With my next adventure only 33 days away, it it time to start organizing. This trip is going to be my biggest challenge yet with packing since I will be backpacking and island hopping through Greece for two whole weeks. I have become much better at sizing down how much I pack over the years. I truly prefer to travel with just a carry on, especially in the days of delayed/cancelled flights and lost luggage. You will find when traveling abroad, especially alone, the less you have to carry the better. Cobble stone streets, long walks from the transportation to your accommodations (somehow always uphill), multiple flights of stairs (and no elevators) are all part of the adventure and a test to your physical fitness!!
So let’s talk about not only packing lighter, but packing smarter!! These are just a few of the travel accessories I have found over my last few adventures that are well made and make my travel life a little easier.
This backpack! I am IN LOVE with this backpack. It was recommended to me by a friend and Nathan gifted it to me for my birthday. When I started to plan my trip to Greece I realized that exploring multiple islands meant taking multiple ferry rides. This meant me, alone, with all my bags, and learning that most of the islands are all up hill from the ferry port..that became a little overwhelming. Imagine pulling your rolling bag, uphill, on cobblestone for 15-20 min at at time. Exhausting! (And honestly it SCREAMS…American!!)
Osprey Fairview 55 Travel Pack
So far I really love this company. They guarantee their bags, it doesn’t matter if you bought it last year or 20 years ago. I lost a clip in Denver, contacted them and they are sending me the new clips at no charge.
I took this bag on my first trip this past October. I traveled to Oregon and Yosemite for a week. I was able to easily fit everything I needed in it, the day pack meets TSA criteria for your personal item, and it was perfect for my hiking adventures. The 55L backpack meets TSA standards for your carry on and the straps will zip in if you ever need to check it. The best part is, it all interconnects so you can carry it front and back allowing you to be hands free through the airport and for all of your connections. Ok, enough about the bag, seriously can you tell I love it!!!
Ok, so I know us Americans love our water bottles. Most people have an entire cabinet dedicated to their storage, we carry them everywhere, and for some they become emotional support items. However, if you are traveling to Europe and carrying a water bottle everywhere you go….dead giveaway….you are a tourist and you are American. I like to blend in when I travel, as much as I can, so this bottle is perfect. It fits in a small pocket in my day bag, I can quickly fill it at a public fountain when I need to and when I am finished I can roll it up and put it away. It is super easy to clean, is very durable, and doesn’t take much space for storage between trips. I found mine on Amazon, they have so many different silicone travel bottles. Do some searching to find one that you will love for your next trip.
Next, my amazing cord organizer. So many cords, why can’t everything just use the same cord?? This media storage pouch has been a lifesaver. This is a must if you are like me and can never find a charger when you need one. I have used this same one for years and it still looks brand new. I can store all my cords, adapters, and mobile charging banks all in one little compact case. It fits perfect in my personal item so it can easily reached while in flight. I found this one on amazon, do some searching and find the one that is right for your travel needs.
One of the things I hear the most when I travel alone or to another country is “Aren’t you afraid you will get mugged/robbed…insert your own scary phrase here”. Honestly, I have felt safer in other countries than I do here at home going to the grocery store most days. Crime is EVERYWHERE and yes, Europe is known for its pick-pockets, I mean it is a perfect setting, lots of tourists, carrying way too many valuables, and not paying a bit of attention to their surroundings. Be alert, look like you belong, walk with a purpose (and not with your map or phone out following directions) and be aware of your surroundings and your person. You will be fine.
But, to ease everyone’s imagination, lets talk theft proof bags. This bag is one of my favorite travel accessories. I got it from the company Travelon. I can’t even count how many trips it has been on to date and it still looks great. This company specializes in “theft proof” baggage. This one is a crossbody and has lots of room for everything I need while out exploring. It has a cut proof strap, the zippers all lock in place so they can’t be opened easily, and is RFID blocking so your cards are safe. It even has a little built in flash light so I can easily find my keys at night. Check out their website, they have several different styles and colors. They are a little more than I would usually spend, (trying to be a frugal human and all) most are in the $70 range, but like I said, this bag has been on every trip I have taken for years and it is built to last!! travelonbags.com
I feel like I have so much more to share, but we will save it for another time. These are just a few of the items that through a lot of travel, trial and error I have found to be the most helpful in keeping me organized during my adventures. My packing and organizations skills get better with every trip, especially my solo trips. I have tried multiple different suitcases, backpacks and purses and those listed above have far out shined all the other accessories I have used during my adventures. I hope you find this little piece of my experience helpful.
If you are enjoying my new blog please don’t forget to like and follow along. I am still learning and I feel like it is getting easier with each entry. (my computer skills are still atrocious, but I am trying)
Please also find and follow Adventures of an Auntie on Facebook. I would love ideas for blogs you would like to see or feedback either as comments on my blog or you can find my email on my website. Until next time friends…..Happy Adventures!!!
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