Packing Tips: Trip Abroad

I cannot believe I’m finally here -I am in Italy with my family! I feel like my family and I have been planning this trip forever now so it feels surreal that it’s actually happening. Going on a long trip is always exciting but it can be so hard to know what to pack if you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before or if you’ll be gone for a really long time. I have been to Italy before so I kind of knew what to expect but packing for this trip was still challenging. You don’t want to bring too much but you also don’t want to be stuck wearing the same t-shirt for 2 weeks straight. Today I’m breaking it all down for you and telling you exactly what to bring for a trip abroad!

Stay Entertained

Once you arrive, you’re going to be so busy that you won’t need anything to entertain you besides the beautiful scenery and history surrounding you. The flights there and back, however, are another story. From California to Italy, we will be traveling for about 14 hours so I’m going to need to stay busy to help the time pass. I will definitely be bringing a neck pillow and lightweight blanket so that I can fall asleep whenever possible – nothing makes the time pass faster than that! But when I am awake, I will be reading lots of books and magazines to occupy myself. If you plan on watching movies on the flight, make sure that you have them already downloaded and ready to go on your phone and tablet. Sometimes the WiFi isn’t reliable on the plane (understandably so!) and you won’t be able to load the movies you were planning on watching. Try to keep your in-flight entertainment to a minimum, though. You don’t want to over pack for a couple hours when you’re actually going to be abroad for a couple weeks.

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Consider The Shoes

Shoes always add a ton of weight to your luggage so try to cut down on this as much as you can! Also, keep in mind that you’re going to be walking a lot. If you’re making a trip abroad, chances are you’re going to be doing a ton of sightseeing and exploring. Trust me, your feet will thank you if you plan ahead and only bring shoes that are ultra comfortable. Also, as tempting as it will be to buy a million new pairs of shoes before your trip, make sure you give yourself time to break them in before you leave. The last thing you want is a blister on the first day! Consider where you’re going to be walking around, too. In Italy, most of the streets are cobblestone so I won’t be bringing any pairs of stilettos or ultra high heels. Even if you’re super used to walking in heels, all it takes is your heel getting stuck between two stones and you are done. I am bringing wedges, sandals, and sneakers to avoid any disasters.

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No Pants Dance

Okay, okay – you don’t want to pack no pants at all but try not to bring too many. This is a super easy way to downsize your luggage without sacrificing style! Since we are going during Summer and I will be wearing lots of dresses, I’m only packing one or two pairs of jeans. This will provide the foundation for so many looks without taking up a ton of room. Also, I don’t know about you but I wear my jeans multiple times before washing them anyways so you won’t feel yucky putting them on 6 times throughout your trip. Make this into a game and see how many different outfits you can put together with a single pair of pants. Trust me, the possibilities are endless.

Accessorizing to the Max

An outfit can be totally transformed just by changing up the accessories. If you’re really trying to make the most out of your basic pieces, bring lots of different accessories. A couple pairs of sunglasses, earrings, and printed scarves will take up barely any room in your suitcase but can make countless different looks. Adding a pair of bauble earrings or tying a printed scarf around your neck instantly elevates the look! Stick to the basics when it comes to your clothing and add style by accessorizing.

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Make it Work

Before going on a trip abroad, make sure you do your research on what currency, converters, and tools you’ll need. For example, I am planning on bringing my T3 Whirl Trio but I know they have different electrical outlets in Italy so I need to buy a converter that will make my styling tools work while I’m there. Even if you always use your credit or debit card, be sure to bring at least $200 in the country’s currency, in case of emergency. Some places don’t take credit card so you’ll be glad you prepared beforehand. Also, if you do plan on using cards while you’re abroad, make sure to notify your bank and credit card company that you will be leaving the country so they don’t cancel your card due to suspicious activity.

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Minimize Where Possible

Don’t bring extras of items you don’t necessarily need. For example, even if you’re going to be gone for a long time, you don’t need more than 1 pair of pajamas. That is something you can definitely wear multiple times so don’t waste space in your luggage packing different options. Also, bring just enough of toiletries and supplements! Do not bring your entire bottle of shampoo or a whole box of throat lozenges. This will save you a ton of room in your luggage and time while you’re getting ready. Bring what you absolutely need and compress that as much as you possibly can by using travel bottles and luggage organizers.

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