The Rick Steves Way Works !
So many in our group traveled light and easy with Rick Steves travel gear. Very efficient for travel in Europe with cobblestone streets.
The Rick Steves way to travel really does work. ONE CARRY-ON SUITCASE & a backpack or shoulder bag. There were two people in our group that had checked in big suitcases that both got lost, so they both had to buy new clothes and supplies when they arrived in Salzburg. I’ve learned to keep my one suitcase close by.
It also helped to download my Vienna guide book for my pre-tour adventures and eliminate the weight of an extra book. Your Rick Steves Tour book is priceless during your trip, so always keep that one handy.
I also bought some different accessories (mini binoculars, etc) from the Rick Steves online store. They have lots of handy items.
A handy Rick Steves hint that worked great for me was to use a lightweight day pack so I did’t have to unload my main backpack for every little adventure. It was compact and I could easily stuff it away when traveling.
Travel Light !
only 25 lbs ~ and everything I need !!
only 25 lbs ~ and everything I need !!
only 25 lbs ~ and everything I need !!
I was SO excited to be heading from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico near where I live ... flying off to Europe for a magical 4 week trip ... with ONLY 25 lbs of luggage! And I had more than I needed!
60 lbs ~ what a mistake !!
only 25 lbs ~ and everything I need !!
only 25 lbs ~ and everything I need !!
I had to include this photo from my 45 day, 14,000 mile train trip around the US in 2018 with 60 lbs of luggage. I had everything I needed, right down to my collapsible hot water heater for my morning coffee. WRONG!!! Then I discovered Sarah Murdoch (RS tour guide) and she changed everything!
Tips & Tricks
Sarah's Tips I used
Learn how to travel light
Learn how to travel light
Where to start?? I must have my coffee when I wake up and didn't want to haul my collapsible water heater, so I went with Sarah's great advice and got a titanium coffee mug that weights about as much as a quarter, and water coil with international plug and individual coffee packs. It was perfect! I also followed her helpful recommendations with a universal plug with room for my computer cables, Revlon lipstick that stays forever and the irreplaceable black cashmere sweater. And I always had my down vest in a little bag in my backpack or day pack.
Thanks for the advice, Sarah!
Learn how to travel light
Learn how to travel light
Learn how to travel light
This is the You Tube video by Sarah Murdoch (RS tour guide) that absolutely changed the way I travel. It made so much sense to me as I watched it, so I weighed and tracked everything in advance, right down to the lipstick she recommended ... and loved how her app tracked it all and made my final decisions! So with her help I went from 60 lbs of luggage to 25 lbs. ❤️🧳❤️✈️ and I had more than I needed!
Thank You, Sarah !
Cameron’s Tips I used
Learn how to travel light
Cameron’s Tips I used
I liked Cameron's suggestions because I'm also a light sleeper. I loved his advise for covering those irritating red lights in my room at night (for the TV or AC or whatever). I took a plactic straw and rolled some black electricians tape on it then shortened the straw. A little piece of black tape was perfect for those little lights! And everyone can use a little roll of duct tape. I also used his advice on a Vapur roll-up water bottle. Worked great for the entire trip. I also took Mack ear wax and luckily never needed to use them.
Thanks for the advice, Cameron!
My Cell Phone Mistake
Don't miss your flight !!
Cameron’s Tips I used
The one thing that I wish I would have done when I arrived at the Vienna airport was spend the money to buy a SIM card for my phone so I would always have internet. I didn't want to spend the $40 Euros to initially sign up, then more money for the coverage ... but I should have. So unfortunately I didn't have internet to help with directions ... and no internet for translating, including menus! Quite an inconvenience for 4 weeks. The only time I had wifi was when I was at my hotel or a restaurant that had it. I realized this wasn't the place to try to save a few bucks during my trip. Live and learn right? But that's just me ...
My Tips
Don't miss your flight !!
Don't miss your flight !!
I found these 3 packing cubes with a 2nd compression zipper that fit perfectly in my suitcase ... 1 medium and 2 small. They worked great! And my black cashmere sweater was my best friend on this trip. It wasn't pure cashmere, so not expensive, but it was light and warm. With my compact down vest and sweater in my day pack, I was ready for any weather! I also used a black scarf with a small hidden zipper where I always kept a stash of emergency cash if needed. I always put a lock on my suitcase when I traveled, even though it was usually within view. And I almost always left my passport in my room safe when I took day trips and just carried a copy of it with me.
Don't miss your flight !!
Don't miss your flight !!
Don't miss your flight !!
Don't make the mistake that I made on my flight to Europe. I flew from Mexico City, connecting in Madrid to Vienna. At Madrid I cleared customs then went to find my boarding gate to Vienna. They have a few separate terminals in Madrid ... and all cities on the Departure boards are in some European language I didn't understand ... so I went to the gate starting with "Ven..." ... then about 15 minutes later, not long before I was supposed to start boarding, I realized that was the gate for Venice, NOT Vienna!! I had NO IDEA that Vienna ... in Europe ... is called Wien!! We're not born with this info!! I had to catch the train 15 minutes over to another terminal and got there just as they were boarding. My Travel Angel helped me make it on time!