A MUM has revealed how she packed for a five week holiday for her whole family, using only hand luggage.
Lise Carlaw gave her family strict instructions for their extended trip around Europe, to ensure that they only brought what they needed – and nothing more.
Instagram/LisecarlawThe family of four used only hand luggage for their five week trip[/caption]
Instagram/LisecarlawClothes were carefully selected before they were either packed or left out[/caption]
The podcast host and parent told her family they could only bring seven kilograms worth of luggage for their journey – and documented their packing prep via her Instagram account.
In a six-part series of highlights, recorded over two and half weeks, Lise showed how she and her family got ready for their lengthy trip, while dodging the need for checked in bags.
In the first of many videos, she said: “In less than two and a half weeks, my family and I are embarking on a five-week European holiday.
“The challenge we’ve set ourselves is carry-on only. Seven kilos each, that’s all we’re allowed to take.”
Although most airlines will permit more than seven kilograms to be carried in hand luggage, the Carlaws decided to impose the restriction on themselves, making their task even harder.
Lise later explained in another video: “A lot of people are asking about the seven kilos and no it’s not enforced by the airline, it’s a self-imposed family challenge.”
Through a process of choosing only what clothes and items each person needs – and ruthless culling along the way – Lise and her family got to their target weights.
They used clever techniques like rolling instead of folding their clothes, with Lise insisting on “rolling, and rolling tight – like salami vibes”.
They also used packing cubes to make sure they could squeeze their limited clothing allowances into as smaller space as possible.
When it came to tech, Lise explained that none of the family had iPads or laptops, nor headphones bigger than airpods.
She said that her children would be relying on the in-flight entertainment to keep them occupied, saying: “The kids are just excited to be on the plane with the TVs in front of them.
“I’m assuming they still hand out headphones. They’ve never had an iPad.”
Instagram/LisecarlawEach person’s luggage was carefully weighed before they set off[/caption]
Instagram/LisecarlawThe family decided to only have seven kilograms of luggage per person[/caption]
With toiletries, the family had a “bare minimum” approach, leaving behind anything they don’t need – with toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant all that was required for each person.
Lise said she would buy things like cleanser from local pharmacies, preventing her from having to fit it into her bag.
Each bag was weighed on a set of digital travel scales before the family set off on their holiday, with all figures written down on a whiteboard.
Lise admitted that this way of travelling would be some people’s “idea of hell” but said that for her and her family, it was worth it.
She told 9Honey Travel: “No waiting at airports at the carousel. We like to get up and go and we want to take the decision making out of it.
“Clutter frazzles us. But for other people, this is their idea of hell. I’m very aware and I certainly am not here to upset the heavy packers among us.
“I think with children too, waiting just sometimes pushes them over the edge. For us it’s 100 per cent worth it and we actually can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.”
Meanwhile, this passenger revealed how they travel with hand luggage only every time they travel, even on long-haul trips.
And some travellers even suggest using vacuum cubes to fit more in their suitcase.
Instagram/LisecarlawLise used packing cubes and rolling to fit more in her bags[/caption] Read More