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Travelin' Light . . .

© Diane Goldberg under the original topic name

There is a certain romantic cachet to the women charging through international departure lounges with a handbag and a pair of sunglasses. Likewise, the lean lady hopping out of her trusty pick-up to buy a soda as she tools across country with one change of clothing and rock and roll on the radio has considerable charm.

Traveling light has a certain mystique, particularly if you look like a supermodel.

For the rest of us, the women with bad hair days and wrinkled skirts, practicality demands we travel light to get the most from our vacation time and money.

Why travel light?

When you aren't car traveling, you must negotiate train stations, bus depots, or airports. Frequently you need hiking boots to travel from one point to another in these huge buildings. If you actually pay a porter [when you can find one] it gets rather pricey. Even the ubiquitous rental luggage carts cost.

Once you de-plane, de-train, or get off the bus, you'll need to get to your lodgings. With a minimum of luggage, you can survive crowded subways intact. If you travel with half of your wardrobe, you may be sentenced to taking a taxi or airport limo service. It is not uncommon for taxis to charge extra per piece of luggage

If you are a free bird who likes to seek a bargain perch upon arrival, you can swoop into the tourist information office or booking agency with your luggage in tow. With a mass of "stuff," you may need to park one person with the worldly possessions while another room-scouts. (Impossible for solo travelers.) For the free spirit that likes to float through an area seeking vacancy signs, minimum luggage is an absolute necessity.

Budget hotels do not abound with bellhops eager to transport suitcases up endless flights of stairs. Remember that for a bargain hunter the rule is, "You pack it, you carry it."

What about must-haves? The jacket for the windy day or the dress for the opera? Even the most experienced traveler runs into an event or environment for which she is ill-prepared. Touring with a touch of extra cash and half-empty suitcase enables picking up "must-haves" at your destination. I often find that the outfit I thought was essential back home would have been useless upon arrival.

How do you travel light?

A standard rule says to look at everything you want to take, cut it in half, and then half the remaining clothing.

The copyright of the article Travelin' Light . . . in Traveling on a Budget is owned by Diane Goldberg under the original topic name. Permission to republish Travelin' Light . . . in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.