Motherly Advice...3 Continents, 5 weeks, 1 bag...how I did it...

 One of the reasons we live such an exquisitely frugal life, is so we can afford to travel. In the last 15 years, we have had 8 fabulous overseas trips, each one a special memory for us all. But there is an art to these things, and one of the very first lessons we learned was to travel light.  We also learned quickly, that if you dress comfortably, yet well, and look neat and well-travelled, you're more likely to get upgraded. And who wouldn't prefer to travel Business Class! 

We've now done this AND been upgraded successfully many times, so I can truly vouch for the whole One Bag idea.

It takes some discipline, it takes a level of maturity on the part of the kids (but we took our 8 year old and she managed!), and you have to abandon your 'just in case' mentality, but it makes travelling much easier. No waiting around at luggage carousels. No lugging a suitcase bigger than yourself from one end of the world to the other. Or one end of the airport to another!

You have to accept some monotony in your wardrobe selections, but only you will notice. You may also have to accept the limitations that travelling light places upon grooming. But you get creative! 

We did a five week trip a couple of years ago. We travelled from Australia to England, France, and the U.S. in that time.  Husband, Daughter and I all took one carry-on bag only, and a handbag or equivalent.

Here's the thing.

Whatever you can buy at home, you can pretty much buy at the other end...unless you're going to Deepest Darkest Wherever. And even then, they have equivalents.

Resign yourself to buying consumables or specialty items at the other end. You'll be okay. In a lot of cases, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner are even cheaper 'there' than here. In London we bought toothpaste for 28p, deodorant for 66p and shampoo and conditioner for 99p. Same in the U.S.

Here's my packing list:

1. One cashmere poncho/cape. Easier to wear than a coat or jacket, and easier to whip on and off if the weather was warmer for some reason. I bought mine at:
http:www.boutiquejewels.com

It was half price and I paid about $250 for it. But it was worth every single cent. Lightweight, extremely warm, dressy enough for the theatre, casual enough for sightseeing. Brilliant. I'm still wearing it, several years down the track. Such a useful thing.

2. 1 x pair lightweight comfortable black pants.

3. 1 x versatile black microsuede roll neck top...wear 6 different ways.

4. 1 x bright shirt...which I wore on the plane there and back...just for variety.

5. 3 x black camisole type t-shirty things. To layer if cold, under or over another shirt, or to wear alone if warm (and it often was, believe it or not, even in October).

6. 2 x sets silk thermal underwear...also black...doubled as Pyjamas. Again, worth every cent. Very thin and lightweight under your clothing....and very, very warm. If it got too warm, it's thin and light enough, that you could pop into the loo, whip it off, and roll it into a little tiny ball in your bag. Fantastic.

7. A couple of beautiful silky scarves for dressing stuff up or just to wrap around your neck when cold.

8. 4 x pairs knickers...all lightweight synthetic, so they could be washed in the shower and dry by the next morning.

9. 3 x comfortable lightweight bras.

10. Leather or leather look alike gloves...don't bother with wool, they aren't warm enough and they get wet!

11. One skirt, knee length, for going out and for variations in weather.

12. Bathing suit...well, you never know....and I did use it!

On the plane, there and back, I wore my favourite jeans, dressy shirt, the poncho, and the only pair of shoes I took...a pair of black, medium heel, calf high boots. Again, dressy enough for going out, comfortable enough for sightseeing. I only regretted not taking a pair of thongs (flip-flops) to wear around where we were staying. I probably could have fitted them in though!

I rolled everything to pack it. The official 'One Bag' method of folding, didn't work all that well for me.

I carried and packed all of this into one large weekender, an Oroton bag, which was a gift from my sons. It was probably not as large as some overnight bags, sort of A shaped at the sides... wider at the base than at the top, and I fitted EVERYTHING in that. Husband didn't believe I could do it, but I showed him!

You won't believe how much more efficient  and streamlined you feel, travelling this way.

While everyone else is heaving and huffing and puffing, you're breezing through the airport, straight out into your new destination, fresh as a daisy.

You look more like an experienced traveller, or even 'a local' too, and you're less likely to be harassed or targeted by undesirables.

Honestly, I'm the ultimate 'must look good every day' kind of person. And we coped admirably. We even discarded some items along the way and replace or upgraded them with local bargains. So bear in mind, NOT to take your very best with you. You might find a new VERY BEST en route.

What are your best travel or packing tips?