@EmbersNest

This article contains affiliate links for the products mentioned.. The French links are the items I personally use, while the U.S. links are what I would choose if I were in the U.S. You are under no obligation to use any of them.

This post might seem off-season, but I don’t believe that traveling should be limited to summer. I love discovering new countries and cultures all year round.

Traveling off-season can be particularly rewarding, especially if you live in Europe. You get to enjoy the sunny days in Europe (which are few and far between when you don’t live in the south), avoid the crowds, and get better deals on flights and accommodations.

However, if there’s one thing I don’t enjoy about traveling, it’s packing. More specifically, I dread thinking about everything I need to pack. Don’t you hate it when you forget that one small item that could have easily fit in your backpack pocket?

I’ve traveled enough by now to have a good idea of what’s useful and what just ends up taking up space in my suitcase. That’s why I made this guide—so I never have to overthink packing again. All I need to do is go through my list, and now, so can you.

You can find the checklist at the bottom of this page

Clothes

First up, clothes. Make sure to pack items that you can mix and match. Basics are great for this. The items in the checklist are just examples; you can obviously choose whatever clothes are best suited for your trip.

One thing I know for sure: always pack something warm. A jacket or hoodie will do, but even if you’re heading to a beach destination, there’s always a chance that temperatures could drop lower than expected.

Be sure to pack some lightweight flip-flops. I can’t count the number of times I’ve traveled without any indoor footwear. If your home slippers are too bulky, get a travel alternative that takes up less space.

Toiletries

This might be a good time to mention that the list is heavily oriented toward women since I’m speaking from experience. This section probably includes more products than the average guy might pack. Essentially, the list below provides space for you to check off items so you don’t forget anything. You can also add any items you need or remove things that you don’t—like curl gel, for instance. I do realize not all women have curly hair ;)

I also like to pour my liquids into small containers, even if I’m checking a bag. This saves space, especially given how many products I like to bring with me.

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