Packing Light for Fall Travel

It's that time again. Most places are starting to get cooler, or it will be when you are on your fall or holiday travel. Even when you have to pack larger pieces than for your summer trips, you can still pack light. I'm a big proponent of layering when I travel, since you never know if the weather will be unseasonably warm or colder than you expect. Don't fret though, because you can still pack light and bring everything you need for any kind of weather.

When we traveled to London and Paris in late October, the weather ranged from cool, crisp fall air to freezing temps with rain. It could have been miserable, but learning from my previous trip there, when all we had packed were winter clothes. The first 3-4 days were so warm out that I didn't need a coat and seriously wondered if I'd have to buy some short sleeve tops in order to not get heat stroke. Needless to say, nobody wanted a repeat of that. So, the next time, taking all my knowledge into account when packing, I chose several lightweight sweaters that I could layer other things with and went from there.

If the weather tends toward cold, cold, cold, your pictures are basically all going to be you bundled up in your coat and you aren't going to see anything you've got on underneath anyway. With this in mind, it makes even more sense to bring as little as possible. You'll just need enough to keep you from getting bored and to go between laundry - think of it an excuse to take a break and relax a few times on your trip. Watch a movie, catch up on email or play a game. I bring the same thing for one week as I do for two. Three lightweight sweaters, a cardigan, two tanks and two tees that match your sweaters. Throw a dress, two pair of stretchy jeans or other comfortable pants and two pair of shoes. 

Keep in mind your travel outfit. I usually wear my favorite pair of jeans (with stretch), a tee and a cardigan, one pair of the shoes I'm planning to wear throughout my trip and keep my jacket and a scarf in easy reach. This way if it's cold, I can put more layers on, and if it's hot, I can remove my cardigan. I swapped out a regular tee with a lightweight long-sleeve one above, and you can see my jacket in the corner.

jeans | dress | cardigan | l/s shirt | t-shirts | tights

A pair of black jeans can double as nice pants for a night out, but a breathable dress can also work. Make sure to pack a pair of heavy tights in case it's really cold and you need some extra protection. Tights are multitaskers. When the weather is colder than expected, like a freak snowstorm, you can throw them on under your pants. I tend toward thinner skinny jeans, because the stretchy ones are comfortable, but may not be as warm as traditional jeans. For this reason, that extra layer might be necessary.

Make sure your tops all mix and match, so you don't have items that only go with some things in your bag. I like neutrals, like black and gray that I can add a pop of color to. You may end up like me and have to wear three layers at once, so if you bring three different color sweaters and three different color/patterns of tanks and tees, you're going to look like a bag lady. I like to go with solids for one layer and some patterns for the other. Above you have 3 long sleeve options and two patterned t-shirts. If you have to layer, these will all work together. The dress is also reversible (this one is sold out, but these are longer and you can wear alone or with a sweater), so you can make at total of 22 outfits with these pieces. You also have the added warmth of your cardigan and/or jacket.

yup, lots of photos of us just wearing coats and hats or scarves.

Look for shoes that will go with everything. I went to Europe the first time with a pair of flats and tall packable boots, but I love the look of a short boot and a loafer. Make sure you have enough room for your foot to breathe in your boot and that both pair are comfortable to walk in all day long. I loved the boots I took, but they were a smidge too tight, or I overdid myself on the 478965322 stairs in Paris, because I left with a stress fracture in one of my feet. Boo. But at least I didn't notice the pain until the night before we were going back home. Maybe suck it up and wear your flats when hiking up 40 jillion steps, just in case. In Edinburgh, where everything is somehow uphill, I wore these great booties from Arcopedico that kept my feet happy and warm and aren't tight, but still have awesome support.

jacket | booties | wrap | ballet flats

Look at the weather before you leave, to be sure you're dressed for your destination. A pair of gloves and a hat are always good companions, because you'll be thrilled if you have them and need them, or miserable if you leave them at home and have to shell out money for them. We actually had to purchase another hat and scarf for Eric on a trip, who didn't think he would need them. Then again for both of us when we went to Philly and it was so cold and windy there was no way to handle it. Unless you're hoping for a lame souvenir, throw some in for everyone traveling. It'll make your life easier.

What is your best Autumn packing advice?

Do Things That Scare You

When I travel, I always try to include things that are out of my comfort zone. I find that it's something that helps me enjoy travel more and makes me want to do more things and see more places. This past trip to France, I decided to rent a car and do a road trip. At home, this is something I would normally do, but I've only driven outside the country in places like Canada and Ecuador. Europe is different, not least because the roads are much smaller.

I haven't been brave enough to drive in a country that drives on the left, but I think I could do it if I was driving in the countryside. When we were planning our trip to Scotland, we had to fly into London, change airports, and then fly to Edinburgh. We contemplated renting a car to drive to Edinburgh instead, since we were flying back to London after the wedding we were attending, but it cost twice as much to rent and drive. 

This was the walkway and street in front of our France hotel

When we got to Edinburgh and used several Ubers, I was glad I wasn't driving in the city, because everyone drove really fast and wasn't confident I could keep up while trying to see the traffic lights and watch people crossing the tiny streets. Driving in France was much like driving at home, not just because we drive on the same side, but also because most of the city driving was just getting out onto the highway or in smaller towns without much traffic.

We rented the smallest car we could, through Turo, because I needed to be able to park it everywhere. I asked a friend who owns a Smart Car how if she thought it would be a decent car for the two of us and our luggage and she was very helpful. We didn't bring much, so that helped, and I was able to stash my personal item behind my seat, since I needed to sit closer to the wheel than most people. it was also a great place to put snacks and drinks while we were doing our daily trips. 

We stayed in the Normandy region, in a tiny town called Connelles. It was 20 minutes to the nearest grocery store or restaurant, so we spent a lot of time driving on 1- or 2-lane roads through farmland. At times we either had to drive half on the shoulder to make room for a second car, or pulled over entirely when a caravan was coming and cars were parked on both sides of the street. 

Most cars were small like ours though, so that was really helpful. We were also able to park everywhere we went, because the car was tiny, although it felt very roomy and was really comfortable for long drives. 

If you're also looking to step out of your comfort zone when traveling, you don't have to take on driving in a foreign country. You can do something small and work your way up to more scary things like driving and learning to decipher street signs as you go. Here are some other things we've done to push ourselves:  

• Practiced our Spanish and French while traveling in areas where no one spoke English
• Took the bus 2 hours out of London to visit an estate that was recommended to us instead of doing a traditional tourist attraction
• Booked my own excursions though non-cruise companies when we went on a cruise
• Stored our luggage with a UPS Store in Baltimore through an app I found before I left home
• Traveled to Las Vegas on my own, the first time, to go to a convention
• Started ordering food I've never heard of before when I travel
• Went on a road trip with my mom and dog
• Took a solo road trip from Portland to Vegas and back
• Met people I only know from the internet on trips to visit their favorite restaurants, coffee shops, or bars
• Got a ride from a stranger when trying to visit distillery several miles off the main road (probably don't do this, especially if you're alone)
• Got in the ocean by myself
• Went on a snorkeling excursion in a small group of people (where I made friends with a sea turtle)
• Turned out our lamps on a cave tour and didn't die (and made a new friend - not a ghost)
• Got brave and went into the Walking Dead haunted house at Universal
• Went on a dark ride at a theme park by myself
• Explored some abandoned buildings along the Salton Sea outside of Palm Springs/Palm Desert/Indio

Eric and I at Monet's garden

I'm sure there are more things I've done that I can't think of, but it has always been a good experience when I push myself to do something I'm not entirely comfortable doing on a trip. Is it scary? Sometimes. Usually the idea is scarier than the actual thing. The point of travel is not to do the same old thing you do at home. If that were true, then you might as well just stay home. Get out, talk to people, try new things, eat weird food, and show the world that Americans are willing to immerse themselves in other cultures and not expect other countries and their people to cater to their way of life. This is the best way to learn about yourself and the world.

What are some things you've done out of your comfort zone when you've traveled? 

Halloween Around the World

Halloween and travel go hand in hand to me. Every country has their own way of celebrating and their own folklore and traditions, which I find fascinating. You're never going to have the same experience in America as you will anywhere else, so make plans to go somewhere different in the future. Maybe one of these destinations below:

Halloween in the UK was much different 20 years ago than it is today and France seems to always have a different thing going on. I aspire to visit Ireland or Scotland, Tokyo, and Mexico for their celebrations.

Have you been away from home for the Halloween season before?