First, select the right bag!
Since it’s a short trip – three days – a light, mobile bag is optimal. Depending on your destination, a carry-on bag or a convertible backpack with wheels can be suitable. A duffel bag is also useful, but keep in mind that any piece of luggage without wheels must be carried, most likely by you.
Now, let’s start on maximizing the capacity of the bag that you choose.
Check the weather before you pack
Check the weather! And then, consider why you’re traveling. Are you attending an event? Are you planning on a lot of walking, going out at night, sports?
Put together a few outfits that are appropriate for your intended activities. Then, choose the items that are most versatile, and prioritize items that don’t easily wrinkle. If you’re bringing more than one pair of shoes, wear the heaviest pair and pack the others.
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!
Some small technological details
You’re trying to make the most of your short vacation to explore the city, and you might not have access to an electric outlet. A high-capacity power bank can keep your smartphone functioning all day. Another space-saving tip is to carry one charger that works for all your mobile devices.
Remember, if you are flying in Economy Class on Turkish Airlines, you can take a single piece of cabin baggage with a maximum size of 23x40x55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg. If you are traveling in Business Class, you can carry two pieces of cabin baggage, each 23x40x55 cm in size and max. 8 kg in weight.
Meanwhile, your now-packed bag is ready for your short holiday. You selected the piece of luggage that works best for you; you’ve chosen your reading material and you’ve applied these packing strategies. Now it’s time for you to enjoy your vacation!
