We have a new HOW WE PACK episode you can watch: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html. And a new Gear Guide: findingginamarie.com/gear.

I’ve had Briggs and Riley suitcases for about 20 years. My checked in bag recently broke (shocking) and rang them they took the bag, but could not repair it and gave me a new suitcase. Wow really amazing service. Wont buy any other case now. They are just incredible

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Wow, Josette, thanks for sharing your experience! We were attracted to Briggs & Riley because of their reputation for such things, but it's always encouraging to hear someone's personal experience. They are smart to handle it that way-they've earned your loyalty and they are getting good publicity and likely many more customers this way! So much better for everyone all around. -Judy

@robertashagam1599

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Thank you. Because my samsonite backpack’s zippers broke and cs denied replacement because it was a gift. Will try Briggs

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We hope you love it. Kevin’s case had a a small tear in the lining and Briggs & Riley swapped it for us without any issue. They overnighted a new one to us and their customer service was excellent. We picked them ourselves after a ton of research and after six months of use, we are affiliated with them. If you choose to buy one, please consider using our link, which will benefit us at no cost to you. www.jdoqocy.com/click-100780777-13834908

Very helpful, took your time to explain the whys and how’s that I am looking forward to trying new packing. Thank you so much. Safe travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We are so glad to hear this! Thank you for watching and taking time to comment. We'd love to hear what you change or what you find works for you. We added three items to our packing list that we forgot to mention. You can find it linked. Safe travels! -Judy & Kevin findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

I am the queen of over packers and found your video really inspiring! Thanks for the thoroughness of it! I have just subscribed and look forward to hearing about more of your adventures and more of your travel advice!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Kim, we are so glad to hear that you enjoyed this video and appreciate your kind and encouraging words! We just hopped on a four-day Nile cruise and we only brought our backpacks (we left our luggage at our Airbnb). I brought one pair of shorts, the black pants I wear for travel, three short-sleeved shirts, and a pair of sandals. While it’s probably nice to bring an entire wardrobe for a cruise, we don’t even miss having extra clothes with us. We inadvertently left out a few additional items that we carry: (1) Apple Air Tags that we put inside our main luggage, (2) reusable heavyweight ziplock bags that we use for storing leftovers when we are cooking, and (3) our favorite eyeglass cleaning cloths. findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage -Judy

This is so perfect, I hope this channel blows up. Everything from the organization to the links on your page wow!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Tell your friends about us, because we would love to continue to grow our community! We are learning from everyone as we go along, and it's so much fun! -Judy

The apron is a great suggestion and one I haven’t seen elsewhere. Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! It's a bit unconventional, but super practical! We also have three other things we forgot to mention, including reusable storage bags to store leftovers since most Airbnbs don't have anything for them. We also use Apple Air Tags to track our luggage, and Crizal Microfiber Cleaning Cloths for our glasses. You can find the list of everything we packed here: findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

You two are awesome at packing and organizing and only taking what you need.👍

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

We actually have changed some things since we released this video. We'll have one coming out in a month or so for how we have adjusted our packing for our upcoming year, about half of which will be spent in Southeast Asia. I think we are always learning and evolving, which is smart in my opinion. Safe travels, and let us know if you have any questions. We still will be traveling with our same carry-ons and a backpack apiece. -Judy

Nice! This is the most comprehensive video I've ever seen around packing.

@FindingGinaMarie

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, Kristine! We are so glad you enjoyed it! Safe travels! -Judy

My wife and I just returned from a 4 week holiday in France, and I had some significant frustrations with my Briggs and Riley, Global 21" Carry On Expandable Spinner. Fortunately my wife had her Travel Pro Carry On Spinner and she didn't have the same experience that I did. The big problem is how the bag TRACKS on the 4 wheels. Unlike the Travel Pro which incorporates a magnetic "wheel alignment" feature, the B&R goes where it wants to go, and not where I want it to go. Steering it along the long distances found in the major airports, was extremely tiring because I had to constantly adjust the direction of the suitcase, while my wife had no such problem with her Travel Pro. For such an expensive bag, it was quite a let down.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Gerry. I'm sorry to hear that this was your experience. Briggs & Riley has different types of wheels for their models of luggage. Do you know what line your carry-on is part of? Our model, which we've been extremely happy with, is the ZDX version, and we like the maneuverability of the wheels. From their website, it appears that different models have different wheel types. Have you by chance reached out to their customer service department? They've been amazing in helping us deal with a small rip in the lining of Kevin's bag. We got a brand new replacement overnight. We looked at TravelPro, but their sizes are fairly wonky. Although TravelPro has a 21" spinner, it really isn't that size when you account for the wheels and handle, which makes it oversized for European travel (unless you purchase directly from the EU, TravelPro's global 21" spinner has external dimensions of H: 23.5 in. x W: 14.5 in. x D: 9 in., and it normally would need to fit into bins sized as H: 21 in. W: 14 in. D: 9 in. If you decide to check with customer support, we'd love to hear your experience regarding whether they have any sort of resolution for you. -Judy

This was so helpful. Also both of you are so easy to listen to and you are sharing some great tips. Hope you continue to have great travels. Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Deborah, for your sweet comment and for watching! It really does bring us a lot of joy to share what we are learning on our travels. We forgot to mention three additional items that we carry with us: (1) Apple Air Tags in our main luggage; (2) reusable/washable ziplock bags to refrigerate leftovers and opened spices, and our eyeglass wipes, which really do an amazing job. You can find these added to our packing list on our website since we think these also aren't things that every full-time travel carries! (We aren't sponsored or affiliated with any of these brands) findingginamarie.com/articles/why-are-we-finding-gina-maria

@bernicetorres8384

11 ай бұрын

Yes, agreed! I've only had a chance to watch a few videos so far and so far love them all. Other vlogs are so annoying sometimes with the loud music, over the top shots, and all the talking and talking with no valuable info.

@FindingGinaMarie

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! ♥️

Hi, thanks so much for this very helpful video. Your packing ideas are really good. I don't travel as much as many who have commented here but I have often done weeks overseas with carry on only & managed well. I always wear my walking shoes on the plane & one light comfortable outfit. Only 2 dresses, one extra pants & two tops. I only take dresses & tops that have patterns ( can sponge food spills etc) & can dry quickly overnight. This might surprise some but I take a few panty liners on the plane, great to freshen up during & after long haul flights. Then once off the flight I go to a local supermarket & buy toiletries & a packet of panty liners. The only toiletries / liquids I take on the plane are lipstick & mascara, moisturiser, deodorant & toothpaste ( in clear bag & all small size). I have subscribed to your channel & wish you happy travels

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jenny, for watching and for taking the time to comment. I think I'm about ready to ditch the weight of my jeans, and I did drop the heavy jean skirt. I'm looking for something more lightweight now that we are in Cyprus-it was a little too hard for shopping in Egypt! We have gotten some recommendations for alternate brands of bar shampoo, and we're going to order some for delivery here. We definitely miss the convenience of Amazon next-day deliveries! Thanks for your tips and for subscribing! We really appreciate it! -Judy

I like Judy's backpack 🎒, great idea to travel with.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I really do love it! And I also like that my purse has similar features. Thanks for watching! -Judy

Great video! It is going to be very helpful for our next trip. Thank you ❤

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

So great to hear from you, Roustem! We probably can cut even more, but so far, what we are using is working well for us! Thanks for your encouragement! -Judy & Kevin

Thanks for the video, got some items that I need to bring when I travel to Asia. Very helpful. Good luck!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Rosa, thanks for watching! We're headed to Southeast Asia in mid November and are super excited. Not quite the same, but perhaps you'll find this article helpful that I put together about packing for hot weather. Safe travels! -Judy findingginamarie.com/articles/how-to-pack-light-for-hot-and-humid-weather

Great travel packing vid!!! Thank you!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Kari! We are glad you enjoyed it! -Judy

Recently discovered your channel. Enjoying going along on your travels. I need new luggage, was seriously considering the Briggs and Riley ZDX, now I am sold. Thanks.

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

If you choose to use our link, it will help our channel at no cost to you. Our packing video was not sponsored in anyway, but we became an affiliate after we were so impressed at how well it traveled and how great customer service has been to us. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. -Judy Briggs & Riley: www.jdoqocy.com/click-100780777-13834908

I love this and totally admire your organization and ambition! I travel a pretty good bit for work, have gotten pretty good at living out of my B&R international sized carry on and backpack. But for me, I can’t go for more than a few days without bringing another pair of shoes, and men’s shoes are so bulky, I think it totally changes your bag and packing strategy.

@FindingGinaMarie

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the compliments. If you can reduce your clothes a little more and wear more wool that can be worn for multiple days on end, it’s doable, especially if you aren’t packing for multiple climates like we are. I’d suggest stuffing your shoes with items so you can reclaim some of the space. Ideally the additional shoes you pack aren’t too stiff so they can crush. We hope you love your B&R as much as we do. If you need to swap out shoes for comfort versus purpose, you also may want to consider an alternate shoe that is comfortable every time you wear them. -Judy & Kevin

I’ve had my current carry on for a couple years and on my last trip it decided it wasn’t going to let me retract the handle. A very sweet flight attendant put it in their compartment. When I got to my son’s he took it apart and used zip ties and duct tape to fix it. So far so good!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hooray for kind and understanding flight attendants and a ingenious son! Thank you for watching and for sharing your story, Shelley! -Judy

The Lems! Thanks for that tip! I need a good pair of walking anywhere shoes.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

So glad this can help, Shauna! I also have had great luck with Altra Lone Peak 6 if you don't mind something sportier. Gone are the days where I carried cute shoes and then was in misery walking long distances. www.altrarunning.eu/me/w-lone-peak-6-al0a548e446.html -Judy

Great video guys, just bought 2 of the reusable shopping bags from Amazon to add to our collection of goodies ready for travelling. And added small scissors to our list too….so thanks for these tips. Happy travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Annette! We've been really happy with the shopping bags, and they really are so multi-purpose. And with some of the plastics these days, you really almost need scissors to get them open (we choose items with less packaging whenever possible, but sometimes it's not an option). We'd love to hear more about your travels, and so glad we could help in some small way! -Judy

I've owned a Briggs & Riley Baseline 21" for over ten years. It has performed superbly and the inside compression works well; even after ten years. I also have Briggs & Riley medium backpack which fits under my seat on aircraft. Thanks for a great video; Oh I also use packing cubes

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

Hi Tom, we love hearing all this! Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. Someone recently mentioned how hard cobblestones and rough road are on luggage wheels, but after 17 countries and over 32 cities, ours look perfect. It's only been a year, but we are putting our Briggs & Riley to the test! Have you seen our latest packing video that we recently released? Here's a link below! -Judy What we’re Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

This was really informative and I like your section cards. Really helpful information. There were a a few times where I could have used a little more light though

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and for your comment, which is very helpful. We did have a problem with me contrasting with that black background, unfortunately, but we didn't think it would be an issue. If there is anything you would like to see up close that you couldn't, please let us know and we would be happy to photograph it for you. Also, here are links to everything. We don't earn anything from them, but they might be helpful. The list also includes three things we left out of our video: Apple Air Tags that we put inside our main luggage, reusable heavyweight ziplock bags that we use for storing leftovers when we are cooking, and our favorite eyeglass cleaning cloths. findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage -Judy

This was one of the best packing and travel videos I have watched. Good job!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

That means so much to hear! ♥️😍Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Hopefully it helps you on your travel adventures! -Judy

Great tips! Thanks guys!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, @ezbreezie76!

I'm so glad that KZread suggested this video. I'm a big fan of the B&R ZDX carry-on bags. I also use the same Thule tech bag as you. Loving it. Although I've never been a backpack guy so the Thule tech bag fits in my Nomad Lane Bento bag which is my favorite personal item bag.

@FindingGinaMarie

5 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you watched and enjoyed our packing video. The Thule bag was a great find and I used to carry a bag like the Nomad Lane Bento bag and loved it. Unfortunately, we need the space of a backpack now to carry all that won’t go in our ZDX bags. Cheers! - Kevin

Fan of the cubes also helps take the stress out of travel.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hey, Don, we totally agree! We really like to be able to toss aside the blocks of clothes that we aren't looking for! The weight of them is negligible, but they just seem tidier! Thank you so much for watching! -Judy

As a person who has done a lot of international/ intercontinental travel every year since 2014, including also a few-month-long trips, I really appreciate you showing the reality of the odd bits and bobs that one wouldn't think of including for "light packing", but that just totally make sense, like an apron, a grater and veggie peeler. These aren't things I include, because I'm usually not cooking, but I have my own conveniences. I also find it important to pack slippers, and I do end up packing a few more outfits too because of the downtime to airdry. At this point, most of my clothes have never seen a dryer, so I'm actually too nervous about how they will come out when I do have the chance 😅. 2 shrunken favorites from last year's travels.

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your perspective. Thank you for understanding that full-time traveling is a lot different than being on vacation. We did a new packing video a few weeks ago that you might want to see. Based on the locations we're in now, we ditched the cheese grater (sad panda, but we haven't been doing a lot of cooking in Southeast Asia). We've made a few other changes as well that might be interesting to you. Here's a link if you're interested in watching. -Judy What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

I've watched several of your videos and appreciate how you describe things very thoroughly and you cover specifics. Thank you.

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Rebecca, for watching and for your very kind words! We are headed to Southeast Asia and will have another packing video up in the next several weeks. Is there anything that would be useful for us to cover for you specifically regarding packing or anything else? -Judy

@rebeccagriswold282

8 ай бұрын

I have traveled decades for my job as an international airline pilot but want to find a mate to travel with come retirement! Have any ideas? :) You guys are great to watch. I’m planning an Egypt/Jordan trip next year (for fun, not work) and have watched all your videos from that part of the world. Thank you again for arming me with knowledge. @@FindingGinaMarie

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

We did a ton of tours in Egypt, but our BEST GUIDE BY FAR was Mahmoud Nour. If you aren't already fully booked, we highly recommend you contact him. I just spoke to him today and he is expanding his services and speaks excellent English. He’s passionate, super knowledgeable, and really made our trip memorable. Here’s his info: 💥 MAHMOUD NOUR | Call: +20 102 6979554 * Email: Mahmoudnour2055@gmail.com * (let him know we recommended you to him-we make no money by referring him, but he was amazing and we know you won’t be disappointed. Also, you might want to consider signing up for our La Famiglia community forum (findingGinaMarie.com/join). We have someone who is interested in not traveling solo and although it's a very small community right now, you may find someone who would be a match for the same type of travel as you. If you're looking for a "partner," that's not what this is, though! Thank you so much for your very kind comment and for watching! -Judy

@rebeccagriswold282

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for all this information. I was just teasing about finding a travel partner but will check out the community forum. Another question.....do you ever carry or use a crossover type bag to just carry incidentals, like your passport and some cash, when out exploring for a day or do you always carry your backpack? That seems like it could be cumbersome and possibly bigger & heavier than necessary. I do remember you packing a small over the shoulder purse, but that wouldn't seem as safe from theft as something against your body.@@FindingGinaMarie

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

@@rebeccagriswold282 My purse actually is a crossbody, and I love it. I'll link it below so you can see the features of it better. It's super safe because it has a handle that can't be cut and all the locking features I love about PacSafe bags that also are in my backpack (two types of zipper locks, purse can be locked to a permanent object and can't be released). You also can adjust the straps and carry it at its full height or with the straps lowered and carry it folded. I also like this convertible backpack (11L capacity, same as the purse) that swaps between a purse and a backpack, but they currently have limited colors and are out of stock. I just ordered one to see if I would prefer it for Southeast Asia, but I don't know if it's any better-more whether you prefer the option of putting it on your back). There hasn't really been an occasion that I've used my backpack around town. You could definitely do that, but I'm never carrying that much in it outside of travel. It's a 17L backpack. Hopes this helps! (and there's a topic for solo travelers in there) -Judy Pacsafe cross-body bag amzn.to/3tirKag Pacsafe convertible backpack: amzn.to/3PTq9k8

Great to meet you guys in London at the Sandwich St Cafe over breakfast. Good video and excellent links. Amazed you can carry all this gear on board - you certainly can’t in Australia with airlines strictly implementing a 7kg carry on limit.

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

Hi Craig, so great to hear from you! We actually don't carry all this even now. We'll have an episode coming soon from Japan that will show our current gear. Yes, we are fortunate in that we don't travel on airlines that weigh bags, so our backpacks are our personal items that fit under the seat and our backpacks fit in the overhead bins. When this is everything you own, you want one or two comforts along the way. We ditched all our denim, have swapped out a bunch of our tech, got rid of my curling iron. Lots and lots of changes. We've been leaving things behind in nearly every city when it no longer serves us, especially now that we expect to spend the next 11 months in warm weather. But our bags still are not lightweight! Thanks for watching and we hope you are well! -Judy

great video, lots of info, thanks.

@FindingGinaMarie

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! -Judy

Thanks for the ideas. (Now I'm wishing that I'd gotten that Briggs & Riley!)

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed this episode, Vicky! Thanks so much for watching! 🧳 -Judy

Wow what a fantastic vlog. Mesmerising. Shoutout from UK 🙌👏🏻💐🇬🇧 SAFE TRAVELS XX

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Tracey! And high five to you from Cyprus! 🙌-Judy

@traceygoodman6203

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie I’ve gone back to beginning of you meeting dating getting married losing Kevin’s dad 😢 still mesmerised lol and I am so easily bored so it’s a compliment xx high five back xx in a parallel universe you two have had a hugely popular morning show and are national treasures haha (UK Richard and Judy) ❤️❤️ God bless

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

LOL. Thanks for the compliment and for following along with our earlier videos. In the beginning we wanted to help people get to know us and our backstory (and about my adoption and finding birth family). They may not be the best cinematically, but we tried to be as honest as we could in order to build a relationship with our viewers. We are so glad to hear you are enjoying it. -Judy

This was great content. I received a lot of tips from this video and I can't wait until you share more like this one!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tara! Is there anything specific that you would like to see or know? We always are open to ideas from our viewers. Thank you for watching! -Judy

@taraacevedo8595

Жыл бұрын

We are going on a trip this summer, only for seven days, to a very hot and humid climate. I am trying to get everyones clothes in carry ons, a new concept to me, so I was really excited to see the beach towels you featured and also the PackTowl. Just any tips about carry on travel no matter how small would really help people like me that are new to packing light! Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Tara, try as hard as you can to limit the number of shoes (walking shoes and sandals are plenty). Because it will be hot, you will need more shirts (but no more than 7, and fewer if you can manage it-sometimes wearing a camisole under a shirt means you can get a second wearing out of the outer shirt in summer). In winter, four would be plenty. And bring way fewer bottoms than you think you will need because those don't get as sweaty. There's no reason for more than one bathing suit if you're trying to pack light. Bring a light, all-purpose sweater or pashmina that can go with everything. When I used to pack for a trip before we started traveling full time, I would put outfits together on my bed and then continue to curate them. It's easy to buy new clothes or put together a bunch of pretty outfits and want to wear them all, but do your best to avoid doing that. You probably only need to pack half of what you initially put out on your bed! Wear a clean shirt for dinner and then rewear it later in the week during the day. Ideally you want a small color palate that can mix and match and as few colors as possible. I often stick to black and burgundy, but for summer it could be two lighter colors. White is going to show every dribble, so I try to avoid bringing it. Bring clothes that are a little loose and breathe well, and fabrics that wick moisture away from your body and dry quickly. Merino wool socks can be reworn and won't stink, so you can pack fewer pairs-I alternate them so they have time to breathe. You can buy sunscreen when you get to your destination. Jeans and denim are heavy and take up a lot of space-a light dress is a better option if that's your style. Bring minimal makeup, especially since you'll be sweating it off anyway. I hope these tips help; let us know how it goes! -Judy

@taraacevedo8595

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Thank you...I will do my best to incorporate everything I have learned!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Tara, you inspired me to write this article. Hope this provides an easy reference for you! -Judy findingginamarie.com/articles/how-to-pack-light-for-hot-and-humid-weather

For shoes, you could get black Skechers "ballet flats", they are almost as comfy as trainers, but go much more nicely with more urban style trousers and especially skirts/ dresses.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for your comment. Can you include a link to what you have in mind? The shoes I wear need to work on stones and dirt and rocks, sand, and cobblestones-all of which I've encountered in the last two months between Egypt and Cyprus. I'm not sure that "cute" shoes would have the soles to navigate these conditions, but I'm happy to take a look and try it out. I've been wearing Taos sandals with skirts when I need to look a bit dressy. I still have my Rothy's, but not sure whether I plan to keep them because they really are for such a limited amount of occasions, I might prefer to save the weight and bulk of them (even though they aren't especially heavy or bulky!). -Judy

@eclairtreo

Жыл бұрын

I wear Börn brand ballet flats and they even have a bit of arch support. They come in a myriad of colors, but i just have black and a tan pair. They pack flat and have comfy toebox as well.

@Wandering.Homebody

Жыл бұрын

@@eclairtreo wow, these look GREAT!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion! -Judy

@PercyFinn

Жыл бұрын

FitFlop has microwobbleboard technology ballet flats that have thick soles with fantastic support. I’ve had my patent leather black ones for years and they’re extremely comfortable and cute. Make sure it’s the particular technology there are others they sell that have thin soles and I’d imagine you’d feel every pebble. I have foot issues and their shoes/sandals are the only ones I can manage. Good luck!

Don't know why but your channel popped up on my KZread feeder, maybe because I was searching for how to change the way we pack for long trips. But I have become addicted to your Vlogs so informative, funny and honest.. you two have a new fan.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

So glad you found us, and thank you for the very kind compliment! I hope you learned a few new tips. We have some additional information on our website as well (findingGinaMarie.com). Also, I see you've been to Krakow. We are headed there this summer for a few weeks. Do you have any tips for us? We'll be watching some of your episodes from there in the meantime. I just watched your birthday celebration episode you recorded several years ago in San Francisco, the city where we lived for over 8 years before becoming full-time travelers! Below is a link to an early episode where we talk about our move to SF! -Judy kzread.info/dash/bejne/mqSn1qWTZKy-ado.html

@hilamadventures4060

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Lol those crazy vlogs I did with my wife & daughters to Chronicle to video adventures were hilarious. MY APOLOGIES for not reaching out sooner. We are currently in Munich having left Malta a few days ago..we will be in Europe for a month. Krakow was amazing, very walkable city, inexpensive Airbnb accommodations, the shopping mall there was stunning. If u can take a free tour it was very enjoyable. Fitagain Cafe serves traditional American Pancakes. Its located near the square. As for Frisco My wife lived there four years, it's still her and now mine favorite west coast city.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@hilamadventures4060 Thanks so much for circling back regarding your insights about Krakow! Enjoy Munich and wherever else you are visiting while you are in Europe. We'll be here for almost 90 days. You are right; San Francisco is a very special place! -Judy

I've watched a lot of packing videos... I'm obsessed. This has to be one of the best! Love the all the details. Thank you so much! I am definitely going to go through your packing list, thank you for that too! Cheers ~ Happy Travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Jen! What a wonderful compliment. I hope our ideas are useful for you in your travels. We always are trying to optimize! Thank you so much for watching! If you have specific things you’d like to see in a future video, we’d love to know! -Judy

@JenShea

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Thank you Judy! I’m going to have to try and watch more of your videos… I’m very curious about your channel name! Cheers ~ (From an over-packed nomad!)

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@JenShea spoiler alert: we discuss it in episode 7. We build up a story about who we are and how we got here beginning with the first episode. We have a playlist called, “Finding Family,” if you want to follow it! They are our first episodes and we are finding our footing, so we will tell you if you give up and just want to know, but we’d love for you to watch a bit of you can! Nomad!?! Where are you currently living and for how long? -Judy

@globetrotter6127

11 ай бұрын

The air bags helps a lot. Walmart has them and Amazon and reduce a lot. Its not only rolled , needs the plastic airbags to reduce much more

@JenShea

11 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Hi Judy, I realize I never responded to this. I did go back and watch your other videos. I was in LA when I first wrote, now I'm back home in Ottawa (Canada) but also spend several months in New Jersey with family (winters)... but planning to move to Portugal for a home base.

Thank you so much for the video. You gained a new suscriber 🙂

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, Praveen! Thank you so much for being part of our community. We are thrilled to have you here! -Judy

We are traveling for 2 months and I am using a soft sided, Samsonite in line wheeled underseat bag and a small backpack. I think if you use any luggage, avoid outside pockets due to bulging as you noted. The more simple the bag, the more options for packing. Limiting clothing to light weight synthetics, you can meet weight restrictions of 8-10 kg. We avoided the worry of having to check a bag for most of our flights. Also, dividing the weight between your backpack and small case really helps.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for sharing your experiences. We previously had an underseat Samsonite that Kevin carried his whisky advent calendar in (for his whisky tasting channel, WhiskyRiffs) when we were traveling in Italy last year. We ditched it, but it was a good case. We're planning to swap out some of our clothes for lightweight wool and possibly ditching a few items. We'll see how it works for us. There still are some creature comforts that we bring along that we would not if we weren't traveling full time. -Judy

@tam6912

Жыл бұрын

Would you please share what you are packing and for what climate? Light weight synthetics-are you talking about dry fit clothes? I am too hot natured to wear that fabric. I’m going to try merino wool before we embark on our travels to see how it works for me.

@sharonmathie8613

Жыл бұрын

TAM - I roll 5 short and long sleeved polyester or similar shirts and layer under a thin, polyester cardigan sweater. I take a v neck sweater for layering, too. I wear and take a womens boot cut pant by Duluth. I am able to pack a raincoat and a mid-thigh length jacket. Merino is perfect for colder weather.

@sharonmathie8613

Жыл бұрын

I used this combo for current travel in Malta, Sicily and Portugal. Temp 50 - 65. Synthetics also dry much faster if going somewhere that dryers are not readily available.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@tam6912 We travel in all four seasons. We actually want to switch more of our clothing to merino wool (our socks already are Darn Toughs made from that material). I love the style of my Athleta pants in polyester/spandex, so those likely won't change, but I am looking at Woolx and Wool& for some wool shirts to replace some of our summer clothes especially-I just made the big decision to pitch my jeans, jean skirt, and jean shorts in favor of wool. Now that we are out of Egypt, it's a little easier to have items shipped to us (we're in Cyprus for a month). Here's an article listing several brands to try: merinowoolrocks.com/top-merino-wool-brands-2020/. I'll be posting a review of our clothes once we have a chance to try them out. Kevin's planning to make the switch as well. -Judy

Thanks your video helped me so much

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, Paula. We have a newer packing video that we recently released based on our one year of full-time travel. You might want to check it out below. -Judy What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

For a one week trip last year, I experimented with minimal backpack only. Extra slacks, four tops, socks, 7 underwear, iPad Mini and phone charging cords, jacket, extra glasses, paperwork and rolled up drawings for my meeting. One bathing suit, shorts, rash guard shirt, tiny towel. All fine until Southwest stranded me in Sarasota for four days! I had to hand wash every single one of my clothing items in the sink of a hotel. I improvised and enjoyed my extra time in that beautiful place!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Was that at Christmas when Southwest stranded nearly everyone? We felt terrible for all the people who were separated from their stuff. So glad you were able to turn those lemons into refreshing lemonade and did not allow the problems to ruin your trip! -Judy

@claudiahansen4938

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie actually, it was April 2, 2022, when a huge storm shut down the Jacksonville ATC tower and all flights were canceled, causing a huge backlog. Southwest never rebooked me, so I flew home on American. I kind of enjoyed my time alone, having to scramble for a hotel and adapt. That's why I love traveling!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@claudiahansen4938 We are right there with you! It's a different story if you have clients waiting for you or something else urgent and you need to reschedule a bunch of plans, but at the end of the day, you can't do much except keep a smile on your face. We are so glad you are here with us. We love hearing stories like this! -Judy

@marcythobaben1284

4 ай бұрын

That's why I carry a Scrubba washbag when traveling, even in just my backpack (and plan to wash our clothes in it during our 3 1/2 week hike! I use laundry soap sheets and a braided clirhes line.

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

I've looked at these, Marcy. I don't wash my wool clothes often, but when I need to would I have to worry about the Scrubba bag being too rough on them? We updated our packing gear for 2024, and we now use laundry soap sheets! -Judy What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

Thank you!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, Erlinda! -Judy

Awesome video!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! We are so glad you enjoyed it and hope it helps you on your own travels! -Judy & Kevin

Thank you for calling out the difference between packing vs compression cubes! Many KZreadrs don't seem to know the difference, and they refer to packing cubes as compression cubes, which they are not. 😅 It's such a trivial thing to be bothered by, but there is a huge benefit to actual compression cubes that is a disservice to not address, which many youtubers don't. Leave it not compressed to fit more and still be organized or compress it if you can squeeze it down and make a bit more space in your luggage. I'm a huge fan of compression cubes and always make sure I use them rather than regular packing cubes.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Cveta, and for your kind comment. Regardless of whether it's packing cubes or compression cubes, we love them for compartmentalizing our stuff. One downside to my compression cubes is that they are completely opaque (but they are in my favorite color, burgundy, so I recently added vinyl descriptors to them-e.g., undies, bottoms, tops, and misc). I've been mostly able to tell without labels, but they're a nice addition. I've reduced the number of items I carry so I was able to ditch my mesh packing cube for my shirts and switch it over to a compression cube. Kevin's compression cubes have a transparent portion that allow him to see what's inside, which is really great for him. We are glad to hear you also are a fan of them! -Judy

@maryburger1232

Жыл бұрын

​@@FindingGinaMarie and then you are holding up security if they want to properly check your carry on case and unpack everything, every last item had to come out of my bag, all packing cubes emptied, luckily I don't carry compressing cubes, but it took ages to get it all back in the case😡, all because my ex boyfriend made a joke at security and they thought is was real😡

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@maryburger1232 I'm not exactly understanding this. Under normal circumstances, when security sees something suspicious, they typically know what they are looking for. They thought my hairbrush and my curling iron looked suspicious, but that meant I only had to move around my packing cubes to get to the things they wanted a closer look at. I'm sorry in your situation your companion (glad to hear he's your ex) caused red flags where they felt the need to look at absolutely everything. This definitely isn't the usual experience when they want a closer look at something. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that! -Judy

Thank you❤

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We are always glad to answer your questions or hear your comments! -Judy

Love your suitcases and how much they hold!! Wow! You are both beautifully organised 🤗 I think your Briggs and Riley bags, when empty, weigh about 4.5 kg - my next big trip has a restriction of 10 kg on carry on luggage. My osprey ozone only weights 2.16 kg - so would meet my needs better - even though it lacks the beautiful adornments of your luggage. Thanks for a very thorough video 🤗x

@FindingGinaMarie

8 ай бұрын

There is a lot we have adjusted in the time we've been traveling since that video was filmed, but you are right that when you have a 10kg weight restriction and are already carrying a super light bag, you have to make compromises. Even though we've changed a lot, we really don't want to carry everything we own on our backs. Kevin just had surgery in September and can't carry anything heavier than 5kg, so having a rolling bag is a huge relief. We have a few tips like bringing fewer clothes that can multitask, limiting the number of shoes and liquids you carry, and don't pack your fears. There are stores everywhere to get what you need when you arrive in your destination that will be cheaper and easier than preparing and packing for every contingency. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave us this comment! -Judy

Hi Judy & Kevin, Thanks for the video, I found it very informative as I am searching for a functional/small case - hopefully from next trip I'm aiming to go "hand luggage only "(wish me luck! LOL!). Judy, I am also big on pacsafe bags and have accidentally become a bit of a collector actually!...oops! I thought you might be interested to know that Katmandu also do a fab range of travel skirts that are cute, functional and dry very quickly! Kind regards, Sandie, Melbourne, Australia 😊

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and for your helpful information, Sandie! Glad we could be kindred souls with PacSafe! Do you have a favorite? I wish the backpacks had the same sleek/modest branding that my 17L has and that something in a larger size still fit the under-seat dimensions. Thanks for the tip about Kathmandu, but unfortunately, they don't do international shipping. We are finding this hiccup a lot. I did pay an insane amount to get two Ripskirt Hawaii skirts delivered to Cyprus and I've bought a few dresses from EU Wooland site, which has been nice. Good luck with the "hand luggage only" traveling from Australia. Airlines in/out of Australia sure make that hard, especially for full-time travelers like us. We've been recommending TravelPro's Maxlite 5 slim bag that weighs 5.3 pounds. However, it looks like they may be revamping their Maxlite line to be hardsided, which is less ideal, since the hard-sided cases have more weight. We'd love to hear what you end up using. -Judy

Thank you for this informative video. I will definitely take use your packing tops when we travel to NZ and AU at the end of the year.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, @debbrooks893! It’s a long video, but we tried to pack it full with enough details to be useful. -Judy

@oh444

Жыл бұрын

Don’t forget that on flights in Australia we are only allowed 7kg carry on. This includes handbags. ALL bags are weighed before getting on the flight. Enjoy!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@oh444 TravelPro MaxLite luggage is only 5.4 pounds, and that would go a long way to helping get close to the 7kg weight. Our travel is four season, full-time, so what we carry is significantly more than what you'd need if you were only traveling for a week or two weeks, or even a month. We'd like to challenge ourselves to see how we would pack and live for a month on only 7kg in one bag apiece. Would you watch such a video? If so, what constraints would you want us to account for besides weight? -Judy

@oh444

Жыл бұрын

​@@FindingGinaMarie Not for me personally, thanks...When I travel with carry on in Australia I take a lightweight bag. I currently have a polypropylene Antler bag that weighs only 1.7kg. I'd much rather have the extra weight for clothing than the heavier bag weight.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@oh444 We so agree with having a lighter bags as the best hack to lower the weight of your pack! After talking with Kevin, he agreed that at that weight, you'd probably be best to take a backpack versus a rolling bag so you don't waste the weight of wheels and a handle. -Judy

Thanks Again!

Thank you very much, this is very interesting. I did have a lot of curiosity as to how many of each item you bring in that wasn’t exactly clear, like how many shirts etc. I was also a little surprised that you guys put electronic cords and plugs in so many different places, I have just currently switched to one zipper pouch that everything is in and that’s in my backpack

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Diana. As far as cords are concerned, mine are split into two cases in my backpack. They're divided only because they're easier to puzzle together with the other things in my backpack-one larger bag is a bit too bulky with our converters. Sometimes it feels like Tetris to get everything to fit perfectly. As for Kevin, he has his shaver and our Apple home pod in his luggage, some chargers, etc. for recording our KZread episodes, etc. in his sling, and the rest in his backpack (his sling goes in his backpack while we are traveling). I currently pack the following clothes for our lives as full-time travelers in four seasons. If I would buy something, I would remove something. If you want Kevin's list of clothes, let us know. Our packing list is linked at the bottom. Note that this is slightly updated from our packing video because we are constantly optimizing and trying to lighten our loads: 4 long-sleeved shirts (2 plain, 2 patterned) 3 short-sleeved shirts (1 black, 1 blue, and 1 patterned) 2 UnderArmor shirts (1 typically for sleeping in and 1 for working out)-in a pinch these can double as regular short-sleeved shirts if absolutely necessary 2 Lululemon 7" shorts (1 for working out and 1 for sleeping) 2 pairs of black pants (1 cargo that I wear most of the time and 1 dressier pair for when the other is being washed or for dressing up) 1 pair shorts 2 Ripskirts (super thin and take up next to no space-one black and one black/white patterned) 10 pairs underwear 2 bras (I need a new workout bra, so I use one for working out and wear the other as a daily bra-washing them by hand as needed) 1 cardigan from Athleta 1 scarf 1 bathing suit (1 piece) 1 bathing suit coverup 1 pair slippers (unstructured, so they flatten perfectly) 1 pair sandals 1 pair Rothy's for dressing up (winter)-I've debated ditching these, but they came in handy in Scotland today when I needed to dress up and sandals would have been impractical because it's chilly 1 pair Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers that I wear for travel 3 pairs Darn Tough low/no-show socks 1 pair compression socks (knee high) for travel I hope this is helpful! -Judy Packing list: findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

I carry folding scissors that also are a key ring…very small and sharp!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Clever idea! As long as they are small, they are a huge help while traveling for extended periods of time. -Judy

Great video.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Christina! Spello is one of those tucked-away places that is easy to miss unless you know about it. We loved experiencing it! -Judy

Great video ! Is this an user seat suit case ? I love using my under seat travelpro. I get so much in it and I use compression bags for my close as well. Loved the beach towel you showed

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We put our backpacks under our seats. Our Briggs & Riley cases need to be in an overhead bin due to their size. We've heard really great things about TravelPro, and we recommend their MaxLite version for folks who really require light bags (they're 5.4 pounds). We are trying to see what things we can cut to reduce our load even more based on some great feedback here. So glad you like the beach towel; it's been great for us as well! -Judy

Great video! On our many 3 month long trips staying in gites de France, we would take one large, one small soft sided suitcase, two backpacks. One laptop and cords, papers, sweater for the plane. In checked luggage, 6” chefs knife, two paring knives, and an apron. Lightweight cutting board sheets. Tongs or chopsticks because we cooked every day.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Claudia, Sounds like you had your kit dialed in! Fortunately knives and cutting boards have been available for us so that we haven't had to carry them. Great idea about the tongs or chopsticks! We love hearing what other people carry with them, and I am so happy to hear that someone else carries an apron! Thank you for watching! -Judy

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Also, do you have a favorite food that was a staple in your cooking repertoire on the road?

@claudiahansen4938

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie yes, we like to cook the dishes of the country and region we visit. Duck breasts in s.w. France, Puerto Rican arroz con gandules if we are there, we are always checking out the farmers' markets and local groceries where we go, especially the wine and cheese departments. We cooked moussaka in Greece. We didn't cook in Egypt. We mainly got apartments or gites in Europe. My sister and I would go on guided tours where I didn't speak the language, or my husband had no interest in going. We didn't cook on those tours, to Russia, China, India, S. Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba. How about you?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@claudiahansen4938 We are somewhat similar. I did not cook in Egypt, either. I love when we can pick up fresh items from farmers' markets as well. In Greece we made kebabs and ate kofta with eggs. I love making soups with pasta and fresh veggies and beans. Italy's fresh cherry tomatoes were a great base for homemade pasta sauce. So far in Cyprus it's only been chicken and broccoli, but we've yet to dig in to a longer grocery trip. You are well traveled! -Judy

@claudiahansen4938

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie you guys are well traveled, also. We've never been to Cyprus. But my sister and I loved Tunisia, Malta, Sicily, Corsica and Sardegna. Their foods were fantastic! Of all the food in the world, I love Indian food the most. On Thanksgiving 2010, I said to my sister in India, “ if I had to renounce all other cuisines, and eat only Indian food at breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of my days, I would sign on the dotted line!”

I also travel with a back in a bag, but normally my sling is in my carry on since it doesnt fit well in my backpack. Camera people get it!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Alec! We do get it, thank you for commenting. Before I bought my Nomatic backpack, my old backpack was too small, so I was packing my camera sling in my carry-on suitcase. Then I'd put packing cubes with clothing in my backpack. When we went back to the US for Christmas, I changed my backpack and suitcase. I feel much better having my Sony FX30 with me at all times. Cheers! - Kevin

I’ll be using those plastic vacuum bags. Gives me so much more room to bring back anything I buy in the UK.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a great plan! I've even heard of people shipping their laundry back home so there is more room for souvenirs! Here's a company who does this, but I totally think you can DYI it if you would like! packdbags.com. Thanks for watching and for sharing your idea! -Judy

I've watched many RTW packing videos (while traveling for the past 2.5 years) and you've done better than many... I had never heard of a travel scale before and will consider adding it to my kit. Thank you for sharing! Too bad you didn't like the particular bar shampoo & conditioner you tried - there are so many out there and they're great (ie: not wax-y). I love Ethique, which has a variety of shampoos for different hair textures and conditions. And I know you know how to carry them - in your Matador flatpak soap bar cases, which are miraculous containers, allowing the bars to dry without any leaking! (Wasted as a cord container, but you're prepared should you give other bar brands a try.) I'd also recommend laundry sheets (like Earth Breeze & Tru Earth) and Stasher silicone containers (like reuseable zip-lock bags) for making lunch in the AirBNB & taking it with you to the museums, parks, walking tours, etc. For me, I'd ditch the makeup, hair & nail stuff in exchange for the aforementioned items. But to each their own. Happy adventuring!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Marty! It's encouraging for us to hear that! We will take a look at Ethique, because we don't love having to carry two TSA bags! I have a second Matador case that does have our bar soap in it (whatever we scrounge from hotels when we are in them), but I am very glad to put the headset in a backpack pocket and reclaim them for shampoo, soap, and conditioner! We'd heard mixed reviews about laundry sheets, but we are willing to give them a try. We typically buy a small bottle and leave it behind, but we'd prefer to avoid unnecessary plastic consumption if possible, so thanks for the recommendations. As far as Stasher silicone containers, we inadvertently left out three items that we pack: (1) Apple Air Tags that we put inside our main luggage; (2) reusable heavyweight ziplock bags that we use for storing leftovers when we are cooking (we missed them because they were on the counter and in the fridge when we were recording in Athens!); and (3) our favorite eyeglass cleaning cloths. We use the silicone bags for storing leftovers, opened spice bags and opened packages of rice, pasta, etc. and absolutely love them! I may be willing to ditch nail polish and buy what I need when I'm on the road, and saving space with liquids would be wonderful! If you have other suggestions or tips for travel that you think we could use, we'd love to hear them! -Judy findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

@christinabayma119

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking about the laundry sheets too. They’re great for travel. Stay dry and take up no space at all. They don’t clean quite as well as some popular brands, but they do the trick. You could always add a stain removing pen or stick too.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@christinabayma119 Do you have a brand that you recommend? I am seeing several, but there's a range of how well people think they work. We've been buying liquid when we travel and leaving it behind for the next Airbnb guest if we don't use it all. -Judy

@christinabayma119

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie I’ve used TruEarth and Earth Breeze. Don’t bother with scented versions as you can’t smell anything once you’re done washing anyway. I think I like TruEarth better but I’m still trying to find a brand that cleans as well as my liquid detergents. Main thing is they’re great for packing in a zipper bag or the thin cardboard envelope they arrive in. Use them in a machine or the sink. Eco friendly.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion, Christina! Our current Airbnb in Cyprus has supplied liquid, but I will look for these. I’ve heard mixed reviews on sheets, but we’ll try these for ourselves. -Judy

I'm surprised that you don't have laundry detergent sheets. Super easy to pack! I highly recommend.

@FindingGinaMarie

5 ай бұрын

Our packing video is shortly after we started traveling. It's not really necessary to pack laundry sheets because in most places Airbnbs with washers tend to provide detergent. It's only since we started wearing Wool& wool clothes and don't use brighteners and all the other things that are in most liquid detergents that we started carrying sheets. We have an updated packing video coming out in January! Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. -Judy

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to do. I'm 68 and I travel about 60% of the time for work, both by plane and by car. I have used a Rimowa Salsa Deluxe Cabin (polycarbonate) suitcase (now called Essential) for the last 13+ years - yes, it has lasted that long. It is a clamshell but I haven't had any problems even in tight quarters. It is the perfect size for carry on or check and I can easily pack for 7 to 10 days depending on weather. I have a different strategy for packing - I do use a couple of cubes for underwear and socks, but for pants, shirts and blazers, I use a flat pack method. I can get much more in that way - even than rolling (and believe me, I think I have tried every packing method imaginable). I also use a PacSafe backpack that slips over the handle of my Rimowa. Streamlining your items to only what you actually use is important.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing what is working for you, especially with such extensive travel. I do like to have exterior pockets and an ability to expand if absolutely necessary. While we use everything in our cases, we can lighten them up a bit more and are looking forward to spending some time reassessing what we have. The benefit for us with packing cubes is that if I'm looking for a shirt, I can pull out my entire cube and figure out which one I want to wear, and when we're in winter, I don't even touch the pack with shorts. It streamlines things quite a bit for us. My backpack also is PacSafe, and I love it. Which one do you have? I've not tried flat packing with cubes because I like how easy it is to see things at a glance versus rifling through layers. However, if it can slim down the look of our cases, it might be worth it to revisit that aspect. Thanks for watching and for your comment. It's always interesting for us to hear what works for our viewers! Travel safely! -Judy

@dr.d723

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Hi Judy - I have the Pacsafe Metrosafe 25L. I prefer it because it is tall enough to fit my 17" gram laptop that I use for work. I prefer flat packing because I get less wrinkles in my clothes (somewhat important for all the meetings I go to). Like you I am always looking for ways to streamline my packing. Thanks again. Deborah

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

I’ve looked at that 25L bag, and I do like the look of it. I just wish it had the minimal branding that is on the 17L. I can appreciate that flat packing may give you fewer wrinkles; it’s one of the reasons my shirts are in a regular packing cube versus a compression cube like most of my other clothes. But what I carry is typically very travel friendly fabrics, which also helps. Thank you so much for sharing what works for you. I am always learning and fine tuning! -Judy

@joannbanks9963

Жыл бұрын

I flat pack (one fold for shirts, shorts & pants) also! I firmly believe you get more. Also easy to scoop out & put in a drawer!

@dr.d723

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie I understand about minimal branding. When I travel internationally (usually to Asia on business), I have a decorative rope tie (given by my daughter) that I put on the top handle which hangs over the front of my bag covering the "pacsafe" label. It is easy enough to move out of the way when I get into the pockets. But truthfully, the 17L is much more attractive. But my laptop wouldn't fit.

I got my first Briggs and Riley back in 1998 as a gift. Over the years I’ve had other brands but recently rediscovered Briggs and Riley. It’s the quality, warranty and all the little added features (like the bag strap) why I’m willing to pay a little more. Happy travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Nicole, Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with Briggs and Riley. They are expensive, but the quality has been superb. Thanks for watching, and happy and safe travels to you as well! -Judy

I love piggy-back straps!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Us, too! Thank you for watching! -Judy

Hello from Houston! Very helpful video. My husband and I are thinking doing a similar adventure as what you guys are doing. Ours is sort of a hybrid. We sold our house moved to a condo for a lock and leave lifestyle. Our plan is to be away for 3-4 months at a time then come back. We would pick a city somewhere in the world as a home base and explore that part of the world. In Europe, maybe Spain and take weekend and day trips in that part of the world. In Asia, maybe Manila and take weekend trips in SE Asia. Just in the planning stages. You guys are an inspiration.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Howdy! We briefly considered a home base, but in the end we didn't want the hassle or extra expense/effort, but we are well aware that's not for everyone! We talked briefly about relocating to London and using that as a home base, but eventually we decided we wanted to travel beyond Europe. Your idea sounds great. How far out is your plan to travel? You've already sold your home, which is huge progress! Keep us posted, because we want to hear more! -Judy

@acarpio3

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie My husband is retired and I hope to retire this year, once we get "permission" from our financial advisor to quit my job. Haha. So we hope to do it later this year. Actually, we considered London as our first base so at least we can figure out how slow travel works for us without the added challenge of a language barrier. Thank you for sharing your learning experiences....we learn with you guys along the way.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

How exciting for you both! We've been pleasantly surprised at how well we are overcoming language barriers, even in Cairo, where there weren't many people at all who spoke English. There was some initial discomfort, but then we learned to point at restaurants at what others were eating! One huge benefit of slow travel is that you have time to get through the awkwardness or unfamiliarity and eventually a culture and a country's people will grow on you. It's been so fulfilling! Best of luck to you both! (And one thing that isn't talked about enough is that for as important as money is for retirement, equally so is your health. Some people wait too long and by the time they are ready to launch or too soon thereafter, they're stymied by health or mobility issues that make travel prohibitive.) Good luck to you both! -Judy

@acarpio3

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarieThank you. Your so correct regarding health. My husband is 70 and I am 60. He is anxious to get started on this planned adventure while we still physically can. It is already getting exhausting now with all the airport securty, transfers, delays, train platforms, etc. That's why we try to be as active as possible and take care of our health. Stay safe. PS - We enjoyed our visit in Cairo many years ago but the relentless nagging of vendors got to be very annoying.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We are finding that traveling more minimally has made a big difference in getting from one place to another. Bigger bags just don’t cut it for us. It isn’t always perfect, but it does help. We hopped on a Nile cruise in Aswan with only minimal clothes in our backpacks and left our carry-ons at our Airbnb in Luxor, and we are so grateful for how easy it’s been navigating stairs, the small space on the train for luggage, and even our cruise ship and bus. I am trying to get more exercise and eat a bit healthier and also stretch, stretch, stretch, which has not been a consistent habit of mine, but I know it needs to change! We completely understand what you mean about the vendor issues in Cairo (which we are finding in Luxor and Aswan as well). They are mostly cheerful when they finally accept no for an answer, which helps somewhat. We are mindful of the struggling economy here and how desperate the country is for tourism, so we are trying to be patient and decline with a smile, even though that isn’t always easy. -Judy

I need to rewatch this to write down names of products to try!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Lynda, you can find our entire packing list linked here if it’s helpful. -Judy findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

Thought that I would share a quick update after returning from our 15-day trip to Italy and my experience with the B&R ZDX bag. We stayed in Airbnbs in Venice (3 nights), Bologna (4 nights), and near Pienza in Tuscany (3 nights) before wrapping up our trip in a Rome hotel for 5 nights. Having a washer in Bologna was a huge help and definitely played a role in how we packed, but even some of our 'quick dry' clothes took longer than expected to dry. Side note...one of the 'fun' parts of these European washing machines (we have used them in Austria, Iceland, the Czech Republic, and Poland) is trying to interpret what each of the wash cycles means and discovered at least one in Salzburg that had an integrated dryer. I really tried to focus on creating a capsule wardrobe and did pretty well, but overpacked when it came to pants (3 would have been plenty...5 were too many) and shirts (2 Columbia PFG fishing shirts and 4 tech T-shirts would have been enough, but I should have packed an extra polo shirt). Socks and underwear, however, were just about perfect and the Ex Officio travel underwear washed and dried great. The weather forecast when we left called for rain over the first 7-10 days, but aside from one day when we took a food tour and were mostly inside my rain jacket was unneeded. However, since it is really a shell it would have been enough and it proved to be a helpful ground cloth in the muddy mess for the Bruce Springsteen concert in Ferrara. My mistake was taking a lightweight jacket that I wore once and took up way too much space in my suitcase. With packing cubes (we bought some from eBags years ago) were great and really made the B&R bag work in carry-on mode. On the way home we had a leftover bottle of wine, so had to check the bag and took advantage of the expansion feature. Through airports and across cobblestones, the bag was flawless and looked great. No issues with taking the 22" option onboard either a Virgin Atlantic or BA aircraft. One thing that I need to think about for our next big trip is whether I invest in a travel backpack. I have the Aer Go Pack 2 (20L) which worked well along with the Aer Day Sling 3 which I use for EDC and was perfect to hold my phone, wallet, passport, portable charger, and bottle of water. The Go Pack is collapsible and I would pack it inside a larger 30-35L backpack if I wanted to have a daypack available. Is there a reason why you went with the Nomatic bags? I have not looked at those, but have checked options from Peak Designs, Alpaka, and Aer. None of these are inexpensive, but all seem to offer a lot of utility. The last thing that I need to figure out are footwear. I wore a pair of New Balance 847 walking shoes, but want to check out the Saucony. I also brought a pair of Adidas slides for walking around the Airbnb/hotel, but they are not great for going outside and my Keen Newport H2s are probably too bulky. What would you wear to the beach?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for circling back with us, Tim! You are SO right regarding the washing machines in Airbnbs! We've done fairly well, EXCEPT in Cyprus, where we really had no idea what some of the symbols meant. Our favorite was in Athens, which had a dryer unbeknownst to us (like your Salzberg experience)! We are THRILLED to hear that your experiences with Briggs & Riley have been good. We posted an update about Kevin's bag in our recent six-month travel update: kzread.info/dash/bejne/lZ2iss9ribOqkqw.html Kevin feels that the Nomadic brand is highly rated. It stands out for its durability, compartments for separating camera equipment, and overall clean aesthetic, which means that it doesn't look overly large to airport personnel who might flag it as being too big. Outside of his 16" Mac, his backpack only has our tech/camera/lighting equipment in it. You may need to be careful with the brand you choose if you shift to a larger backpack because it might not fit under your airline seat or meet international requirements. I was looking at enlarging my PacSafe bag, but they don't have anything larger in the 20-25 liter that has the right dimensions. Right now, Kevin is resisting buying another pair of shoes for beach wear, so we don't have recommendations now. He knows he needs them, and it's kind of a problem because we are currently in the French Riviera! We also plan to be in Southeast Asia before the end of the year, so he's going to have to figure that out soon! He's definitely not a sandal guy, so he'll be looking for something similar to these: Sanuk Vagabond ST Hemp or Crocs Man Literide Pacer Fitness Shoes in burgundy. Here's a review on the latter shoes, which appear at the end of the article: www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-shoes/ As for his daily walkers, Kevin continues to be really happy with his Saucony Omni 3 Walking Shoes, if that is the model you are considering. -Judy

@tkozikow

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie good point on the bag size and 20-25L is probably about as large as I can go and still fit under an airplane seat. For now the Aer Go Pack works and I am going keep my eyes open for a more permanent option, likely something from Aer (really liking that brand) or Peak Design. Preparing for this trip I went down some rabbit holes doing research, but find Pack Hacker to be a great resource. My challenge with shoes in general is that I wear a size 14 with a wide foot and many brands, including Crocs, only go to 13. Since I want something that I can walk around in beside the beach I am looking at the Keen Clearwater CNX which is a bit lighter than the Newport H2.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@tkozikow I am a big fan of Aer's Travel Kit 2, which is what I use for my toiletries. We also like Pack Hacker. PacSafe's website focuses on the security of their backpacks, but Pack Hacker does a much better job of showing you all the compartments so you can assess how well the innards work! That's also how I discovered Aer. Let us know what you think about the Keen Clearwater CNXs if you decide to get them. Thanks for all the feedback! -Judy

@tkozikow

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie I tried both the Keen Newport H2 and Clearwater CNX and found that my feet are a bit too wide for comfort so opted for a pair of Teva Terra Fi hiking sandals. While I think that these would pack well I am still not convinced that they are the right long-term solution. However, I think that the Keen Clearwater would be a great option if they fit. The Newport H2 generally gets higher ratings, but at the cost of weight and volume when packed.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update, Tim. I've had a pair of Tevas that served me well. Kevin still hasn't been ready to begin his search yet, but thanks for these suggestions; they will come in handy soon. -Judy

Thank you for the video 😊 I have a feeling you probably had your carry on checked quite a few times no? With weight restrictions and size restrictions ? Thank you for letting us know 😊

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Gail, we actually haven't had trouble carrying on our bags. Our luggage fits easily in all the overhead bins we've had. We definitely have more than the 7kg limit that some of the super budget/Australian airlines offer. But we are four season, full-time travelers and we carry things that we would not if we were traveling for only a month or less. And the size of our luggage is a very standard size-22 x 14 x 9 as compared to some luggage that relies on an extra half inch here or there that can sometimes be problematic. Our backpacks fit easily under our seats along with our jackets. They look like commuting backpacks, not full-time backpacker bags, which helps! The only time we've needed to check our luggage has been when we've flown on an airline that makes you pay for having more than one cabin bag. We continually adjust our kit and replaced some of our bulkier clothes like my denim skirt for a thinner Ripskirt Hawaii and trimmed down a few items that we haven't been using as much or felt like we could live without (e.g., I got rid of my jeans since my black Athleta cargo pants are fabulous for nearly every situation and my black Honeylove pants are great when I want something dressy). I got rid of a long-sleeved shirt I was tired of wearing as well. Lastly, someone recommended a new type of shampoo bar that we are trying and we've also reduced the amount of liquids we are traveling with. Our goal is never to need to check our bags, and so long as we don't bulk them out, they haven't been a problem because they don't set off alarm bells at the airport by looking too big. I hope this helps. Are you a full-time traveler yourself, or do you need help figuring out how to travel with less? If there is a video you'd like to see from us, we'd love to hear it! Thanks for watching! -Judy

Thanks for this very helpful video. Will buy B&R now and pack for carry-ons only. How did you roll across Europe cobblestones and not buy a convertible rolling-backpack (Osprey) or possibly B&R rolling duffle (handles as backpack?).

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! We've been pretty impressed with these wheels so far, and cobblestones haven't deterred them. We already have backpacks that fit under our airplane seats, so we need a carry-on with wheels as well. We might be able to pack everything into larger backpacks and only have a single item to carry, but there are times when we don't want that much weight on our shoulders and backs. I know that we can get something with a hip belt (Osprey doesn't fit me well, unfortunately), but for now this is working out for us. -Judy

This is my first video of yours and now I’m subscribing! Really great and thoughtful information, thanks so much. Do you have any affiliate links for your backpacks?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We are thrilled to have you watching and that you have subscribed! Thank you so much! Here is a link to our full packing list with (links). findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage My backpack from PacSafe is not an affiliate link, but I highly recommend it regardless. The link is referenced above, but it's the PacSafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Backpack (17L) Kevin’s backpack through Nomadic is a referral link (we aren't affiliated with them, but we get a discount on future items and you get a discount, too). rwrd.io/z79dfbu?c His items are: Nomatic 20L Travel Pack Backpack, Nomatic Peter McKinnon Camera Sling 8L, and Nomatic Peter McKinnon Accessory Bag

I recently spent 10 days in India with carryon only. A hardsided carryon and a backpack. Half way through the vaction we had the hotel wash our clothes. Less than $8 for same day service for my son and I. In Thailand there was a store front laundry service close to our hotel. Similar price. Everything was nicely folded and wrapped.

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. We actually updated our packing methods after a year of full-time travel. Hopefully there are a few more tips you can get from it. Of course, the way we travel is slightly different from people who are taking an extended vacation since we are full-time travelers and what we carry is literally everything we own and since we are constantly on the road, we have a few luxury items that you absolutely would not need for ten days in India (or even two months!). We have India on our bucket list. Are there places you recommend we visit? Thanks for taking the time to leave this helpful comment. -Judy What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

@jstanovic

4 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie India is a big country, from mountains to beaches, country clubs to slums. If you go in with an open mind, I am sure that you will find something compelling wherever you go.

@FindingGinaMarie

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! We definitely want to travel there in 2025! -Judy

This really was a great packing video. I always over pack 😊. But I’m wondering when you compress the clothes do they get wrinkled. I hate wrinkled clothes.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi DJ, Thank you for watching and for the compliment! It means a ton! Clothes can get wrinkled when you compress them, which is why my shirts are in a regular packing cube versus a compression one. However, most hotels and Airbnbs have irons if you don't mind doing some touch ups. Here are a few tips (take them or leave them!) to pack less IF you are interested in doing so. Some people "overpack," but that's their comfort zone. If you don't mind lugging heavier or more suitcases, I'm not here to force you to do what we do! (1) If you are heading somewhere warm, either pack a camisole to go under your clothes that you can wash, which will allow you to keep your actual shirts fresher. That should be able to be washed in the sink and can usually dry overnight. (2) Pack as if you are traveling for a week, regardless of whether you are staying longer (of course, if it's less than a week, then pack for the number of days). Do your very best to have only one outfit per day, and ideally you will be wearing clothes that interchange with one another. You will never need 7 shirts and 7 pairs of pants! (3) When you are packing, really think through what you are doing each day and pack an outfit for that day. When I used to overpack, I used to have a "just in case" outfit or two or three. That will be your nemesis. People tend to overpack because they (a) don't want to limit their options; (b) want to be prepared for something that may come up; (c) don't want to make the hard decisions before leaving and so pack more than they need. We have found that having fewer choices makes life easier. We don't like lugging heavy suitcases. We're willing to wash our clothes once per week and not always be the most fashionable people in the room (but I think we still look nice!). Just remember that you aren't always with the same people the entire time you are traveling, so what you are wearing will be new to them! And if you are with them the entire time, they will be so impressed at how little you packed that they'll be too busy admiring your light suitcases to notice that you rewore that top or pants or skirt a few times! It's tempting to want to buy all new clothes before a trip, and then struggle to fit them all into a suitcase-if that's you, remember those clothes will still be around to wear after you get back home! I hope these help! -Judy

Great video! Loved all your gadgets! But if you have the small weight device why did you need the bigger scale with you?

@FindingGinaMarie

5 ай бұрын

Hi Jennifer, we bring the bigger scale so we can measure our own weight once a week. Living on the road full time doesn't always lead to the best eating habits, so we try to see what's happening with our weight and make adjustments as we need to. My dresses are loose fitting, so I can't always tell by the fit of my clothes whether I've added a few pounds, so a bodyweight scale keeps us both honest. -Judy

hi: great organization! What do you do with souvenirs and shopping?

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! We don't buy souvenirs. We sold everything to be full-time travelers and everything you see in this video is all we own. It actually is an incredible feeling to be able to spend on our money on experiences versus stuff. If we see something really special, we take a photo. But we really don't need to shop, so instead we spend our time on tours and seeing beautiful art and gorgeous architecture and landscapes and tasting local foods. And it's easy not to shop when you have no place to put things! In theory, we could buy a new shirt and donate a shirt so we are at a net even, and perhaps a bracelet could go with us. But I have a small case of jewelry I travel with that I rarely open and tend to wear the same necklace every day. Our lives just have simplified since we started traveling. I hope this helps! -Judy

The B&R bag looks like the ZDX series. If so, did you purchase the domestic 22" or international 21" version? I am in the process of upgrading from an Osprey Meridian convertible rolling duffel/daypack and the ZDX bags, while pricey, sound like the best long-term option. Even though we do a lot of international travel I am leaning towards the 22" just so that I have the extra capacity for our longer 10-15 day trips. As much as I like the Away Bigger Carry-on I canot get my arms around hardsided luggage and the similar options from TravelPro are not that much less expensive.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hey, Tim. Our carry-ons are the ZDX series domestic 22". I originally got the 21", but chickened out that I'd need the extra capacity. In hindsight, I wish I'd reduced my packing list and gone with the smaller bag, but Kevin is perfectly happy with the 22" and doesn't feel the extra inch is a big deal. We're the same as you regarding hard sided luggage. I cannot believe that the Away Bigger Carry-on is really able to get through some airlines' restrictive limits. I like the TravelPro MaxLite that only weighs 5.4 pounds and it does have a lifetime warranty, but I don't know if it will have a durability issue on the road that might be a hassle. ZDX is a decent compromise at 7.4 lbs (both 22" and 21"). Here's a link to our packing list. If you use any of our links, we may get a small commission. Thanks for watching! findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

Just to confirm, does the Nomatic 20L backpack fit under the seat? Or, do you put it in the overhead? Great video and extremely helpful!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi David, in its 20L state, it fits under the seat just fine! Fully expanded to 30L, it likely would not. Thank you so much for watching and for your comment! -Judy

Hi, thanks for the tips. Have you had any trouble with the 22” suitcase traveling internationally? I was going to get the 21” but would rather have the 22”.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Not so far! Certain cheap airlines we are on charge for bringing ANY baggage that goes in an overhead bin, so we've had to check them for that reason, but not because of size issues. Here's a chart of the various size requirements for most airlines. Note that you typically have an additional full inch for each measurement beyond the dimensions they post. (Not recommending this company or the current accuracy of this chart, but it's a good reference: millionmilesecrets.com/guides/carry-on-luggage-size-chart/) -Judy

Thank you for the great video and information. What is the travel blanket in Judy’s backpack?

@FindingGinaMarie

10 ай бұрын

Hi Liza, our entire packing list can be found here: findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage My travel blanket is from a company called Gravel. They've recently added several colors to their travel blanket, and you can find them here. We are not affiliated with them in any way, but we really like them! Thanks for watching! -Judy www.graveltravel.com/collections/travel-blanket

@lizajoson4517

10 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie thank you, appreciate the reply. God bless and safe travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

10 ай бұрын

@@lizajoson4517 We are glad to help. Let us know if you need anything else! -Judy

Love your video! Which Briggs and Riley are you using? 21inch or 22 inch?

@FindingGinaMarie

4 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! We are using a 22”. We would’ve liked to of squeezed into a 21 inch, but we are very grateful for the extra inch when we need it. It’s never been a problem anywhere we’ve used it, except on very budget airlines where they’re weighing our suitcases, which definitely are above 7-8kg. Here’s a link to our updated video, as well as our gear list. Thanks so much for watching! -Judy 🎥 What we’re Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html ⚙️GEAR LIST: findingGinaMarie.com/gear

Hi really enjoyed your video. What size bag did Judy use.? Was the pack a Briggs and Riley too? I live in New Zealand.

@FindingGinaMarie

10 ай бұрын

Hi Ellen, Our carry-on luggage is identical except for color, so yes, Briggs & Riley ZDX Domestic 22” Carry-on Expandable Spinners. We love them so much that after using them for six months, we now earn a small amount if you choose to buy any B&R items using our code: www.jdoqocy.com/click-100780777-13834908. The ZDX now also comes in Ocean Blue. If you think you can squeeze down to a 21" International sized bag, we also think you will like that. The 1" reduction in size forces you to pack less. Although we've been fine with the domestic size and appreciate having the extra inch when we need it, it's too easy to overpack! Thank you for watching! -Judy

Personally, I would swap out the scale for a measuring tape and some resistance bands. Food scale and slippers, great idea, maybe flip flops instead of slippers for more multi purpose. So many hair tools 😂 just wrap hair in sections overnight with your pack towel - soft curls in the morn. Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@jmcivor777, we do have a measuring tape, and we did have some resistance bands before we left San Francisco. Unfortunately, in trying to do our mad scramble to hit the road, they accidentally got taken out to rearrange things and somehow we overlooked putting them back in! I appreciate the suggestion regarding wrapping my hair. I found a video that I'll try to follow and see if that works. Fortunately, I don't have to wash my hair every day, and I only curl it when it gets too frizzy, which is a problem! -Judy

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

We actually considered flip flops but rejected them because we really have needed our feet to be warm in some of these European cities this winter!

@Jmcivor777

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Im gonna try pairing our flipflops with the darntough wool socks. Looks dumb but noone will see. We'll see if it works or its worth it haha

@Jmcivor777

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie i hear you on the frizzy hair front but your hair looks long enough for the wrapping. Funny the things we get used to! Im gonna keep advocating for you to ditch the scale! ;)

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

It's probably easier your way, but neither of us care for having that thong between our toes. I wouldn't worry at all about how it looks, either. Comfort (and warmth) are king! -Judy

I have the zdx 22 Briggs and Riley. On the back under the handle, is a little case for a battery pack. What do you both use this small storage space for? I am trying to find a compact umbrella that may fit. Or a nice raincoat or rain cover for my luggage/backpack.

@FindingGinaMarie

24 күн бұрын

Hi Brandon, what a great question! We actually barely utilize it, but I'd love to know what other people are doing with it. We'll have to ask our community and compile the answers! -Judy

I'm curious whether you also considered the B&R Baseline v the model you chose? I have been looking at the Baseline. Any issues getting your model on the smaller intra-Europe flights at all?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Gigi, I actually mention the Baseline version. The ZDX model we have is only 7.2 pounds, but the Baseline is 10 pounds for the same dimensions due to being made from ballistic nylon. Total weight is a consideration on some airlines, and I’d prefer to use that extra weight for contents versus the fabric of the bag. So far we haven’t had any issues with the smaller intra-Europe carriers. Thanks for watching! -Judy

A couple of questions regarding your Apple TV: Can it be attached to any TV? Can you then access all of the information from your Apple TV account (ie shows, favourites etc)? Does it show connect in English or the language of the country you are in? Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

If a TV has an HDMI port, we can connect our Apple TV. Most Apple TV+ content, purchased movies, and shows play just fine. We've had trouble with HBO Max and other services that check the region and can block content. Unfortunately, Apple TV doesn't support VPN apps, but our workaround is to use NordVPN (any VPN service should work) on our iPhones or MacBook Pros and Airplay the shows to our Apple TV. There's no change to the language on Apple TV. It uses all your settings for how to play the content. The key is that you need WiFi to make all this work. When we've had slow internet speeds, watching shows can be difficult. Thank you so much for asking! Please let us know if we can help more. - Kevin

Really fantastic and helpful video. I am always searching for ways to minimize when traveling. How do you handle the pretty severe weight and size restrictions on most European airlines? I frequently fly Lufthansa from the US to Europe and their weight restriction is around 18 lbs for the carry-on. I can never manage that weight and end up having to check a bag. Any tips for this problem would be helpful! Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Linda, thanks for watching and for your comment! Offhand, I don't recall ever having that problem with Lufthansa, but I know it's an issue with some small international airlines. Lufthansa does allow you to check a bag at no additional cost when you are traveling internationally, but I don't like doing that. You are allowed one carry-on and one personal item, and I would be putting one extra pair of shoes if I needed them in the personal item. I've never seen the personal item get weighed, so you're just limited to the looks of what you're carrying. Definitely buy the lightest bags possible, so your weight allowance is from what's inside versus what you are carrying. I think backpacks, if you are able to use them, are the lightest option, although there's a TravelPro MaxLite carry-on that weighs in at 5.4 oz if you need something that rolls. We are experiencing some of this for the first time as full-time travelers, unfortunately. Previously our biggest problem was some regional trains with narrow overhead bins. I think it requires strategic, lightweight clothing choices (no jeans unless you are wearing them on the plane, wearing your sweater or heavy jacket, regardless of weather!). Things like sunscreen, shampoo, etc. all are things that can be purchased when you arrive. You also want workhorse clothes that are multipurpose (a casual dress that doubles as a swim coverup), and a plan to do laundry while you're there. We just got back from a Nile cruise and left our carry-ons in our Airbnb and cruised only with backpacks, Kevin's sling since we were recording there, and my PacSafe purse. I brought one pair of shorts, three lightweight shirts, a light shirt and LuluLemon shorts to sleep in, the bra that I was wearing, and enough underwear and socks for the exact amount of days (four). The only long pants I had were my black Athleta ones with pockets. My sandals fit in my purse, and I wore my Lems except when we were on deck in the sun. My makeup bag had only the barest minimum amount of items I could get by with. Although I wasn't the trendiest traveler, I was comfortable and wasn't schlepping huge, heavy bags and still had a bit of room left over, so I could have brought an extra shirt and swimsuit. People care so much more about how well they are fitting in that they really don't care about what you're doing (and if they do care, what they think about me is none of my business)! I hope this helps! -Judy

@yogagirlification

Жыл бұрын

Hello, love your tips as I plan for a month long trip in Sicily. 2 questions about compression: 1) If compressing a lot of garments into one space, won’t this make the bag overweight? Many airlines restrict cabin luggage to 7kg. 2)With compression, do your garments get horribly crushed, so you have to iron or steam them in each location? As we are doing many stops for only 1-2 nights each we won’t be unpacking and airing out our clothes at each stop. Thanks again for your insights, most appreciative for your advice

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully you are still packing minimally. We recommend packing as if you were traveling for seven days or less regardless of how many more days than that you are traveling. So yes, compression will add to your suitcase weight. But it will prevent your suitcase from bulging and preventing it from fitting into an overhead bin. It might even allow you to squeeze into a carry-on versus a checked bag. If you are limited to 7kg, you really need to have a very light backpack only or lightweight bag (TravelPro MaxLite is around 5.4 pounds) and have your clothes do double and triple duty. We deliberately choose clothing that is wrinkle resistant, and for my tops, I choose not to compress them because I do have a couple that can wrinkle (my other clothes are fine with compression). We also ideally try not to move around that much so we can settle into a city and get to know it a bit more, but if you are, you may need to touch up some of your clothes upon arrival. Great question, and thanks for watching! -Judy

Travelling from Australia overseas now is limited to one item carry on includes handbag 7kg only. Checkin varies to which country or airlines you fly with. Internal flights in Europe also have much smaller suitcase weight and size restrictions. I recommend having one change of clothes light weight in carry on as I had my suitcase arrive 5 days after me to another part of Morocco from southern Spain

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Michelle, We have encountered occasions when you only have one carry-on, and in those cases we have brought on our backpacks to go under our seats and checked our bags, which we don't love doing. We're full-time travelers, so we have a bit more stuff than we would otherwise. If we were traveling for a week or two, or even a month, we would not be packing a lot of our luxury items. Our clothes are for four-season, but we've successfully pared them down for certain situations. We haven't had any issues with the dimensions of our bags, fortunately. Your suggestion regarding a change of clothes is a good idea. When we know in advance that we need to check a bag, we swap out our TSA liquids bag for clothes in our backpacks. What a bummer for you to have had a suitcase delay. It never is fun to have that happen. We have Morocco and Spain on our wish list for next year, so if you have any recommendations for us, we'd love to hear them! -Judy

@leandabee

Жыл бұрын

I was coming here to say about the 7kg limit. These look way more than 7 kg, but I suppose it depends on which airline one is on 🤔😊🇦🇺

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@leandabee Yes, that’s correct. And we are full-time travelers in four seasons where this is everything we own in the world, so we bring a few luxuries that we would not if we had a home base. And yes, the airline definitely is always a factor. Thanks for watching! -Judy

@leandabee

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie 👍🤗. I was travelling domestically recently, and the airline I was flying with is extremely strict on the weight. They were going to each person in line ready to board with their weighing machine. I mean, you can have extra weight, but there is a big extra cost to do so.

@user-fs1ly5vf7t

Жыл бұрын

Indeed it seems to be an American thing . Most International flights would not allow them to carry such large bags on flights . Finding it a little off when searching for carry on packing tips and keep getting check luggage instead .

I take a power board new ones even have USB ports then you only need one power point and plug up to four items into power board, note some transformers are big see if you can find power board with wide spread sockets. Was great for myself travelling with 2 teens with plug in everything

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Michelle, for watching and for your suggestion! We tend to spread out and work quite a bit during our travel, so this idea probably wouldn’t work for us. But it’s a great idea 💡 for people who are traveling on vacation and want a central hub (or two) for all their tech! It’s especially useful when hotels don’t have enough outlets or they’re stuck behind beds, etc. Thanks for sharing this! -Judy

@michellekoch1521

Жыл бұрын

Welcome. Yes some old hotels in Europe only had 2 power points

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

It sure is frustrating when that’s the case! And I’m disinclined to have to crawl on the floor behind furniture!

How do you like the Waterfield handle wrap? Is it comfortable to hold? Do you feel the velcro will hold up over time?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I've been very happy with it. It adds a tiny bit of bulk, but the velcro is rock solid. It's a significant amount of velcro, and since I have no reason to ever remove it, I can't imagine it being a point of failure. And it's comfortable and smooth to hold, which also is nice. And I LOVE that it is an easy, professional way to identify my bag. (We are not sponsored or affiliated in any way!) -Judy

Can you pls share the link on how did you get your back and the purse. I would love to try it too, I will going for a month vacation and would like to buy this particular one, Thanks Gina-Marie

@FindingGinaMarie

6 ай бұрын

Sure thing. Here's a link to my backpack, and it's on sale: amzn.to/3H5QYN7. It's the PacSafe Women's Citysafe CX 17L Anti Theft Backpack and Fits 16 inch Laptop. Here's the convertible crossbody purse: amzn.to/48kqlzh Have a fabulous trip wherever you are headed, and thanks so much for watching! -Judy

I appreciate all the detail in your videos! Can I ask, where your channel name came from?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Selina! We have an entire playlist called, "Finding Family," and in episode 7 we reveal it. I'm adopted, and in 2020 at the age of 56, I found my birth mother and family through a DNA test. In my adoption papers, my birth mother gave me the name, "Gina Marie." The detailed story was too special not to share and is the genesis of this channel and all our content. -Judy

I love you guys!

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I hope our video was helpful! -Judy

@flyseeconnect258

9 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie well? My wife and I are flying to Egypt in December and we’re pretty much buying everything you recommended 😂 So yes very helpful ☺️☺️

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Bear in mind that some things are more suitable for us as full-time travelers versus someone who's merely vacationing (bodyweight scale-LOL). And if you missed it, we have an entire series on Egypt, which we think you'll really enjoy. I'll put a link below. Have a wonderful trip and let us know how it goes! -Judy kzread.info/head/PLNT98lWfwdF1WcH9GxfK4ngH49MXf5oOv

@flyseeconnect258

9 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie we’ve been binging on your videos so we know those details 😂. Right now I’m watching your vaccination videos. My wife Nora and I are Egyptian but didn’t grow up in Egypt. We booked with Bellies En-Route so looking forward to that. I wish we can repay your kindness with some valuable information of our own but unless you are into aviation, I can’t think of any. I do feel gratitude for the WONDERFUL videos you make. Entertaining, helpful, charming and just plain great. Thank you Judy for what you do and I’m glad Kevin listens to you 😜😊😊😊

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

@@flyseeconnect258 It means the world to hear you say this! Your best repayment is to watch and share our videos with your friends so we can continue to grow our community here. We love what we are doing and want to continue for a very long time to come! Have a great time in Egypt! (And I'm grateful he listens, too. It's one of the many reasons we've been happily married for nearly 40 years!) -Judy

I am done with Samsonite, after one short trip one wheel broke.🙄I owned the same case as yours. I like the pockets on the softside as well.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

That is incredibly frustrating, Amelia! And I was shocked at how heavy our Samsonites were. Mine was two pounds more than my current case, which is a big difference when we sometimes walk a mile to a train station, etc.! Have you replaced it yet, and if so, with what? -Judy

@ameliaerin1544

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie I have not replaced it yet. I was a big fan of Eagle Creek but believe they are no longer in business. Tumi is very costly. Any suggestions? I only travel in the US.☺

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@ameliaerin1544 If Briggs & Riley ZDX is out of your budget, you might want to look at TravelPro. That was our second choice, and they have a VersaPack model we really liked. They also have a more budget-friendly and light MaxLite Pro. -Judy

@ameliaerin1544

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie thank you for your time.😀

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@ameliaerin1544 Any time! We love hearing from our community! ❤️

Do you recommend buying the 21” or 22” for international travel? Thank you!

@FindingGinaMarie

5 ай бұрын

Hi Gina, Ours is the 22" and we have no problem getting it on international flights. Our problems arise with carriers who have a strict 7kg or 10kg weight limit since ours currently are slightly over 15kg. I like the idea of a smaller 21" case because it does force you to be very intentional with what you pack and I am always in favor of packing less. BUT we have overpacked on occasion and when that happens, I'm very glad for the extra 1"! -Judy Also, I think keeping it compressed and not overfilling the top pockets keeps it from looking overstuffed or oversized, which helps a lot!

I never use makeup, never curl my hair (wash and go), rarely do my nails so my toiletries are very minimal-basic hygiene!

@FindingGinaMarie

11 ай бұрын

I'm fine if I don't curl my hair, but it is an absolute frizz ball if I let it air dry. The curling iron was primarily for places without a hair dryer-but in France I ditched it in favor of a Revlon all-in-one blowdryer/styler that replaced my curling iron and round brush. Some places that had blow dryers were horrible, and this is just easier. I don't primp too much, but I do my share at times! We've been slowly replacing our liquids, especially after our experience at the Edinburgh airport! I am impressed and so grateful that you are working through our catalog of videos and also helping us to get to know you more in the process! -Judy

Hi Judy, great packing video! Wondering about your makeup remover pad? Where did you get it? Thanks!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Angela, Thanks so much for watching! The makeup remover pad is from a company called Juno & Co, and the product is called a cleansing cookie. Another of their products I love is their oil-based cleanser, which feels incredible on my skin. They work great together, but you can get by as I do with just the cleansing cookie. -Judy www.junoco.com/products/cleansing-cookie www.junoco.com/products/clean-10-cleansing-balm Also, I can't add links from Cyprus (I get redirected to Amazon Germany!), but you can get both products directly from Amazon if you prefer. Here's a link to our entire packing list: findingginamarie.com/articles/packing-list-how-we-pack-and-travel-with-only-carry-on-luggage

@angelacarpenter510

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I appreciate it!!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

@@angelacarpenter510 We are happy to help! If there are things you would like to see in a future video regarding packing, please let us know! -Judy

Here in Europe we have weight and size restriction on ALL carry on luggage , some airlines allow 2 pieces of carry on luggage ( like you do), some only 1 piece

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mary, Not all airlines in Europe have a weight restriction. We traveled from Scotland to France on Easyjet and were allowed one carry-on luggage apiece and one personal item (our backpacks, which go under the seat). There was a dimension restriction, but no weight was mentioned. Offhand, flying major airlines like United and Delta don't have weight restrictions, either, but that's probably different than traveling between countries within Europe only. I admit that the 7kg restriction is pretty tight. But now that we travel full-time, taking a trip of a month or less is much easier to travel lighter. Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to comment. -Judy

@marylouisetucker3591

Жыл бұрын

I have to add to Mary’s comment. Weight matters! In Europe, We have had 7 kilo weight restrictions for carryon and it has been enforced every time with Ryanair, airBaltic and Berlin air (now defunct). In Australia where we live, it is always 7 kilos and Jetstar sometimes lets you pay extra to double it to 14, but no single bag can weigh more than 10 kilos.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mary Louise, Getting to/from Australia is hard; I am not going to sugar coat that in any way. But for many travelers through Europe, like us right now, there is a great train system, so you don't have to use airlines exclusively to get around and be at the mercy of their money-grubbing policies. After France, we are headed to two separate cities in Italy, and we are traveling by train. We will be in Europe through the end of October, and there is an ability to travel by train to many of those places (we have Airbnbs booked, but not transportation in/out of those places yet). We have a few articles on our website for people whose primary way to travel requires packing super light. Let us know if these new articles on our website are helpful for you. -Judy - 19 Tips to lighten up your carry-on bag findingginamarie.com/articles/tips-to-cut-carry-on-fees - Guide for packing light for summer weather findingginamarie.com/articles/how-to-pack-light-for-hot-and-humid-weather

@marylouisetucker3591

Жыл бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie All good. I travel by train and coach in Europe. It is great, as you say. I am an expert at packing no more than I can comfortably carry and know that if I keep it light, I have more freedom. Thanks for your tips!

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

If you have ideas you'd like to share, we'd love to know them! We are always trying to refine and get better! -Judy

I’m enjoying your vlogs. Very engaging and informative. I notice that you purchased the 22” B&R (domestic) ZDX, instead of the 21” international ZDX. Did you consider the 21”? Have you faced challenges in carrying on your 22” to international flights? All the best to you.

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Hi Mark, thank you so much for following along with us and for the kind compliment. We actually did consider the 21", and actually had it shipped to us when we were back in the US last December. However, on its face it seemed small and I was worried that it might be too small and that we'd have regrets. We were changing around our kit at the same time and because we were working around the holidays, we didn't have the luxury of filling it and seeing whether it worked or not. So we chickened out and got the 22". And there have been times we've needed every darn inch of that space, but we again are cutting back (we've been switching over our clothes to wool and fast-drying clothing and ditched all the denim). I do think that if you can get smaller, it probably makes sense to do it because packing less is always a great idea! Have we had any trouble? Thankfully not. We wouldn't make the 7-10kg weight restriction that some airlines have (Australia especially), but no one has weighed it. We had an issue with one airline that only allowed a personal item and bringing a cabin bag onto the plane cost $$ but checking it was free, so we did that. I've been hearing that people are getting away with bringing on the larger Away bag, which is MUCH larger than the 22" Briggs & Riley. I'm not sure how they get away with it, but we've lucked out so far as well, so I'm not pointing fingers at anyone! Hope this helps! -Judy

@meb6667

9 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Many thanks! Excellent and helpful perspective. Be well….

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

@@meb6667 Let us know what you decide. And if you want to help support our channel at no cost to you, here's our link (we only affiliated with them after we fell in love with them and they gave us great customer service!)-www.jdoqocy.com/click-100780777-13834908. Safe travels! -Judy

@meb6667

9 ай бұрын

@@FindingGinaMarie Thanks for the guidance. I ended up using your link to order the ZDX 22”. Opted for the larger bag for reasons similar to Kevin’s. It will be my third B&R suitcase (plus a cabin bag). In my experience, B&R is first-rate. So I’m looking forward to the new lighter bag for an extended trek next summer. Thanks again. Be well. Happy travels.

@FindingGinaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Terrific! We hope you love it as much as we do. And thank you so much for using our link. It really helps to support us at no additional cost to you. We appreciate you and thank you so much for watching our content! -Judy

Do your bags fit under the seat? If not, you're taking two spots in the overhead bins?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Joanna, Our backpacks go under our seats, so we only are using overheat bins for our carry on luggage. And when there isn’t enough room, we check them. Kevin’s sling and my purse are in our respective backpacks, so we only have a carry-on and a personal item apiece. Some small, discount airlines require payment to use the overhead bins, so we’ve been checking them in those instances. We also don’t put our coats in the overhead bins (we put them under our seats as well) so that more people can put luggage in them. -Judy

Did you get the 21” international or the standard 22” ZDX cases?

@FindingGinaMarie

Ай бұрын

Thanks for asking! For as much as we would liked to have made the 21" international work because traveling with less is always our preference, we knew that there would be a great likelihood that the extra inch would save us once in a while (and it has). We've had no issues using the 22" domestic. The issue for us more often, especially in Southeast Asia with very budget airlines, is that we exceed the weight restriction of 7 or 8kg. No airline has ever hassled us or required us to put our bag in a sizer. We work hard not to put much into the outer pockets (but they're great for throwing in a jacket or paperwork for easy access, The compression works so well that keeping the pockets from being overstuffed has worked well. You can see our full gear list here: GEAR LIST: findingGinaMarie.com/gear Also, we have a new 2024 guide of what we're carrying a year later. 🎥 What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html Happy to answer any other questions if you have them! -Judy

Hi Judy and Kevin! Love your videos ❤ I was pleasantly surprised you chose the Domestic 22 inch carryon. I have been stressed about whether I need to purchase Global/ International sized carryons for an upcoming US to Europe trip. Would you please confirm whether you’ve experienced any trouble traveling internationally with the Domestic 22” as carryon? By chance have you flown Aer Lingus in particular? Like you, we splurged on Briggs & Riley Domestic 22” carryons for the quality, lifetime guarantee, and compression feature. But the 22 inch length is 0.5 inches more than is permitted on Aer Lingus, but the width and height dimensions are actually less than required. Checked bags are included in our fare, but I would be more comfortable having my carryon with me to avoid any chance of it getting lost or delayed. Thanks in advance for your reply😊

@FindingGinaMarie

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for the cappuccino, Kathy! We would have liked to have fewer items and squeezed into the 21" international version, but the 22" has given us zero problems. Our issue has only been due to weight. Not one carrier has measured our suitcases, even budget ones. And we've flown a decent amount with our Briggs & Riley. We avoid overstuffing the front pockets, and when it is compressed, it looks just fine. We've heard that nearly all airlines give you an inch around all the sides, so I would expect you to be just fine. We have an updated video to this one that we released while we were in Cambodia last month. Here's a link, since we have changed out a lot since last year! -Judy What we're Packing in 2024: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3hhlpehc823nJM.html

@Kathy0702

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Continued safe and amazing travels!

@FindingGinaMarie

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, and same to you! -Judy

Well as far as I see it, you are taking 4 carry on bags. The personal items bag is as big as your other bag. If everyone takes the same amount on carry on, the over head locker run out of room. This is what happened on my last trip. Besides that great video and wish you both all the best and safe travels. Cheers.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi David, thanks for watching! Our backpacks are small enough that they go under our seats. We never put them or anything else in overhead bins (such as jackets or extra bags that others sometimes put up there). We really try to be very mindful about traveling responsibly. -Judy

Wish I could get my husband to watch. His idea of packing is jeans and more jeans.

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Hi Caryn, do you think he just doesn't like to pack and jeans are a no brainer? Can you pull out some key things you would like him to bring next time? Kevin typically walks through what he's packing to get my blessing, but your mileage may vary! -Judy

Could you provide a link to your other KZread channel about the whiskey/bourbon? Would love to check it out!

@FindingGinaMarie

11 ай бұрын

Sure thing! Here it is: whiskyriffs.com. The website will show you all the episodes.

@GlobetrotterGranny

11 ай бұрын

Awesome!

ThankYou for your reply on the weight on B&R - do you have an update on your Italian citizenship- was the company you used successful? Also would you mind sharing the total cost to secure citizenship? I'm also entitled via lineage on my mothers side but the task of gathering everything seems so massive. Any suggestions?

@FindingGinaMarie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the question, Niefia. It has been a long, slow process that still is ongoing. The cost of services with Italian Citizenship Assistance differs for each person, depending on the complexity of their case. In my situation, it's €9,000, split into three equal payments and covers me, my two children, and my half sister-except for expenses. The cost to add these other people to my lawsuit is minimal because the bulk of the work is being done for me and expenses will be outside the contract cost. It's definitely cheaper to do yourself, and there's a great Facebook group that can help you through the process (Dual US Italian Citizenship). We made the decision to hire someone to assist us because a 1948 case will best case take 3-5 years, and we didn't want to overlook a necessary document or have something get caught in red tape that we might miss and lose a year or more in the process. Also, at the time we had very busy careers and didn't think we had the capacity to take on this time-consuming task. I'm 58 and don't want this to drag on any longer than necessary, so having someone to assist and ensure that I don't make any missteps is important to me. It's also time sensitive for us because we potentially would like to live there full time in the next few years (that plan has potentially shifted because we currently are loving living as full-time travelers). If you are younger or have more time/runway than us, by all means go ahead and try to tackle this yourself. The Facebook group has recommendations for someone to apostille the documents, lawyers to use, and so on, so if the cost of hiring a third party is prohibitive, you absolutely can do it yourself. It's a big job, but the reward is potentially massive. In our case, we'd like to eventually have our home base in Italy and also be able to travel throughout Europe without being constricted to the 90/180 Schengen rules that an Italian passport allows (but my husband will need to apply for dual citizenship by marriage after me, so that also is a process that likely will take at least a year). Time will pass for you either way, so if this is something on your heart to do, I'd strongly recommend it. You can also get a free assessment of your genealogy from IDC at no cost and also allow them to quote what it would cost for them to handle it for you. You are under no obligation and you can even work out a plan where they do some parts and you do the rest, but I'm not sure what the cost savings is for that. Best of luck to you whatever you decide (and keep us posted!). -Judy