Retailers are feeling the pinch this year, and it seems like everywhere we turn, they are offering lots of sales and promotions. If you’re trying to find some good deals to build your travel stuff inventory, Rick Steves (of the PBS Europe Through the Back Door series) is having a really nice sale at his …
“Ideally packed!” That’s what a London Gatwick Airport security agent told me when my bag got tagged for a manual inspection. She was completely impressed because she couldn’t believe how efficient and well-organized my carry-on bag was! [If you’ve ever had one of those, you know that they take everything out of your bag. It …
Continue reading ‘The Ultra-Minimalist Packing List: How I Packed for Europe’ »
It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and we leave for Europe tomorrow. In the meantime, we went to our local post office this evening to use their Automatic Postal Center machine to weigh our carry-on bags so that we could meet the stringent weight restrictions on Virgin Atlantic. The verdict? My bag: 12 pounds …
Besides selling a basic travelpack for a low $29.99, Campmor also sells another travel bag you might be interested in if you have to travel with suits. The garment bag folds up and looks a lot like a regular travel pack. Photo from Campmor. The High Sierra brand Tri Fold Garment Bag is like most …
Continue reading ‘…and if you want to travel light with your suit’ »
Back when I was younger, my mom shared with me a story of how a guest at a dinner honoring Christopher Columbus questioned whether Columbus should be considered great for discovering America. After all, the guest questioned, anyone could’ve set sail and eventually discovered land. In response, Columbus challenged this guest to try to stand …
Continue reading ‘Product review: Tom Bihn Convertible Packing Cube’ »
Thirteen pounds. That’s the weight limit for your carry-on bag when you fly Virgin Atlantic. Forget trying to smoosh everything into your compact carry-on bag, the weight restriction turns “traveling light” into a whole new ballgame. We’ll be heading to Europe later this year and flying Premium Economy to London Heathrow, and our challenge will …
[Updated December 2, 2008] You will soon be able to keep your laptop in your case when you go through airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration announced last week that they will begin allowing laptops to be screened through their X-ray machine while they are still in bags. The catch? The bags have to …
I was going through my morning e-mail and noticed a summer luggage sale announcement from an online bag seller. The e-mail’s subject title said something like, “Save Big for Summer Travel,” enticing me to see what sort of wonderful bargains I could find. The e-mail listed the seller’s top recommendations for bags for summer travel. …
Continue reading ‘Rolling Uprights: Behemoth SUVs of 2008’ »
I previously mentioned some mesh bags and pouches you can use to carry your non-liquid toiletries in your travels. I just returned from a quick run to an office supply store and was reminded of one of the cheapest and most convenient “toiletry kit” pouches around: The pencil pouch. The Pencil Pouch from Staples. You …
Mary C. recently wrote to me with the following: I am so glad that you have started up your Web site again. I have checked it consistently for years hoping to see something new. You have always had the most wonderful suggestions for traveling light. My husband and I have been traveling with carry on …