How much do you take ?

busiscoming2

I like to cover all bases too but I think you take far too much stuff. Why would you need so much footwear? Do you really need to take bags of stationary and paper too?

It seems odd that you need to take utensils, could you not have a more simple approach to food while you are away?

I'm with the posters that take hand luggage only if I can, for our two week summer holiday three of us manage with one checked in bag!

Seraphim

rufydoofyM wrote: »

Horrendous is what OH thinks too. When I was younger a small rucksack was all I needed as I was used to camping on a motorbike and would only take hand luggage when travelling abroad apart from a couple of trips to the states and aus.

We used to have a Lotus Exige and would go on holiday to the Nurburgring with it. As we took our helmets with us, there was only just enough room for two squishy rucksacks plus whatever we could squeeze into the tiny cabin (for a week's holiday). It's made me Queen of travelling light and now that we have an estate car, it feels like the height of luxury to be able to take several pairs of shoes on holiday!!

PenguinOfDeath

*waves*

I am a queen of over-packing! I just like to be prepared for almost every eventuality My excuse when we go abroad is I like to bring back souvenirs (ie usually booze and food) you can't get over here. Doesn't always wash however!

Sarah Millican did a routine where you can tell if you are one of life's worriers if you pack more pants /knickers than amount of days you are going away for!

LameWolf

PenguinOfDeath wrote: »

Sarah Millican did a routine where you can tell if you are one of life's worriers if you pack more pants /knickers than amount of days you are going away for!

That's me, then!:D And an extra day's worth of medication. Just in case we get held up and have to stay overnight on the way home.
Though I have to say I haven't a scooby who Sarah Millican is.:D

We don't fly any more; too much of a faff with the wheelchair; last time we went to Brugge we went on the ferry to Calais, and drove from there.

[Deleted User]

I have one big holdall that I bought a few years ago in the US it cost me $5.00 and is worth its weight in gold I use it every year to go on holiday for a fortnight and as I have a seven seater car I get all the luggage and one of my DGS in my car and the hampster in its cage and Dd has three DGS her OH and two dogs in her car.We always go self catering with the boys as a hotel for 7 of us would be horrendous This year we are going to a converted theatre and it sleeps 9 and for 2 weeks it £1200.00 which I think is excellent value.We do pack a picnic lunch to eat on the way plus a couple of flasks.As soon as we get to our holiday house we unload all the bags etc and while my son-in-law sorts it all out Dd and I go and buy a weeks shopping in one go We have been ho;idaying like this for the past 11 years and as the babies came along they just fitted in with what ever we did.we used to get a large caravan but then I decided that a bit more cash would give us a bit more comfort.
I do have a week in the spring without the family, but I do miss all the noise and kerfuffle of the family holiday.We are very organised as you would have to be with a large family there used to be 8 of us but now my DGD has moved out and is with her BF and they do their own thing now(she is 22 ) My US grip has so many side pockets and seems to hold everything I need

thriftwizard

I can pack for 2 weeks in a warm country within Ryanair's miserly hand-baggage allowance. I have 4 reversible silk wrap-round skirts which pack away to nothing & just need shaking out, I'll take a pair of lightweight Bermuda-type shorts for hiking, a handful of tops & a cardi or shawl, one longish non-iron dress for evening/posh lunch (said cardi or shawl will go with this too) 2 x bras & about 4 pairs of knickers, a nightie & a lightweight dressing gown, two swimsuits & two pairs of sturdy flip-flops. I do usually slip in a little leather, zipped shoulder bag for carrying my purse & camera, and two scarves to be knotted & used as bags. I'll usually travel in something warmer, and wear a pair of walking/driving sandals. And as soon as I arrive, I'll find a tube or bottle of hand-wash stuff & hand-wash underwear every night, nightie & tops as needed. I can usually fit in a towel, which if we have access to a washing machine will be washed & donated to a local animal sanctuary on the last day, so there's a little room to bring back tiny treats for any family members who didn't come along, and a little rain poncho that my kids brought back from an adventure park a long time ago; I think I've used this just once.

There's usually room for a paperback, which will be read then swapped with one wherever we are, but last time I was caught out with this - the villa's entire library consisted of 4 large bonkbusters and a handful of Premier League players' "autobiographies" - not my cup of tea, I'm afraid! So my Kindle might find its way into my bag next time, too.

It's a bit more complicated "staycationing" - more rain gear needed, and a couple more cardis/jumpers - but I don't take a lot more, not even when I'm working, and especially not when I'm camping. I work on the theory that if I really, really need something I haven't got with me, there'll probably be a charity shop somewhere nearby I can find one in. If we are self-catering, I take a small amount of food & tea, but again, I'll stock up at or near the other end; luckily we don't have any major food issues to cater for - one veggie, but she eats veg, not fancy processed fake-meat which might not be easily available.

Obviously I'm not counting all the bits n'bobs that you have to take when camping, like the tent, sleeping bags & camp bed (having had a hip replacement - though I'm fairly fit, sleeping on the ground is a thing of the past now) cooking & eating gear, torch, etc. But even then I prefer to travel as light as is compatible with civilised existence & keep things simple; I'm not there, wherever it is, to spend my time looking after things.

Just wish I could apply my travelling-light philosophy to my home!

tooties

You really do over pack.

But it's all about what's right for you.

regards

GreyQueen

I'm a big fan of ultra-light packing and have travelled the world with a carry-on only, but it's not for everyone. My question would be, do you actually use everything you take? I'd start looking at your packing list from that end, rather than the other way around.

For that kind of situation, I would take the shoes I was wearing and a pair of slippers for indoors, 1 change of lower body garments, 2 changes of upper body garments, a warm layer like a sweater or fleece, a jacket, nightwear and a basic washbag.

If you need to self-cater, I'd look at having very very simple meals with minimal inputs and equipment. If you make this journey very regularly, and the place is so poorly equipped that you sometimes need to take utensils, how about having a few spare ones which live there? The pound stores can sort you out. My parents visit Nan for several hours each Saturday and Dad keeps his gardening jacket, plus gardening shoes, in her porch, plus a pair of old slippers to wear in the house. Could you do something similar?

Imagine you didn't have a car and had to do this journey on public transport; would you lug all this stuff with you? Probably not. And, rather than lugging food across the country, how about taking a shopping list and picking it up just before you arrive?

Mrs_Ryan

I'm terrible for overpacking. I have a big wheeled holdall that is usually full to bursting!
I'm going away for two nights in a couple of weeks, my case is jammed full. I have: a top, pair of jeans, cardi, underwear and shoes for going out the first night. Jacket, top, shapewear, trousers, hoodie, pashmina, underwear and boots for the second day (we'll be at a rugby game!) I also have a spare pair of jeans and a top for emergency use for whatever reason. I have pyjamas, bedsocks, make up and toiletries plus a present I have to give someone and a t-shirt and underwear to travel home in. I always end up taking far too much stuff! My mate however brings, without fail, an always full family sized suitcase for one night neither of us do travelling light! Next trip away will be even worse as its for three nights and as well as the full holdall I'll have a dress bag and backpack as well!!

beedeedee

I'm just the opposite.........I'm well trained as a biker and we frequently used to go two-up for 6 weeks camping on a bike, so to actually have a small carry-on case is absolute luxury for me! Just got back from 4 weeks in Spain by air, and had more than enough stuff. One little tip is to carry a pack of pantie liners.....it does save on constant washing of undies, but as MSE'rs you'll know that already!