Earlier this summer, I neatly packed up a few possessions into a carry-on size backpack, small purse, and clear zippered tote. These items mainly consisted of essential clothing, must-have toiletries, and practical electronics. These items were & continue to be my primary belongings on a solo, summer excursion in Europe. If you’re curious to see how I have maximized the concept of packing light all while having the necessary comforts for a long trip abroad, keep on reading.
LUGGAGE
Travel Backpack > 1 small, 27-liter backpack that meets European carry-on parameters. It includes a compressible “carry-on closet” and can expand to 35 liters. The actual bag is called the Lifepack Endeavor and is made by a company called Solgaard. This durable yet sleek-looking backpack has suited me quite well thus far. Clear PVC Tote > 1 stadium approved bag designed for American sporting events with strict requirements. This serves as my one personal item while flying. Black Purse > 1 small, cross-body bag for daily life that I stuff into my PVC tote while flying. Canvas Tote > 1 small fabric bag for beach days that I fold and pack into my backpack or PVC tote while traveling.
Earrings > 3 Small Pairs Necklaces > 1 lightweight sterling silver chain with sterling silver oyster pendant
TOILETRIES & ACCESSORIES
Body Soap > 1 Bar Solid Face Wash > 1/2 Bar Liquid Face Wash > 1 Travel Size Tube Face Moisturizer with SPF > 2 Travel Size Containers Vitamin C Serum > 1 Travel Size Bottle Acne Serum > 1 Travel Size Bottle Night Cream > 1 Travel Size Jar Body Sunscreen > 2 Travel Size Containers Deodorant > 1 Stick Lip Balm > 2 — 1 without SPF + 1 with SPF Q-Tips > 20 or So — They are packed in a small ziplock bag Toothpaste > 1 Travel Size Tube Toothbrush > 1 Mini Floss > 1 Floss Picks > 6 Soap Container > 1 Facial Sponge > 2 Razor Handle > 1 Razor Blades > 2 Fingernail Clippers > 1 Toenail Clippers > 1 Nail File > 1 Hair Claw Clips > 2 Fabric Pouches > 4 Quart Size Ziplock Bags > 5 — Primarily to be used for toiletries when going through airport security
MAKEUP & ACCESSORIES
Powdered Foundation > 2 — 1 Half Used Container + 1 Full Backup Concealer > 1 Small Tube Blush > 2 — 1 Half Used Container + 1 Pressed Compact Backup Mascara > 2 — 1 Half Used Tube + 1 Full Backup Eyeliner Pencil > 1 Eyeshadow Palette > 1 Small Case Eyeshadow Primer > 1 Teensy Tube Tinted Lip Balm > 1 Pencil Lip Sticks > 2 Small Makeup Bag > 1 Brush Bag > 1 Foundation Brush > 1 Concealer Brush > 1 Kabuki Brush > 1 Blush Brush > 1 Eyeliner Sharpener > 1 Eyelash Curler > 1 Tweezers > 1 Pair Jade Roller > 1 Gua Sha Stone > 1
FEMININE CARE
Tampons > 1 quart size bag stuffed to the brim Pads and Liners > 1 quart size bag stuffed to the brim
MEDICINE & FIRST AID
Multi Vitamins > 1/4 bottle emptied into a 7-day pill box holder Benadryl > 1 small bottle emptied into a 7-day pill box holder Claritin > 1 small pack emptied into a 7-day pill box holder Tylenol > 1 small bottle emptied into a 7-day pill box holder Anti-Diarrheal > 1 small pack emptied into a 7-day pill box holder Cough Drops > 4 Ricolas placed into the same 7-day pill box holder Dramamine > 1 small tube Emergency Inhaler > 1 Antibacterial Wipes > 2 thin packs with 10 sheets in each [ These were used up by the 5th week of my trip ] Rapid Covid Tests > 1 box with 2 tests inside All Natural Bug Spray > 1 travel-size bottle Mosquito Bracelets > 2 Band–Aids > 5
SNACKS
Kind Bars > 6 — I keep them in a ziplock bag and put one in my purse on days I think that I may need a snack. I have 1 left.
PAPERWORK & FINANCIALS
Passport > 1 — I keep this in my room when not traveling. Physical Passport Copy > 1 — I keep this in my purse. Digital Passport Copy > 3 — I keep a photo on my phone, a photo in my email, and a photo on my laptop. Driver’s License > 1 — I keep this in my wallet in my purse. Physical Driver’s License Copy > 1 — I keep this in my purse. Digital Driver’s License Copy > 3 — I keep a photo on my phone, a photo in my email, and a photo on my laptop. Emergency Contact > 1+ — I emailed my father a copy of both my passport & driver’s license before heading abroad. My father and multiple close friends also have my itinerary just in case. Cash In Euros > €200.00 — I withdrew this money on my first full day in Europe from a bank ATM in Lisbon. I have only used this cash when credit card is not accepted. I will take out more when necessary. Cash In Dollars > $273.00 – I have $3.00 in my wallet. I keep $100.00 in an envelope with my passport & license copy in a zippered pocket of my purse. And I keep the remaining $170.00 in a hidden zippered pocket in my backpack that stays in my room when I am not traveling to a new destination. It’s a random amount – I know. Wallet > 1 — It contains 2 credit cards, 1 debit card, the cash mentioned above, the driver’s license mentioned above, my AAA card, and my health insurance card.
ELECTRONICS
Apple Laptop – 1 Macbook + Charger Apple Cellphone – 1 iPhone + Charger Apple Dongle – 1 Apple Airpods – 1 Pair Apple Earpods – 1 Pair AerLingus Headphones – 1 Pair acquired on the flight from USA to Europe Battery Power Pack + Cord – 1 Global Adapter – 1
“Wait a minute! I swear to God that this girl is packing much more than listed above because I can clearly see a large, black suitcase directly under the charcoal gray, Solgaard backpack in the cover photo of this blog post! What a horrible liar!”
Please allow me to confirm that…
Yes – there is indeed a giant suitcase sitting underneath my gray backpack.
However – that suitcase is full of cold weather clothing, boots, an umbrella, and additional toiletries. I stored it at the “Left Luggage” desk of the Dublin International Airport within 30 minutes of landing in Europe as proven in the photos below 😉 I then flew to Portugal later that evening, and a friend picked up my suitcase from the airport the next day. She is so incredibly kind to hold my luggage for a whopping 3 months until I head back to Ireland on September 1st for a 5 week adventure. Until then though, my only bags are a small black purse, clear tote, and gray backpack!
Now that that’s all cleared up…
BELOW YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT I HAVE PURCHASED THUS FAR DURING MY TRAVELS AROUND THE SCHENGEN AREA OF EUROPE.
1 WOVEN BUCKET HAT Location of Purchase: Cascais, Portugal – Small Clothing/Souvenir Stand Time of Purchase: Day 2 of my trip Reason: This was my first full day in Portugal. I was meeting some friends at a small beach town outside of Lisbon and was in need of a hat for my summer trip. I didn’t want to bring any of my structured baseball caps with large sports logos or large sun hats to Europe since they don’t pack well. The cream colored woven hat that we found that day easily rolled up and fit nicely in my purse. The best part is that I was able to snag the hat for 11 Euro after bargaining it down from 20. This lightweight hat has proven useful as I have worn it at least a dozen times during my trip so far.
SOME DRIED GINGER, 2 DRIED HIBISCUS FLOWERS, & SOME UNSALTED CASHEWS Location of Purchase: Lisbon, Portugal – Mercado Da Baixa Time of Purchase: Day 3 of my trip Reason: Although I packed some Dramamine as mentioned above, ginger is great to have around if and when motion sickness strikes. So after stumbling upon a lovely display of dried fruits and nuts at an outdoor, summer market – I bought a few pieces along with some dried hibiscus flowers and cashews to meet the minimum weight requirement. This small bag of snacks has come in handy, and I have just 2 pieces of ginger left.
1 PAIR OF EARRINGS Location of Purchase: Venice, Italy – Local Jewelry Store Time of Purchase: Day 6 of my trip Reason: I went into a cute jewelry shop to escape the heat and relish in the AC for awhile on an excruciatingly hot afternoon in Venice. To my luck, the shop owner had an array of gorgeous Murano Glass studs with stainless steel posts. The price was amazing at around 5 Euro so I bought a pair as a souvenir for myself. I didn’t need anymore earrings for this trip but have found myself wearing them at least a dozen times already during my adventures here in Europe.
1 SMALL HAIRBRUSH Location of Purchase: Castellammare Di Stabia, Italy – Local Beauty Supply Store Time of Purchase: Day 12 of my trip Reason: A week before leaving California, I chopped off my very long hair. Since the wooden hairbrush that I have at home is quite big and heavy, I decided to leave it behind because I figured that I could just brush my shorter locks with the plastic teeth of the 2 claw clips that I packed. About 1 week into my trip, I came to the conclusion that I did in fact still need a hairbrush. Unfortunately, the tiny hairbrush I bought was crap and could barely get through my thick hair.
1 PARASOL Location of Purchase: Rome, Italy – Street Vendor Time of Purchase: Day 15 of my trip Reason: Although I had a skip-the-line ticket to the Forum, it was unbearably hot prior to entering this sundrenched, Roman ruin. I couldn’t bear the thought of further baking in the heat, so I gave in and bought a parasol from a vendor outside the main entrance for 5 Euro after bargaining it down from 20. I really didn’t want another item, but the parasol sure came in handy during the rest of my time in Rome and then a month later when touring around Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre in mid-July. I ended up leaving the parasol in my Pisa B&B before flying to France one week ago since it was much too big for my Solgaard backpack. I suppose that I could have tried to bring the parasol along, but it had become more of a nuisance than an asset. Fortunately for me, the weather has been significantly cooler here in France.
1 WIDE TOOTH, BAMBOO COMB + 1 FOLDING PAPER FAN + A 2-PACK OF LEAD PENCILS Location of Purchase: Rome, Italy – Flying Tiger [A Danish, Japanese-Style Dollar Store] Time of Purchase: Day 18 of my trip Reason: I needed to replace the useless hairbrush I purchased in southern Italy, and the sturdy comb I found is simply perfect! I wanted a fan since the weather in Italy was unbearably hot and was thrilled to find one in this store. Lastly, the 1 lead pencil that I packed was acting funny, so I was also ecstatic to stumble upon these great, mechanical pencils. These have been some of my best purchases since the grand total was just 3 Euro, and each item has served me well.
1 PAIR OF FLIP FLOPS + 1 SMALL JAR OF ORGANIC COCONUT OIL Location of Purchase: Assisi, Italy – Grocery Store Time of Purchase: Day 18 of my trip Reason: The flip flops that I was going to bring to Europe broke a few days before my trip abroad, and I didn’t have time to buy another pair in the States before my flight. Although they aren’t my style, I found an inexpensive pair of pink, glittery flip flops at an Umbrian grocery store. I had also been on the hunt for a small jar of organic coconut oil to remove my makeup since the start of my trip. I had packed a brand new Jojoba Oil from Trader Joe’s but had not noticed that it was in a 4 oz container until Dublin airport security forced me to throw it out when I had to enter a new terminal for my flight to Portugal. I asked if I could empty half of the liquid out, but she replied with a swift, “no.” 😦 The funny thing is that my 4 oz bottle got past TSA at LAX and over the Atlantic just fine but not past those strict Irish lassies 😉
1 SMALL SHAMPOO + 1 SMALL BODY LOTION + 1 SMALL PACK OF ORGANIC COTTON PANTY LINERS Location of Purchase: Bastia Umbra, Italy – Grocery Store Time of Purchase: Day 29 of my trip Reason: I was in need of all these basic items and was happy to secure them 10 days into my 1-month stay in Assisi.
2 SMALL PACKS OF ORGANIC TAMPONS + 1 SMALL PACK OF PADS + 1 TINY NAIL POLISH + 1 CLEAR BASE COAT Location of Purchase: Florence, Italy – Train Station Pharmacy & Train Station Sephora Time of Purchase: Day 48 of my trip Reason: The third menstrual cycle of my adventure abroad paid me a visit the day before I left Assisi. So when I arrived in Florence by train the next morning, I headed into the station pharmacy to purchase some much needed feminine hygiene products. There was literally a Sephora next door so I also snagged some nail polish since it’s another thing that I decided not to pack but really wanted since I enjoy having painted toenails.
1 SOFT COVER NOTEBOOK Location of Purchase: Florence, Italy – Opera del Duomo Museum Time of Purchase: Day 50 of my trip Reason: The pocket-size notebook that I had brought from home was now full of travel notes. There were just a few pages left so I purchased another notebook that I found in the gift shop of The Florence Duomo Museum. I started using the new notebook 3 days later when I arrived in France and will continue to use it until mid-October when my summer abroad comes to an end.
1 LINT ROLLER + 1 TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRY KIT + Q-TIPS + 1 LOOFAH CLOTH + 1 LOOFAH SPONGE Location of Purchase: Florence, Italy – Flying Tiger Time of Purchase: Day 50 of my trip Reason: I was thrilled to find another branch of this awesome Danish, dollar store because I needed to purchase some travel size containers for my coconut oil, shampoo, and remaining lotion before flying off to France the next day. I ended up snagging a handy dandy lint roller, a box of Q-tips, and some loofahs as well.
1 SMALL BODY LOTION Location of Purchase: Tulle, France – Pharmacy Time of Purchase: Day 60 of my trip Reason: I am currently living in the region of Corrèze where the weather is 20-25 degrees cooler than it was in sweltering Italy. My skin is thoroughly confused and constantly dry. So I clearly had to purchase more lotion which I was able to do my 7th day here in central France.
And there you have it – an exact list of every single item I packed upon leaving Los Angeles plus a list of all the other essentials I have purchased along the way!
I hope you’re just as impressed as I am by the plethora of items I have been able to fit into my low profile bags. Even more so, I hope that I have inspired you to pack as light as possible on your next trip abroad! It really does make a world of difference.
HOMEMADE IN LA 
You are so brave, this was an excellent read as I was curious how you fit everything. I can’t wait to hear about all your traveling adventures.
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Thanks so much ❤ I'm hoping to publish some good travel content soon!!
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