Tom,
I totally agree that “less is more” when it comes to packing! I enjoy bringing back new clothing as well!
I tell the students to leave room for souvenirs and new clothing. Also, they should try carrying their suitcases up and down the steps several times to see if they are too heavy before leaving for Spain!
OLE!
Johanna

Great advice! Here is another hint for the longer trips (and for those who may not have the big wallets): when we traveled for two weeks many students brought “running” clothes (easily washed out, the kind that dry overnight) instead of heavier cotton clothing so that they could take advantage of the two-night stays in the larger cities. They washed out clothes the first night which were dry and ready to pack the second.

Great advice! I usually tell my people to take “old” stuff (undies, socks, t-shirts to sleep in, etc.) to leave behind (in the hotel trashcan, of course!). That way they can have room to pack all those new clothes they buy.

Thanks for these great tips! I also tell my students that in some hotels in Europe the elevators are smaller and slower than what we are used to in the States, so they may end up ditching the elevator line and pulling their suitcase up the stairs. In this case, less is definitely more!

excellent advice! every trip i go on i try to pack light, but it never seems to work out. on my next trip to Spain ill be sure to love lots of room and pack light! (hopefully i don’t overdo it agian)

That Gibraltar monkey story’s convinced me to protect my passport with my life!
The packing tip sounds excellent, thank you! I definitely plan to spend most of my money and use the space in my suitcase to capture some Spanish flavor to bring back home.

As a seasoned traveler, you would think that I naturally would always pack light. Try though I may, I always seem to have any leftover space in my suitcase the FIRST time I start to pack. So…….. I finally discovered a way to remedy this ( I love to buy a few new clothes items on any trip, like others here). So after I “think” I’m packed, and usually have too much stuff in the case, I literally remove about half of it……! Might seem dramatic but this is the only way I can not overpack and still bring home a new item or two. TRY IT!! I advise my kids to do this…(especially the “fashion plate” girls on tour)!

Great point Patricia…I do the exact same. The first few days I usually second guess my decision, but towards the end of my travels, I’m usual very happy.

One other way to save space and speaking to Beth’s point. Bring stuff you can give away! Some of my most prized possessions are the things I’ve traded for, like the Tottenham Hotspur jersey (soccer) I got for my Merrimack College lacrosse tank top. I feel it was an even trade (no bias).

Those typical American things we overlook are hot items for foreign lands. School t-shirts make great items to trade and you’ll most likely end up with a great souvenir with a story behind it.

Thanks for the excellent advice. Packing light is always a smart idea.

Thanks for the advice. I usually pack too much for trips.

Yea, I tried packing light, but that didn’t help when I packed 2 beautiful silk and wool large blankets in my small suitcase that I bought on my last trip abroad. My suitcase looked liked it was about to explode, but I still managed to avoid extra weight fees; my suitcase weight exactly 50 lbs!!!

I love the throw away and trade ideas! I always throw away all of my toiletries, and in Rome a few weeks ago I tossed p.j.s to leave room for my new boots, but I never thought about PLANNING to toss. Love it.
I also love love love the idea of trading. I’m definitely sharing this with my students.
Oh, and Tom, your name is getting smaller on the right hand side of the page. I’m trying to help you, man!