The One Bag Vacation Policy - The "Why"

I would like to take a moment (or two) here and advocate something that has recently become very near and dear to my heart:

The One Bag Vacation Policy.

It also goes by the name "Packing Light".

I just returned to New York from a 10-day trip to London, Rome, Florence and Venice and the whole trip was done - comfortably - with one regulation size backpack. This would be the same size backpack as the Jansports or monogrammed L.L. Beans that you used to sling ever-so-jauntily (or maybe ever-not-so-jauntily) over your shoulder in middle school.

Assuming you grew up in 90's East Coast Suburbia.

This minimalist approach to packing was the one decision that had the biggest impact on my mental well-being during the trip. If, like me, you prefer to hoof it rather than take cabs, then you will face an endless barrage of planes, trains, buses and subways. You may also, over the course of your trip, net several hours walking from Train Station A to Hotel B - and not necessarily via the most direct route.

Now imagine the free and unimpeded travel that would be possible if you could just throw your backpack on and breeze by all the poor, mournful souls on the trains, hopelessly wondering where to stow their cursed luggage for the 3-hour journey from Rome to Florence. Or the faceless, dejected parade of tourists with their standard issue suitcases bump-bumping behind them on the cobblestone-lined streets, hands numb from the unforgiving vibrations.

Don't let that be you.

Tune in next time for my post on The One Bag Vacation Policy - The "How".