Pro Packing Tips from the Escape Artist

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Pack Like a Pro When Planning Your Next Escape

A client recently asked me a question while planning three weeks in Europe with her four-year-old, “What do people do?” More specifically, she was looking at the amount of luggage she thought she’d need and wondering how travelers actually manage it all.

The answer is simpler than most people expect: they don’t bring it.

After years of travel—both personally and professionally—I’ve learned that packing well isn’t about fitting more into a suitcase or accounting for every possibility. It’s about bringing what serves the journey and leaving the rest behind.

Every trip has unique demands, but one rule applies in every situation:

You can only bring what you can manage.

Can you lift your suitcase over your head? Carry it up a flight of stairs? Walk it a few hundred feet? If not, it’s a burden.

So how do you make good choices? Here are a few guidelines that have served me well.

Start with the Weather, Not Your Wardrobe

Spring and fall can be particularly tricky because weather is rarely predictable. Before you travel, look up historical temperatures and rainfall for your destination during the time you’ll be visiting. Pack for the average and bring a layer for the extremes. The goal isn’t to prepare for every possible forecast. The goal is versatility.

Plan for the Moments that Matter

Many vacations include a special occasion: a wedding, a formal night onboard a cruise, an anniversary dinner, or simply an evening when you want to feel a little more polished.

Choose pieces that can work in multiple situations. One pair of dark pants, a versatile jacket, or a dress that can be styled differently goes much further than packing entirely separate outfits.

My own secret weapon? A reversible wrap dress. One side is solid navy, the other a fun print. It has earned its place in my suitcase many times over.

My Golden Rule: Pack Half

This is the advice that trips up clients most often (pun fully intended). For vacations up to two weeks, pack about half of what you think you’ll need.

Traveling for eight days? Pack for four.

Traveling for 16 days? Pack for eight.

Most people don’t wear nearly as much as they imagine they will, and clothing that mixes and matches easily creates far more options than a suitcase stuffed with single-purpose pieces. Think in color families. Warm tones or cool tones. Most items should work together. If something only works with one outfit, it may not need to come along.

Traveling with Kids? Focus on the Gear, Not Extra Clothes

Parents know the real challenge isn’t clothing: it’s having the right gear.

A lightweight stroller can make long sightseeing days dramatically easier. A practical backpack may outperform an oversized diaper bag. And a sturdy school backpack gives children a manageable responsibility while carrying snacks, water, and entertainment.

One of my more controversial opinions? If your child still fits comfortably in the stroller, they’re probably not too old for it on vacation. You’ll thank me later.

The Great Toiletry Debate

This may be the most divisive topic in all of travel. People generally fall into one of three camps:

I can do without.
I can do with less.
I need absolutely everything.

I encourage clients to start in the middle camp and work backward from there.

On Point from TemboWild & the Escape Artist

Some of the best travel advice comes from lived experience. My own journey through Kenya taught me that extraordinary adventures reward thoughtful preparation—from what you pack to how you experience a destination.

Now I'd love to invite you to consider an adventure of your own.

In November 2027, we'll be hosting a private, small-group safari through Kenya—a thoughtfully designed journey inspired by the places, wildlife, and unforgettable moments we experienced firsthand.

Explore the itinerary here, then join us for an upcoming webinar where we'll share our experiences, answer your questions, and help you decide whether this remarkable journey belongs on your own travel wish list.

Webinar date and details coming soon.

gazelle

Choose Your Luggage Carefully

The best suitcase isn’t necessarily the biggest one. Look for something lightweight when empty, sturdy enough to survive baggage handlers, and appropriately sized for the most restrictive airline on your itinerary. Those extra pounds add up quickly.

A Few Things I Never Never Regret Packing

Over the years, several items have proven themselves again and again:

A comfortable cross-body bag with a wide strap and room for a water bottle.
A lightweight scarf or pashmina that can serve as a shawl, blanket, sarong, cover-up, or extra layer.
An adjustable travel laundry line.
Detergent sheets for quick handwashing.
And perhaps my favorite trick of all: brightly colored bandanas tied to luggage handles, backpacks, and strollers. They make spotting your belongings infinitely easier and help younger travelers identify “our stuff” in busy places.

Practice Makes Packing Easier

One of the best things you can do is a packing dry run a few weeks before departure. Lay everything out. Test the bags. See what fits and what feels excessive. You’ll discover what’s truly necessary, what can stay home, and whether any gear needs to be borrowed, replaced, or purchased before travel day.

Because packing well isn’t really about bringing less. It’s about bringing what serves the journey and leaving room for everything else that makes travel worthwhile.

Until Your Next Escape,

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