How to take everything you need on vacation, but get by with a small bag: 8 tips from experienced travelers

Let’s try to solve this problem: here’s how to insert a camel through the eye of a needle and all the dresses you need in one bag.

It’s easy to get carried away with your wardrobe choices, which is why travel blogger Hammer Tsui advises everyone to use the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method. clothing countdown: “That means you can pack five tops, four bottoms, three. accessories, two pairs of shoes and a swimsuit,” says Tsui.

You can personalize the formula yourself and take into account the characteristics of the place where you are going, as well as the duration of your vacation. For example, accessories can be replaced with jackets if it’s cool, and a swimsuit with a dress. It’s not about the clothes you take: the method helps you limit the number of things you take with you.

Baggage isn’t just the things you take with you, but also the suitcase you put it in, says Audrey Kohout, CEO of the global baggage delivery service. “Hardside suitcases are all the rage at the moment, but softside suitcases can hold more items because they are more flexible,” explains Audrey.

Kohout also notes that hardshell suitcases are touted as more durable, but are actually more vulnerable than softshell suitcases. “A hard suitcase is more likely to crack than a soft suitcase, so I recommend fabric options – they are lighter and more reliable, and you are more likely to travel with carry-on luggage,” says the expert .

According to Audrey, such “cubes” are “a lifesaver that will delight everyone.” “They’re not just great because you can fit more stuff in your bag. These organizers make you more responsible during the packing phase, when you decide what you need and what you don’t need,” she explains.

Kohout herself likes to use organizers to sort clothes: she puts her beach clothes in one, “house” clothes for her bedroom in another, and evening dresses in a third. “When you analyze all this, you will immediately realize where you went too far,” Audrey explains. And Dubakova adds that there are compression organizers with additional zippers that make the plush “cube” even more compact.

There is a very simple rule that helps you lose weight: among two products, always choose the one that contains the least calories. A similar principle applies to traveling: if you have several similar things, take the one that is lightest. “This is why I like merino wool sweaters: they are warm and light,” explains Ravi Parikh, creator of the campsite reservation service.

“Clothes like this are expensive, but it’s an investment in versatile pieces that will serve you well when traveling, allowing you to create maximum outfits with minimal luggage,” says David Cissarelli, creator of the clothing service. vacation location.

Packing fewer clothes doesn’t mean you have to wear dirty ones. “Stay in hotels with laundry facilities so you can carry fewer things,” says Parikh.

According to traveler and blogger Jessica Sproat, it’s important to optimize the quantity of not only clothes, but also shoes. “I used to take at least five pairs on every trip, but now I’ve moved to a very simple principle: one pair is for active walking, the other for going out. This rule works very well, because now there are many universal options – for example, stylish sandals that will look great both on the beach and in a restaurant, ”says Jessica.

Most hotels provide soap, shampoo, shower gels and toothpaste for guests, and if not, these can be easily purchased on site. So if you don’t use something special that you can’t live without, don’t take skincare products with you. Can’t give up your usual remedies? Get special bottles that allow you to pour a little and not carry large packets with you.

Use all or just a few of these tips for traveling light. Experts believe that this is very important – the absence of excess weight will free you not only physically, but also emotionally – the suitcase will not hinder your movements and will not prevent you from being spontaneous and completely immersed in new experiences.

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