The Route

Okay, so the least planned part of our lives. I know, we’re insane. But the reason for this trip actually had a practical purpose: 1) I need to retrieve my wedding dress from Madrid in mid-July, 2) Between Spain, our wedding, and our honeymoon we decided it wouldn't make sense to get a lease just yet, and 3) We were invited back to our favorite housesit from last year for a month. Why make a trip to Europe for just a couple of weeks when we can save money and just live cheaply over here for part of the year? Getting over to Europe is usually the most difficult/expensive part, and the US is just not very feasible right this second with how insane the cost of everything is.

This was our budget hack last year and it worked, as we spent less than $1600 on rent for the whole year while living off of one income. And by "rent" I mean Airbnbs around the holidays and in between housesits, plus a 10-day stay in Morocco (which cost $150, so like next to nothing). So, Europe it is - for now anyways.

That said, started in Scotland for the full month of April. As we had a car and were close to nature, this meant lots of time outdoors enjoying the stunning scenery with our temporary pups, and packed for an overnight trip or two. We also visited my sister in Edinburgh and traveled through Glasgow. 

After this, we explored Sicily, Italy for a couple weeks with Will’s mom, where we'll then stay on for a couple months. This meant warm weather, stunning beaches, summer hikes, and a lot of outdoor time. 

Our last stop was Spain for most of July to visit some friends and retrieve my wedding dress from Madrid. In between Italy and Spain, we actually didn't know what our plans were, but ended up taking advantage of cheap flights to visit both Malta and Budapest. Then we finished up by arriving back in the United States just weeks before our wedding in August!

This left us with both spring and summer climates to pack for, and the need to be prepared for all of our time outdoors, near the coast, in cities, and in transit comfortably with everything we need. 

The Backpack

While in Europe for all of 2023, I carried a Northface Base Camp Voyager 32L for clothes and a Manfrotto Metropolitan for my laptop and camera gear. I was surprised at how manageable the 32L was, however, it was still just a little too small and seemed inefficient for what I needed. I intend to do a full review of this backpack in the future. 

For this year, I picked up the COR Surf Island Hopper Backpack 40L. After spending weeks (okay, months) researching backpacks, I just wasn’t ready to commit to an Osprey or Wandrd bag due to the price tag. After reading countless reviews and researching brands, the COR Surf 40L seemed like a highly-rated, yet lesser-known option on the market. The best part? It was only $118 and thus far, it seems to be built really well. 

Without getting into too many details, this backpack has tons of pockets, built-in packing cubes, internal compression straps, and is weather-resistant. I’m very excited to test this out for these next few months. I’m less than two weeks into using this backpack, but so far I like it and think it’s a very functional, comfortable, and well-thought-out travel backpack.

I’ll be reviewing this bag in-depth soon so keep an eye out for that! I’ll also be carrying a canvas day backpack (maybe 18L?) as a camera bag/purse. I don’t know the brand, as Will’s grandmother gave it to me right before the trip and I decided to use it instead of my regular camera backpack due to the size and style versatility.

Packing List

Now, let's break down my exact packing list, tailored to meet the demands of a 3.5-month European backpacking trip.

Clothing

• Merino wool base layer
• 3 short-sleeved tops
• 2 long-sleeved tops
• 1 dress shirt
• 1 sweater*
• 1 pair hiking/travel pants
• 2 pairs jeans/pants*
• 1 pair denim shorts
• 3 dresses
• 2 sports bras/tops
• 1 one-piece swimsuit
• 1 regular wireless bra
• 6 pairs socks (4 invisible, 2 darn tough merino wool)
• 7 pairs underwear

Outerwear

• 1 compact puffer coat
• 1 compact rain jacket (with hood)

Shoes

• Rain/hiking boots
• Leather sandals
• Running shoes

ACCESSORIES

• Sunglasses
• Travel scarf
• Jewelry
• Compact umbrella

TOILETRIES

• Makeup
• Razor
• Menstrual cup
• Skincare (skin serum, eye cream, moisturizer, bronzing drops)
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush
• Non-toxic SPF

ELECTRONICS

• Plugin adapter
• Laptop & charger
• DSLR Camera + battery
• iPhone
• Tripod
• Battery charger
• Drone + remote controller (DJI Mini 3 Pro)
• Cable organizer
• Portable hard drive
• Card reader
• 2 portable LED lights

EXTRAS

• Lifestraw filtered water bottle
• Canvas tote bag
• 20L drybag
• Packing cubes
• Small canvas bag (for laundry)

*Note: Our bags didn’t arrive in Scotland until 5 days later (Thanks IcelandAir), so I bought an extra pair of pants shortly after arriving. I also washed my sweater and it shrunk and gave it to my XS sister. So now no sweater, but extra pair of pants.

You can find a more in-depth breakdown of my electronics and photography gear here.

My Favorite Travel Items

• Optimal Layering: Kari Traa Base Layer Top and Pants
• Stylish Waterproof Boots: Igor Rain Boots
• Best Compact Jacket: Mac-in-a-Sac Puffer Jacket
• Best Travel Socks: Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
• Filtered Water On-the-Go: LifeStraw Water Bottle
• My Camera: Canon 6D MII

Travel Hacks

Packing Cubes - Personally I have never found that these save me tons of space, however, they are invaluable for the organization. It’s SO much easier to pull out one packing cube at a time as opposed to finding things from a big chaotic pile each time. I’d like to try Peak Design’s compression packing cubes in the future though, as they’re highly recommended within the travel community. 

Capsule Wardrobe - I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but having a set color palette for your wardrobe is a game-changer. Especially if you’re like me and you get bored wearing the same things and want to go shopping just to switch it up. It’s usually recommended to go with neutrals. As I get bored easily, I just pack according to my color palette (True Autumn) so everything easily mixes and matches this way.

Reversible Clothing - This is a hugely underrated travel hack. When using a capsule wardrobe system, you can greatly increase your options with just a few reversible items. Check out this Prana Reversible Crop Top and the Mac in a Sac Puffer Jacket I mentioned above (I’m obsessed with it).

Multi-use Items: The more uses 1 item has, the better. For example, try traveling with 1 bottle of Castille soap to use for your shampoo, soap, and laundry soap. A good pashmina scarf can be used as a pillow, blanket, scarf, makeshift beach/picnic blanket, or head covering for religious sites. The Lifestraw water bottle linked above both purifies any water source but also keeps your drinks cold.

Rolling vs. Folding: Okay there’s a huge debate about this topic and I feel obligated to mention it for consideration. I have never noticed much of a difference between packing and rolling my clothes. I opt for folding because I find everything stays put better than rolling. And I’m OCD and don’t want to look at the different sizes of all of my clothes when they’re rolled. Yes, I actually overthink this

Packing Considerations

The following are a few considerations to keep in mind for packing for your own trip. How I’ve packed might not be sensible for you if you’re going to much colder or much warmer places, though of course, use your best judgment.

• Climate Diversity: Take into account the varying climates you'll encounter. European climates can vary significantly throughout the year.
• Cultural Context: Research the dress codes and cultural norms of each destination to ensure your attire aligns with local customs.
• Versatility: Opt for versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits, maximizing space in your luggage.
• Practicality: Prioritize comfort and functionality, especially if you'll be exploring on foot or using public transportation extensively. Sadly, this means leaving the heels at home.
• Activities: Are you an avid hiker? Do you plan on spending the majority of your time on the luxurious side (i.e. nice restaurants), a hardcore backpacker, or somewhere in between? Having a good idea of what you want to do in each of your destinations will help in deciding what to prepare for.

Packing Essentials

Now, let's delve into the bare-bones essential items that should find their way into your suitcase regardless of your trip type.

Clothing

• Lightweight Layers: Pack breathable fabrics like bamboo, merino wool, linen, and polyester that can be layered for warmth or shed when the sun shines. Cotton takes ages to dry, but if you know you’ll wear your favorite pair of jeans then, by all means, bring them.
• Rain Gear: Invest in a quality waterproof jacket and pack a compact umbrella for those inevitable spring showers. You can find plenty of super compact rain jackets online.
• Versatile Footwear: Bring a mix of comfortable walking shoes, sandals, and maybe even a pair of dressier shoes for evenings out.
• Swimwear: Don't forget to pack a swimsuit for beach days or lounging by the pool.
• Modest Attire: For visits to religious sites or conservative regions, have modest clothing options like long skirts or pants and shawls.

Accessories

• Sun Protection: Pack sunglasses and your favorite SPF for long days outdoors
• Travel-Sized Toiletries: Streamline your beauty routine with travel-sized toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and skincare essentials.
• Daypack or Crossbody Bag: Opt for a lightweight, versatile bag for daily excursions, perfect for carrying water bottles, snacks, and your camera.
• Travel Adapters: Ensure you can charge your devices by packing a universal travel adapter compatible with European outlets.

Tech and Gadgets

• Smartphone: Your smartphone will be your lifeline for navigation, communication, and capturing memories along the way.
• Camera: Consider bringing a compact camera or DSLR to capture high-quality photos of your adventures.
• Portable Charger: Keep your devices powered up on the go with a portable charger or power bank.

What’s Weighing Me Down

Here’s a list of the things I packed that, upon use and consideration could have been left behind or optimized further. 

• Camera tripod - I debated bringing this as my tripod is quite bulky. However, I’ve been really upset the last few trips I didn’t have it. While it takes up space, I’m not ready to let this go yet.
• Hairbrush - kind of silly, but I’m planning on swapping to a small, compact hairbrush that takes up less space.
• Cosmetics - I brought more makeup than I probably needed, but I want to be better about taking photos with me in them while traveling. And I love dressing up on occasion and it’s SO nice having the option of a few different lip colors! I have two toiletry bags that can be optimized further in the future but until then…It is what it is.
• Dresses - Dresses always take up a good amount of space compared to other clothes, but I know I’ll be really happy to have 3 options when I’m in warmer places. Wearing dresses simply brings me too much joy to pretend I don’t need them.
• Running Shoes - I have 3 pairs of shoes and wish I could be okay with just 2. I used my running shoes more than my rainboots for this trip, as I didn't need them at all after leaving Scotland.
• Headphones - my Bose headphones are kinda bulky but 100% worth it for airplanes and cafe work sessions. Down the road when I have money to spend on a second pair, maybe I’ll get some smaller ones. In the meantime, I’m loving these.

Conclusion

Packing for several months involves a lot of careful planning and consideration, and at the end of the day it's a super personal process for every traveler. Whether you're planning a trip soon or not, I hope this gives you some insight into what one traveler does to help you prepare for your next adventure.

Is there anything I missed or was there something new you learned from this post? Shoot me an email, I'd love to hear from you!

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