I Traveled Europe for Three Weeks With Only a Carry-on: Here’s What I Packed
Organization Expert Shows How to Travel for 3-Weeks With Only A Carry-On!
In 2022 I spent the entire month of September in Europe and realized that over the years I have learned so much about how to efficiently pack for extended trips. Here are a few of my best-kept organizing secrets to enjoying a week in Europe without overpacking or stressing about the itinerary.
Many people don’t know this about me but my parents are Swiss and I spent 5 years living in Zurich. All of my family still lives in Switzerland and I have a special place in my heart for this country as it is highly organized and easy to navigate.
The trains are always on time and run by the second hand. (My dad was a train engineer and being on time was non-negotiable, even being a minute late was recorded).
The bureaucracy is organized and there are never lines, even at the DMV. People generally have less “stuff” as they buy quality over quantity, and keep their homes organized and clutter-free.
Even dogs need to go to obedience classes once they hit a certain age or you will get fined if you fail to comply!
Growing up with Swiss parents, structure and order were a natural part of my childhood and I remember from an early age that is the way things should be to be able to enjoy life to the fullest and not feel constantly stressed or rushed.
Organizing Your Travel
During my weeks in Europe this year I took my parents back to their hometowns of Bern and Interlken and planned some fun trips in between. Italy is the first stop on our itinerary, and the one I’m going to share with you today.
For making pretty itineraries I use Canva and share them with who I am traveling with. I also use the TripIt app to keep track of all my travel plans, flights, hotels, cars, dinner reservations etc. I have used this app for 6 years now and it has never disappointed me.
For this weeklong trip to Italy I created a draft itinerary because we would be driving from Switzerland and a few spots could change (part of being organized is realizing that stress is reduced when you are focused on the end goal, but allow a level of fluidity on the journey), but knew we had four targeted spots.
Here’s the surprising part… For my 3 weeks in Europe I am only bringing a carry-on! I might come home with a suitcase full of goodies, but traveling is way easier with a carry-on especially since I will be moving around a lot.
The secret to not over packing and being able to effortlessly fit everything into a carry-on is to create the itinerary FIRST, and THEN pack for each activity.
Choose pieces of clothing that can be worn for multiple activities or re-imagined and re-styled to look slightly different each day.
6 Things to remember when packing your carry-on for a long trip:
Remember that creating your itinerary first, and then packing for each activity will help you save space and ensure you have as many looks as you need for a few weeks of travel.
Wear bulkier items like heavy coats or boots while traveling to your destination to save space in your carry-on.
Keep dedicated separate sleepwear, toiletries and charging cords in your carry-on bag at all times to make sure you don’t forget to pack these essentials.
Pack items that can be mixed and matched and worn for multiple types of activities.
Don’t take new items that you haven’t broken in yet or haven’t figured out how to style. Each item in your carry-on should have earned its space in your wardrobe, and prove that it’s worth its weight.
Pack items you already know you feel great in so you’re able to focus on the experience of your trip and not overthink about how you look.
Here are my must-haves for Italy:
LUGGAGE
For the last ten years I have used the four wheeled Tumi international carry-on. It has done over 300,000 miles with me and still looks new. It’s truly engineered to last so you won’t have to worry about wheels coming off, the case becoming dented, or latches and zippers breaking.
I typically don’t use my designer bags in Italy and instead opt for functionality and ensure that they have a top zipper for easy access and security. The Tumi Voyager Everyday Tote has the elegance of the classic Louis Vuitton Neverfull, but the sturdiness of the Tumi luggage, so it has been my go-to for years.
The Celine Trio crossbody bag is one of the BEST for traveling because it’s easy to wear, crossbody style has three removable pouches depending on how much you need to carry around. It is now vintage as Celine has changed designers but you can often see this version at many luxury consignment stores and online at places like Fashionphile or Mine and Yours.
Longchamp bags are trip and travel staples. If you’re on a budget and looking for the “perfect” tote you can stop looking and simply buy several Longchamps in different sizes!
The Mini Le Pliage is what I use as my main handbag in the evenings because it’s simple, elegant and timeless, and holds most essentials, plus it is compact to travel with and comes in the perfect color combinations for any outfit or mood.
I also bring my large Le Pliage Travel bag, which is a must in Europe as sometimes I only want to go somewhere for a weekend away and some smaller European airlines don’t allow the larger size, or hard-sided carry-on bags.
The large Le Pliage is also the perfect size for daytime sightseeing. I don’t like to leave any luggage in the taxi or rideshare car and I grab this if I know I’m going to be out all day and perhaps want to carry a bit more with me if I won’t be back to the hotel for several hours, or making frequent stops.
The generously sized shoulder straps are incredibly comfortable and distribute weight nicely so I don’t feel overly tired from toting it around all day.
ACCESSORIES
Scarf: I choose a neutral color that's large but lightweight so it can double as a shawl in the evenings. I usually go with a designer pashmina for this accessory as it needs to be able to transition from day to night and match both casual and evening outfits.
Cell phone chargers—Buy an extra one and leave it in your suitcase at all times. I always carry an iPhone cable and a regular USB cable as they can be plugged into the same travel converter or outlet to charge.
Earphones—For listening to music, watching TV on airplanes, and talking on the phone while walking the many-kilometers-long expanses of those huge US airports.
Travel adapter—The best one I’ve found so far is Swiss made by Skross. I have the World Adapter EVO USB; it’s worked in every country so far and is orderly and easy to travel with.
Just be mindful that this is an adapter, not a converter. Special items such as curling irons and hair straighteners might have different electrical conversion from one country to the next, and if you try to use these items, they’ll be damaged immediately, and you could be harmed. To avoid this, if you really need a curling iron or straightener for the country you’re in, and the conversion is different than in your own country, buy one there and keep it as one of your travel items for when you go back.
Toiletry case—I always keep my toiletry case filled with a travel-sized version of everything I use on a daily basis and make it a point to have a very simple self-care routine so I can reduce the amount of lotions and potions I have to travel with. Staying hydrated and making sure you’re getting regular exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition while traveling will eliminate the need for so many skin and hair care items.
Caudalie Face Elixer—This is the best product ever to travel with; it gives skin a boost of moisture and radiance.
Havaianas flip flops—These flip flops have a soft rubber toe separator to ensure there are no blisters in between your toes, and they come in many colors and designs. They’re Brazilian, and in my experience, Brazilians really know their bikinis and flip flops. Havaianas claim that they’re the “World’s Best Rubber Flip Flops.” I’d keep a separate black pair in your suitcase, as you can use these in every season—in the hotel room as slippers, for a trip to the hotel pool, or to grab a quick coffee.
If you travel a lot, you’ll be glad to have them. I was surprised to learn in the must-read book That Extra Half an Inch that these are even a favorite of Victoria Beckham’s, considering she’s sometimes been mocked for wearing heels to the beach!
Compression socks—If you wear these during long flights, your feet won’t be swollen when you land. My friends used to make fun of me for wearing these, but they all wear them now too after seeing the difference it makes!
First aid kit—With your first aid kit, always make sure you replace Band-Aids after use; for me, this is especially important in the summer, when I (or someone I’m traveling with!) gets some kind of blister from their shoes.
Portable scale —This will be a lifesaver. Never worry about having overweight luggage again and getting nasty, surprise up-charges or fees at the check-in counter at the airport.
CLOTHES
Instead of writing sample packing lists, which can be found on every travel blog and article on the internet, I’m just going to go over the main items that I usually bring on personal and work trips and the “why” behind each item.
Jean Jacket: One with a little structured waistline and a slight puff to the shoulder adds an element of sophistication to this comfy staple.
I pack three dresses, one of which is always a “little black dress.” I choose dresses based on the itinerary and climate for that time of year. For example, sight-seeing, shopping and dinners, touring historical interests or museums, and boating (going out on the water is a quite common activity in Italy as there’s so much coastline to enjoy).
Crisp white blouse—You can wear this wherever you go: to the office, out for dinner, to the beach, with jean shorts to a polo match or to a baseball game—the possibilities are endless. If you’re worried that it will get too wrinkly, and you won’t have time to iron it, I’d suggest a non-iron version. My favorite non-iron blouses are from Banana Republic; they’re great for traveling or for everyday use, and they come in a variety of colors and fits.
Navy blue blazer—This can be matched with many things and immediately take a casual pants and blouse look from fun to professional.
Sleepwear—I keep a set of sleepwear in my carry-on bag at all times even between trips since it’s the most common thing people report forgetting to pack!
Lululemon athleisure—On every trip, I bring a pair of Lululemon leggings; the length depends on the temperature. I also carry a zip-up sweatshirt and a sports bra or bra-tank. This outfit can be worn to the gym, on the plane, to grab a coffee, to the beach, to the park, or shopping—I think you can wear your Lululemon everywhere! The leggings and sweatshirt can also be mixed and matched with other clothes. I choose to recommend and wear the Lululemon brand for their extremely comfortable fabrics, form flattering cuts, and versatility with colors and pattern options for any personal style (although I typically go with all-black to maintain a crisp, chic aesthetic for myself).
Dark jeans—I prefer skinny jeans, but whatever style you prefer, just make sure they’re free of holes, patches, and/or rips in case you need to look professional.
Nude or black stiletto pumps—These match almost anything. Bring a pair that’s comfortable and broken-in, as you don’t want to try out your brand-new stilettos while on vacation or during a work conference.
Nude or black flats—My favorites are from Navy Boot or Prada, as they’re Italian-made and comfortable. Tory Burch also makes a travel ballet flat in several colors that are foldable to save space.
Last time I was in Italy I met the owner of the famous shoe brand, Santoni. These shoes are the Christian Louboutins of Italy and have orange bottoms vs. red ones.
A Lot of their heels have an asymmetrical ankle strap which is a special design element that helps them stand out.
You can walk miles in their while leather sneaker shoes without blisters or pain as they conform to your unique foot shape as you walk. These sneakers are so popular with jet setting women all around the globe and unfortunately as a result are usually hard to get. However, I did find one retailer who will let you know when your size is restocked, so for that reason I suggest going HERE to get on their waiting list.
Another pair of casual shoes, that look elegant, are very comfortable, and have an ultra flattering shape, are THESE SNEAKERS with pretty gold zipper details and a neutral colorway. They come in a black/dove gray as well as a black option.
It’s no surprise I’m a fan of the Swiss brand, On-Running, and can highly recommend their waterproof ones for travel, hikes and walking the city. They’re comfiest shoes ever but still look elegant and modern if you snag them in a neutral shade for your skin tone.
Swimsuit—For beaches and hotel pools.
Black and nude undergarments—These are the most versatile. Soma makes flattering and supportive matching pieces you can mix and match for every shape and outfit needs.
