Suitcases: Every Inch and Ounce Counts - Lessons from France Trip

I learned a valuable lesson on packing during my France Trip…

Are you traveling this summer?

Do you struggle to “pack light” like me?

If you’re traveling by car, you can practically take anything. Flying, especially internationally, turns packing into a puzzle. Not all airplanes accommodate the same size carry-on luggage. We like to think planes are fairly similar, but I’ve come to discover that size really does matter. Some aircraft are specific to certain airlines, too. Carefully study and follow the luggage measurements allotted, and your bags will board comfortably.

A perfect example happened on Austrian Airlines (not on this trip). Our small carry-on suitcases, which had fit on previous flights, were actually too large for the overhead bins on one of their planes. We had to check them at the gate. Only smaller bags and backpacks fit into those compartments. Lesson learned!

I do eventually get there, but it takes me a while to pare down my clothes, toiletries, and shoes until everything fits. In a small suitcase, every inch—and every ounce—counts! Shoes are my biggest nemesis (I want to take more than I need…every single time I travel).

As I was getting ready to leave for my three-week trip to France on May 20, 2026, I did what any seasoned traveler does—I checked the weather one last time. Bill was already sitting in the car, patiently waiting for me so he could get me to the train station, when I glanced at the forecast.

Ninety-five degrees! Sheesh! In France? In May?

In that instant, I knew my suitcase needed one final makeover.

Right at the front door, I unzipped my suitcase and pulled out several warmer pieces of clothing. I ran down the hallway to our bedroom and replaced them with lightweight tops, another skort and dress - all better suited for southern France and then re-zipped the suitcase in less than 2 minutes. I hung my trusty jean jacket back in the closet. As much as I love that jacket—it’s my go-to finishing layer—it had no business vacationing in 95-degree weather.

When we returned home three weeks later, I unpacked my stuff with curiosity.

What had I actually worn? I had also bought some clothing, and thankfully had left room for those purchases.

To my surprise, almost everything I packed earned its place in the suitcase. The only clothes left untouched were the “just in case” pieces I’d kept in case the temperatures dipped below about 75 degrees. I also packed several scarves - easy and lightweight, but I never needed one!

Maybe travel guru Rick Steves was right all along: “Pack light, pack light, pack light.”

And perhaps that’s true in life, too. We spend so much time preparing for the “what ifs” that often never happen, when the things we truly need are surprisingly few. That little yellow suitcase carried everything I needed for three wonderful weeks in France—and it reminded me that experiences always outweigh extra stuff. I’ll bet all my shoes and sandals on that!

bSoleille!

Terri

Photo below of the clothes that were packed and NOT worn - (2) pairs of pants; a bathing suit; (3) pairs of socks, (4) scarves and a black short sleeved top (I didn’t see it until the end of the trip!).