i’m back at it, packing up my sweet old (broken) Away carry on suitcase yet again, this time for a mildly-nerve-wracking 7 week adventure that will begin in Porto, Portugal and land me in Florence, Italy just in time to greet my gals for my Multi-City Biodynamic Wine and Wellness retreat.

I am, how you say, SO EXCITED. And low-key a bit anxious for this epic route I’ve curated for myself.

I am not about to be the girl trying to lug a huge suitcase and tote bag and carry on and purse around the historic, cobblestone-lined streets of Europe. As well, I’m taking lots of trains and a couple busses, so packing light is critical to this trip’s success and to my having as few freak outs and panic attacks as possible. My goal: take just my Away carry on suitcase, which is light enough to pick up and carry up stairs, onto trains, etc., and my trusty Lululemon crossbody fanny pack.

Of course I’m aware I will likely be doing a small amount of shopping and old book collecting during my travels, so I’m open to expanding into an additional tote along the way, but that’s IT.

Read on to see what I packed for this epic, multi-city solo trip followed immediately by my 10 day/9 night retreat offering!

Pro tips:

1. Try things on before you pack them. Take a look at what you’ll be doing, consider where you’d wear something based on your schedule, and if you won’t wear it a couple times at least, skip it. Peep me trying on a new knit top I got for a cutie option to make sure It’s actually comfy, wearable, and packable within my plans. (Spoiler alert, it’s coming with)

2. Roll your clothes. I don’t know the science to how fabric takes up less space when you roll it up, but it does. So try it!

3. I’ve said it before in my other packing blogs, but I’ll say it again: a color scheme is key. I’m doing Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy in the Fall — low season for these areas — with still warm but sometimes cool weather. The temps are expected to be in the 70s and low 80s during the days, and 60s to low 70s at night. I anticipate it to be a little bit chillier and windier by the coast, too, during those stop overs. A few mid/long dresses and some layering options ought to do me well! I’m making sure everything can mix and match. A lot of neutrals with, oddly enough for me, blues and reds.

4. If you read my other packing blog you know I separate my little items, toiletries, and the like into a “dry bag” (the paisley print zip up pictured) and a “wet bag” (the Stasher bag pictured) for ease and organization. I’ll also have some “wet” toiletries in my purse (sanitizer, lip balms, hand lotion) to get away with more than just a quart size worth on the plane. Luckily the pharmacies in Italy and France are epic so I know i can re-up with something similar or even better when I run out of the curated collection of toiletries I’m bringing. As well, I’m bringing items that are multi-use for me to get the most bang for my space-taken-up. For example, the Neem oil from Pratima, which is a GOAT catch-all product in my household, is packed and can be used for everything from gun sha lubrication to makeup removal to a day or night serum before moisturizer/sunscreen or after retinol to a body oil or when shaving. Plus its good for any little skin irritations, bug bites, chaffing, or rashes that may arise from so much moving around. Pare down what you use typically to what you actually NEED, and know you can try new products on the ground if you run out.

5. My Amazon storefront has some affiliate links to my favorite must-haves and travel essentials. Thank you in advance for shopping my storefront, which does earn me a small but appreciate commission!

6. Layer your suitcase. You’ll see below a photo of each base layer of my suitcase sides and then the top layer that fills it out. Stack, stuff, roll, flatten. You’ve got this!

Shoes:
Rubber slides
Reebok sneakers

Bottoms:
Black Lululemon Align leggings (2 long, one bike short style)
Black Linen Trouser (linked similar, mine were thrifted)
Agolde Blue Jean

Tops:
Red knit crop longsleeve
Red knit sweater
Black Hoodie
Taylor Swift Eras tour tee
Black t-shirt, crop tee, loose tank, crop tank, regular tank, bandeau
White crop tee

Dresses:
*they all have pockets, I swoon
Short sleeve blue/olive floral
Long sleeve olive
Long sleeve stone

Other:
Selection of undies, bras, bralettes, socks
Silk face masks for plane and train travel
Baseball cap

Utility/Tools:
Phone charger
Universal converter/adapter
Airpods
Plane earbuds
Mini travel straightener
Dual-voltage blowdry brush
Film camera/film

Toiletries, etc.:
Glasses/extra contacts
Sunglasses
Pedicure kit (Callus remover, nail file, slippers, cuticle tool)
Mini tweezers
Gua sha tool
Face razor, body razor
Face and body sunscreen
Face and body oil
Hair detangler
Hair oil
Moisturizer
Retinol
Toothpaste

Makeup:
Westman Atelier Mini Trio (contour, highlight, blush stick)
Caliray tubing mascara
Benefit brow gel
Ilia liquid eyeliner pen
Aquaphor

Other:
Snacks (organic nuts, dried fruit, coffee sachets, tea bags)

Happy packing!