How do you pack for the adventure of a lifetime? Light.

This is always one of the first questions I receive after sharing our extended travel plans. When strategizing on how to pack for our six month stint abroad, my husband and I agreed to abide by two rules:

1. Everything must fit into one carry-on sized bag and a backpack, each.
2. Every man for himself.

The second rule actually meant that I was not allowed to add anything to Travis’s suitcase when he wasn’t looking, like on most prior trips.

He also reminded me that this isn’t a fashion show, we will be living there. The initial thought of fitting my entire wardrobe into a carry-on suitcase gave me heart palpitations, but I knew that the ability to be nimble would be worth it in the long run.

After successfully passing the suitcase test, I’ve gathered my best tips for packing for long-term travel on a small scale:

Pick a color scheme

Envision one of those spreads in a magazine where one item is worn seven different ways – this is the ultimate goal. Only bring something if you can wear it for multiple occasions, in a few different ways.

Picking a color scheme will set yourself up for success and ensure that all of your outfits will go together. For me that was black, grey, olive, white and denim.

Not sure which items should make the cut? Enlist a friend to police your packing. Sometimes you need an impartial party to bear the bad news that the yellow linen sundress isn’t a practical choice.

Follow the rule of two

Allow yourself two of each:

• Dresses
• Leggings
• Tank tops
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Rompers
• Swimsuits
• Scarves
• Light jackets
• Sandals
• Sneakers/hiking shoes

Start with two of each, then if you have extra room you can go up from there. Also don’t be afraid to shed items you find that you aren’t using along the way.

Keep it organized

Packing cubes are a girl’s best friend. Not only do they keep your stuff in order, you usually can fit more into your suitcase as a result.

I’ve tried a few different ones over the years, but my favorite ones are these compression packing cubes from Gomex.

Buy the basics when you get there

Universal items like shampoo and toothpaste are sold everywhere in the world. Save your precious suitcase real estate for the things you think won’t be able to find abroad.

Bring enough for the first day or two, then stock up when you get settled. I’m a big fan of these clear TSA-approved liquids bags that are water-tight and the perfect size for your 3.4 ounce bottles.

Pamper yourself on the road

Leaving behind our normal lives (and paychecks) also meant saying goodbye to the luxury beauty habits that had crept into my lifestyle over the years. This meant no more regular mani-pedi’s, facials or massages.

Instead of going completely cold-turkey on the beauty regiment, I found that packing a few secret weapons bridge the gap and still make me feel like a human-being while on the road:

Facial mask sheets – These all-in-one facials come in envelope form, slide easily into your dopt-kit and will rejuvenate your skin in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for combating the dehydrating airplane air!

Nail polish remover wipes – Commit to one color of polish, then pack a few of these Karma Naturals organic nail polish remover wipes. They are super portable and allow you to do your nails without the normal mess or toxic smell.

A teeny tiny hair dryer – Unlike in the States, many Airbnb’s we found in Europe did not come equipped with hair dryers, so bringing one with me wasn’t optional. I found the little sister version of my beloved BabyBliss hair dryer on Amazon. It folds in half, is dual-voltage so you won’t fry it overseas, and has a detachable nozzle for styling. Priorities, right?

A tennis ball – Quite possibly my favorite travel hack ever, bringing a tennis ball is the poor man’s answer to a massage. It’s the cheapest, easiest way to soothe your sore shoulders from carrying your backpack or sitting for hours on a plane.

Mail yourself a care package.

For the things that you anticipating are either only sold in the States or that you are nervous about finding on the road, purchase enough for the length of your journey, then divide it by two. Pack half of it in your suitcase, and have a friend mail the remainder to you on the road.

The US Postal Service sells a flat-rate shipping mailer, and it is exactly what it sounds like — a box that you can fill to your heart’s content and pay only a flat fee.

While we left the U.S. with our travel itinerary intentionally open-ended, we had a rendezvous with friends booked in Amsterdam that was scheduled for, coincidentally, exactly half-way through our trip. I also have a friend who lives there who graciously agreed to receive the package on my behalf.

For example, I sent myself the following:

• Hair serum
• Juice Plus vitamins
• Probiotics
• Foundation

While I’m sure I could find replacements for most all of these items abroad, it gave me peace of mind.

Despite the cringe-worthy $69.00 price tag for the flat shipping fee to the Netherlands, I know that my future self will thank me later. A girl’s gotta do…

Pack a crash bag.

We’ve all been there. You arrive home from a 20 hour travel day craving a shower, sleep and French fries only to find all of the laundry is dirty and you’re out of toothpaste.

Add in our scenario, where we’ve gotten rid of most of our worldly possessions and are technically “homeless”, and it would be the recipe for disaster.

Luckily, we thought this through and packed ourselves a “crash bag.”

What’s in it?

• Clean pajamas
• One day’s clothes
• A few days’ worth of essential toiletries

What item can you not travel without? Share in the comments below!

Cheers,

Meredith

The post How to Pack for Six Months of Travel in a Carry-On appeared first on The Longest Weekend.

Traveling for a long period of time is no easy undertaking. In addition to the obvious factor of leaving the comforts of your home, friends and family, there are some crucial logistics that even the savviest traveler should not overlook.

Contrary to getting ready for a long weekend or even a ten-day holiday, preparing for an extended trip abroad requires some strategizing and planning for the unexpected.

Fortunately, I’ve got you covered and have created this guide to ensure that no detail goes unaccounted for. From making sure that your cell phone works to ensuring you receive your friends’ wedding invitations, look no further.

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1. Get on board with Airbnb

Airbnb is one of the biggest game changers to happen to the travel industry in years. It allows you to escape the tourist traps and live like a local in cities all over the world. Whether you’re looking to rent a house with bikes, a chic city apartment, or even a houseboat for the week, Airbnb has something for everybody. New user to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off of your first stay!

We’ve had great success with Airbnb not only in the States but all over the world, from Cuba to Croatia. By staying in an actual home or apartment, Airbnb allows you to truly settle in to a city and make yourself at home.

Hotels are awesome – don’t get me wrong – but the ability to cook your own breakfast, do laundry, and just relax and spread out after a long day is something you can’t put a price on.

Did I mention it’s super affordable? Airbnb is typically much cheaper than staying in hotels.

Million dollar view from our Airbnb in Florence… for half the price of a hotel!

Many of our best experiences in different countries have resulted from the interactions with our Airbnb hosts. From giving you the best restaurant and bar recommendations to cooking you a phenomenal home-cooked meal, most hosts will elevate your stay and take pride in ensuring that you enjoy their home city.

Airbnb is a win for both travelers and homeowners alike, as it provides an income opportunity for families to earn extra money as they open their homes. Sustainable tourism is the future, y’all.

Pro tip: Read the reviews carefully prior to booking. The beauty of Airbnb, like Uber, is that the guests rate the host, and vice versa. This is where you’ll find out the good, the bad and the ugly on a listing.

2. Don’t skip the travel health insurance

While no one likes to think about getting sick or injured on vacation, it’s not something to mess around with. Fortunately there are a number of companies that offer health insurance for all types of travelers, whether you’re on a summer holiday or a full-time expat.

Our pick is IMGlobal, and for around $250 per month we have coverage for anywhere in the world. This includes hospital stays, medical evacuation and repatriation, and even includes coverage for adventure sports like skiing. IMGlobal also provide a medical concierge, trip cancellation coverage and lost luggage insurance.

Considering that it can run you upwards of $350,000 to be airlifted from an international destination, we figured it was worth the additional cost just in case.

Will we use it? Believe it or not, we already have!

Six weeks into our travels we made a visit to a private hospital in Budapest, Hungary for a minor, but necessary issue… and man, were we happy to have the peace of mind of the travel insurance. Should the occasion arise, it will more than pay for itself.

3. Ensure your cell phone will work

Sadly, I broke up with my iPhone. I’m sorry Apple, it’s not you, it’s me.

While I’ve been a loyal iPhone and Mac user for years, when it came to selecting an international cell phone plan there was no way around it.

In addition to the prospect of roaming charges that rivaled a mortgage payment, we also didn’t want to be scrambling for SIM cards upon arrival in a new country. We needed easy, affordable and reliable cell service that would work pretty much anywhere.

Enter, Project Fi.

Project Fi is Google’s solution to a cell phone plan. It’s gaining popularity particularly in the travel community as it works in 170+ countries. Project Fi runs on the Android network and partners with global 4G LTE and WiFi networks. We opted for the Google Pixel 2, which I’ve actually become a big fan of after getting over the initial learning curve.

For $20/month on Project Fi you’ll get unlimited texting and the data is a la carte, meaning you only pay for what you use. International phone calls are $0.20 per minute, but you can easily work around this by using WhatsApp or Skype.

Project Fi’s biggest selling point? The data costs are capped, even internationally, at $80 per month for unlimited data. For more details on the plan see Project Fi’s website.

All other providers we looked into either charge around $10 per day (unsustainable for long-term travel) or offer “unlimited” but slow your data down to a crawling speed after minimal use.

Another major perk is that on Project Fi can use use your phone’s mobile hot spot for free. This is crucial, as it provides reliable, secure internet on the go.

You find WiFi pretty much anywhere, but is it secure? Probably not. Even in our Airbnb we still utilize our locked mobile hot spots for accessing secure sites like online banking and for booking lodging… Just in case.

4. Know the immigration laws

Can’t I just come and go as I please? Nope. Every country has different visa requirements that you must be aware of upon entry.

While some countries are stricter than others, it’s always good to be knowledgeable on how long you can legally stay in a country without applying for a visa. Many countries also require proof of onward travel upon arrival, meaning you need to show when you’re leaving so they know that you’re not overstaying your welcome.

For example, an American traveling to Europe is allowed 90 days in what is referred to as the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Zone is comprised of 26 European countries, and as an American you are allowed a total of 90 days for every 180 days in the zone.

The Schengen Zone as of 2018 – Image courtesy schengenvisainfo.com

But how will they know? Upon exit you can get in biiig trouble if your digital passport record indicates otherwise. Not worth it!

Pro tip: When departing on an international flight, you must have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport. Even if your trip is just for the weekend, the airlines can be real sticklers on this and can deny you from boarding… aka you’ll likely miss your trip! Always check your passport’s expiration when booking your flight, in case you need to get it renewed.

5. Stay in the loop on global security and current events

This almost goes without saying, but make sure to stay up to date with the U.S. Department of State’s Security Warnings. In 2018, the travel warning system changed to a four-tiered system:

1. Exercise normal precautions (green)
2. Exercise increased caution (yellow)
3. Reconsider travel (orange)
4. Do not travel (red)

While a level 2 may sound scary, there are many perfectly safe destinations with this security coding. Think most places in Europe, or even many in the Caribbean that are considered level 2’s. Read the warnings, then make an informed decision.

Be sure to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service will register your trip details with the local U.S. Embassy at your destination.

Why does this matter?

• The U.S. Embassy can contact you in the event of an emergency that results from anything like social issues to a natural disaster.
• The U.S. Embassy has your passport information on file, in the event it gets lost or stolen.
• They’ll also have your emergency contact information in the event it was needed.

For example, some friends of ours received a notification through STEP that their upcoming trip to Colombia coincided with the presidential election. Good to know!

6. Get a virtual mailbox

While it seems like the whole world has gone virtual, there are still some things in life that require snail mail: ie. wedding invitations, medical bills, some banking documents…

Traveling Mailbox is the nomad’s answer to receiving your mail, regardless of where you are in the world. You can be blissfully off the grid, but stay in the loop for the important stuff.

Traveling Mailbox is a service that provides you with a real, street postal address and allows you to virtually manage your mail. They scan the outside of envelopes you receive, then open and send you a virtual copy of the letters of your choosing for a small fee. They can even forward it to you directly if you need the document in the flesh.

I credit one of my favorite bloggers, Go Curry Cracker, for introducing me to this travel hack. If you haven’t read their blog yet, check them out! They retired in their 30’s and have been traveling the world ever since. #goals

7. Lock it up

Getting your stuff stolen is a fear that crosses every traveler’s mind. Heck, it might have already happened to you! The last thing you want to deal with while traveling is to fall victim to a pickpocket or bag-slasher (yes, that’s a thing).

The answer: PacSafe.

PacSafe’s bags are equipped with multiple locking mechanisms, slash-guard technology and puncture-resistant zippers. While nothing is completely foolproof, these extra layers of protection prevent the quick grab-and-dash that most commonly occurs.

I am a big fan of the PacSafe’s convertible backpack. This bag converts to a cross-body and is the perfect purse for day-to-day exploring around town. It has plenty of room for all the essentials like your camera, an umbrella, water… Heck, I’ve even fit my jean jacket in there.

     PacSafe’s Convertible Backpack and Carry-On Suitcase

The real advantage is in its engineering: it has an RFID-safe blocking pockets to prevent scanning through your bag of passports and credit cards (yes, that’s also a thing) as well as locking zippers to prevent pick-pockets.

PacSafe’s carry-on bag is also fantastic and what we elected for our travels. It has all of the security features mentioned above, as well as a long locking cable that will come in handy on a long train ride, while waiting at the bus station, or even to lock your bag to your bunk when staying in a hostel. Again, not foolproof but will slow down a potential thief.

Want more packing tips? Check out my post on how I packed for six months of travel in a carry-on. 

8. Leave your jewelry at home!

Engagement rings, nice watches, flashy costume jewelry — I’m looking at you. Prevent yourself from being targeted by blending in as much as possible.

9. Arm yourself with entertainment

No matter how excited you are about the place that you’re visiting, at some point getting  a little homesick is inevitable. We anticipated this when packing for our six month stint in Europe, and packed a few things to make our days feel more normal:

• UE Roll Speaker – The mini version of our favorite Bluetooth speaker is small but mighty, and the perfect companion for a day at the beach. Bonus: it’s waterproof and comes in lots of fun colors.

• Apple TV – Are we sitting on the couch every night watching Netflix? No. However, the ability to catch up on our favorite shows or watch a movie every once and a while has been a real treat.
• A deck of cards and a set of dice – Don’t underestimate the power of a good old fashioned card or dice game. We bring these with us even on quick overnight trips, as you never know when you’ll get stuck in the rain or bored on a bus trip.

10. Stay on budget!

Use an app on your phone to track your spending. We enter everything from our housing costs to dinner and bus tickets.

I like Wallet for Android or Trail Wallet for iOs. The free apps allow you to input your budget for a set time period and will break down your spending by category. It’s easy for tracking your spending on the go, in real time. You can add multiple users to your account, and it works on different currencies so it does the conversions for you.

Do you have any go-to tips for traveling long-term? Share below in the comments!

Cheers,

Meredith

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