Granny gripe

I went on holiday with a widower friend once to Lanzarote (hot weather). Getting ready to go to dinner one evening, I went to his room so we could go together and couldn't believe my eyes!! He had 3 suits, ? number of thick sweaters and endless pairs if heavy shoes spread over the beds in his room!! I can only imagine my friend, his late wife, had previously done the packing when going away!

My husband appears to think he only needs the absolute bare minimum when going away - I now do all the packing for both of us as on previous occasions he’s forgotten so many times to pack essentials ! Once he forgot to pack any pants or socks more recently phone charger ! Drove me nuts !

Mollygo. \How on earth do people manage with only 1 case on a cruise?

I have one just for my pillows, Nutribullet and Coffeemate!!

Many years ago I was left as sole parent to my two young children and in those days suitcases did not have wheels. I taught myself to pack very lightly because there was only myself to do the heavy lifting for holidays. To this day I am still the same. The habit stuck despite having lightweight luggage with wheels now.

We too mix and match cases in case one goes astray, then at least we both have something to wear

My dh only ever takes hand luggage, even if he’s going for 3 weeks. Leftover from a lot of business travel, pre retirement. But he was able (then) to send stuff to the laundry every morning on expenses. A bit different when we were in Oz and charged $15 for a pair of socks! 😱. That was in Darwin.

But I do get e.g., ‘Er, have you got room for my other pair of shoes in your case?’ 😂.

Mine is a fairly small suitcase, though. What I find a bit hard to understand is people - like an ex-colleague - who take one of those enormous ones for just one week away. Maybe like someone I used to know, who would take lots of whole outfits, inc. a different bag and shoes for each one.

I’m a member of a solo women’s travelling fb group and so many people think it’s a badge of honour to only take carry on. Many are American and don’t realise that European carry on sizes and weights are way lower than in the states.
I take carry on for long weekends but if my flight ticket includes a checked bag then that’s what I’m taking.

Cossy

My husband appears to think he only needs the absolute bare minimum when going away - I now do all the packing for both of us as on previous occasions he’s forgotten so many times to pack essentials ! Once he forgot to pack any pants or socks more recently phone charger ! Drove me nuts !

I once forgot to pack any knickers when we were going to a wedding in the Czech Rep. I’ve never been so glad in my life to see an M&S as I was the next morning, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.

When visiting my son when he was living in California years ago I took an almost empty case in order to buy clothes because they were cheaper there than U.K. and the styles different.

What used to really infuriate me was it took me forever to decide what to take ( trying on all sorts of stuff for days beforehand) and then packing really carefully so as to avoid creases. DH used to pop off upstairs and 30 mins later come down with all packed and yet he always had exactly the right things to wear once we arrived anywhere. Perhaps just easier for men!

Overthrown my DH does the same ! So thrilled when mine is heavier ! I generally have the toiletries etc in mine .I also have pants swimsuit dress n flip flops in handluggage just in case.

Should be Overthemoon !

Always mix your luggage. We were on a cruise that started in Corfu and really felt for this poor lady whose suitcase had been lost. She was given some M&S vouchers to spend at the store in Corfu town. We 'd been in the M&S and she'd have been struggling to get anything there as she was about my size, generous.The ship sailed later that day and I don't know if the suitcase ever caught up with her at the next port 2 days later. It would have ruined my holiday if all my clothes /toiletries etc had gone missing.

The lighter the better especially if going by train across Europe.

My husband packs more than me a lot more. Someone saying we will share a suit case is like people who say we will share a dessert. No we won't get your own is my response.

Agree with Missiseff always mix up the packing between the 2 suitcases when going abroad. At least we will then both have something wear if a case goes missing.

Good planning if flying or having to carry the cases.

Oh yes, Overmoon- same here, same here!

Grantanow

The lighter the better especially if going by train across Europe.

Well yes, just depends how you travel. If by train, then light and small indeed. As we did when Inter-railing across several countries last year. Or when flying with low cost carrier - but if we take the car, then I shall pack that suitcase to prepare for all eventualities!

Wish I had a husband or anyone to go on holiday with.

There is such a drive to only take carry-on these days that I would certainly check my bag in. It will probably be the only one rattling about in the hold.

Our luggage went missing once. I was prepared with a spare set of undies and toothbrush in my little backpack. Had told DH to do the same but he didn't listen and lived to regret it.

If your baggage goes missing make sure to report it as soon as you land and get a file number from your airline. We had a connecting flight and only just made it, having spent ages looking for our cases. We couldn't find anywhere to report the loss. We tried to report it at our final destination but it was very complicated. We finally got them back three days later, just before we were ready to leave for our "road trip". This was about 6 years ago now. We sent in our claim for the extra stuff we had to buy to tide us over but are still waiting for the compensation.

I’ve had too many holidays spoiled(ish!) by having to shop for things. An affordable jumper in Paris - unexpectedly cold and damp in late Autumn- was nearly impossible to find. Boots in Prague - for some reason we didn’t expect snow in January - found some but again capital city prices.
I make no virtue of skimpy packing anymore. We went to Sardinia in one of the gaps in lockdown, when you could travel. I was so relieved when DH said, unasked, ‘shall I book us a hold bag?

Hope something or someone turns up! Maybe follow some interest you have: art? Nature? Cooking? etc, where there may be like-minded folk.

I do the same as AGAA4’s SiL, using stopovers of two or three nights on long guided holidays to wash what I’ve worn.

Any one achieve capsule wardrobe packing? Few items that mix and match! I admit after so many holidays I just can’t manage this😞