March 26, 2025 • 52 mins
In this month's episode from the travelling trio - Tracy, Melissa and Shelly (aka a Brit, an Aussie and a Yank) we share their best packing strategies, essential items, and embarrassing packing fails to help you prepare for your next adventure. We debate cabin baggage versus checked luggage, reveal our must-have travel items, and share hard-earned lessons about what works – and what doesn’t.
• Cabin vs checked luggage: the pros, cons and airline realities to consider
• Travel essentials you should never leave home without – from power banks to sarongs
• Game-changing packing hacks, including compression cubes and vertical packing
• Memorable packing fails, including broken sandals and contact lenses held up in Greek customs
• Shoe and toiletry strategies that work for both short and long-term travel
• Smart outfit planning using versatile pieces that mix and match
• Why the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method might not work for everyone
• Final tips: don’t overpack, bring comfort items, and always leave room for souvenirs
Join us next month when we'll be discussing how to stay safe while travelling.
⭐️ Guests - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au) and Shelly Marie (SoloHerWay.com)
📝 Show Notes - Episode 47
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- Episode 43 – Finding Your Ideal Accommodation: Tips, Tricks, and Travel Tales
- Episode 39 - Planning Your Dream Trip in 2025: Expert Tips and Strategies
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Packing for a trip can be overwhelming Carry on or
check luggage hard case or softcase what should you never
travel without?
In this episode, we're sharingour best packing hacks, travel
essentials and the mistakeswe've learned from along the way
.
Hi and welcome to the GlobalTravel Planning Podcast.
I'm your host, tracy Collins,who, with my expert guests, will
(00:20):
take you on a weekly journey todestinations around the globe.
Guests will take you on aweekly journey to destinations
around the globe, providingtravel inspiration, itinerary
ideas, practical tips and moreto help you plan your next
travel adventure.
Hi guys, welcome to episode 47of the Global Travel Planning
(00:43):
Podcast.
This is our monthly episodewhere it's myself, shelley and
Melissa chatting about andsharing our travel tips and
experience and hacks, and thismonth we are talking about
packing, which we know issomething I mean.
I know I get lots and lots ofemails and questions about
packing for the UK and forLondon, and lots of emails and
(01:05):
questions about packing for theUK and for London, and I'm sure
that Melissa and Shelley haveexactly the same from their
audiences and their listenersand their readers of the podcast
that they want to know how wemanage when we travel around the
world all the time when itcomes to packing, whether that's
a short-term trip or alonger-term travel.
So, hi Melissa and hi Shelley,welcome back again.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Hi, back again Hi.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Tracy.
So I'm going to kick off withthe first question that
absolutely drives me pottypersonally.
This drives me potty and thatis a question about carry on
versus check-in.
Right, and I'm going to kickoff quickly about this because I
think, yeah, if you can docarry on, that's fantastic.
If you're going for a shorttrip, then go for it.
(01:46):
But there's a couple of caveatsI'm going to say to that.
One is, if you do that and takeup all the room on the
aeroplane when you go in and theoverhead lockers, then I don't
like that.
That's the first thing I'mgoing to say.
And the second thing is, whenyou get older, it's not as easy
to carry a couple of backpacks.
You actually need to consider,like, how you're managing to
(02:07):
carry stuff.
So those are my caveats forcarry on.
Um, I think I'm a pretty goodpacker, which I know melissa
will probably attest to from ourtrip to india.
But uh, so depending on whereI'm going and for how long will
dictate what I take in in the.
In europe, where we've beentraveling around recently, it's
far more difficult to just gocarry on because of the weight
restrictions are really reallystrict on some of the budget
(02:29):
airlines.
So you guys, let's go for thisright.
Melissa, what about you?
What do you do?
Are you a carry on or are you acheck-in girl?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
look where I can.
I am definitely carry on, um.
So yeah, if I can do it, butthen carry on all the way, um.
But, as you said, budgetairlines are really, really
strict.
You know you have to beprepared to.
You know you might be able tofit it in the dimensions, but
not the weight, and if it's abudget airline then they are
likely to weigh your bag on theway in.
(02:59):
Now, when, when I can, when Ican flyantas because most budget
are 7Ks, qantas is 10K and ifyou can fly business, which
sometimes I do when I'm on pointhacks, they're a little bit
more reasonable.
But yeah, so anyway, nine timesout of ten, I will do carry on
(03:20):
for various reasons.
Yeah, but I hear what you'resaying.
It's not always possible.
You'll do carry on for variousreasons.
Yeah, but I hear what you'resaying.
It's not always possible andit's definitely going to depend
on the trip, how long, what theweather is like, what you're
bringing along with you.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Absolutely.
What about you, Shelley?
What?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
do you prefer?
I would say 98% of the time I'mcheck on only because I travel
for a longer length of time.
So when I leave, I travel witha medium-sized suitcase and a
carry-on period and that lastsme almost all year long.
(03:57):
So, that being said, when Ifirst started out I tried the
carry-on and just a backpack and, like you said, tracy, it got
too cumbersome.
One of my pet peeves and not tojust tag off of yours is please,
people, when you are taking abackpack on the plane, please be
(04:22):
aware of the people in theaisle seat.
I have been beaten by backpacksin the aisle seat.
I now will cover my hand overmy face because I know sometimes
it's not intentional, but theyjust whip around and they will
beat you with that backpack.
So that's one of my things.
(04:46):
Fine, fine, you take a carry-on, but please be aware.
But now, no, I go ahead and Ipack a medium leather almost
like a purse.
I'll put a couple, you know,I'll put one change of clothes,
I'll put my essential essentials, just in case my luggage gets
(05:06):
lost, and then I go ahead and Icheck things and, honestly, a
lot of the airline carriers likeit better that you're not
bringing it on board oh yeah,absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I totally agree.
Actually, doug and I wereflying from los angeles to
london last september lastSeptember, and I don't even
think it was a turbulent flightbut the overhead locker opened
and a large case fell out.
Luckily, doug caught it,because actually there was a
woman holding the babyunderneath.
It was ridiculous, and that'swhat I'm talking about like
taking carry-on, shoving it inthe locker and it's like really
(05:42):
heavy and A taking up all theroom, things like that it was.
It was crazy and um, andexactly I agree with what you're
saying as well, melissa, interms of like the budget
allowance are so, so strict.
I actually flew.
I was in jersey in october fora week, so I just went with
carry on.
But getting back on the plane,the guy it wasn't the weight, it
(06:02):
was the width.
Apparently my bag was too wideso he made me take the things
out of it, put them on the chair, put the bag into the slot,
take the bag out of the slotwhen he said that was fine and
put everything back in the bag.
It was crazy, but that's whatit can be like I know.
So I'm totally aware of this.
Now, thinking like you thinkyou're going to be able to do it
, I'd be careful because youjust don't know who you're going
(06:24):
to get at the airport going.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Oh no I'll interject too.
They're in malaysia, goingthrough kawana, lempore.
You will clear the um airlines,they will clear your luggage
and everything, but there is acheckpoint before you even get
to security where they weighyour carry-on.
(06:45):
And I will tell you exactlywhat just happened to you, tracy
.
Except they don't let you packit back in, they will send you
back to pay for extra luggage.
I mean, it's crazy.
So some of the airports aregoing to that extent before you.
You may get away with it at theluggage counter, but you may
(07:08):
not get away with it before youget to security.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
No, and it's good to be aware, because for us we have
a lot and you guys have a lotof tech gear which will take up
a lot of the kilograms.
So actually, if you're carryingon board and you've already got
10 kgs which is made up of yourlaptop, ipad, microphones,
cameras, all the rest of it, youcannot actually put that in the
hold.
So then you're stuck.
What do you do with stuff ifyou go over?
(07:33):
So that's always my kind ofpanic.
So to me it's just safer toshove the stuff in the hold, and
then you're less stressful,that's for sure.
Now, at the moment, we'retraveling.
We've been traveling I've beentraveling since September, so
quite a bit longer than Doug butI've got a medium-sized hard
suitcase and I've got a smallbackpack, a day pack, which I
(07:54):
used to take on the plane.
So what about you guys?
What do you travel with?
I know, melissa, you like abackpack, don't you still?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
I do.
I like my backpack for a coupleof reasons.
Um, you know, I know we'regoing to talk about it a little
bit later on, but you know I'vebeen a family traveler for a
while with a backpack.
It's really good when you'vegot kids, because you've got
your hands free, like not justone hand, but you've got both.
So one hand is always to holdlike up one kid's hand and the
other hand is to, you know, useyour phone, your tickets, your
(08:21):
passport, whatever.
So having a backpack is reallyhelpful when you've got kids, um
, but also when I do do carry on.
Obviously a backpack's quitelight, so you know that that
helps as well.
Um, and my backpack is one thatif it's full, then I couldn't,
I couldn't use it for carry on.
So it's good that I can golight and use it for carry on,
(08:44):
or if I just can't, then Ithere's extra space and then I
can check it.
So that's what I like, but itdepends on the sort of trip that
I'm doing.
Other trips I don't take it, itjust depends.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
What about you, Shalana?
You said you've got a mediumsize.
Is that a hard case?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Yes, both of mine are hard cases but they're
expandable.
Last year I tried to use a hardcase that was not expandable
and it didn't work out as wellfor me.
I just sometimes I need theextra room, sometimes I don't.
So you know I try not to usethe extra room but it's nice to
(09:21):
have.
But it's nice to have.
I do occasionally will purchasea backpack along my journeys
for if I need like to go on ashort jaunt, like Melissa and I
will be going on a trip andthere's one portion of the trip
that will be taking a smallaircraft and I know I have to
(09:42):
bring like just a backpack, asmall aircraft and I know I have
to bring like just a backpack.
So like I'll purchase like aninexpensive backpack and leave
my smaller maybe suitcasesomeplace else and just pack
what I need for that.
But I try.
Normally I'm not a big backpackperson anymore.
The first couple years I was,but now not so much.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Yeah, I have to say I've had to abandon the heavier
backpack because I've justgotten to the point where it
hurts my back and my hips toomuch, which I think is just one
of those things that happenswhen you get a little bit older.
You have to be a bit realisticabout what you can actually
physically carry.
So, when it comes to backpacks,what I have got is I did buy a
carry-on backpack that has gotwheels so I can wheel it along
(10:27):
and, if I want, to also put iton my back, if it's not too
heavy, obviously I take intoconsideration how heavy it is.
But let's talk about so we'vegot an idea about.
Obviously we're flexible when wetravel in terms of what we take
in terms of luggage, becauseyou just have to be, because you
know, if you're away for sixmonths and you've got different
seasons, you're going to have totake a lot more things than if
(10:47):
you're away for two weeks andit's just going to be hot on the
beach in Thailand.
Um, what about essential items?
Because it so it doesn't matterwhere you go in the world or
what you do and what are thethings that you always pack, no
matter what.
So, shelley, do you want tokick off with that one.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Uh, sure, that one was kind of hard.
I was thinking about thatbecause I do travel for a longer
period of time.
So I have a couple, more thanthree, not a lot.
Um, I'm going to exclude allthe things, tracy, like we need
to do, what we do, so likechargers and, you know, laptop,
(11:22):
whatever, um, but the one thingI make sure I take are my
vitamins, um, my vitamins, anymedications I may need at that
moment.
Um, you're good, you'llappreciate this, tracy, my
skincare, yeah, I do I like myskincare?
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It's just I'm just going to explain, if you're
listening to this.
The reason why I'm laughing isthat Shelly and I were in
Florence in November and Shellyspent an entire hour in the
bathroom doing her skincareroutine.
My skincare routine takesapproximately 10 seconds and
involves cold water.
No, shelly's involves a wholehour.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
It makes me feel really good.
So I make sure I bring contactlenses, and further on I will
explain that.
And then I usually bring aquick, dry towel and that could
(12:38):
be used for so many multiplepurposes.
I have used it for a blanket ina sticky situation, I've used
it as a towel, I've used it as ablanket on the plane.
I've used it for multiplethings so, and you could wash it
, you could use it at the beach,you know all sorts of things.
(12:58):
So those would be like you know, my kind of go-tos.
I just want to do one caveat forlong-term travelers, if I may.
If you are not traveling to awesternized country and you are
of western descent, some kind ofwesternized country, larger
(13:20):
people, shoes and undergarmentsthose are the two things that
you really really need to bemindful of packing, because most
places you could purchase mostanything else clothes, this or
that.
I find it over the years oftraveling that I will bring more
(13:43):
shoes than I possibly need justbecause they break or whatever,
and I'm gone for so long.
And I will bring myundergarments because sometimes
I cannot find my size in othercountries, so that for long-term
traveling it doesn't probablypertain to short-term traveling,
but just keep that in mind.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
No, I think that's a good point.
I I wouldn't want to arrive inthailand and have had my luggage
arrive with me.
Put it that way, I think Imight be walking around in the
clothes I arrive in.
That would would certainlyworry me.
What about you, melissa?
What?
What are the things that youalways take with you?
Speaker 3 (14:18):
uh, well, I always take mine are a little bit
different.
I kind of excluded the thingsthat we all would probably take.
But number one is, I said, abig, chunky power bank.
Um, I think is really essentialbecause a lot of the times you
might find some hotel roomsmight only have like one um
power outlet or one, and youknow if you've got like a phone
(14:39):
and I don't know, maybe you'vegot a laptop or I don't know you
but, or even if there's acouple of you, right.
So a power bank is really good.
So I recommend a big, big,chunky power bank with multiple
sort of USB things and they'rereally good.
You will be surprised I havelike the latest phone.
You guys probably do as well.
You'll be surprised If you'retaking photos and videos all day
(15:01):
how quickly even the latestphone will go flat during the
day.
So you definitely need a powerbank.
Number two is also related tomy phone and I know Tracy likes
this one as well is a phonelanyard for a couple of reasons,
and you chuck your phone on theend of this lanyard and it
really makes it handy,particularly when you're
(15:21):
traveling.
You're taking photos all thetime, right, but also you're
looking at maps, or maybe youwant to pull out your vouchers
for your whatever and also youdon't lose it right.
You know, like if you're on a,you're always on your phone when
you travel and you know youmight put it down in the taxi or
on the bus or whatever.
But if it's on your lanyard youcan put it down and you know
it's attached to your ends.
(15:42):
You know, know it's attached to, and you know some of those
crazy photos you might be taking, like you're looking at a
lookout or on a boat.
I'm always thinking, oh, my god, imagine if I drop the foam
while I'm taking this photo.
We don't need to worry about itif it's on a lanyard.
So that's my second one.
Lastly, I like I have a specialwater bottle that I take with
me.
You know everyone should betaking with them reusable water
bottles when they travel.
(16:03):
But I have a reusable waterbottle that's got like a latch
thing on it, so then I can latchit on my handbag or my
crossbody bag that I normallytravel with, and so I'm not
using up room in a bag that Ineed just for my water bottle,
and it's always on the front ofme.
So I just kind of forget.
But I'm like, oh, there's mywater, I should have a drink,
cause you know, like you'retraveling can be hot.
(16:24):
Um, so you're yeah, I'm alwaysdrinking.
So they're my three things thatI thought were my essential.
I will take them no matterwhere, they just always come
with me oh, they're good.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Well, I have a whole video on my essentials I travel
with on youtube which I willlink to um, but I'll mention a
couple.
Uh, one is I have a like alittle turban, uh towel thing
for my wrap, for my hair,because I find in hotels you
often will get like a big toweland then maybe that's it, or
even one towel in some of thebudget hotels, and then if you
(16:57):
use it for your hair you've gotnothing else.
So I take the little turban onewith me.
It's so easy to pack and itmeans that I get the shower just
put my hair in that, so I don'thave to worry about if I'm you
know that I'm going to be usingthe one towel up.
So I always, always have one ofthose, and even when I went to
my daughter's house in Perthlast year, she, she has them,
she gives them to all visitorsin their rooms and I was like,
(17:18):
oh, that's really cool, becauseit's just a really useful thing
to have.
The second thing that I alwaystake with me is I usually have
my little fan with me, justbecause I'm a woman of a certain
age and I get hot.
So I just have a fan that plugsin and can recharge, and I have
that with me.
I've also got a little pop-upfan as well, like I bought,
(17:38):
which is tiny, and then I havethat in my bag with me at all
times if I go hot.
So that's just a hand waft,waft one.
And the third thing that Ialways take is I always, always,
always have a sarong with me,because there again, you can use
that for so many differentpurposes.
You can use that as a towel,you can use that to keep you
warm on the airline, you can usethat, you know, to have some
(17:59):
privacy if you need it.
So I just find it.
It's on the trains, you know,if you're thinking, I think in
india last year, it's a greatthing.
You can hold up if you need toget yourself changed or do
whatever.
It just gives you someadvantages to.
Um, I don't know, I just thinkit's a really great thing to
travel with, and we have thesaying in our house you can
never go wrong with a sarong.
So, yeah, so that's ours.
(18:23):
But, um, now I think they'reall brilliant things, uh, that
we have.
And um, I'd like to hear ifyou're listening to this podcast
now, thinking well, um, neithershelly, melissa or tracy,
mentioned something that Ialways travel with.
Why don't you let us know,leave us a message in a via
stream pipe, and that we can getback to you in the next episode
(18:43):
and have a chat with you aboutwhat it is and add it in,
because it's always good to knowwhat you travel with as well.
Now let's talk about packinghacks, like how do we manage
with our luggage in terms ofpacking, packing stuff, because
it doesn't matter I find,however small amount I take with
me.
I know Melissa will say howgood I was in India and I was,
but I was, but I still will buythings as I travel and usually
(19:06):
if I leave and everything's likepacked up, well, I've still got
to squeeze things in.
So one of my main um, uh, travelhacks and I think everybody
knows about these, butcompression travel cubes are the
best thing ever, absolute bestthing ever um, I've just been
going through mine this morningand we actually just put in
dirty washing in one as well.
So when we get to the nextplace, it can wash it, but those
(19:28):
are absolutely mine.
What about you, melissa?
What about you for packinghacks?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Yeah, packing cubes or compression bags, like you
said, but not only just to getmore in your bag, but just to
stay organised as well.
Like you know, you think about,like you know, if you're just
packing everything kind ofindividually in your bag, you're
like, oh, where are thoseundies or where are those
swimmers?
But you can go, oh, I know, Iput them in the medium-sized
(19:58):
blue packing cube or whatever itmight be.
And also with packing cubes,like you know well, not
necessarily packing cubes, but Ialways put my toiletries in one
bag, I always put myelectronics in one bag.
It just helps you stay reallyorganised, makes you not lose
things.
That's pretty much, yeah, interms of packing hacks.
At school, all I kind of cameup with is the compression bags
(20:21):
for packing more and beingorganised Perfect.
What about you, Shelley?
For packing more and beingorganized Perfect.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
What about you, shelley?
Definitely the packing,compression packing cubes.
I agree with Melissa.
I have certain ones for certainthings and it does.
It makes it much quicker,especially if you're only going
to be in a place for a shortamount of time.
You could just maybe pull thatone cube and leave everything
(20:46):
else.
To the point that you made,tracy, about purchasing things.
I like purchasing things, so Ialways, as a rule of thumb, I
try to only pack my bagtwo-thirds of the way full when
I leave.
So what I do.
(21:07):
One of my big hacks that cameabout about a year and a half
ago almost two years ago thatwas like an epiphany for me was
I was in Thailand and I had mylaundry done and they will wash
and fold and then you can askthem to pack it in like a
(21:28):
cellophane.
Well, I asked them to packeverything individually, like
one thing, like it could be onepair of undies, one pair of this
, one pair of that.
I found, by just the way thatit was packed one at a time and
by the slickness of thecellophane, I could fit
(21:55):
literally like 20 somethingthings in one compression
packing cube.
Wow, it was like I was likethis is incredible.
So obviously you can't alwayshave your laundry done in
Thailand.
So what I started doing was Ihave zipper bags or I use some.
(22:17):
I some countries have press andseal.
Um, I don't wrap my clothes inpress and seal, but I make like
a liner and stick it upon itselfand then that way you fold your
clothes tightly and you canfold it in.
But 90% of the time I use zipbags, I leave a little corner
open, I roll it and press outall the air and then I push it
(22:41):
down and then I slide eachindividual one.
But I pack everythingseparately and you can reuse
those bags over and over andover and over again, so you're
not hurting the environment.
I mean, I use mine all yearlong until they absolutely break
(23:01):
.
But that is a big change.
And then to the point where yousaid you have one cube for
laundry that you have to doagain, you can pack it in there.
So then, like, maybe it doesn'tsmell or maybe it's not getting
on your other clothes, so it'skind of like dual.
Yeah, I mean it's really,really a good hack.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
I think it will be useful as well.
And you mentioned about makinga video of that, shelly, so if
you if you make a video, thenyou can share that on your
website and we can get thatshared in the show notes as well
.
Show people exactly what youmean about how you pack it.
So, on these in the you know,using the Ziploc bags, I think
it'll be useful to see that.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Yes, yes.
And then the other one for acarry on.
I turn it vertically, thesuitcase vertically, instead of
laying it on the floor, and thenI stack the clothes in.
Okay, so they are morecompressed.
So then you're stacking it justlike you would stack pancakes
(24:01):
or something.
You're stacking them in, andthen at the top, you can put
your shoes sole up so it's nottouching the clothes, and you
can put them to the sides.
So then, when you lay it backdown, you could lay your
toiletries on top oh, that's agood idea.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
I've not never thought about doing that.
I think we need a video of thatas well.
Shelly okay, and actually Ijust thought at the very
beginning I've actually I shouldhave actually said where we all
are in the world at the moment,because I know you guys have
just been through, um, a massivecyclone in in brisbane, um, and
both are okay, but it was.
It was pretty bad, wasn't it?
Speaker 3 (24:40):
yes uh, yes and no, it was a little bit of.
It was a little bit of anon-event, but okay but but it
was.
It was bad in other parts,which maybe not so much.
Yeah, but overall, overall itwas everyone was pretty safe,
but they were.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
There were a few people that it hit quite badly,
yeah yeah, I guess I'm more yeah, I'm more towards the the coast
, so, uh, I I was speaking toMelissa, so, uh, we actually,
when the other area got it, weactually got it two days later.
(25:19):
But I, I agree with Melissa, itreally the stores still aren't
fully stocked in my area I find,yeah, which I'm like kind of
like shocked because I think toomany people panic bought yeah,
yeah, I remember that from COVID, where you couldn't buy any
(25:40):
toilet paper for months inQueensland yeah, yeah it was
kind, but luckily everyone'ssafe, just some, you know, big
trees down and a couple of roofs, but yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
So that's cool.
So you guys are in Australia,I'm still in, I'm actually in
Portugal.
I was about to say I'm still inSpain.
I'm not.
I'm actually in Portugal, inPortugal at the moment, but the
rain's followed us from Spain.
So we've just said we've had alot of rain.
So I'm a bit I'm a bit I'm abit over the rain at the moment.
So actually that that brings meon a good one.
As in packing fails, because Ithink we'll all have a time
we've gone somewhere and notpacked something we should have
(26:15):
brought, or packed things wedidn't need, and I certainly um,
I'm doug's doug's behind me isprobably going to snort his head
is that I will probably someover pack things that I never
wear?
I try to not do that as much asI've, as I've done in the past,
but one of my packing failsonce is going somewhere and only
having one pair of sandals andthe sandals broke and I was oh
(26:36):
yeah, that was fun.
So I ended up wearing Crocs.
That's all I could buy for acouple of days that's worse.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
That's worse, tracy.
Yeah, so now I have a pair ofsandals and I always have a pair
of flip-flops in my bag.
That's worse, tracy.
That's a fashion fail.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Yeah.
So now I have a pair of sandalsand I always have a pair of
flip-flops in my bag.
I always yeah, because it wasjust awful.
I'm like no, what about youguys?
Speaker 3 (27:02):
So let's talk about packing fails, melissa.
Well, you know I'm a super,super light traveler now, but my
very first solo trip that I didaround the world I was in my
early 20s and I was off for acouple of months and I was like,
well, I'm off for a couple ofmonths.
I bought the biggest suitcase Icould find and I filled it to
the brim.
It was full of so much stuff,it was so heavy and almost
immediately I hated it.
(27:22):
I could hardly wheel it aroundand I was in Europe, so can you
imagine it?
On cobblestones and you knowthose train stations where
there's no lifts or elevatorsand you've got to bloody pull it
up.
And then I was in America and Iwas catching trains trying to
pull this up and put it in thebloody racks and stuff.
It was the most ridiculousthing I ever did.
And so, yeah, now that'sprobably why I'm a super light
(27:44):
traveler, because I alwaysremember that silly, silly girl
that brought that huge suitcasewith her.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
It's like taking high heels and walking around the
cobblestones of Italy, isn't it?
It's like you just don't do it.
Just don't do it.
So what about you, shelley Packand fail.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Like I said, I travel for a long period of time, so
when I leave I have to make sureI have everything.
So when I leave, I have to makesure I have everything.
So, coming back to the contacts, I thought I packed enough
contacts, but you know, ascontacts do, things happen.
(28:18):
I was in Greece and before Igot to Greece I had been looking
because I knew I was going torun out and I don't wear a
really strange prescription.
But no country had it.
And when I got to Greece, Iphoned one of my friends back
home and I said hey, can you DHLme?
You know my contacts?
Sure, no problem, they DHL thecontacts.
(28:39):
Well, I guess it's consideredin Greece medical equipment.
So, yes, so DHL didn't have aproblem with it.
But it got caught in customs andI had to hire a lawyer.
I can't make this up, oh myLord.
(29:00):
So I went to DHL to get it.
They told me no, you can do itby yourself.
Let me preface this.
They did give me the option,but it would take two and a half
weeks for me to process thepaperwork, if I did it correctly
, and it to go through thepromise.
And then, who knows, it'sgrease.
So I love grease though, butanyways.
(29:23):
So then I had to hire anattorney to go to the judge to
get it signed off.
I don't know what it was.
All I know is I went to thisroom.
There was 25 people sitting inthis room.
I had to pay an absorbentamount of money for this lawyer
to go.
I spent three hours.
I ended up going back to DHLwith this stamped piece of paper
(29:46):
from a judge, and DHL gave memy contacts.
I went outside the taxi.
I had to pay for him to waitfor me the taxi.
I took a picture and I sent itto my best friend and I said
these are the most expensivecontact lenses I have ever
purchased in my life.
(30:07):
These are gold.
Every time I put them in myeyes I'm going to be like
shining gold.
So that was like always makesure you bring your glasses or
extra contacts.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Oh, that's a good point.
I actually I should havementioned I always have a spare
pair of glasses with me, becauseif I don't have my glasses on,
I can't see anything, literally.
So I always have.
I don't even know where theyare.
They'll be one of the suitcases.
I always have a spare set ofglasses with me and doug's the
same you always do and ourprescription.
We always travel with ourprescription as well, because I
(30:40):
don't know about you guys, butif I ever have my glasses on,
I'm not going anywhere.
I won't be able to see a thing.
Um, let's talk about shoes,because I want to quickly talk
about shoes, because I'vecovered this briefly about what
I take and at the moment.
So I've been traveling sixmonths.
I have got one pair of sandals,a pair of trainers that were
white or pink.
They're now black.
They need washing because it'sbeen a lot of rain.
(31:01):
I keep saying I don't need towash these, um and and.
I've got a pair of flip-flops.
That's it.
Three pairs of shoes, that'sthe entire amount that I've got.
I did have.
I'm just going to put a caveatto that because people are going
to go.
Well, were you in the UK, youwere wearing boots.
Yes, I did have a pair of boots, which were at my mum's house.
So I will put my hand up andsay that, obviously, you've got
(31:21):
to think about where you'regoing.
If you're going somewhere hot,it's a lot easier, but long-term
travel, Shelley, how many pairsof shoes have you got with you
Too?
Speaker 2 (31:31):
many probably.
Well, I will out myself Okay Topreface it.
Like I said, you can't alwaysget shoes every country you go.
So right now I have one pair ofworkout shoes which are very
(31:53):
lightweight.
I have two pairs of sandals, ablack and a brown pair, which
are very compact and very light.
I have one pair of flats thatare just kind of like the one
pair of flats, that are justkind of like the ballerina
slipper flats, and then I haveone pair of black wedges just in
(32:16):
case I want to go out.
And then, uh, I have, oh, onepair of really nice, like
walking shoes.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
No, it's not bad no, it's not bad shally at all at
all.
Really, that's good,considering you travel in long
term.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
That that's all you have, I think, yeah and the
walking and the walking shoesare the heaviest out of all of
them, so I usually wear those onthe plane yeah, I was gonna say
we.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
I usually go for the heaviest ones when I'm getting
on a plane so I don't have topack them.
What about you, melissa, forshoes?
What are you like?
Speaker 3 (32:47):
uh, like probably what you said, tracy.
I take as few as possible, andobviously that's going to depend
on where I'm going and what I'mgoing to do.
But I mean, um examples, I justspent two weeks in Bali
traveling around the islands,and I took just one pair of
shoes.
Um, my twos, which are myfavorites not sponsored, but I
love them um, they're just likekind of like a slide, sort of
(33:10):
flat shoe, yeah, and I just worethem every single day.
But yeah, I would definitelynot take more than three pairs,
like you, tracy.
I would just think, well, whatdo I need?
And I just make them work.
I'm not a fashionista, so if Idon't go with something, we'll
so be it yeah, I'm a bit likethat.
Speaker 1 (33:30):
it's like, as long as they're comfortable, then my
main thing with my feet is, um,they've got to be comfortable.
So my trainers, even thoughthey are now absolutely filthy
and they do need washing, um,they're just so comfortable so
I'm just wearing them all of thetime.
It's not warm enough to wearsandals at the moment.
Unfortunately, in Portugal it'sstill a bit chilly.
But yeah, that's how I do itand wear them on the plane, so
(33:52):
they're the heaviest.
Doug's the same, I think.
He's got a pair of trainers.
In fact, his trainers have beenleaking, so he's been moaning
that he didn't bring his walkingboots because we didn't expect
this much rain, and he candles,and that's it.
Now I'm going to move us onquickly to toiletries.
I just want to talk abouttoiletries, because do you take
toiletries with you or not?
Or do you take?
At the moment I've got somesmall little bottles which I
(34:18):
just refill.
So when I was back in the UK, Ijust refilled my shampoo bottle
.
So I just have those littlesqueezy, refillable travel ones
and that's what I tend to takewith me and, if needed, needed
like a small little dry shampooI usually have with me, and
that's about eight, but what doyou do about toiletries, shelly?
Speaker 2 (34:34):
I used to do that.
I don't do that anymore.
Caveat though, I do bring myskincare, but other than that I
purchase really everything.
The only thing I will pack inthat leather bag that I take
like the purse bag on the planeis like a little tiny mini
(34:58):
deodorant, and I'll take somepersonal like little wipes, and
usually I'll take like a brush,and usually I'll take like a
brush, and usually, when I'm ina hotel room, I'll take like one
of their tooth kits and I'llshove it in the bag just so I
can freshen up for long flightsor when I arrive.
If I arrive late and I can'tget to the store, but I don't, I
(35:22):
stopped buying, I just plus.
It gives you time to go intothe store and see all the cool
products yeah, that's true, I'lldo that anyway.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Yeah, I do cover a little bit of makeup.
I do like my lipstick, so I dohave a.
I have a little bit of skin oil, so I do have some things, a
little bit of base makeup andlipstick that I do have with me.
So they tend to travel, butwe're talking like three
lipsticks, that's it, um, butotherwise I don't travel with
very much toiletries and youknow, we just had to buy new
deodorant because we're both runout.
(35:50):
What about you, melissa?
Speaker 3 (35:52):
yeah, I don't tend to travel with much toiletries
like um, given I do try and do.
Carry-on toiletries are heavyand also, obviously you can only
take less than 100 milliliters.
So, um, yeah, I just tend tobuy it when I get there.
But I just say a caveat on thatIf you're traveling in
Southeast Asia, things likesunscreen and insect repellent
(36:14):
are really expensive there.
So if you are checking inluggage, then I highly recommend
you bring it with you.
I still don't and I just suckit up and buy it when I'm there.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
But, yeah, just don't expect it to be to be cheap,
because it's not yeah, if you'vegot plenty at home, we tend to
to chuck a couple in there.
If we're checking in luggage,uh, especially sun cream, uh,
because that's yeah, I just sayit's quite expensive to to buy,
um, so we usually do that.
Now let's talk about packingfor a long trip, because I know,
obviously, shelly you, youtravel a lot of long trips as
(36:45):
well'm going to say you've donelong trips and we're on a long
trip at the moment.
So when it comes to choosingyour outfits, what do you do?
Are you just random and chuckeverything you fancy in there,
or you're a bit more kind oflike mix and match with what you
do?
I mean, I like bright colors.
So I am very aware that I tryto make sure that I have quite a
few, uh, white shorts or whitecropped trousers.
Then it doesn't matter whatcolor top that I wear, that will
(37:07):
go with them.
So I tend to go that way morethan because I've got, you know,
pink and yellow and green tops,so that's absolutely fine with
white bottoms.
Or I've got, I think, a coupleof pairs of black cropped
trousers as well.
So I tend to try and go plaineron the bottom so I can have
bright colors on the top.
What about you guys?
What about you, mel Melissa?
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Yeah, I tend to.
It doesn't matter to me if I'mgoing one week, three weeks,
three months.
I tend to go on the threeoutfit kind of thing and I'm a
bit more of a dress fan.
The dresses take up less roomand they're just easy to put on.
But I mean, obviously that isagain if you're in a warmer
climate, but still, I'll stillgo for the three outfit kind of
thing.
I'm not much of a fashionista,so I don't really.
(37:49):
I just go for simple clothesand, yeah, three outfits, but
with the plan that I'm going todo laundry as I go, either at a
laundromat or even in my hotelroom.
But yeah, I think if you kindof stick with the three, for me
anyway I stick with threeoutfits.
You know I might buy one or twothings while I'm away, but, um,
yeah, that, that, that thathelps me limit how much clothes
(38:12):
I bring it's a good job.
Speaker 1 (38:13):
You can't see behind me how many different outfits
I've got in this case, becauseI've got, I have.
I have got in my defense.
I have got cold weather andwarm weather clothes yeah, that
makes it more challenging yeah,it is.
So what about?
I mean, shelly obviously you'repacking for both cold and warm
weather, so so how do you?
Go about choosing your outfitsand what you're going to take
well, that's, that's just it.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
I, I have to pack for cold weather and make sure that
it's compact.
That being said, um, I'velearned along the way that I
don't really pack a lot ofjackets.
I will bring like a little rainjacket that folds up real small
and I'll bring like a littledown vest that I can roll up and
(38:56):
then.
But what I found is I could goto a secondhand store or I could
go to one of the outdoormarkets and buy a jacket, or if
I really really need it, andthen I just donate it before I
leave, so I don't bring it withme.
That's cold weather.
As far as warmer weather, whatI've been doing lately is I've
(39:19):
been investing in bamboo, bamboofibers, silk and just cotton,
obviously, but the bamboo isreally nice and I'm like Melissa
, I'm more of a skirt dress girl, so it's just easier for me, so
(39:42):
I'll stick.
Right now.
I've purchased a few bamboodresses.
And that sounds funny bamboodresses, I know what you mean.
Fabric, give you a visual there, but anyways, but one's like
navy, one's black.
(40:03):
But then, like you, tracy, Iwill.
I have some really pretty silktops that I could put on it,
from Thailand, that likebrighten it up, or from Italy,
and so I kind of mix and matchthat way.
But I try to get my staplepieces more in, like my favorite
(40:25):
colors, blue, so I do differentshades of blue, green, this you
know.
Brown, maybe gray instead ofblack, and then I'll build upon
the colors with the other.
But I think investing in quickdrawing, lightweight, breathable
clothes, I don't think youcould go wrong in any country
(40:47):
that you go to, because even incolder countries you can layer.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
I mean, at the moment I've gota.
I'm actually sitting here doingthis and I've got a vest up on,
but when I go out later,that'll get, I'll put a.
I've got a jumper and thenjacket that'll go on top of that
, but it's actually quite warmin the hotel room at the moment.
But again, again, having all ofthose layers, which have been
vital because I've beentraveling around some really
cold places and it's Morocco, itpoints was was nice and warm.
(41:12):
It wasn't hot, I wouldn't saythat, but but having the ability
to kind of like mix and match,I think is really important, um
and like.
For me, having the bright colorsis really important, but having
a like two pairs of jeans iswhat I've got with me at the
moment and I can wear one andone, wash one and let them dry,
and the rest of the stuff islike it's quick dry and I always
have a um, a, a like a, like amac I don't want to call it like
(41:36):
a waterproof jacket, that's it,and it just folds up and it's
really, really small.
I took it to India, I take iteverywhere.
I think everybody's seen me apicture of it.
It's bright, yellow.
Um, I've actually had peoplecome up to me on the street ask
me where I got it from, and Igot it from a shop in the UK,
probably about 20 years ago, andit looks like it's brand new.
It's amazing.
So I always have that.
But let's talk about this.
I've been asked about the 5, 4,3, 2, 1 packing method.
(41:59):
Well, I haven't tried it.
Somebody actually about it?
So that is basically where youhave five tops, four bottoms,
three pairs of shoes, twodresses or jackets and one
swimsuit.
Could you do that?
Because I, for me, I found thata bit too minimal, like I don't
know if I want three pairs ofshoes for a start off.
That might be too many for me.
Um, what do you think aboutthat, shelly?
Speaker 2 (42:21):
no yeah.
I'm a bit like that.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
Yeah, I'm a bit like oh, it sounds great, but I don't
know it's.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
You know, I, I mean I think, I think if you're going,
I I mean I think if you'regoing maybe for like a one-week
trip or a two-week trip, and ifit works for you, if it For me,
there's no way I need to havemore variety than that.
(42:52):
I'm like Melissa if I want topurchase something along the way
, no, no, I have to have aminimum of two bathing suits, if
not three.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
Yeah, I kind of agree on that.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Because how do you wash one and let one dry?
Yeah, one, I mean no, no.
And the pants?
Why would you need like three?
Are they saying three pairs ofpants or three?
Speaker 1 (43:19):
bottoms, four bottoms .
Yeah, so five tops and fourbottoms, so I don't think I need
that many.
I don't know, I tend toprobably go three bottoms, five
tops.
I don't.
You know, I like to have lotsof swimming costumes as well.
I'm going to say as well, ifyou're listening to this episode
and you try this method out,you've done it.
Send us a picture.
Send us, let we want to knowhow it works what you taught
(43:43):
because I'm really, I'm reallyinterested to see about this.
And what about you, mel, melissa, do you?
Well, how do you feel aboutthat kind of five, four, three,
two, one thing?
Speaker 3 (43:50):
no, I'm glad I'm not the only one, because I'm just
like what?
Nah, nah, it does it.
I looked at it.
It doesn't really make sense tome.
So, no, I'm happy with my threeoutfit plan.
So, yes, but I'm like you.
I'd love to hear if someonetries it and how it works,
because I don't really get it.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
No, I really want to see, and it also excludes the
fact that I usually do travelwith.
This is kind of my travelconfession.
I travel with about 80 or maybe800, if I said pairs of
earrings, probably more like 800.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
I do the same.
I try earrings in as well, andit kind of makes me feel like,
hey, I've got the same clothes Iwore on for the last week but
I've got different earrings,exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
I have so many different pairs of earrings and
I've got three boxes full andthey, they always travel
everywhere with me.
I like my earrings, so sothat's kind of, I suppose, my
travel packing confession.
Doesn't matter how how much I'mtrying to reduce it, I will
always have my three boxes withabout 800 pairs of earrings in,
and I will purchase earrings asI go as well.
Let's wrap up the episode,because we've been chatting for
(44:54):
quite a while actually today.
Packing's a fascinating topicand I know it's something we
honestly get asked about all thetime, because I think it's
something that people kind of goam I taking too much?
Am I not taking enough?
What should I take?
What shouldn't I take?
You know wanting advice aboutit all the time, but I'm going
to ask you guys what would beyour one packing tip that you
(45:15):
would share with anybodylistening today that has worked
for you and you have learnedthrough your many troubles.
What would you share?
What would you say, melissa?
Speaker 3 (45:24):
Well, mine's a bit general, but I would say don't
over pack.
You will regret it at some, youknow, for some reason or
another.
Um, just be ruthless with whatyou pack, you know.
Yeah, so that's mine don't overpack if you really need to buy
it, you know, yeah, that's trueshelly.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
What about you?
Speaker 2 (45:43):
um, mine's more on a long-term scale.
So my one tip I would like toshare is, when you're packing,
make sure you bring somethingthat brings you comfort or like
joy, so you know if that'ssomething like a journal that
you normally write in, somethinglike me, my skincare, uh,
(46:07):
something that maybe um, I don'tknow something a playlist that
you listen to usually back homethat you could download.
Or you know some podcasts thatyou want to download beforehand,
like this one yes, like thisone, but just to bring some
(46:29):
normal time to your excitingadventure.
Because when you're travelinglonger term, more than maybe two
to three weeks, you need thatdowntime to ground yourself
again, to rejuvenate, so youcould go out and go again, and
having those little tiny thingsmakes such a big difference.
(46:53):
So that would be my one tip ifyou're going for more than a
couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (46:58):
Yeah, I agree.
Actually, you haven't been,haven't traveled for quite a
while now.
It is nice to have a few thingsthat are familiar with you for
sure, and my tip is going to bejust when you pack, leave
yourself a little bit of roombecause, honestly, you will want
to buy things when you aretraveling, and there's nothing
worse than having taken, packedabsolutely everything, taking up
(47:18):
all the room that you can, andthen you want to buy stuff and
you can't.
I'm not saying that we shouldall be going to buy in tons and
tons of things where we'vetalked, but there will be things
that you may see.
You know, I bought a beautifulhandmade rug in india last year
and had that.
I brought, managed to bringthat home with me.
Goodness knows how I managed tofit it in my case, but I did.
Um, but you don't want to seesomething?
(47:41):
Think, I'd really would love tohave that, but I can't because
I have no room.
Or as, as I remember travelingwith my niece when she was 21
through Italy, she had to throwclothes out to add some of her
purchases in.
And then there's one little oneI'm going to add in as well is
that if you're traveling aroundEurope by train.
Make sure that you can pick upyour suitcase.
That is really, reallyimportant.
(48:02):
That's a really important one.
Anyway, guys, it's beenbrilliant to chat with you today
.
Yes.
I know you've got some funadventures planned over the next
month before we chat again allabout how to stay safe while you
travel.
Doug and I are off to Barcelonaat the weekend and then,
hopefully, on to Turkey and thenSri Lanka.
(48:23):
That's the plan.
What about you guys?
I know you've got some excitingtravels planned as well,
haven't you?
Speaker 3 (48:31):
Yeah well, we were supposed to be in Bundaberg,
which we talked about in that inthe last podcast, but with this
um cyclone, that umunexpectedly, um crossed
Brisbane we had to cancel.
But we'll be going next week,hopefully.
Speaker 1 (48:40):
Yes, exciting, exciting.
Have to hear about that one forsure, and I think you've got
further plans afoot as well.
Are you happy to share, shelley, or is that still a bit of a
secret?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (48:52):
no, I finally made some for sure plans.
If another cyclone doesn't come, I am going to be traveling
forward to New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (49:06):
Oh, exciting, that's one of my favorite countries to
visit.
Are you going to North,traveling forward to new zealand
?
Oh, exciting, that's one of myfavorite countries to visit.
Are you going to north andsouth ireland?
How, what are you going to bedoing?
Yes, perfect.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Yes, be traveling both.
Speaker 3 (49:17):
Yes so lots.
How about you, tracy I?
I think that maybe we mighthave booked something a bit
exciting too well, we have.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
Yeah, yeah, do you want?
Do you want to spill the beanson that one, alissa?
Speaker 3 (49:31):
well, tracy and I are going to tick off another
continent later on this year andgo to antarctica we are, which
is a very exciting.
Speaker 1 (49:40):
It's probably the most I've ever paid for a trip
in my entire life, me too, me,me too, but yeah, anyone can
join us, I believe that thereare places We'd love you to come
along.
Yeah, absolutely yeah.
If you're interested, I'll putthe details to contact Melissa
in the show notes.
Definitely get in touch.
If Antarctica is on your bucketlist, we'd love to see you.
(50:04):
We'd love to have you comealong with us as well.
It'll be so much fun.
Yeah, well, until next episode.
It was, as always, a great joyto catch up with you and find
out what you're up to and toshare some of our travel tips
and hacks and experiences withour listeners.
So thanks again, melissa andShelley, thanks, tracey, thank
you, we'll see you.
(50:25):
Bye, everybody.
So you can find um links to um,both shelly and melissa's
websites in the show notes andhopefully shelly will get some
videos made as well, so we'llget those linked to and I'll
also share.
Make sure, if you want to go toour talk to k you contact
melissa.
Thank you for joining us onthis episode of the Global
(50:48):
Travel Planning Podcast.
For more details and links toeverything we discussed today,
check out the show notes atglobaltravelplanningcom.
Remember, if you enjoyed theshow, please consider leaving us
a review on your favoritepodcast app, because your
feedback helps us reach moretravel enthusiasts, just like
you.
Anyway, that leaves me to say,as always, happy global travel
(51:08):
planning.
Packing for a trip can be overwhelming Carry on or
check luggage hard case or softcase what should you never
travel without?
In this episode, we're sharingour best packing hacks, travel
essentials and the mistakeswe've learned from along the way
.
Hi and welcome to the GlobalTravel Planning Podcast.
I'm your host, tracy Collins,who, with my expert guests, will
(00:20):
take you on a weekly journey todestinations around the globe.
Guests will take you on aweekly journey to destinations
around the globe, providingtravel inspiration, itinerary
ideas, practical tips and moreto help you plan your next
travel adventure.
Hi guys, welcome to episode 47of the Global Travel Planning
(00:43):
Podcast.
This is our monthly episodewhere it's myself, shelley and
Melissa chatting about andsharing our travel tips and
experience and hacks, and thismonth we are talking about
packing, which we know issomething I mean.
I know I get lots and lots ofemails and questions about
packing for the UK and forLondon, and lots of emails and
(01:05):
questions about packing for theUK and for London, and I'm sure
that Melissa and Shelley haveexactly the same from their
audiences and their listenersand their readers of the podcast
that they want to know how wemanage when we travel around the
world all the time when itcomes to packing, whether that's
a short-term trip or alonger-term travel.
So, hi Melissa and hi Shelley,welcome back again.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Hi, back again Hi.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Tracy.
So I'm going to kick off withthe first question that
absolutely drives me pottypersonally.
This drives me potty and thatis a question about carry on
versus check-in.
Right, and I'm going to kickoff quickly about this because I
think, yeah, if you can docarry on, that's fantastic.
If you're going for a shorttrip, then go for it.
(01:46):
But there's a couple of caveatsI'm going to say to that.
One is, if you do that and takeup all the room on the
aeroplane when you go in and theoverhead lockers, then I don't
like that.
That's the first thing I'mgoing to say.
And the second thing is, whenyou get older, it's not as easy
to carry a couple of backpacks.
You actually need to consider,like, how you're managing to
(02:07):
carry stuff.
So those are my caveats forcarry on.
Um, I think I'm a pretty goodpacker, which I know melissa
will probably attest to from ourtrip to india.
But uh, so depending on whereI'm going and for how long will
dictate what I take in in the.
In europe, where we've beentraveling around recently, it's
far more difficult to just gocarry on because of the weight
restrictions are really reallystrict on some of the budget
(02:29):
airlines.
So you guys, let's go for thisright.
Melissa, what about you?
What do you do?
Are you a carry on or are you acheck-in girl?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
look where I can.
I am definitely carry on, um.
So yeah, if I can do it, butthen carry on all the way, um.
But, as you said, budgetairlines are really, really
strict.
You know you have to beprepared to.
You know you might be able tofit it in the dimensions, but
not the weight, and if it's abudget airline then they are
likely to weigh your bag on theway in.
(02:59):
Now, when, when I can, when Ican flyantas because most budget
are 7Ks, qantas is 10K and ifyou can fly business, which
sometimes I do when I'm on pointhacks, they're a little bit
more reasonable.
But yeah, so anyway, nine timesout of ten, I will do carry on
(03:20):
for various reasons.
Yeah, but I hear what you'resaying.
It's not always possible.
You'll do carry on for variousreasons.
Yeah, but I hear what you'resaying.
It's not always possible andit's definitely going to depend
on the trip, how long, what theweather is like, what you're
bringing along with you.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Absolutely.
What about you, Shelley?
What?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
do you prefer?
I would say 98% of the time I'mcheck on only because I travel
for a longer length of time.
So when I leave, I travel witha medium-sized suitcase and a
carry-on period and that lastsme almost all year long.
(03:57):
So, that being said, when Ifirst started out I tried the
carry-on and just a backpack and, like you said, tracy, it got
too cumbersome.
One of my pet peeves and not tojust tag off of yours is please,
people, when you are taking abackpack on the plane, please be
(04:22):
aware of the people in theaisle seat.
I have been beaten by backpacksin the aisle seat.
I now will cover my hand overmy face because I know sometimes
it's not intentional, but theyjust whip around and they will
beat you with that backpack.
So that's one of my things.
(04:46):
Fine, fine, you take a carry-on, but please be aware.
But now, no, I go ahead and Ipack a medium leather almost
like a purse.
I'll put a couple, you know,I'll put one change of clothes,
I'll put my essential essentials, just in case my luggage gets
(05:06):
lost, and then I go ahead and Icheck things and, honestly, a
lot of the airline carriers likeit better that you're not
bringing it on board oh yeah,absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I totally agree.
Actually, doug and I wereflying from los angeles to
london last september lastSeptember, and I don't even
think it was a turbulent flightbut the overhead locker opened
and a large case fell out.
Luckily, doug caught it,because actually there was a
woman holding the babyunderneath.
It was ridiculous, and that'swhat I'm talking about like
taking carry-on, shoving it inthe locker and it's like really
(05:42):
heavy and A taking up all theroom, things like that it was.
It was crazy and um, andexactly I agree with what you're
saying as well, melissa, interms of like the budget
allowance are so, so strict.
I actually flew.
I was in jersey in october fora week, so I just went with
carry on.
But getting back on the plane,the guy it wasn't the weight, it
(06:02):
was the width.
Apparently my bag was too wideso he made me take the things
out of it, put them on the chair, put the bag into the slot,
take the bag out of the slotwhen he said that was fine and
put everything back in the bag.
It was crazy, but that's whatit can be like I know.
So I'm totally aware of this.
Now, thinking like you thinkyou're going to be able to do it
, I'd be careful because youjust don't know who you're going
(06:24):
to get at the airport going.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Oh no I'll interject too.
They're in malaysia, goingthrough kawana, lempore.
You will clear the um airlines,they will clear your luggage
and everything, but there is acheckpoint before you even get
to security where they weighyour carry-on.
(06:45):
And I will tell you exactlywhat just happened to you, tracy
.
Except they don't let you packit back in, they will send you
back to pay for extra luggage.
I mean, it's crazy.
So some of the airports aregoing to that extent before you.
You may get away with it at theluggage counter, but you may
(07:08):
not get away with it before youget to security.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
No, and it's good to be aware, because for us we have
a lot and you guys have a lotof tech gear which will take up
a lot of the kilograms.
So actually, if you're carryingon board and you've already got
10 kgs which is made up of yourlaptop, ipad, microphones,
cameras, all the rest of it, youcannot actually put that in the
hold.
So then you're stuck.
What do you do with stuff ifyou go over?
(07:33):
So that's always my kind ofpanic.
So to me it's just safer toshove the stuff in the hold, and
then you're less stressful,that's for sure.
Now, at the moment, we'retraveling.
We've been traveling I've beentraveling since September, so
quite a bit longer than Doug butI've got a medium-sized hard
suitcase and I've got a smallbackpack, a day pack, which I
(07:54):
used to take on the plane.
So what about you guys?
What do you travel with?
I know, melissa, you like abackpack, don't you still?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
I do.
I like my backpack for a coupleof reasons.
Um, you know, I know we'regoing to talk about it a little
bit later on, but you know I'vebeen a family traveler for a
while with a backpack.
It's really good when you'vegot kids, because you've got
your hands free, like not justone hand, but you've got both.
So one hand is always to holdlike up one kid's hand and the
other hand is to, you know, useyour phone, your tickets, your
(08:21):
passport, whatever.
So having a backpack is reallyhelpful when you've got kids, um
, but also when I do do carry on.
Obviously a backpack's quitelight, so you know that that
helps as well.
Um, and my backpack is one thatif it's full, then I couldn't,
I couldn't use it for carry on.
So it's good that I can golight and use it for carry on,
(08:44):
or if I just can't, then Ithere's extra space and then I
can check it.
So that's what I like, but itdepends on the sort of trip that
I'm doing.
Other trips I don't take it, itjust depends.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
What about you, Shalana?
You said you've got a mediumsize.
Is that a hard case?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Yes, both of mine are hard cases but they're
expandable.
Last year I tried to use a hardcase that was not expandable
and it didn't work out as wellfor me.
I just sometimes I need theextra room, sometimes I don't.
So you know I try not to usethe extra room but it's nice to
(09:21):
have.
But it's nice to have.
I do occasionally will purchasea backpack along my journeys
for if I need like to go on ashort jaunt, like Melissa and I
will be going on a trip andthere's one portion of the trip
that will be taking a smallaircraft and I know I have to
(09:42):
bring like just a backpack, asmall aircraft and I know I have
to bring like just a backpack.
So like I'll purchase like aninexpensive backpack and leave
my smaller maybe suitcasesomeplace else and just pack
what I need for that.
But I try.
Normally I'm not a big backpackperson anymore.
The first couple years I was,but now not so much.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Yeah, I have to say I've had to abandon the heavier
backpack because I've justgotten to the point where it
hurts my back and my hips toomuch, which I think is just one
of those things that happenswhen you get a little bit older.
You have to be a bit realisticabout what you can actually
physically carry.
So, when it comes to backpacks,what I have got is I did buy a
carry-on backpack that has gotwheels so I can wheel it along
(10:27):
and, if I want, to also put iton my back, if it's not too
heavy, obviously I take intoconsideration how heavy it is.
But let's talk about so we'vegot an idea about.
Obviously we're flexible when wetravel in terms of what we take
in terms of luggage, becauseyou just have to be, because you
know, if you're away for sixmonths and you've got different
seasons, you're going to have totake a lot more things than if
(10:47):
you're away for two weeks andit's just going to be hot on the
beach in Thailand.
Um, what about essential items?
Because it so it doesn't matterwhere you go in the world or
what you do and what are thethings that you always pack, no
matter what.
So, shelley, do you want tokick off with that one.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Uh, sure, that one was kind of hard.
I was thinking about thatbecause I do travel for a longer
period of time.
So I have a couple, more thanthree, not a lot.
Um, I'm going to exclude allthe things, tracy, like we need
to do, what we do, so likechargers and, you know, laptop,
(11:22):
whatever, um, but the one thingI make sure I take are my
vitamins, um, my vitamins, anymedications I may need at that
moment.
Um, you're good, you'llappreciate this, tracy, my
skincare, yeah, I do I like myskincare?
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It's just I'm just going to explain, if you're
listening to this.
The reason why I'm laughing isthat Shelly and I were in
Florence in November and Shellyspent an entire hour in the
bathroom doing her skincareroutine.
My skincare routine takesapproximately 10 seconds and
involves cold water.
No, shelly's involves a wholehour.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
It makes me feel really good.
So I make sure I bring contactlenses, and further on I will
explain that.
And then I usually bring aquick, dry towel and that could
(12:38):
be used for so many multiplepurposes.
I have used it for a blanket ina sticky situation, I've used
it as a towel, I've used it as ablanket on the plane.
I've used it for multiplethings so, and you could wash it
, you could use it at the beach,you know all sorts of things.
(12:58):
So those would be like you know, my kind of go-tos.
I just want to do one caveat forlong-term travelers, if I may.
If you are not traveling to awesternized country and you are
of western descent, some kind ofwesternized country, larger
(13:20):
people, shoes and undergarmentsthose are the two things that
you really really need to bemindful of packing, because most
places you could purchase mostanything else clothes, this or
that.
I find it over the years oftraveling that I will bring more
(13:43):
shoes than I possibly need justbecause they break or whatever,
and I'm gone for so long.
And I will bring myundergarments because sometimes
I cannot find my size in othercountries, so that for long-term
traveling it doesn't probablypertain to short-term traveling,
but just keep that in mind.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
No, I think that's a good point.
I I wouldn't want to arrive inthailand and have had my luggage
arrive with me.
Put it that way, I think Imight be walking around in the
clothes I arrive in.
That would would certainlyworry me.
What about you, melissa?
What?
What are the things that youalways take with you?
Speaker 3 (14:18):
uh, well, I always take mine are a little bit
different.
I kind of excluded the thingsthat we all would probably take.
But number one is, I said, abig, chunky power bank.
Um, I think is really essentialbecause a lot of the times you
might find some hotel roomsmight only have like one um
power outlet or one, and youknow if you've got like a phone
(14:39):
and I don't know, maybe you'vegot a laptop or I don't know you
but, or even if there's acouple of you, right.
So a power bank is really good.
So I recommend a big, big,chunky power bank with multiple
sort of USB things and they'rereally good.
You will be surprised I havelike the latest phone.
You guys probably do as well.
You'll be surprised If you'retaking photos and videos all day
(15:01):
how quickly even the latestphone will go flat during the
day.
So you definitely need a powerbank.
Number two is also related tomy phone and I know Tracy likes
this one as well is a phonelanyard for a couple of reasons,
and you chuck your phone on theend of this lanyard and it
really makes it handy,particularly when you're
(15:21):
traveling.
You're taking photos all thetime, right, but also you're
looking at maps, or maybe youwant to pull out your vouchers
for your whatever and also youdon't lose it right.
You know, like if you're on a,you're always on your phone when
you travel and you know youmight put it down in the taxi or
on the bus or whatever.
But if it's on your lanyard youcan put it down and you know
it's attached to your ends.
(15:42):
You know, know it's attached to, and you know some of those
crazy photos you might be taking, like you're looking at a
lookout or on a boat.
I'm always thinking, oh, my god, imagine if I drop the foam
while I'm taking this photo.
We don't need to worry about itif it's on a lanyard.
So that's my second one.
Lastly, I like I have a specialwater bottle that I take with
me.
You know everyone should betaking with them reusable water
bottles when they travel.
(16:03):
But I have a reusable waterbottle that's got like a latch
thing on it, so then I can latchit on my handbag or my
crossbody bag that I normallytravel with, and so I'm not
using up room in a bag that Ineed just for my water bottle,
and it's always on the front ofme.
So I just kind of forget.
But I'm like, oh, there's mywater, I should have a drink,
cause you know, like you'retraveling can be hot.
(16:24):
Um, so you're yeah, I'm alwaysdrinking.
So they're my three things thatI thought were my essential.
I will take them no matterwhere, they just always come
with me oh, they're good.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Well, I have a whole video on my essentials I travel
with on youtube which I willlink to um, but I'll mention a
couple.
Uh, one is I have a like alittle turban, uh towel thing
for my wrap, for my hair,because I find in hotels you
often will get like a big toweland then maybe that's it, or
even one towel in some of thebudget hotels, and then if you
(16:57):
use it for your hair you've gotnothing else.
So I take the little turban onewith me.
It's so easy to pack and itmeans that I get the shower just
put my hair in that, so I don'thave to worry about if I'm you
know that I'm going to be usingthe one towel up.
So I always, always have one ofthose, and even when I went to
my daughter's house in Perthlast year, she, she has them,
she gives them to all visitorsin their rooms and I was like,
(17:18):
oh, that's really cool, becauseit's just a really useful thing
to have.
The second thing that I alwaystake with me is I usually have
my little fan with me, justbecause I'm a woman of a certain
age and I get hot.
So I just have a fan that plugsin and can recharge, and I have
that with me.
I've also got a little pop-upfan as well, like I bought,
(17:38):
which is tiny, and then I havethat in my bag with me at all
times if I go hot.
So that's just a hand waft,waft one.
And the third thing that Ialways take is I always, always,
always have a sarong with me,because there again, you can use
that for so many differentpurposes.
You can use that as a towel,you can use that to keep you
warm on the airline, you can usethat, you know, to have some
(17:59):
privacy if you need it.
So I just find it.
It's on the trains, you know,if you're thinking, I think in
india last year, it's a greatthing.
You can hold up if you need toget yourself changed or do
whatever.
It just gives you someadvantages to.
Um, I don't know, I just thinkit's a really great thing to
travel with, and we have thesaying in our house you can
never go wrong with a sarong.
So, yeah, so that's ours.
(18:23):
But, um, now I think they'reall brilliant things, uh, that
we have.
And um, I'd like to hear ifyou're listening to this podcast
now, thinking well, um, neithershelly, melissa or tracy,
mentioned something that Ialways travel with.
Why don't you let us know,leave us a message in a via
stream pipe, and that we can getback to you in the next episode
(18:43):
and have a chat with you aboutwhat it is and add it in,
because it's always good to knowwhat you travel with as well.
Now let's talk about packinghacks, like how do we manage
with our luggage in terms ofpacking, packing stuff, because
it doesn't matter I find,however small amount I take with
me.
I know Melissa will say howgood I was in India and I was,
but I was, but I still will buythings as I travel and usually
(19:06):
if I leave and everything's likepacked up, well, I've still got
to squeeze things in.
So one of my main um, uh, travelhacks and I think everybody
knows about these, butcompression travel cubes are the
best thing ever, absolute bestthing ever um, I've just been
going through mine this morningand we actually just put in
dirty washing in one as well.
So when we get to the nextplace, it can wash it, but those
(19:28):
are absolutely mine.
What about you, melissa?
What about you for packinghacks?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Yeah, packing cubes or compression bags, like you
said, but not only just to getmore in your bag, but just to
stay organised as well.
Like you know, you think about,like you know, if you're just
packing everything kind ofindividually in your bag, you're
like, oh, where are thoseundies or where are those
swimmers?
But you can go, oh, I know, Iput them in the medium-sized
(19:58):
blue packing cube or whatever itmight be.
And also with packing cubes,like you know well, not
necessarily packing cubes, but Ialways put my toiletries in one
bag, I always put myelectronics in one bag.
It just helps you stay reallyorganised, makes you not lose
things.
That's pretty much, yeah, interms of packing hacks.
At school, all I kind of cameup with is the compression bags
(20:21):
for packing more and beingorganised Perfect.
What about you, Shelley?
For packing more and beingorganized Perfect.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
What about you, shelley?
Definitely the packing,compression packing cubes.
I agree with Melissa.
I have certain ones for certainthings and it does.
It makes it much quicker,especially if you're only going
to be in a place for a shortamount of time.
You could just maybe pull thatone cube and leave everything
(20:46):
else.
To the point that you made,tracy, about purchasing things.
I like purchasing things, so Ialways, as a rule of thumb, I
try to only pack my bagtwo-thirds of the way full when
I leave.
So what I do.
(21:07):
One of my big hacks that cameabout about a year and a half
ago almost two years ago thatwas like an epiphany for me was
I was in Thailand and I had mylaundry done and they will wash
and fold and then you can askthem to pack it in like a
(21:28):
cellophane.
Well, I asked them to packeverything individually, like
one thing, like it could be onepair of undies, one pair of this
, one pair of that.
I found, by just the way thatit was packed one at a time and
by the slickness of thecellophane, I could fit
(21:55):
literally like 20 somethingthings in one compression
packing cube.
Wow, it was like I was likethis is incredible.
So obviously you can't alwayshave your laundry done in
Thailand.
So what I started doing was Ihave zipper bags or I use some.
(22:17):
I some countries have press andseal.
Um, I don't wrap my clothes inpress and seal, but I make like
a liner and stick it upon itselfand then that way you fold your
clothes tightly and you canfold it in.
But 90% of the time I use zipbags, I leave a little corner
open, I roll it and press outall the air and then I push it
(22:41):
down and then I slide eachindividual one.
But I pack everythingseparately and you can reuse
those bags over and over andover and over again, so you're
not hurting the environment.
I mean, I use mine all yearlong until they absolutely break
(23:01):
.
But that is a big change.
And then to the point where yousaid you have one cube for
laundry that you have to doagain, you can pack it in there.
So then, like, maybe it doesn'tsmell or maybe it's not getting
on your other clothes, so it'skind of like dual.
Yeah, I mean it's really,really a good hack.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
I think it will be useful as well.
And you mentioned about makinga video of that, shelly, so if
you if you make a video, thenyou can share that on your
website and we can get thatshared in the show notes as well
.
Show people exactly what youmean about how you pack it.
So, on these in the you know,using the Ziploc bags, I think
it'll be useful to see that.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Yes, yes.
And then the other one for acarry on.
I turn it vertically, thesuitcase vertically, instead of
laying it on the floor, and thenI stack the clothes in.
Okay, so they are morecompressed.
So then you're stacking it justlike you would stack pancakes
(24:01):
or something.
You're stacking them in, andthen at the top, you can put
your shoes sole up so it's nottouching the clothes, and you
can put them to the sides.
So then, when you lay it backdown, you could lay your
toiletries on top oh, that's agood idea.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
I've not never thought about doing that.
I think we need a video of thatas well.
Shelly okay, and actually Ijust thought at the very
beginning I've actually I shouldhave actually said where we all
are in the world at the moment,because I know you guys have
just been through, um, a massivecyclone in in brisbane, um, and
both are okay, but it was.
It was pretty bad, wasn't it?
Speaker 3 (24:40):
yes uh, yes and no, it was a little bit of.
It was a little bit of anon-event, but okay but but it
was.
It was bad in other parts,which maybe not so much.
Yeah, but overall, overall itwas everyone was pretty safe,
but they were.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
There were a few people that it hit quite badly,
yeah yeah, I guess I'm more yeah, I'm more towards the the coast
, so, uh, I I was speaking toMelissa, so, uh, we actually,
when the other area got it, weactually got it two days later.
(25:19):
But I, I agree with Melissa, itreally the stores still aren't
fully stocked in my area I find,yeah, which I'm like kind of
like shocked because I think toomany people panic bought yeah,
yeah, I remember that from COVID, where you couldn't buy any
(25:40):
toilet paper for months inQueensland yeah, yeah it was
kind, but luckily everyone'ssafe, just some, you know, big
trees down and a couple of roofs, but yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
So that's cool.
So you guys are in Australia,I'm still in, I'm actually in
Portugal.
I was about to say I'm still inSpain.
I'm not.
I'm actually in Portugal, inPortugal at the moment, but the
rain's followed us from Spain.
So we've just said we've had alot of rain.
So I'm a bit I'm a bit I'm abit over the rain at the moment.
So actually that that brings meon a good one.
As in packing fails, because Ithink we'll all have a time
we've gone somewhere and notpacked something we should have
(26:15):
brought, or packed things wedidn't need, and I certainly um,
I'm doug's doug's behind me isprobably going to snort his head
is that I will probably someover pack things that I never
wear?
I try to not do that as much asI've, as I've done in the past,
but one of my packing failsonce is going somewhere and only
having one pair of sandals andthe sandals broke and I was oh
(26:36):
yeah, that was fun.
So I ended up wearing Crocs.
That's all I could buy for acouple of days that's worse.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
That's worse, tracy.
Yeah, so now I have a pair ofsandals and I always have a pair
of flip-flops in my bag.
That's worse, tracy.
That's a fashion fail.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Yeah.
So now I have a pair of sandalsand I always have a pair of
flip-flops in my bag.
I always yeah, because it wasjust awful.
I'm like no, what about youguys?
Speaker 3 (27:02):
So let's talk about packing fails, melissa.
Well, you know I'm a super,super light traveler now, but my
very first solo trip that I didaround the world I was in my
early 20s and I was off for acouple of months and I was like,
well, I'm off for a couple ofmonths.
I bought the biggest suitcase Icould find and I filled it to
the brim.
It was full of so much stuff,it was so heavy and almost
immediately I hated it.
(27:22):
I could hardly wheel it aroundand I was in Europe, so can you
imagine it?
On cobblestones and you knowthose train stations where
there's no lifts or elevatorsand you've got to bloody pull it
up.
And then I was in America and Iwas catching trains trying to
pull this up and put it in thebloody racks and stuff.
It was the most ridiculousthing I ever did.
And so, yeah, now that'sprobably why I'm a super light
(27:44):
traveler, because I alwaysremember that silly, silly girl
that brought that huge suitcasewith her.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
It's like taking high heels and walking around the
cobblestones of Italy, isn't it?
It's like you just don't do it.
Just don't do it.
So what about you, shelley Packand fail.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Like I said, I travel for a long period of time, so
when I leave I have to make sureI have everything.
So when I leave, I have to makesure I have everything.
So, coming back to the contacts, I thought I packed enough
contacts, but you know, ascontacts do, things happen.
(28:18):
I was in Greece and before Igot to Greece I had been looking
because I knew I was going torun out and I don't wear a
really strange prescription.
But no country had it.
And when I got to Greece, Iphoned one of my friends back
home and I said hey, can you DHLme?
You know my contacts?
Sure, no problem, they DHL thecontacts.
(28:39):
Well, I guess it's consideredin Greece medical equipment.
So, yes, so DHL didn't have aproblem with it.
But it got caught in customs andI had to hire a lawyer.
I can't make this up, oh myLord.
(29:00):
So I went to DHL to get it.
They told me no, you can do itby yourself.
Let me preface this.
They did give me the option,but it would take two and a half
weeks for me to process thepaperwork, if I did it correctly
, and it to go through thepromise.
And then, who knows, it'sgrease.
So I love grease though, butanyways.
(29:23):
So then I had to hire anattorney to go to the judge to
get it signed off.
I don't know what it was.
All I know is I went to thisroom.
There was 25 people sitting inthis room.
I had to pay an absorbentamount of money for this lawyer
to go.
I spent three hours.
I ended up going back to DHLwith this stamped piece of paper
(29:46):
from a judge, and DHL gave memy contacts.
I went outside the taxi.
I had to pay for him to waitfor me the taxi.
I took a picture and I sent itto my best friend and I said
these are the most expensivecontact lenses I have ever
purchased in my life.
(30:07):
These are gold.
Every time I put them in myeyes I'm going to be like
shining gold.
So that was like always makesure you bring your glasses or
extra contacts.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Oh, that's a good point.
I actually I should havementioned I always have a spare
pair of glasses with me, becauseif I don't have my glasses on,
I can't see anything, literally.
So I always have.
I don't even know where theyare.
They'll be one of the suitcases.
I always have a spare set ofglasses with me and doug's the
same you always do and ourprescription.
We always travel with ourprescription as well, because I
(30:40):
don't know about you guys, butif I ever have my glasses on,
I'm not going anywhere.
I won't be able to see a thing.
Um, let's talk about shoes,because I want to quickly talk
about shoes, because I'vecovered this briefly about what
I take and at the moment.
So I've been traveling sixmonths.
I have got one pair of sandals,a pair of trainers that were
white or pink.
They're now black.
They need washing because it'sbeen a lot of rain.
(31:01):
I keep saying I don't need towash these, um and and.
I've got a pair of flip-flops.
That's it.
Three pairs of shoes, that'sthe entire amount that I've got.
I did have.
I'm just going to put a caveatto that because people are going
to go.
Well, were you in the UK, youwere wearing boots.
Yes, I did have a pair of boots, which were at my mum's house.
So I will put my hand up andsay that, obviously, you've got
(31:21):
to think about where you'regoing.
If you're going somewhere hot,it's a lot easier, but long-term
travel, Shelley, how many pairsof shoes have you got with you
Too?
Speaker 2 (31:31):
many probably.
Well, I will out myself Okay Topreface it.
Like I said, you can't alwaysget shoes every country you go.
So right now I have one pair ofworkout shoes which are very
(31:53):
lightweight.
I have two pairs of sandals, ablack and a brown pair, which
are very compact and very light.
I have one pair of flats thatare just kind of like the one
pair of flats, that are justkind of like the ballerina
slipper flats, and then I haveone pair of black wedges just in
(32:16):
case I want to go out.
And then, uh, I have, oh, onepair of really nice, like
walking shoes.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
No, it's not bad no, it's not bad shally at all at
all.
Really, that's good,considering you travel in long
term.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
That that's all you have, I think, yeah and the
walking and the walking shoesare the heaviest out of all of
them, so I usually wear those onthe plane yeah, I was gonna say
we.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
I usually go for the heaviest ones when I'm getting
on a plane so I don't have topack them.
What about you, melissa, forshoes?
What are you like?
Speaker 3 (32:47):
uh, like probably what you said, tracy.
I take as few as possible, andobviously that's going to depend
on where I'm going and what I'mgoing to do.
But I mean, um examples, I justspent two weeks in Bali
traveling around the islands,and I took just one pair of
shoes.
Um, my twos, which are myfavorites not sponsored, but I
love them um, they're just likekind of like a slide, sort of
(33:10):
flat shoe, yeah, and I just worethem every single day.
But yeah, I would definitelynot take more than three pairs,
like you, tracy.
I would just think, well, whatdo I need?
And I just make them work.
I'm not a fashionista, so if Idon't go with something, we'll
so be it yeah, I'm a bit likethat.
Speaker 1 (33:30):
it's like, as long as they're comfortable, then my
main thing with my feet is, um,they've got to be comfortable.
So my trainers, even thoughthey are now absolutely filthy
and they do need washing, um,they're just so comfortable so
I'm just wearing them all of thetime.
It's not warm enough to wearsandals at the moment.
Unfortunately, in Portugal it'sstill a bit chilly.
But yeah, that's how I do itand wear them on the plane, so
(33:52):
they're the heaviest.
Doug's the same, I think.
He's got a pair of trainers.
In fact, his trainers have beenleaking, so he's been moaning
that he didn't bring his walkingboots because we didn't expect
this much rain, and he candles,and that's it.
Now I'm going to move us onquickly to toiletries.
I just want to talk abouttoiletries, because do you take
toiletries with you or not?
Or do you take?
At the moment I've got somesmall little bottles which I
(34:18):
just refill.
So when I was back in the UK, Ijust refilled my shampoo bottle
.
So I just have those littlesqueezy, refillable travel ones
and that's what I tend to takewith me and, if needed, needed
like a small little dry shampooI usually have with me, and
that's about eight, but what doyou do about toiletries, shelly?
Speaker 2 (34:34):
I used to do that.
I don't do that anymore.
Caveat though, I do bring myskincare, but other than that I
purchase really everything.
The only thing I will pack inthat leather bag that I take
like the purse bag on the planeis like a little tiny mini
(34:58):
deodorant, and I'll take somepersonal like little wipes, and
usually I'll take like a brush,and usually I'll take like a
brush, and usually, when I'm ina hotel room, I'll take like one
of their tooth kits and I'llshove it in the bag just so I
can freshen up for long flightsor when I arrive.
If I arrive late and I can'tget to the store, but I don't, I
(35:22):
stopped buying, I just plus.
It gives you time to go intothe store and see all the cool
products yeah, that's true, I'lldo that anyway.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Yeah, I do cover a little bit of makeup.
I do like my lipstick, so I dohave a.
I have a little bit of skin oil, so I do have some things, a
little bit of base makeup andlipstick that I do have with me.
So they tend to travel, butwe're talking like three
lipsticks, that's it, um, butotherwise I don't travel with
very much toiletries and youknow, we just had to buy new
deodorant because we're both runout.
(35:50):
What about you, melissa?
Speaker 3 (35:52):
yeah, I don't tend to travel with much toiletries
like um, given I do try and do.
Carry-on toiletries are heavyand also, obviously you can only
take less than 100 milliliters.
So, um, yeah, I just tend tobuy it when I get there.
But I just say a caveat on thatIf you're traveling in
Southeast Asia, things likesunscreen and insect repellent
(36:14):
are really expensive there.
So if you are checking inluggage, then I highly recommend
you bring it with you.
I still don't and I just suckit up and buy it when I'm there.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
But, yeah, just don't expect it to be to be cheap,
because it's not yeah, if you'vegot plenty at home, we tend to
to chuck a couple in there.
If we're checking in luggage,uh, especially sun cream, uh,
because that's yeah, I just sayit's quite expensive to to buy,
um, so we usually do that.
Now let's talk about packingfor a long trip, because I know,
obviously, shelly you, youtravel a lot of long trips as
(36:45):
well'm going to say you've donelong trips and we're on a long
trip at the moment.
So when it comes to choosingyour outfits, what do you do?
Are you just random and chuckeverything you fancy in there,
or you're a bit more kind oflike mix and match with what you
do?
I mean, I like bright colors.
So I am very aware that I tryto make sure that I have quite a
few, uh, white shorts or whitecropped trousers.
Then it doesn't matter whatcolor top that I wear, that will
(37:07):
go with them.
So I tend to go that way morethan because I've got, you know,
pink and yellow and green tops,so that's absolutely fine with
white bottoms.
Or I've got, I think, a coupleof pairs of black cropped
trousers as well.
So I tend to try and go plaineron the bottom so I can have
bright colors on the top.
What about you guys?
What about you, mel Melissa?
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Yeah, I tend to.
It doesn't matter to me if I'mgoing one week, three weeks,
three months.
I tend to go on the threeoutfit kind of thing and I'm a
bit more of a dress fan.
The dresses take up less roomand they're just easy to put on.
But I mean, obviously that isagain if you're in a warmer
climate, but still, I'll stillgo for the three outfit kind of
thing.
I'm not much of a fashionista,so I don't really.
(37:49):
I just go for simple clothesand, yeah, three outfits, but
with the plan that I'm going todo laundry as I go, either at a
laundromat or even in my hotelroom.
But yeah, I think if you kindof stick with the three, for me
anyway I stick with threeoutfits.
You know I might buy one or twothings while I'm away, but, um,
yeah, that, that, that thathelps me limit how much clothes
(38:12):
I bring it's a good job.
Speaker 1 (38:13):
You can't see behind me how many different outfits
I've got in this case, becauseI've got, I have.
I have got in my defense.
I have got cold weather andwarm weather clothes yeah, that
makes it more challenging yeah,it is.
So what about?
I mean, shelly obviously you'repacking for both cold and warm
weather, so so how do you?
Go about choosing your outfitsand what you're going to take
well, that's, that's just it.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
I, I have to pack for cold weather and make sure that
it's compact.
That being said, um, I'velearned along the way that I
don't really pack a lot ofjackets.
I will bring like a little rainjacket that folds up real small
and I'll bring like a littledown vest that I can roll up and
(38:56):
then.
But what I found is I could goto a secondhand store or I could
go to one of the outdoormarkets and buy a jacket, or if
I really really need it, andthen I just donate it before I
leave, so I don't bring it withme.
That's cold weather.
As far as warmer weather, whatI've been doing lately is I've
(39:19):
been investing in bamboo, bamboofibers, silk and just cotton,
obviously, but the bamboo isreally nice and I'm like Melissa
, I'm more of a skirt dress girl, so it's just easier for me, so
(39:42):
I'll stick.
Right now.
I've purchased a few bamboodresses.
And that sounds funny bamboodresses, I know what you mean.
Fabric, give you a visual there, but anyways, but one's like
navy, one's black.
(40:03):
But then, like you, tracy, Iwill.
I have some really pretty silktops that I could put on it,
from Thailand, that likebrighten it up, or from Italy,
and so I kind of mix and matchthat way.
But I try to get my staplepieces more in, like my favorite
(40:25):
colors, blue, so I do differentshades of blue, green, this you
know.
Brown, maybe gray instead ofblack, and then I'll build upon
the colors with the other.
But I think investing in quickdrawing, lightweight, breathable
clothes, I don't think youcould go wrong in any country
(40:47):
that you go to, because even incolder countries you can layer.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
I mean, at the moment I've gota.
I'm actually sitting here doingthis and I've got a vest up on,
but when I go out later,that'll get, I'll put a.
I've got a jumper and thenjacket that'll go on top of that
, but it's actually quite warmin the hotel room at the moment.
But again, again, having all ofthose layers, which have been
vital because I've beentraveling around some really
cold places and it's Morocco, itpoints was was nice and warm.
(41:12):
It wasn't hot, I wouldn't saythat, but but having the ability
to kind of like mix and match,I think is really important, um
and like.
For me, having the bright colorsis really important, but having
a like two pairs of jeans iswhat I've got with me at the
moment and I can wear one andone, wash one and let them dry,
and the rest of the stuff islike it's quick dry and I always
have a um, a, a like a, like amac I don't want to call it like
(41:36):
a waterproof jacket, that's it,and it just folds up and it's
really, really small.
I took it to India, I take iteverywhere.
I think everybody's seen me apicture of it.
It's bright, yellow.
Um, I've actually had peoplecome up to me on the street ask
me where I got it from, and Igot it from a shop in the UK,
probably about 20 years ago, andit looks like it's brand new.
It's amazing.
So I always have that.
But let's talk about this.
I've been asked about the 5, 4,3, 2, 1 packing method.
(41:59):
Well, I haven't tried it.
Somebody actually about it?
So that is basically where youhave five tops, four bottoms,
three pairs of shoes, twodresses or jackets and one
swimsuit.
Could you do that?
Because I, for me, I found thata bit too minimal, like I don't
know if I want three pairs ofshoes for a start off.
That might be too many for me.
Um, what do you think aboutthat, shelly?
Speaker 2 (42:21):
no yeah.
I'm a bit like that.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
Yeah, I'm a bit like oh, it sounds great, but I don't
know it's.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
You know, I, I mean I think, I think if you're going,
I I mean I think if you'regoing maybe for like a one-week
trip or a two-week trip, and ifit works for you, if it For me,
there's no way I need to havemore variety than that.
(42:52):
I'm like Melissa if I want topurchase something along the way
, no, no, I have to have aminimum of two bathing suits, if
not three.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
Yeah, I kind of agree on that.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Because how do you wash one and let one dry?
Yeah, one, I mean no, no.
And the pants?
Why would you need like three?
Are they saying three pairs ofpants or three?
Speaker 1 (43:19):
bottoms, four bottoms .
Yeah, so five tops and fourbottoms, so I don't think I need
that many.
I don't know, I tend toprobably go three bottoms, five
tops.
I don't.
You know, I like to have lotsof swimming costumes as well.
I'm going to say as well, ifyou're listening to this episode
and you try this method out,you've done it.
Send us a picture.
Send us, let we want to knowhow it works what you taught
(43:43):
because I'm really, I'm reallyinterested to see about this.
And what about you, mel, melissa, do you?
Well, how do you feel aboutthat kind of five, four, three,
two, one thing?
Speaker 3 (43:50):
no, I'm glad I'm not the only one, because I'm just
like what?
Nah, nah, it does it.
I looked at it.
It doesn't really make sense tome.
So, no, I'm happy with my threeoutfit plan.
So, yes, but I'm like you.
I'd love to hear if someonetries it and how it works,
because I don't really get it.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
No, I really want to see, and it also excludes the
fact that I usually do travelwith.
This is kind of my travelconfession.
I travel with about 80 or maybe800, if I said pairs of
earrings, probably more like 800.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
I do the same.
I try earrings in as well, andit kind of makes me feel like,
hey, I've got the same clothes Iwore on for the last week but
I've got different earrings,exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
I have so many different pairs of earrings and
I've got three boxes full andthey, they always travel
everywhere with me.
I like my earrings, so sothat's kind of, I suppose, my
travel packing confession.
Doesn't matter how how much I'mtrying to reduce it, I will
always have my three boxes withabout 800 pairs of earrings in,
and I will purchase earrings asI go as well.
Let's wrap up the episode,because we've been chatting for
(44:54):
quite a while actually today.
Packing's a fascinating topicand I know it's something we
honestly get asked about all thetime, because I think it's
something that people kind of goam I taking too much?
Am I not taking enough?
What should I take?
What shouldn't I take?
You know wanting advice aboutit all the time, but I'm going
to ask you guys what would beyour one packing tip that you
(45:15):
would share with anybodylistening today that has worked
for you and you have learnedthrough your many troubles.
What would you share?
What would you say, melissa?
Speaker 3 (45:24):
Well, mine's a bit general, but I would say don't
over pack.
You will regret it at some, youknow, for some reason or
another.
Um, just be ruthless with whatyou pack, you know.
Yeah, so that's mine don't overpack if you really need to buy
it, you know, yeah, that's trueshelly.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
What about you?
Speaker 2 (45:43):
um, mine's more on a long-term scale.
So my one tip I would like toshare is, when you're packing,
make sure you bring somethingthat brings you comfort or like
joy, so you know if that'ssomething like a journal that
you normally write in, somethinglike me, my skincare, uh,
(46:07):
something that maybe um, I don'tknow something a playlist that
you listen to usually back homethat you could download.
Or you know some podcasts thatyou want to download beforehand,
like this one yes, like thisone, but just to bring some
(46:29):
normal time to your excitingadventure.
Because when you're travelinglonger term, more than maybe two
to three weeks, you need thatdowntime to ground yourself
again, to rejuvenate, so youcould go out and go again, and
having those little tiny thingsmakes such a big difference.
(46:53):
So that would be my one tip ifyou're going for more than a
couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (46:58):
Yeah, I agree.
Actually, you haven't been,haven't traveled for quite a
while now.
It is nice to have a few thingsthat are familiar with you for
sure, and my tip is going to bejust when you pack, leave
yourself a little bit of roombecause, honestly, you will want
to buy things when you aretraveling, and there's nothing
worse than having taken, packedabsolutely everything, taking up
(47:18):
all the room that you can, andthen you want to buy stuff and
you can't.
I'm not saying that we shouldall be going to buy in tons and
tons of things where we'vetalked, but there will be things
that you may see.
You know, I bought a beautifulhandmade rug in india last year
and had that.
I brought, managed to bringthat home with me.
Goodness knows how I managed tofit it in my case, but I did.
Um, but you don't want to seesomething?
(47:41):
Think, I'd really would love tohave that, but I can't because
I have no room.
Or as, as I remember travelingwith my niece when she was 21
through Italy, she had to throwclothes out to add some of her
purchases in.
And then there's one little oneI'm going to add in as well is
that if you're traveling aroundEurope by train.
Make sure that you can pick upyour suitcase.
That is really, reallyimportant.
(48:02):
That's a really important one.
Anyway, guys, it's beenbrilliant to chat with you today
.
Yes.
I know you've got some funadventures planned over the next
month before we chat again allabout how to stay safe while you
travel.
Doug and I are off to Barcelonaat the weekend and then,
hopefully, on to Turkey and thenSri Lanka.
(48:23):
That's the plan.
What about you guys?
I know you've got some excitingtravels planned as well,
haven't you?
Speaker 3 (48:31):
Yeah well, we were supposed to be in Bundaberg,
which we talked about in that inthe last podcast, but with this
um cyclone, that umunexpectedly, um crossed
Brisbane we had to cancel.
But we'll be going next week,hopefully.
Speaker 1 (48:40):
Yes, exciting, exciting.
Have to hear about that one forsure, and I think you've got
further plans afoot as well.
Are you happy to share, shelley, or is that still a bit of a
secret?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (48:52):
no, I finally made some for sure plans.
If another cyclone doesn't come, I am going to be traveling
forward to New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (49:06):
Oh, exciting, that's one of my favorite countries to
visit.
Are you going to North,traveling forward to new zealand
?
Oh, exciting, that's one of myfavorite countries to visit.
Are you going to north andsouth ireland?
How, what are you going to bedoing?
Yes, perfect.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Yes, be traveling both.
Speaker 3 (49:17):
Yes so lots.
How about you, tracy I?
I think that maybe we mighthave booked something a bit
exciting too well, we have.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
Yeah, yeah, do you want?
Do you want to spill the beanson that one, alissa?
Speaker 3 (49:31):
well, tracy and I are going to tick off another
continent later on this year andgo to antarctica we are, which
is a very exciting.
Speaker 1 (49:40):
It's probably the most I've ever paid for a trip
in my entire life, me too, me,me too, but yeah, anyone can
join us, I believe that thereare places We'd love you to come
along.
Yeah, absolutely yeah.
If you're interested, I'll putthe details to contact Melissa
in the show notes.
Definitely get in touch.
If Antarctica is on your bucketlist, we'd love to see you.
(50:04):
We'd love to have you comealong with us as well.
It'll be so much fun.
Yeah, well, until next episode.
It was, as always, a great joyto catch up with you and find
out what you're up to and toshare some of our travel tips
and hacks and experiences withour listeners.
So thanks again, melissa andShelley, thanks, tracey, thank
you, we'll see you.
(50:25):
Bye, everybody.
So you can find um links to um,both shelly and melissa's
websites in the show notes andhopefully shelly will get some
videos made as well, so we'llget those linked to and I'll
also share.
Make sure, if you want to go toour talk to k you contact
melissa.
Thank you for joining us onthis episode of the Global
(50:48):
Travel Planning Podcast.
For more details and links toeverything we discussed today,
check out the show notes atglobaltravelplanningcom.
Remember, if you enjoyed theshow, please consider leaving us
a review on your favoritepodcast app, because your
feedback helps us reach moretravel enthusiasts, just like
you.
Anyway, that leaves me to say,as always, happy global travel
(51:08):
planning.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.