I take off this weekend for a month-long sojourn across Europe. I packed in a carry-on suitcase and an under-the-seat tote. So many people have asked me how I packed everything I’ll need that I decided I would share some of my best travel hacks—the tips and tricks that make packing and travel easy. I’m using a 21″ rolling bag and my Tumi tote that slides under the seat in front of me.

I am taking a hard-sided 21″ roller bag for the overhead compartment and a soft tote by Tumi that fits under the seat in front of me. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

I will spend a week at the International Wine Tourism Conference, starting in Barcelona (where I am presenting), and then exploring Costa Brava and surrounding areas to learn about Spanish Cava. From there, I take a train to Avignon and spend a week exploring Provence with my husband. After that, we take the train to Milan, where I will meet my sister and my husband returns home. My sister and I will be on and off trains in Italy and spending a few days in Monaco. Then, I will meet up with a small group of writers and photographers for a week exploring the Italian countryside of Tuscany and Le Marche.

With all that running, I knew I needed to be highly mobile. I would rather experience Europe than worry about getting bags from place to place. And really, how much do you need when it comes right down to it? Here are a few peeks inside my bag and some advice on packing light, whether you’re going for a long weekend or a month in Europe.

Packing Hack #1: Use Packing Cubes

One of the best pieces of advice I can give anyone is to use packing cubes.

I use eBags packing cubes inside the suitcase to organize everything. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Take a peek inside my packed bag.

I suggest eBags packing cubes, which are available in various sizes and colors. I’ve taken mine on every trip for five years, and they are made well. They help keep me organized and make packing so much simpler. When I get to the hotel, I usually place the entire eBag into a drawer to keep things clean and neat.

Notice that in my photo, I have two eBag cubes on the right side and another eBag on the left, under the mesh zippered closure. Let’s look a little closer at what’s inside.

Packing Hack #2: Get a Sturdy 1-Quart Bag

Notice the small plastic zippered bag in my suitcase? Those are my liquids and gels in 3-ounce or smaller containers. My biggest tip? Make sure you put EVERYTHING liquid or gel inside that bag. That means your toothpaste, along with little packets of Woolite, mouthwash, shampoo, antibiotic cream—everything. It has to be in the bag.

But the real tip here? If you haven’t already done so, sign up for Global Entry. Global Entry is excellent because it gets you back into the US fast when you return from overseas. However, even if you don’t travel internationally all that often, it is worth the $100 charge for five years because it also gives you a TSA Pre-Check. That means you don’t have to take those liquids out and put them on the conveyor. That’s why I can pack that bag and forget about it. TSA Pre-Check also means I don’t have to take my laptop out, shoes off, or jacket off. It’s the best $100 I’ve ever spent.

Packing Hack #3: Roll Your Clothes

Roll your clothes. That’s the best tip I’ve ever received, which changed how I pack.

My eBag packing cube on the left contains clothing while I roll other items next to it. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

As you can see in this picture above, I use the left side of my bag, which has a mesh zippered cover over the entire thing, to store my cube containing my pants, dress, and other items I roll. I pack my coat over the rolled items next to the packing cube. It’s folded and out of the way but right on top for easy access.

Inside the packing cube shown above, I packed three pairs of everyday travel pants (all black), one pair of black dress pants, one pair of yoga pants, and my black and white wrap dress. Next to that is my pair of walking shoes. I recommend women’s sneakers by Dr. Scholl. I used to swear by a pair of black Aetrex shoes, but after discovering Dr. Scholl’s sneakers, I have them in different colors and styles. The most comfortable walking shoes in the world. Hands down. And trust me, a comfy pair of shoes can make all the difference and help prevent joint pain, especially if you’re walking a lot.

Next to the shoes, you’ll see my swimsuit, a nightgown, and a stuff sack filled with socks.

Packing Hack #4: Be Color Coordinated

My next packing hack is to ensure your clothes are all color-coordinated and interchangeable.

Next travel packing hack: keep clothes color-coordinated and roll them inside the packing cube. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Here, you see my dress tops (plus a T-shirt that fits well in the spot). I have four long-sleeve tops, two shells that can layer under other tops or my sweater, and one 3/4-sleeve top. Notice that they are all rolled and won’t need a lot of care when I arrive at my destination. I can also easily see exactly what I have with me simply by unzipping the case.

Travel Hack #5: Take Travel-Friendly Fabrics

Be smart about what types of clothes you choose for traveling. Not only do you want to think about colors, but think about fabric choices.

This packing cube contains all of my casual tops, once again folded. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

This packing cube contains my casual tops. Two are short-sleeved, two are long-sleeved, one is a sleeveless shell I will pair with other things, and two are 3/4-sleeved. Each of these can coordinate with a pair of solid black pants.

The other smart thing that might not be obvious here is that these are all constructed of wrinkle-resistant materials that make them easy to pack. They are thinner than a traditional cotton or polyester shirt. They can be easily cleaned in a hotel sink. They can be worn several times on a trip, and I can layer them to adapt to changing temperatures.

I have some definite favorites for travel clothing. I recommend lightweight pants from Columbia for everyday wear. My dress pants are from Chicos. They are comfortable, look nice, are lightweight, and travel well. I also prefer Chicos for my dressy shirts, and I have two Columbia PFG Tamiami II long-sleeve shirts. These are great shirts with UPF sun protection, water wicking to keep you dry and cool, snap closures, and roll-up sleeves to help you as the temperatures change. You can also find great travel clothes from Magellan’s and REI.

Packing Hack #6: Pack an Expandable Bag

Especially when I travel to Europe, I always pack an extra, expandable bag just in case.

I use the space under the cubes on the right side to carry an extra souvenir bag. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

I double the packing cubes on the right side of my suitcase, so if you raise one, I have a pair of flip-flops and wet wipes. On the other side, I have a smaller packing cube (for lingerie) and always carry an extra bag. That’s the bright-colored item in the photo above. It’s a small pack that opens up into a full-sized duffle bag. Because you know you’ll have more coming home than you do when you leave.

I learned a trick long ago. I take up the extra room to pack that expandable duffle. Once I get off the plane and in Europe, I will unpack the duffle and use it for anything I pick up. You know, bizarre salts and seasonings for my son, trinkets for my daughter-in-law, fun little things for the grandkids, and the things I find I can’t live without. Since the return home doesn’t mean I’m stressing over lost luggage, I check my bag on the return. That way, I carry the tote and the expandable duffle as my carry-on bags and let them check my suitcase all the way through. (Remember, you will have to retrieve it on your first stop in the US, but it’s easy to just put it right back through after clearing customs.)

Travel Hack #7: Put Essentials in Your Tote

Be sure to take the essentials in your tote—and throw in a coverup for international flights. We’ve all heard those last-minute announcements at the airport about running out of overhead bin space. They could check your bag for you anytime, so be prepared. Ensure you put cables, medications, computers, phones, jewelry, and camera in your tote.

My Tumi carry-on tote is the ideal travel companion.

I made a last-minute change from the Delsey tote I had intended to carry to this one, a Tumi tote I’ve had for several years. I chose the Tumi because my Nikon and laptop fit better inside it than the two together fit into the Delsey.

Someone on social media mentioned that my totes look large. I think it’s more the appearance in the photo. This tote fits under the seat in front of me, so it isn’t big. It holds all those essentials I mentioned, including a little cross-body bag with my wallet, passport, and money, leaving plenty of room for my laptop, camera, cables, medication, socks for the flight, wet wipes, and this towel/throw I’ve shown in the photo.

This is an Egyptian cotton towel, known as a peshtemal, available online from The Turkish Towel Company. I opt for this rather than a traditional blanket because it is versatile. It is 40″ x 70″, so it is plenty big enough to use as a blanket on the plane. It is machine washable, and I can launder it without worrying that it will be destroyed. Once at my destination, it can serve as a throw for a picnic in the park, be used as a towel if I need one, or even throw it over my head or around my shoulders if I visit a temple, cathedral, or the like.

Packing Hack #8: Wash Clothes on Extended Stays

Don’t hesitate to use the laundry services in your hotel. There are some things you really can’t wash in your sink. It’s easier to send the pants, sweaters, and tops out.

Skip the laundromat and let the hotel launder your clothes. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

People tend to overlook those laundry services, assuming they’re expensive. They aren’t expensive, especially if you consider that you probably won’t need to do this, but once every ten days. And I’d rather spend $20 to have someone else do my laundry so that I can spend my time out exploring the Louvre or the Great Pyramids. I can do laundry at home.

Packing Hack #9: Protect Your Credit Cards

Go online before you leave home and notify your banks that you will be traveling with your credit cards. The best way to do this is to visit the website for your cards and set a travel notification. I honestly had problems with this when I tried calling the company. It never goes right. But if you go to the website and specify your travel dates, it usually goes smoothly, and you’ll be able to use your cards without a problem. Many new chip cards do not require a travel notification, but it’s better to check before you leave home.

Use a credit card with chip and pin technology but with no foreign transaction fees when you travel.

Remember, most of the world uses chip and pin cards. If you don’t have a chip card, which most US banks are now sending out, call your bank and ask for a chip card to replace your current card. I do have an RFID-blocking wallet that I use when I travel so that no one with one of those scanners can steal my personal information.

How you exchange money depends on several things. When I travel to Europe, I withdraw money from the teller machine. It’s much easier than going through a cashier. If you use a credit card without a foreign transaction fee, this is a no-brainer.

Packing Hack #10: Activate Your International Phone Plan

Get an international travel plan on your cell phone. I use AT&T, which offers a pre-paid plan that fits your needs. With AT&T, I can get the exact service I have in the US for an additional $10 per day. If I am overseas for an extended time, I purchase an eSim from aloSIM. This way, I can use my phone without worrying about exorbitant fees.

With these tips, you can help make your travels much less stressful. The point of travel is to experience the things around you. There are more important things than having a different pair of shoes daily. Check out Wander With Wonder for more travel tips.