{"id":163,"date":"2025-05-27T19:18:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slu.vccdigitalmedia.ca\/travel-with-shin\/?p=163"},"modified":"2025-05-30T16:42:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T16:42:09","slug":"the-carry-on-only-challenge-how-i-packed-for-a-month-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slu.vccdigitalmedia.ca\/travel-with-shin\/2025\/05\/27\/the-carry-on-only-challenge-how-i-packed-for-a-month-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"The Carry-On Only Challenge: How I Packed for a Month in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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I remember standing in my bedroom, staring at an open suitcase and the mess of clothes spilling around it, already feeling overwhelmed. A month-long trip through Europe was on the horizon\u2014Italy, Spain, Portugal\u2014each promising its own flavors, textures, and weather. I had done this before: packed a giant suitcase, crammed full of \u201cmaybe\u201d outfits, three pairs of shoes I didn\u2019t wear, and bulky sweaters that never saw the light of day. But this time, something felt different.<\/p>

I wanted less.<\/p>

Less weight on my back.<\/p>

Less time spent choosing outfits.<\/p>

Less clutter, more space\u2014both physically and mentally.<\/p>

So I set a challenge: one backpack. One month. Three countries. No checked luggage.<\/p>

Not because I wanted to prove anything\u2014but because I wanted to travel differently. Slower, lighter, and more intentional.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Choosing the Right Bag<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The first step was finding the perfect carry-on. I went with a 35L soft-shell backpack that fits most European airline requirements. I chose one with front-loading access (like a suitcase), multiple compartments, and comfortable straps. A well-designed bag makes everything easier\u2014from airport security to train station chaos.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Building a Capsule Wardobe<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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I built a versatile wardrobe using the \u201c10 pieces, 30 outfits\u201d principle. Think neutral tones, lightweight fabrics, and items that can mix and match easily.<\/p>

  • Tops:<\/b><\/span> 4 breathable shirts (1 dressy, 3 casual)<\/p><\/li>

  • Bottoms:<\/b><\/span> 2 pants, 1 pair of shorts<\/p><\/li>

  • Layers:<\/b><\/span> 1 cardigan, 1 compact rain jacket<\/p><\/li>

  • Shoes:<\/b><\/span> 1 pair of sneakers (for walking), 1 pair of sandals (for dressing up or beach days)<\/p><\/li>

  • Extras:<\/b><\/span> 1 swimsuit, 1 scarf, and a compact foldable tote for groceries or beach use<\/p><\/li><\/ul>

    Pro Tip:<\/b><\/span> Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics and colors that don\u2019t show dirt easily.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Downsizing Toiletries<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    This was a game changer. I invested in reusable silicone travel bottles and filled them with concentrated multi-use products (like shampoo bars and all-in-one body\/hair wash). I also carried a small pouch of essentials: toothbrush, floss, sunscreen, and solid perfume.<\/p>

    Pro Tip:<\/b><\/span> Go solid where you can (bar soap, deodorant stick, etc.)\u2014they don\u2019t count toward liquid limits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Doing Laundry on the go<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    This was a game changer. I invested in reusable silicone travel bottles and filled them with concentrated multi-use products (like shampoo bars and all-in-one body\/hair wash). I also carried a small pouch of essentials: toothbrush, floss, sunscreen, and solid perfume.<\/p>

    Pro Tip:<\/b><\/span> Go solid where you can (bar soap, deodorant stick, etc.)\u2014they don\u2019t count toward liquid limits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    What I regretted (and didn't)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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