How do I do that?! Reading articles for months in preparation for my trip have still left me scratching my head at the eleventh hour, frustrated and tossing things around my room. I’ve always been a chronic overpacker, even as a kid. I vividly remember bringing a bag just for my shoes on a family vacation to Cape Cod when I was eight. Alas, I don’t have the budget to deal with that kind of nonsense for this trip, nor the strength to carry all that on my back. My main goal for packing for this extended trip is to have enough to get by without having to do laundry every few nights. Luckily, the weather is getting hotter so I won’t have to worry about needing too many layers of clothing.
This brings me to my decision to restrict myself to just a carry on bag and personal item. I will be bringing an Osprey Fairview 55 which is a bit bigger than a traditional carry-on but it’s squishier so don’t you narc on me. It includes a larger and smaller backpack that can be attached. I will also be bringing a Travelon crossbody/fanny pack along.
Here’s my packing list so far:
Essentials
- Passport, ID, credit/debit cards, currency, student ID (for discounts)
- Photocopies of important documents
- Pens and notebooks
Clothing
- Bras and underwear (1 nude, 1 nude strapless, 2 sports bras)
- Several tops (tees, tanks, crop tops)
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of leggings
- 10 pairs of socks
- 3 Dresses
- 1 Skirt
- 1 Raincoat- packs into a small pouch
- 1 Jacket- From Primark- it packs into a small drawstring bag
- Scarf with hidden pocket
- 3 bathing suits and coverup
Shoes
- New Balance sneakers
- Crocs wedges
- Bare Traps Sandals
- Flip flops (for showers at hostels)
Toiletries
- Shampoo and Conditioner bars from Lush
- Bar soap
- Compact Hairbrush
- Toothbrush, Floss, and Toothpaste (I found that you can find ones that are almost 3 ounces at the dollar store, so they’ll last longer than the tiny travel-sized versions
- Solid sunscreen- Neutrogena
- Venus Snap razor (a compact version that comes in its own little case) and extra razors
- Q tips
- Lip balm
- Tweezers
- Deodorant
- Curology acne lotion
- Anti-chafe gel (to prevent the dreaded Chub-rub)
Electronics
- Cellphone and 2 chargers, tripod for phone
- 2 Anker portable chargers
- Canon Rebel Camera, charger, tripod, spare battery, memory card
- Chromebook and charger
- Kindle and charger
- Travel Adaptor
Medicine
- Lactaid- I’ll probably use a box in Italy alone
- Allergy medication
- Benadryll
- Advil/Tylenol
- Travel Probiotic
- Stomach issue meds (Pepto, Immodium, Tums, Dramamine)
- Nyquil
- Neosporin and Anti-itch Gel
- Flonase nasal spray
- Daily vitamins (gummy variety because I’m a child)
- Emergen-C packets
Miscellaneous
- Extra ziploc bags in various sizes
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable straw (I use Final Straw)
- Reusable shopping bag
- Travel Towel
- Sleeping bag liner
- Pillowcase
- First aid kit with bandaids
- Nail clipper and file
- Hand sanitizer
- Headphones
- Eye Mask
- Snacks
- Extra glasses and sunglasses
- Purell wipes
- Bobby pins and hair elastics
- Padlocks for bags and for hostel lockers
- Compact umbrella
- “Bug bite thing” I haven’t met a mosquito that doesn’t love me yet
- Headband (for windy or hot days)
- Tissues
- Earplugs
- Conair space bags (I admit it. I cheated- I love clothes too much!)
That’s what I have so far so we’ll see how it goes! I fly tomorrow so let me know if I forgot anything 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Bri Right Back 