Travelling light? Carry-on baggage: overseas travel

[maillotpois]

We were here over the summer. Talked about it 2 yrs ago, but didn't make it past Seattle.

I do wish we had just one big bag for our 3 sets of skis. That would have saved us some fees.

[Blueberry]

For domestic flights, I try to fly Southwest. Our Bike Fridays travel for free with them (along with another checked bag). No stress, no fuss. I am so over trying to scrimp and pinch and pack everything in a tiny carry on (and not end up with some stuff I need that comes in larger bottles), when I can fly an airline that doesn't make me (and is usually cheaper anyway).

[Reesha]

Yes, we've been to Brugge, but we spent more time in Ghent on the advice of nearly everyone we spoke with, including a native here on TE. We much preferred Ghent. Much less touristy and crowded, but every bit as pretty. Brugge was wall to wall people when we were there in May of 2010. It was also more expensive than Ghent. We did go to Damme, too. It was lovely as well.

Probably a good point-- I had Brugge to myself for a whole year and got to see it during the quiet cold times, as well as the touristy crazy times. As it is, I lived in the tight little suburbs and spent my weekends riding the countryside. I'll have to remind myself not to do a bike tour of Belgium in the peak touristy areas and times. I'm hoping to do one with DBF in 2013

[malkin]

I'm just starting to think about packing for a trip to my parents in Switzerland. Essentials for this trip include robe, slippers, Ibex sweatpants, Kindle, knitting...

[Reesha]

compression sacks are a must for bringing knitting

[malkin]

compression sacks are a must for bringing knitting

Oooh!
That's a good idea!

[jobob]

Our six checked bags (14 total if you count our 2 friends' bags and all our carryons) have arrived safely in Vancouver.

Score!

[Reesha]

Oooh!
That's a good idea!

In fact it's the only way I was able to fit a month's worth of clothes, amusements (including knitting) etc into one internal frame pack for a sailing trip last summer. I should get some more for my summer packing this year!

[OakLeaf]

Anybody familiar with recent domestic bike shipping rates? :ughhhh:

When I shipped my bike in December in its Thule box with some various extra gear, FedEx Express Saver, it was $230. I want to say it was 65 lbs total, but that's a guesstimate.

You have to ship express to get the best insurance, and to be able to hold it for pickup at a FedEx location.

If you log into FedEx you can price a shipment regardless of whether you wind up sending it or not. Enter dimensions, weight, which service you want, origin and destination, and it'll give you a price.