Packing Light, the Essential Guide
26th June 2015
Lugging a heavy suitcase isn’t exactly a joy; no one spends their weekends endlessly lugging a case around with them and calls it a hobby! Heavy cases are one of the few factors in a holiday that can actually bring about genuine misery. With everything from excess baggage charges to sore backs and broken wheels, there are plenty of ways in which a heavy suitcase can annoy the holidaymaker.
Imagine if there were another option though, if you could go away without the need to lug a case that requires its own postcode… Well if you are prepared to put in the effort, you can.
Here at Pure Crete we don’t just provide holidays in Crete, we’re also ninjas at packing a case and have mastered the art of going away with nothing other than a small carry on case. And as we are also pretty benevolent, we’ve even put together this handy little guide to help you get away with leaving the case at home.
Pick the Right Case
Now it can be tempting to buy those cases with a rock hard, impenetrable exoskeleton, but unless you are transporting a Ming vase or Faberge Egg then you probably won’t need them. Go for a suitcase that is well made and light, this gives you maximum interior space as well as minimal weight.
It also always pays to check the dimensions for hand luggage before going case shopping so that you are not caught out on the day of your holiday.
Roll Your Clothes
It’s the oldest tip in the book and you will no doubt have heard it a million times before but it really works! First ensure that your clothes are as crease free as possible then roll them as tightly as possible. Not only are your clothes more compact and easy to pack, they are also less likely to crease, meaning you can leave the travel iron at home too!
Wear your Biggest Shoes
If you are taking trainers or boots then you don’t want to put them in your case, they are awkward and take up a huge amount of space. Make sure that your flip flops and sandals go in your case instead to maximise the room available.
And if you absolutely need to take two larger pairs of shoes with you, then make sure that you fill the space inside them!
Don’t Take What You Don’t Need
This can be hard but it is a crucial step in travelling light. Be harsh with yourself and it can be easy to cut plenty of unnecessary items from your packing list. Things like toiletries are heavy and easily available when you arrive so leave them behind!
For further tips on letting go of those items that you don’t absolutely need to take, check out this blog.
If you are sick of always having to lug a suitcase along with you then remember that it doesn’t have to be that way. Simply follow our tips for packing light and you’ll be able to enjoy easier carrying, quicker checking in and zero time at the carousel!