November 18, 2025 • 17 mins
What if packing for an 11-day trip felt calm, simple, and a little bit stylish? We walk through a clear, repeatable system that keeps your bag light and your options wide, blending the minimalist mindset of Project 333 with a traveler’s 5-4-3-2-1 framework. You’ll learn how to pick a base color, add two smart accent shades, and build mix-and-match outfits that shift from city walks to evening plans without overstuffing your suitcase.
We break down real choices for tops, bottoms, and shoes, including when three pairs make sense and when two will do. You’ll hear how to design a travel outfit that works both ways on your flights, manage liquids without stress, and decide what belongs in your bag versus what you can buy on arrival. We also get tactical: laying everything out to check combinations, using packing cubes for compression and organization, and leaving room for souvenirs so you can say yes to that market treasure. Comfort leads every decision, so you’ll actually wear what you pack.
Before signing off, we preview what’s ahead: a short break for the Thanksgiving week, two December episodes revealing the secret 11-day trip and specific recommendations, plus a look at 2026 solo travel destinations that are safe and exciting for women. There’s also an invite to a curated wellness cruise on the Danube in late August 2026, with excursions included and planning support ready to go. If packing has ever felt like guesswork, this guide gives you a confident blueprint. Subscribe, share with a friend who overpacks, and leave a quick review to tell us your base color and the one item you’re cutting next time.
Interested in the Wellness Cruise with AmaWaterways in 2026?
Contact Ana Maschinski -Ana.TravelPro1@outlook.com
https://www.cherylbeckesch.com
hello@cherylbeckesch.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Imagine you're getting ready for a long awaited
trip.
You've been planning this formonths now, and suddenly it's
the week before.
Have you started packing?
Or are you one of those thatwaits till last minute?
Or have you been putting thingsaside, making notes on what you
want to pack for the past fewweeks because you don't want to
(00:24):
forget anything?
Well, welcome to Solo TravelAdventures.
I'm Cheryl Esch, yoursemi-expert packer.
Well, I'm bringing to you somepacking tips for you because
right now I am actually packingfor a trip that I'm leaving this
week for.
I will share all about it when Iget back.
(00:46):
I'm so excited.
But I will have a I have aconfession to make.
(01:50):
But I'm gonna give you some tipson how I'm also still trying to
keep it streamlined, and I'mhope that will help you as well.
And I will have to say, there isno right or wrong.
If you are one that likes tocheck a bag, you have a suitcase
that you like and you check it.
Um, there's no judgment here.
(02:11):
And if you're a backpacker orcarry-on only person, great.
I like to actually check a bag.
Um, not always, uh this timearound, it's nice because now I
don't need to worry so muchabout how many liquids I'm
bringing with me, which alwayscauses a little stress and
(02:33):
anxiety for me as to determininghow much I can take, what can I
take, and how to change that upas far as limiting those liquids
that I take through security.
So they do limit that.
So that is a downfall.
Um, but if you learn to packwith more solids or other things
(02:54):
that don't count as liquids, oryou plan to just buy some of
your personal items once you getthere, that's that works as
well.
But I'm here to share becauseI'm super excited about a
project that I've started in myown personal life, not just for
packing, but it definitelyapplies to packing for travel.
(03:15):
I'm sure you've heard of it,it's been around for a while,
and I was familiar with it manyyears ago.
I even tried it.
It's called Project 333.
It was developed by CourtneyCarver, and I had actually heard
about her from The Minimalist,and I had attempted to try it
many, many years ago, like longbefore I started sort of just
(03:39):
kind of purging and getting ridof stuff.
And it certainly has suited mejust perfectly right now in my
life, seeing that I am a littlemore nomadic and I have many of
my items, my personal items arein storage.
So the idea of Project 333 andhow it can apply to travel is
(04:03):
kind of what I'm here to sharewith you.
So give you a little synopsis ofProject 333.
It is uh you pick three 33clothing items that you will
wear for three months.
I know you think that'simpossible, but actually, I put
(04:24):
all my 33 items in a rubber madecontainer, and it's actually a
lot more than you think.
And so you also, when you puttogether a capsule wardrobe for
travel, and the same goes forthe project 333 that I started.
I made sure that everything,every clothing item coordinates
(04:50):
or could be mixed and matchedwith something else.
So the same goes for travel.
I like to pick a base layer orcolor.
For example, maybe your basecolor is black, or maybe your
base color is gray, or I've useduh beige a lot as my base color.
(05:13):
And then I pick, I personallythen pick two complementary
colors to add to my capsulewardrobe.
I'm not uh sometimes I dressmonochromatically, but I like
color to be honest, so I'll picka sort of a base color.
Sometimes I've done navy blue asmy base color, and then picked
(05:37):
two colors that go with that.
So, for example, um my basecolors that I'm working with
right now in my personalwardrobe is the the beige or
cream, just depending on theoutfit.
And then my colors that I'm mypop colors, I like to say, is
(05:58):
since it's kind of still fallhere, is I have chosen um dark
green and rust to kind ofcoordinate everything.
And so that's how I'vecoordinated my 33 outfits or 33
um clothing items.
But if you look at how you'regonna travel, first of all, uh
(06:21):
pick those that base color, makesure everything can coordinate
with it.
Now there's a system that I haveseen utilized for travel, and
they call it the 54321 system,and I'll share what that means
(06:42):
and then how I've adapted that.
So five is for example, sayyou're going on a week to 10-day
trip.
Mine is 11 days, and this istrue.
I've already started packing, Ialready have my suitcase almost
fully packed besides my personalitems.
I have five tops.
(07:03):
So the five is for five topsthat can interchange with the
four bottoms that you'rebringing.
Then number three is shoes.
Now I will say typically I onlybring two pairs of shoes,
meaning I wear one and I packone.
However, for this place, thisevent, this uh travel uh that
(07:28):
I'm doing, I actually do needthree pairs of shoes.
I do need a dressy pair for someevening events.
And then, of course, because I'mgonna do some hiking, I have
some hiking sandals that couldalso just be sandals, my Tevas,
and then my tennis shoes, mymore casual or low shoes.
(07:50):
So that would those are my threepairs of shoes that I'm taking.
Often it's just two.
Number two in your 54321 is twodresses or layers.
Now, for this trip that I'mtaking, um, it is two dresses,
but typically for me it'slayers.
(08:11):
Um, so it's gonna be maybe ajacket or a sweatshirt that I'm
gonna bring as a layer.
And then number one is anaccessory for each category.
So that's gonna be for me, it'sone bag, like a day bag that I
can take on, you know, sort ofmy uh walks through that city
(08:35):
that I'm gonna be visiting.
And then I could also utilizethat.
It's actually a little day packbackpack, so when I do my
hiking, I could use the samebag.
One hat.
I'm taking one hat, mysunglasses, of course, one
scarf.
I always travel with a scarfbecause that could be utilized
in many different ways.
(08:55):
I don't wear belts, but a scarfcould act as a belt.
And then one jewelry set.
I keep it pretty simple, nothingtoo expensive.
Um, I do like to wear rings andearrings mostly.
I don't take necklaces with me.
And then I have a travel outfit.
(09:16):
Now, this to me this is evenseparate from your 54321.
However, it needs to beinterchangeable with all the
other items that you're takingwith you so that you can, you
know, create more outfits.
And usually when I travel,because I get cold on the plane,
my travel outfit always is maybesweatpants and a sweatshirt with
(09:43):
a layer, you know, maybe at-shirt.
I want to be comfortable, but Ialso don't want to be cold.
So that's sort of how Idetermine my travel outfit.
I use it for on the way thereand on the way back.
Um, and if some of those piecesdefinitely will interchange, I
have a couple other options formy outfits.
(10:03):
And if this idea of a capsulewardrobe is new to you, I
recommend laying everything outon your bed.
I'm a visual person, so I willlay everything on my bed and I
will mix and match and make suremy outfits make sense before I
put them in my suitcase.
So try that.
(10:25):
Lay out all your items, makesure they do coordinate.
Make sure you love the outfitthat you're gonna put together.
Um, we want to also feelconfident and comfortable.
Make sure that uh the clothingitem is comfortable on you.
You don't want to take somethingthat is too small or that you
(10:45):
just don't quite feel umconfident in.
So picking items that you loveand that they can mix and match
very well together.
I do utilize packing cubes.
There is some people thatbelieve in them and some that
don't.
It is a personal preference.
I find it does save me space.
(11:08):
It also helps me to keep myitems organized.
Um, for example, keeping all myundergarments in one packing
cube is definitely beneficial.
And then maybe either all mytops in one, um, either rolled
usually is the best way, andmaybe all my bottoms in one so
(11:30):
that I can keep thingsorganized.
That's just how I like to roll.
But packing cubes, and dependingon the type that you get, some
of them do offer an extra, likethere's a second zipper that
helps you compress even more togive you space.
As you're packing, make sureyou're packing ahead of time.
(11:51):
Those last-minute packers, theyalways are throwing in
unnecessary things, and they'llsay, Oh, just in case.
I will tell you, those just incase items rarely get used, and
they just take up space, andthen that's just more that you
have to carry around, moreweight in your luggage.
(12:13):
And if you have a backpack orcarry-on, then it's harder to
lug that thing around.
Also, you want to have space,leave room for souvenirs.
I have many times packed sotightly that I had no space to
bring really anything home, andthat's unfortunate, especially
(12:36):
if you're going to some reallycool places.
Um, maybe you're going to amarket or bazaar and you're
finding some really unique itemsthat you would love to bring
home.
Also, check the weather, even upto the day before, even though
you may have looked ahead oftime, it will often change, even
(12:58):
up to maybe the day that you'releaving.
I'd say the day before, so thatyou are all packed the night
before you feel less stressed,right?
That's all taken care of.
Your suitcase is ready to gomaybe in the morning or the next
day.
I like to say keep it simple.
Keep it simple so you avoidstress.
So I'm hoping that you canconsider your next trip to pack
(13:23):
with what they call that capsulewardrobe idea.
Making sure, again, everythingcoordinates.
Have some base layers or a basecolor.
For example, base layer, notjust a color, but you have a
basic black or beige pants, andmaybe you have a basic black or
beige undershirt or top thatcould be again layered that you
(13:49):
could utilize or put a scarf todress it up.
So thinking about those ideasfor your next packing adventure.
If you're new to my podcast,thank you so much for listening.
You can also find me at SoloTravel Adventures50 on
Instagram.
I recommend you follow me there.
(14:10):
I am leaving for a trip and youwant to see where I'm going.
Although I will tell you my nexttwo episodes after I get back
are gonna be all about thistrip.
I'm keeping it um a littlesecret.
I want a kind of a little teaserhere so you will keep listening
for those great um, I'll besharing about my travel, my
(14:32):
trip, but also I'll talkspecifically about some of the
places that I went to.
And speaking of which, just soyou know what is coming up down
the pike, we are almost at theend of the year, and I wanted to
tell you what else is coming sothat you will keep listening.
So next week I will actually notbe recording.
(14:54):
You will not see a podcast fromme next week.
It is the week of Thanksgivinghere in the US, and I know a lot
of my U.S.
listeners are probably a littleswamped that week, and so I'm
also taking a break.
I will also be traveling at thattime.
But when I come back, as Imentioned, I will do two
(15:15):
episodes in December about thistrip.
And so I'm really excited toshare all of that with you and
everything that I'veexperienced, and even offer
recommendations to you forspecific places that I traveled
this 11-day trip.
I know I'm not telling.
(15:36):
Maybe some of you know.
And then after that, I will haveuh one more guest that will be
coming on before the end of theyear, and and then my favorite
episode is the specific traveltrends, not the one I did last
week, but specific destinationsthat are popular in 2026 for I
(16:01):
always do my research.
It's specifically for solotravelers and very safe for
women.
I always keep that in mind.
And if you followed me for thepast, well, going on four years
now, I always do that at the endof the year so you can see kind
of what's popular, also give yousome ideas of where you can go
(16:23):
in 2026, especially if you havenot planned your trip.
And then again, I usually takeoff the week between Christmas
and New Year, so no podcast thatweek.
Enjoy that end of your time withyour family and friends.
And speaking of 2026 travels,you're interested in doing a
(16:47):
wellness cruise in Europe,please reach out to me.
I'll also leave information inthe show notes.
Hello at Cherylbeckesh.comthrough AMA Waterways.
There's an incredible wellness.
It's in August, the end ofAugust in 2026.
(17:08):
It leaves out of Budapest and itgoes up the Danube River, and
it's a seven-day cruise.
Everything's included in theprice, which is phenomenal.
All the excursions are includedin the pricing.
So reach out to me if that'ssomething you're interested in
getting more information about.
I do have a travel agent thatI'm working with that is
coordinating all of those, allthat planning for you.
(17:34):
So, sister travelers, I amexcited to tell you more when I
get back from my travels.
So have a wonderful, wonderfulweek, and I'll see you in two
weeks.
Imagine you're getting ready for a long awaited
trip.
You've been planning this formonths now, and suddenly it's
the week before.
Have you started packing?
Or are you one of those thatwaits till last minute?
Or have you been putting thingsaside, making notes on what you
want to pack for the past fewweeks because you don't want to
(00:24):
forget anything?
Well, welcome to Solo TravelAdventures.
I'm Cheryl Esch, yoursemi-expert packer.
Well, I'm bringing to you somepacking tips for you because
right now I am actually packingfor a trip that I'm leaving this
week for.
I will share all about it when Iget back.
(00:46):
I'm so excited.
But I will have a I have aconfession to make.
(01:50):
But I'm gonna give you some tipson how I'm also still trying to
keep it streamlined, and I'mhope that will help you as well.
And I will have to say, there isno right or wrong.
If you are one that likes tocheck a bag, you have a suitcase
that you like and you check it.
Um, there's no judgment here.
(02:11):
And if you're a backpacker orcarry-on only person, great.
I like to actually check a bag.
Um, not always, uh this timearound, it's nice because now I
don't need to worry so muchabout how many liquids I'm
bringing with me, which alwayscauses a little stress and
(02:33):
anxiety for me as to determininghow much I can take, what can I
take, and how to change that upas far as limiting those liquids
that I take through security.
So they do limit that.
So that is a downfall.
Um, but if you learn to packwith more solids or other things
(02:54):
that don't count as liquids, oryou plan to just buy some of
your personal items once you getthere, that's that works as
well.
But I'm here to share becauseI'm super excited about a
project that I've started in myown personal life, not just for
packing, but it definitelyapplies to packing for travel.
(03:15):
I'm sure you've heard of it,it's been around for a while,
and I was familiar with it manyyears ago.
I even tried it.
It's called Project 333.
It was developed by CourtneyCarver, and I had actually heard
about her from The Minimalist,and I had attempted to try it
many, many years ago, like longbefore I started sort of just
(03:39):
kind of purging and getting ridof stuff.
And it certainly has suited mejust perfectly right now in my
life, seeing that I am a littlemore nomadic and I have many of
my items, my personal items arein storage.
So the idea of Project 333 andhow it can apply to travel is
(04:03):
kind of what I'm here to sharewith you.
So give you a little synopsis ofProject 333.
It is uh you pick three 33clothing items that you will
wear for three months.
I know you think that'simpossible, but actually, I put
(04:24):
all my 33 items in a rubber madecontainer, and it's actually a
lot more than you think.
And so you also, when you puttogether a capsule wardrobe for
travel, and the same goes forthe project 333 that I started.
I made sure that everything,every clothing item coordinates
(04:50):
or could be mixed and matchedwith something else.
So the same goes for travel.
I like to pick a base layer orcolor.
For example, maybe your basecolor is black, or maybe your
base color is gray, or I've useduh beige a lot as my base color.
(05:13):
And then I pick, I personallythen pick two complementary
colors to add to my capsulewardrobe.
I'm not uh sometimes I dressmonochromatically, but I like
color to be honest, so I'll picka sort of a base color.
Sometimes I've done navy blue asmy base color, and then picked
(05:37):
two colors that go with that.
So, for example, um my basecolors that I'm working with
right now in my personalwardrobe is the the beige or
cream, just depending on theoutfit.
And then my colors that I'm mypop colors, I like to say, is
(05:58):
since it's kind of still fallhere, is I have chosen um dark
green and rust to kind ofcoordinate everything.
And so that's how I'vecoordinated my 33 outfits or 33
um clothing items.
But if you look at how you'regonna travel, first of all, uh
(06:21):
pick those that base color, makesure everything can coordinate
with it.
Now there's a system that I haveseen utilized for travel, and
they call it the 54321 system,and I'll share what that means
(06:42):
and then how I've adapted that.
So five is for example, sayyou're going on a week to 10-day
trip.
Mine is 11 days, and this istrue.
I've already started packing, Ialready have my suitcase almost
fully packed besides my personalitems.
I have five tops.
(07:03):
So the five is for five topsthat can interchange with the
four bottoms that you'rebringing.
Then number three is shoes.
Now I will say typically I onlybring two pairs of shoes,
meaning I wear one and I packone.
However, for this place, thisevent, this uh travel uh that
(07:28):
I'm doing, I actually do needthree pairs of shoes.
I do need a dressy pair for someevening events.
And then, of course, because I'mgonna do some hiking, I have
some hiking sandals that couldalso just be sandals, my Tevas,
and then my tennis shoes, mymore casual or low shoes.
(07:50):
So that would those are my threepairs of shoes that I'm taking.
Often it's just two.
Number two in your 54321 is twodresses or layers.
Now, for this trip that I'mtaking, um, it is two dresses,
but typically for me it'slayers.
(08:11):
Um, so it's gonna be maybe ajacket or a sweatshirt that I'm
gonna bring as a layer.
And then number one is anaccessory for each category.
So that's gonna be for me, it'sone bag, like a day bag that I
can take on, you know, sort ofmy uh walks through that city
(08:35):
that I'm gonna be visiting.
And then I could also utilizethat.
It's actually a little day packbackpack, so when I do my
hiking, I could use the samebag.
One hat.
I'm taking one hat, mysunglasses, of course, one
scarf.
I always travel with a scarfbecause that could be utilized
in many different ways.
(08:55):
I don't wear belts, but a scarfcould act as a belt.
And then one jewelry set.
I keep it pretty simple, nothingtoo expensive.
Um, I do like to wear rings andearrings mostly.
I don't take necklaces with me.
And then I have a travel outfit.
(09:16):
Now, this to me this is evenseparate from your 54321.
However, it needs to beinterchangeable with all the
other items that you're takingwith you so that you can, you
know, create more outfits.
And usually when I travel,because I get cold on the plane,
my travel outfit always is maybesweatpants and a sweatshirt with
(09:43):
a layer, you know, maybe at-shirt.
I want to be comfortable, but Ialso don't want to be cold.
So that's sort of how Idetermine my travel outfit.
I use it for on the way thereand on the way back.
Um, and if some of those piecesdefinitely will interchange, I
have a couple other options formy outfits.
(10:03):
And if this idea of a capsulewardrobe is new to you, I
recommend laying everything outon your bed.
I'm a visual person, so I willlay everything on my bed and I
will mix and match and make suremy outfits make sense before I
put them in my suitcase.
So try that.
(10:25):
Lay out all your items, makesure they do coordinate.
Make sure you love the outfitthat you're gonna put together.
Um, we want to also feelconfident and comfortable.
Make sure that uh the clothingitem is comfortable on you.
You don't want to take somethingthat is too small or that you
(10:45):
just don't quite feel umconfident in.
So picking items that you loveand that they can mix and match
very well together.
I do utilize packing cubes.
There is some people thatbelieve in them and some that
don't.
It is a personal preference.
I find it does save me space.
(11:08):
It also helps me to keep myitems organized.
Um, for example, keeping all myundergarments in one packing
cube is definitely beneficial.
And then maybe either all mytops in one, um, either rolled
usually is the best way, andmaybe all my bottoms in one so
(11:30):
that I can keep thingsorganized.
That's just how I like to roll.
But packing cubes, and dependingon the type that you get, some
of them do offer an extra, likethere's a second zipper that
helps you compress even more togive you space.
As you're packing, make sureyou're packing ahead of time.
(11:51):
Those last-minute packers, theyalways are throwing in
unnecessary things, and they'llsay, Oh, just in case.
I will tell you, those just incase items rarely get used, and
they just take up space, andthen that's just more that you
have to carry around, moreweight in your luggage.
(12:13):
And if you have a backpack orcarry-on, then it's harder to
lug that thing around.
Also, you want to have space,leave room for souvenirs.
I have many times packed sotightly that I had no space to
bring really anything home, andthat's unfortunate, especially
(12:36):
if you're going to some reallycool places.
Um, maybe you're going to amarket or bazaar and you're
finding some really unique itemsthat you would love to bring
home.
Also, check the weather, even upto the day before, even though
you may have looked ahead oftime, it will often change, even
(12:58):
up to maybe the day that you'releaving.
I'd say the day before, so thatyou are all packed the night
before you feel less stressed,right?
That's all taken care of.
Your suitcase is ready to gomaybe in the morning or the next
day.
I like to say keep it simple.
Keep it simple so you avoidstress.
So I'm hoping that you canconsider your next trip to pack
(13:23):
with what they call that capsulewardrobe idea.
Making sure, again, everythingcoordinates.
Have some base layers or a basecolor.
For example, base layer, notjust a color, but you have a
basic black or beige pants, andmaybe you have a basic black or
beige undershirt or top thatcould be again layered that you
(13:49):
could utilize or put a scarf todress it up.
So thinking about those ideasfor your next packing adventure.
If you're new to my podcast,thank you so much for listening.
You can also find me at SoloTravel Adventures50 on
Instagram.
I recommend you follow me there.
(14:10):
I am leaving for a trip and youwant to see where I'm going.
Although I will tell you my nexttwo episodes after I get back
are gonna be all about thistrip.
I'm keeping it um a littlesecret.
I want a kind of a little teaserhere so you will keep listening
for those great um, I'll besharing about my travel, my
(14:32):
trip, but also I'll talkspecifically about some of the
places that I went to.
And speaking of which, just soyou know what is coming up down
the pike, we are almost at theend of the year, and I wanted to
tell you what else is coming sothat you will keep listening.
So next week I will actually notbe recording.
(14:54):
You will not see a podcast fromme next week.
It is the week of Thanksgivinghere in the US, and I know a lot
of my U.S.
listeners are probably a littleswamped that week, and so I'm
also taking a break.
I will also be traveling at thattime.
But when I come back, as Imentioned, I will do two
(15:15):
episodes in December about thistrip.
And so I'm really excited toshare all of that with you and
everything that I'veexperienced, and even offer
recommendations to you forspecific places that I traveled
this 11-day trip.
I know I'm not telling.
(15:36):
Maybe some of you know.
And then after that, I will haveuh one more guest that will be
coming on before the end of theyear, and and then my favorite
episode is the specific traveltrends, not the one I did last
week, but specific destinationsthat are popular in 2026 for I
(16:01):
always do my research.
It's specifically for solotravelers and very safe for
women.
I always keep that in mind.
And if you followed me for thepast, well, going on four years
now, I always do that at the endof the year so you can see kind
of what's popular, also give yousome ideas of where you can go
(16:23):
in 2026, especially if you havenot planned your trip.
And then again, I usually takeoff the week between Christmas
and New Year, so no podcast thatweek.
Enjoy that end of your time withyour family and friends.
And speaking of 2026 travels,you're interested in doing a
(16:47):
wellness cruise in Europe,please reach out to me.
I'll also leave information inthe show notes.
Hello at Cherylbeckesh.comthrough AMA Waterways.
There's an incredible wellness.
It's in August, the end ofAugust in 2026.
(17:08):
It leaves out of Budapest and itgoes up the Danube River, and
it's a seven-day cruise.
Everything's included in theprice, which is phenomenal.
All the excursions are includedin the pricing.
So reach out to me if that'ssomething you're interested in
getting more information about.
I do have a travel agent thatI'm working with that is
coordinating all of those, allthat planning for you.
(17:34):
So, sister travelers, I amexcited to tell you more when I
get back from my travels.
So have a wonderful, wonderfulweek, and I'll see you in two
weeks.
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