Packing Light When Traveling

By

Noella

Be sure and take a jacket. The temperature can vary from 90 to 45 in just one day even in the summer time. My brother lives in Anchorage and he says that no one goes anywhere without a jacket. If by any chance you might do some ocean fishing - you will need a winter coat, but you can find those usually at a second hand store like Salvation Army.

Be sure to check out the sites while you're there - Portage Glacier, walk the track around the town. Anchorage this time of year is beautiful!

By

pcheflm

If you have access to a washing machine, you can pack very light and just wash the clothes every couple of days. My family always packs carry-on luggage when we travel...whether we are going for a few days or 10 days. The key is packing the same color scheme to your clothes. I usually pack black pants and skirts. I wear my jeans and sneakers on the plane. These are usually the heaviest and bulkiest items I bring. So I do not need to pack them. Also sticking to the same color scheme for pants allows me to pack two pairs of shoes, one casual and one dressy. I also never pack shampoo and soap because hotels/houses I stay in have them already or I buy inexpensive ones when I get to my destination. My husband and I (and sometimes my kids) have gone to Hawaii, Europe, Cruises, Alaska and the Caribbean and always pack just a carryon bag each. We have never gone anywhere for 30 days but I would apply my same strategies while packing for 30 days and would limit myself to a carryon.

What are your recommendations for packing "light" when traveling? I always over-pack because I hate to get to my destination and be short of clothes and other items. I'd always rather have more than what I need than not enough. Any recommendations?