First, choose the right bag!
Since you’re heading out on a three-day trip, it makes sense to choose a lightweight, easy-to-carry bag. Remember, this is the bag that will give you freedom of movement throughout your vacation. A cabin-size suitcase, a backpack, or a duffel bag can all be great options. With a few smart packing techniques, you can make the most of its capacity.
You’ve checked into your hotel and are ready to explore the city; you won’t be taking your large suitcase with you, of course. That’s when a thin cotton tote, folded neatly in your main bag and small enough to slip into a pocket, becomes a lifesaver. It’s the perfect companion for carrying only your phone, charger, and perhaps a souvenir you come across along the way.
Is your 3-day outfit plan clear?
What are you planning to wear on your trip? Start by checking the weather forecast. Then consider the activities you’ll be doing. Put together a few outfits with pieces you genuinely feel comfortable in. There’s no need to pack dozens of clothes you “might” wear but probably won’t. You’ll notice how much lighter your suitcase feels.
Be sure to prioritize shirts and trousers that resist wrinkles. If you need to bring an extra pair of shoes, pack the lighter pair in your bag and wear the heavier ones while traveling. A small tip: if you decide on a spontaneous spa visit or a pool day, or find the hotel room slippers too flimsy, don’t forget to tuck a lightweight pair of sandals or slippers at the bottom of your bag.
Skincare products in the same bag!
Make sure your personal care items are in travel size containers. Most companies sell their products in travel sizes and, if not, you can purchase travel size containers and fill them yourself. Keep in mind any restrictions on carrying fluids in the aircraft cabin – we recommend checking the website of the airline you’re using, Turkish Airlines of course:), just to be sure. Larger containers of personal care products can be put into your checked baggage but, for a three-day trip, you probably won’t need an entire bottle of shampoo. Alternatively, the sample packets (shampoos, lotions, creams, etc.) offered by many personal care companies are great for short trips and take up very little space!
An e-reader tells a thousand stories.
We love the smell and the texture of books. But we also like to have lots of choices. If you’re not already using an e-reader, consider it: you can download hundreds of books and never lack reading material that suits your mood. You can also download reference materials for those times when you can’t access the Internet! Even better, you don’t have to make those hard decisions about which book to bring. Here are some reading suggestions for books that make excellent travel companions.
The Seagull – Jonathan Livingston
A Philosophy of Walking – Frederic Gros
On the Road – Jack Kerouac
The Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka
Sarı Sıcak – Yaşar Kemal
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
Red Monday – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Tale of the Unknown Island- Jose Saramago
It’s time to say farewell to your beach towel.
Even if you’re going to the seaside, you have no business whatsoever carrying a beach towel. If you feel that you must have a towel of some sort, we would suggest a peshtemal. Not a pashmina, a peshtemal. This incredibly versatile piece of cloth is the thin, light towel worn in a Turkish hammam, but it can be used as a bath towel, a beach towel, a sarong…and, these days, you can find peshtemals in a variety of patterns and colors. It takes up very little space, is light, and dries quickly: the ideal traveling companion.
The Japanese art of folding clothes: KonMari
If you want to become a master packer, get inspired by Marie Kondo, also known as KonMari and the woman behind this clothes-folding technique. Kondo advises rolling clothing items, rather than folding them, in such a way that they stand up. The advantage of this method for packing is that you can save space, and also immediately spot the item of clothing you’re looking for. Hint: try to pack suits, sweaters, jeans that do not get wrinkled easily first and then the blouses and shirts!
A few smart tech details
You’re determined to make the most of your short getaway and explore the city street by street. Finding time to charge your electronic devices may not be easy. A high-capacity power bank can prevent your phone from shutting down when you need it most. Instead of carrying separate charging cables for each device, multi-port chargers can make your life much easier.
Since your phone is always within reach, it may be time to leave that thick leather wallet, stuffed with coins and unnecessary cards, in your suitcase. Reducing your physical cards to a minimum and managing all your expenses through your digital wallet can give you an incredible sense of lightness while traveling. To move faster with your travel plans and complete your payments securely with a single tap during your trip, you can get to know TKPay Wallet right away and say goodbye to carrying a bulky wallet.
And one more thing: on Turkish Airlines Economy Class flights, you may bring one cabin bag with maximum dimensions of 23x40x55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg. If you are traveling in Business Class, you may carry two cabin bags, each with maximum dimensions of 23x40x55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg.
Now your suitcase is ready for a 3-day getaway. The bag is chosen, the books are packed, and the tips are applied. All that’s left is to enjoy your vacation. Have a wonderful trip!
