Pro Travel Tip: Packing for Round-the-World Adventure

Dear Travel Guru –

I’m taking an extended trip throughout Europe and because we’ll be staying in a lot of different places and riding on all types of vehicles, I’d like some suggestions of how I can pack light. If possible, I’d like to get away with only one carryon bag.

Can you suggest what I should take and what type of luggage might work best?

Thanks!

Ann

Dear Ann –

On an extended trip, it’s very wise to pack light. Many travelers make the mistake of carrying far more than they need and discover they have to haul it around with them when they really wear only a couple of outfits.

I recommend you start by going to the “Universal Packing List” site that will create a customized packing list for you, depending on the season, the length of your stay, the type of travel gear you’re traveling with, whether you’ll be cooking your own food, and even whether or not you wear glasses.

One of the questions it will ask is what you’re planning to pack your gear in. If you have an appropriate bag already, great! If not, you’ll probably want something roomy, lightweight and that doubles as a backpack or a wheel-on. ProTravelGear.com offers the MLC® Wheelie by Patagonia which has all those features in one maximum limit carryon. Its coated balistics nylon and polyester fabric makes it weather-resistent, it comes with a T-handle and heavy-duty wheel system that makes pulling it a breeze. But for stairs and bumpy ground, simply pull out the straps and it converts to a backpack.

The outside pocket is great for safeguarding tickets and there is an internal “floating” divider to separate dirty laundry from clean.

Ann, one of the things the Universal Packing List will recommend is for you to plan on layering. You may also want to take a look at the Women’s Apparel Section of ProTravelGear.com’s website as well to discover some lightweight tops, pants and underwear that all pack well.

Have a great adventure!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Traveling with a Guitar

Dear Travel Guru –

I’m an avid acoustic guitarist and will be going overseas to teach. I’d like to take my Martin with me, but it’s expensive and I don’t think the climate will be very good for it. I’m also afraid it may get stolen or broken.

Have you heard of anyone taking a guitar to China?

Larry W.

Dear Larry –

I had a friend who took her guitar to France when she studied abroad in college and she was really glad she did. She mentions being amazed that, people from all over knew most of the same songs whether they were old folk songs or contemporary. It helped bring the group together. That being said, her guitar was somewhat the worse for wear after being carted all over Europe.

So you may want to consider investing in a substitute. The one I have in mind is the Ultra Light Acoustic Traveler Guitar from ProTravelGear.com. This satin finish guitar comes with an acoustic piezo pickup, a light-weight detachable lap rest frame and it weighs less than 3 pounds. The neck and the body are made of Eastern American Hard Maple measuring 28” in length and 5 ¼” in width. The fingerboard is ebonized rosewood inlaid in the vintage clay style. It comes with its own gig bag and retails for only $279.

Its other specs include:

Frets - 22 Medium
Scale Length - 24 ¾ inches
Fingerboard Inlays - Vintage Clay Style
Truss-rod - Fully Adjustable (access via endcap)
Neck Width at Nut - 1 ¾ inches
Pickup - Shadow® Piezo
Hardware - Chrome 14:1 Gear Ratio Tuning Machines (Closed Gear)

If you decide to order this guitar, be sure to do so before you leave the U.S. because it’s not available for shipping outside of the States. It is a cute little guitar, with full sound...and it also makes a great conversation-starter!

Have a great trip!

Best regards,
The Travel Guru


At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.