I'm so excited! I have new luggage. (I feel like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when he yells, "the new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!") It wasn't an easy task - finding what I wanted. You see, I'm really picky about what I travel with (also who I travel with, but that will be a later blog! ha!) I am a firm believer in practicality and simplicity when I pack. So what do I look for? OK, here's my list: nothing bigger than a 22" carry on (even though I always check it), needs to have in-line wheels, not the ones that stick out because they will get broken (even though they can make your luggage do wheelies in the airport), pockets on the outside (these are a great place to stick your coat, scarf, etc before you check it in - you won't need those on the plane), a few inside pockets (I don't need many as I'm a firm believer in packing cubes - more about those at a later time), a color that's not black (have you seen how many of those are on the baggage carrier?), lightweight before I put anything in it, and expandable! I always come home with more than I went with and it helps if you can give yourself a few extra inches of depth. So, what did I get? Penney's had all their luggage on half-price (never, I say never, buy luggage at full price - check out Ross, or Marshall's or TJMaxx or wait til dept. stores have their sales.) It's a Samsonite (always buy from a company you've heard of) in electric blue. But what really was the selling point for me is that this luggage, while it was the same height as others I looked at, was over an inch deeper before expanding it. For me, that's a lot of extra room. When I go to Europe, I'm gone for at least 2 weeks, I don't ever plan to do laundry (what a waste of time when there's so much to see and do), so I like being able to take just what I need to get by (I will, of course, wash out some items that will easily dry overnight).
So, here's what I'm planning on taking to Greece in October. My new 21" Samsonite to check in, my narrower than anyone elses-so it will go down the plane aisles-and fit under my seat Travelon on wheels (I'm also really picky about my carry-ons!), my little Travelon travel wallet on a strap that I wear around my neck (for all my documents - passport, driver's license, tickets - also money for the airport and a small amount of currency for landing in the new country).
In my next entry I'll talk about what I pack in my carry-on. I don't want to bore you at this early stage of my blog as I'd love for you to come back :)
"A bientôt" - as the French would say (See you later)
