket. That way, you don't have to pack them. 9. Pack outside your bag. Before you actually pack your
suitcase, pile everything you plan to bring on your bed or dresser.
This is your opportunity to eye your clothes and drop a few more items.
If you pack directly into your suitcase, you'll be tempted to throw in
a few extra items (trust us, you will). Once you've made the final
edit, pack only what's in front of you. If you follow our advice, your suitcase will be a lean, mean, traveling machine: happy travels! |
