#minimalist-packing

#minimalist-packing

Packing lightly is not an art-it's a science. If you're someone, like me, who deeply cares about traveling with the right pieces- clothes you feel comfortable in that also match the destination or activity-the process requires research and precision. This is especially true if you're trying to fit multiple weeks' worth of clothes into a small piece of luggage, like a weekender bag.

The 10% packing rule is a two-day process where I'll pack one day, including all those things I think I need for the trip - the extra T-shirts, or the pair of shorts I throw in even though I already packed one - and then I'll come back the next day and simply remove 10% of the items. It helps me narrow down my packing to the items I actually need, and it trims the fat of any excess.

Packing for a European getaway is no easy feat, especially if it's your first time abroad or you only travel a couple of times a year. It requires planning-the right luggage, versatile outfits, comfortable shoes, and smart accessories all have to be considered-and you'll want to try to pack as lightly as possible. Depending on how you've structured your trip, you may be hopping on and off public transportation or climbing seemingly endless stairs,

I come from a long line of overpackers, but I've learned the hard way what can happen to checked luggage if your flight is delayed before a cruise. If your luggage doesn't make it to the ship before embarkation, odds are you won't see it again until the cruise is over. As someone who once spent a week in bright orange Birkenstocks on a Mediterranean cruise, I would know.