Two Weeks Beach Holiday With Only WizzAir Cabin Bag

mlz1413

If you intend to wash clothes take a look at taking laundry sheets.

I've used these-
Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Laundry Detergent Sheets.

vacheron

Our family (2 adults and a 13 year old), have managed many winter sun breaks of 10-11 night trips with just 3x 10KG overhead cases between us, with a few KG to spare to allow us to bring extra things back. 

It was easier to pack for 11 nights in the Canaries than it was for our 4 day September trip to Barcelona, because the canarian weather is almost guaranteed.

Add to that the 3 x 5kg small backpacks you are also allowed to store under the seat in front, (though we usualy only take 2 so our son doesn't end up leaving his on a chair in the airport!), and you are more than covered IMHO. Last trip I still has some clothing items I hadn't worn or didn't need to take in future.

We also take a travel bottle of hand wash detergent, and decant large bottles of sunscreen into smaller 50ml atomisers. You also save having to wait at the baggage carousel. 

The only downside is if you want to bring back any alcohol or other large bottles of liquids. But we don't tend to bother with that anymore anyways. 

Doshwaster

mlz1413 said:

If you intend to wash clothes take a look at taking laundry sheets.

I've used these-
Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Laundry Detergent Sheets.

Yes, these are brilliant. Cheap, take up no space and aren't liquids so no problems at airport security. Can be used in washing machines and for hand washing.

TC77

Interesting ideas, esp.like he laundry sheets and solid soap. Have manged the under seat allowance for 4 night trip. Did month in Asia with 9kg rucksack , and small bag with passport etc and food for journey. Did some washing myself then used laundry service. Have 3 weeks planned withe more variable weather and unsure if can fit in 40.litre rucksack but will put in hold and have small bag with essentials.
Travel light as don't want to carry heavy bag. 
I haven't seen small vacuum bags only ones for duvets etc so would welcome link/ details. Shoes are issue , wear walking shows and take sandals but if cold.may need another pair of shoes:(

SecondCity72

MikeyPGT said:

Going on a beach holiday next year with WizzAir and totally begrudge paying extortionate fees for hold luggage.  How feasible do fellow forumites feel that it is for a man to survive for two weeks with only the contents of a small carry-on bag?  I have invested in manual vacuum bags and the appropriate sized bag.  I'm not averse to giving clothes a bit of a swill in the sink and the extra cost of buying toiletries etc won't come anywhere the extra £80 each way for hold luggage.

Wear a few layers to travel. Layer t shirts wear shorts under trousers. Yes you will be a little uncomfortable if it is a little hot on arrival but you will be ok when getting back to the uk.

take 2 sets of day and evening clothes and some hand wash washing powder. Wash one set every day and allow to dry in the sun ready for the next day.

vacuum pack your clothes. Can probably increase the amount you take by about 50% doing this. Although be careful if can look like a dodgy on the security scanner and if they ask you to open up you’ll have no way of re-vacuuming.

Emmia

I use zip compression bags - these are not quite so space efficient but you won't have a problem re-squeezing clothing

Savvy_Sue

MikeyPGT said:

Undies can do at least 4 days if you wear them backwards the second day then turn them inside out the third day and flip them back to front again on the fourth ...

Only a man ... 

I'd find packing hand-luggage only quite stressful for anything more than a weekend, but it's more possible since I started reading books on my phone - I can't go without multiple books. I've got compression packing cubes, but the compression is not always that useful, because before you compress them they're a more regular shape than after you've squished them, and also once you've compressed them you can't squish them any further. I think the same would be true for the vacuum bags. I do use a roll-up vacuum bag for the dirty laundry I'm bringing home. 

If you do need a particular brand of sun-cream, body wash or whatever, you can pre-order and pick up from Boots or Superdrug AFTER security at some airports. 

Laundry leaves were mentioned, you can also get soap leaves, although I'd take more than I thought I'd need ... 

I am in a permanent state of semi-packed, because I have dupes of everything I need for travel. We're away pretty much every other weekend and it's just not worth unpacking: I wash flannels, turban for my hair etc and stick them straight back in the bag. I have travel PJs, travel slippers, travel phone chargers. Just have to add whatever clothes I need that weekend, can be done in 10 minutes. Takes DH longer than that to choose books, decide which laptop to take (don't ask) etc. 

Brie

We used to go walking in the Alps so I got used to packing with the bare minimum and could still do so.  The only clothing I would pack was an extra tshirt, underwear, spare socks & hut slippers plus toothbrush & comb.  That would do for the 5 days trekking.  Yes, we stank at the end but so did everyone else.

For a plane I'd be wearing all my heaviest gear, including the heaviest/bulkiest shoes.  In my bag would be a change of everything but the lighter version plus a swimsuit. 

I always wear scarves as they are very versatile.  I used a large one as a beach cover on a recent holiday so as not to scare too many seeing someone my age heading to the pool.  But a good size handkerchief is an excellent take along too - handy to use to cover your head, tied round your neck to keep the sun from burning you, tuck in the front of your shirt if you are eating something likely to drip on to your shirt.  Perfect for dipping in a fountain to cool yourself if it's a hot day.   

Wash bag with comb, toothbrush, small toothpaste (I set a tube aside when it's getting to the end to take on holidays) and a tin with a multi use bar of soap (hair, body and clothing).  Bulkiest thing I pack will be a book and my mobile.  

My husband likes his "leg zip off" trousers - the sort that go from full length to shorts without having to get changed.  But he also wouldn't  dream of doing just a carry on these days as there wouldn't be enough room for all his shoes.  

cantbelieveit23

Yes, I think it could be done, using a combination of some of the ideas already suggested.  Wear the heaviest, bulkiest clothes/shoes you intend to take, including a jacket/ cargo trousers with pockets.  I once met a clown (really) in an airport check in queue wearing wellies and an oversize overcoat with many pockets!.  If you buy a bottle of duty free at the airport, you could normally get away with adding a few items to the bag.  Not sure where you are going in Bulgaria, but certainly dress code in Sunny Beach and similar places in high summer is definitely "beachwear".  I would suggest making a list of everything you will want or need in Bulgaria, then edit again if you reckon there are things you can do without.  Pack your bag to check what will or will not fit.   Which of these things can you buy on arrival, and how much will those you can't fit in the bag cost you?  No doubt you will be able whatever you need in Bulgaria, but you might be surprised by how much you might spend.  You might find that the cost is close enough to the extra bag charge to make it just a matter of principle, or you might save yourself £100.  I'm fascinated to know if it works for you.