Selecting a Bag for Your Europe Trip
The type of luggage you take to Europe will be different from your
mainland vacation travel bag. Your Europe choice will be influenced by :
Most savvy travelers will tell you to pack light and take one carry-on bag. (to learn more on this topic go to: Pack Light! Advantages) I have used several different bags over my travels and find I prefer a travelpack--which is a soft-sided rectangular bag with a pair of backpack shoulder straps hidden in a back compartment. I throw my travelpack lengthwise onto a heavy duty luggage carrier (wheels that are 4-6 inches across) and am ready to handle any cobble stone, curbs and distances that come my way. My daughter prefers to backpack--but is on a tight budget. She has found the MEI Travelpack with waist belt lets her walk upright--increasing visibility, fits her budget and is just more to her liking. We use local accommodations that seldom have elevators and often travel by train. This means LOTS of stairs will be encountered. The BackPack capability of our bags let us navigate these easily and quickly if needed. I've been asked if the heavy duty luggage carrier I take isn't too heavy. My answer is NO. I only carry it 5 or less minutes at a time when I am doing stairs. I prefer going down train and airplane isles with my bag on wheels. I have a tendency to hit people in the head with my bag when I pack it down the isles! Not a good foot to get off on with your fellow travelers. When driving, we find a carry-on travelpack fits into the small trunks and that we pack easily from our car to our room. (wheels stay in the car trunk till needed) There are bags and duffels on the market that have 1 inch wheels and retractable handles built it. Many of these are impractical for Europe travel unless you are on a tour that will take care of your luggage. Eagle Creek and MEI have created carry-on travelpacks with tough rollerblade type wheels, retractable handles, and hide-able shoulder straps and waist belts PLUS a Zip Off DayPack. These have been a popular--but pricey solution for many travelers. Out side zippered pockets to hold things such as guide book, picnic supplies, glasses, sweater, etc. are important in our selection of a travelpack. Think about what you want to keep handy and analyze pocket size when selecting your bag. Inside pockets aren't as important because of the way we organize our packed items. (see: How To Pack It All In One Carry-On Bag) Your bag is your home for your entire trip--be it 2 weeks or 3 months or more. Select it carefully for YOUR NEEDS and Style of travel. Check TERC Bag Boutique and you will see there is a variety of bags from $80-235. Happy Travels and remember to keep it Light! Mele Fujiwara, TERC Travel Consultant |
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Also see Mele's Packing Check List
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