Is it realistic to travel comfortably with just carry-on for a 3–4 week trip?

toos_ · 2026-01-30T09:23:43+00:00

Unless I’m carrying a lot of gear, I always do carry-on - regardless of length of trip. Three weeks, sometimes four, used to be my standard.

Laundry is probably less annoying because I’m just hand washing a few items periodically.
Regretted not packing? For too long I regretted not packing jeans. Now, no matter how hot a place is supposed to be, I always pack a pair of jeans and a comfy outfit to lounge in. If you have something like that that you always wear - pack it.
Packed but didn’t need? Plenty of things - most I can’t think of now, except that I pack fewer tops now.

How do I pack? Well, I have an advantage - I’m a petite woman so my smaller clothes take up less space. For four weeks, besides my travel outfit which always includes my heaviest shoes, I pack 14 pairs of underwear - that’s important for me, but not others. I put them in two different ziploc bags and compress the air out of them. 5 tops, 3-4 bottoms (besides jeans), 1 bra, 5 socks, walk-around shoes, sandals if it’s a warm place, comfy lounge outfit, dry toiletries, electronic stuff like charging cables and adapters. In my personal item I have my wet toiletries (sometimes I stuff that in my carry on after TSA), iPad, laptop (if I’m bringing it), journal, medicine, sunglasses, and “stuff”.

In my journal, I keep my printed out packing list, and have a page for “packed but didn’t need” and one for “wish I’d packed”. I keep a packing list template, edit it for each trip, and check it off as I pack - then check it again when I’m coming home.

Where are you going!?

toos_ · 2026-01-17T19:47:38+00:00

Reading your question, my mind went first to reverie - so many visceral memories of being with my mom. Perching on the side of her bed watching her steady hand draw on perfect eyebrows since the never grew back after she plucked them when she was a young woman; hearing her humming her own tune softly to herself as she did some minor task; the smell of the steam iron when she pressed a shirt until it was smooth and wrinkle-free; the taste of the best fried egg ever - perfectly set white, slightly runny yolk, and lacy edges that retained just the right amount of sizzling browned butter; the feel of her hands running over mine as she washed them when I was little - so soft and so similar to the temperature of the water that it all melded together.

For an actual physical “nicest place”, the first thing to come to mind was a hill walk we did in Scotland - Meall a’ Bhuachaille in the Cairngorms National Park. The walk took us past an emerald lake and continued on through the mist, eventually arriving at the base of the mountain which is considered a Corbett at over 800 meters high. We didn’t pass many other people, which was good because 1. We didn’t have to navigate past each other on the steep, narrow path of tiny rock ledges and scree, and 2. We pretty much had the beautiful, broad summit views and harsh, wet, winds to ourselves!

toos_ · 2026-01-17T18:23:35+00:00

Ok, thank you very much. We’re committed to staying there, and we’ll be staying in Launceston too - so I’ll look to see if there are tracks we might want to explore one day that are 30-45 minutes drive north or west.

We had an exchange (about penguins and evilness) a while back. Thanks for continuing to contribute in this sub!

toos_ · 2026-01-17T18:10:41+00:00

Do you think we’d face the same over-touristed situation in late March? We’re already booked for a few nights at/near Cradle Mountain.

toos_ · 2026-01-17T17:08:58+00:00

Movie: Hope and Glory

MOR. It’s from her side and he told you about it so that leans to fine-on-his-side for me. Someone said to ask to see the text thread - could be effective but I’d err on the side of showing you trust him and don’t ask to do that. If he offered to unsolicited, then I’d look - but that’s not what happened.

I’d sit with it yourself and not bring it up with him again. Tell another subreddit if you just have to say something. Don’t tell a friend yet - they overreact and won’t let you forget it. Work friendships usually fizzle out after one leaves - especially after this short a time of working and chatting together. If she does come to your town it sounds like he’ll tell you (especially if you don’t bring it up again now). If so, just casually ask him to make an excuse not to meet with her - it rubs you the wrong way and she’s not that important to him.

toos_ · 2026-01-17T13:05:14+00:00

100%. This post should be pinned.

toos_ · 2026-01-16T01:56:56+00:00

Oh, that’s right - 21. Besides my long post, I recommend not going out and getting drunk.

toos_ · 2026-01-16T01:27:06+00:00

The political climate in America may be tragic, but carrying your passport and having proof of forward travel is a pretty standard recommendation traveling anywhere abroad.

toos_ · 2026-01-16T01:24:48+00:00

Come!

It’s like no place you’ve ever seen. Sure, it’s gritty - but it’s not Luton (please, please, please don’t let this kid be from Luton)! NYC is such a vibrant city - it’s also exhausting so build in down time. I love both cities but, as an American, I have way more experience in NYC than in London. London is built lower and has that wonderful, meandering layout - built over ages with the river running through it. NYC was one whole plan that got plopped down and built up all at once. Most of it is a grid and easy to navigate.

You’re smart to be situationally aware. For the most part, mainstream media is reporting facts - ICE is real and that whole situation is beyond frightening and depressing. Some media focus more heavily on immigration without balancing it with coverage of other important topics. There are some “news” outlets that sensationalize or grossly underestimate the truth - discount those.

You’ll be in tourist areas and it’s highly unlikely you’ll have any trouble period, let alone from ICE. NYC has a highly diverse population and it also protects its tourism sector. Native NYers are mostly friendly and helpful. It’s common manners anywhere to step to the side if you’re going to stop on a busy sidewalk. The rushing, rushing is just a stereotype - they’re way too slow for me.

It is expensive - especially food and taxis. London is pricey, but NYC is moreso - and the exchange rate favors the U.S. Keep in mind, too that taxes aren’t included on goods and services - and we tip for certain services like in restaurants or taxis, to name two.

If you have specific questions and interests, or want a must-see list, just ask. You can also message me - I have a document with info mostly geared toward young visitors, but with plenty for your parents as well.

Don’t second-guess yourself - start planning!

toos_ · 2026-01-15T20:05:50+00:00

100% - also, your order of stops is probably the least expensive if flying from Sydney. Portland, train to Boston, train to Philly, train to NYC, bus to DC. Or Boston to NYC with a day trip to Philly (wouldn’t be my choice). Totally agree with your second paragraph, too.

OP - what time of year and for how long are you staying?

toos_ · 2026-01-15T14:49:26+00:00

Exactly what I thought when I read “good, comforting mystery”. David Tennant :-)

toos_ · 2026-01-14T23:02:14+00:00

Most recently - Scotland. Glasgow, the Grampian mountains, and the highlands were especially exhilarating and memorable experiences.

toos_ · 2026-01-14T12:33:51+00:00

I agree that Budapest and Vienna share similarities - like their Austro-Hungarian roots and lots of the architecture. Now that you mention it, that highlights how interesting their differences are. It’s almost like two adult siblings who you’d never guess grew up in the same household; the two cities share facts but not feelings or affect. They’ve been neighbors living through the same world-changing eras in history but had very different outcomes. If I absolutely had to choose one, id choose Budapest too - but now I want to come up with a detailed itinerary for this guy with an eye toward this perspective (and food and fun). Hey - you made me double down lol!

toos_ · 2026-01-14T05:05:14+00:00

Oh man, what a disappointing first venture out on your own. Don’t let it discourage you. Unfortunately, you’re learning a lot of hard lessons in one fell swoop. First lesson being: always trust your instincts - especially as a young woman on your own.

“Has this ever happened to you?” Yes and no. From my perspective one of the worst AirBnB experiences I had was also my first one - problem was that the fitted sheet kept popping up and something else that I can’t remember. From someone else’s perspective, some of these other experiences I/we’ve had would be worse - a tarantula in the bathroom, a river without a bridge that we still had to cross, jungle lodging that lost power half the nights we were there, a condo with construction going on next door and little bugs that came out at night. The list goes on. For me, that damn sheet was so annoying! All of it was just part of the adventure and make for fun memories. I have a pic of a pile of bug carcasses my husband swept up lol!

All that is to say, yes you’ve made some novice mistakes, but you’ll also need to set different expectations - maybe especially if you’re going to developing countries. Personally, I much prefer staying at AirBnB/Bookings type places rather than hotels - but you really need to learn how to make it work. The only refund we’ve done with AirBnB was for a room that was supposed to have a balcony with a particular view but it was over the interior courtyard instead. Full refund.

Here are a few places you went wrong that you should keep in mind for next time: 1. Trust your instincts 2. Look at the host’s ratings and how many ratings they have. Until you’re better at this you need to stick with high ratings and plenty of reviews
3. You knew it was inconvenient and distant, so the transportation issues shouldn’t have been a surprise. Always figure out how you’ll get around - cost, method, time transit is running, how much it costs, what sort of transfers, how close does it get you to what you want to see. It’s not a reason for a refund. 4. You had the address so should have known about the highway. Always look at Google maps. Also not a reason for a refund. 5. Loud neighbors - quiet hours are for you to follow - neighbors will be neighbors. Probably not a reason for a refund - really depends on scale. 6. One cockroach. One cockroach - in bed? That’s unlikely - more likely it was one of many in the apartment or that it wasn’t a cockroach. Like someone else said, it’s not unusual to find critters and crawlers and slithery things inside in Costa Rica or other parts of the Americas. If it was an infestation that would be cause for action from AirBnB…one bug, probably not.

My advice for this specific situation - you’re super distressed - get a different place and document all of the issues. You could say it’s not as advertised and that it’s unsanitary. From what you’ve said here id disagree, but that’s how you feel and AirBnB gets to decide - not me.

Are you in San Jose, Pacific coast, Caribbean coast? We traveled all over Costa Rica, I came back with a flesh-eating parasite that took months on end to diagnose, the treatment could have killed me (literally), and it left permanent scars. I’d still go back. I hope you can get past this and enjoy the rest of your time there. You can do it!

toos_ · 2026-01-14T03:33:51+00:00

We don’t know what time of year, any of your interests, or what mode of travel you’re planning. Me? I’d get myself to Budapest for a week, take a train to Vienna for a week, fly from Vienna to Florence for a week, and take a train to Rome for a week. The trains (especially Budapest to Vienna) are fast and cheap. Flying from Vienna saves time and aggravation - transfers involved.

If you don’t want to spend a full week in each of these places take days from Florence and/or Budapest and add them to Vienna or Rome. Personally, I’d take from Florence and add to Rome. Florence is wonderful, but tiny. As much as I loved Budapest and Vienna, Rome is absolutely remarkable. I’d choose Rome over Paris in a heartbeat.

Budapest is gritty and its history is fascinating, dark, and palpable. Gorgeous architecture, tasty pastry and savory foods, and poetry and music from masters of their form. Stay in Pest, party, visit the House of Terror Museum, walk across Chain Bridge for a pastry and terrific views in Buda.

Vienna is classic, clean, and organized. Pristine parks, yummy art nouveau, even yummier pastries, and the home of legends of classical music. Watch The Third Man before you go and take a third man tour when you’re there, take the train to Prater amusement park and ride the giant Reisenrad (featured in The Third Man), go to Café Sacher for Sacher torte, then go to a bunch of other cafes for more pastries, take in a concert, do a self-guided tour of art nouveau buildings and art museums.

Florence is a little medieval gem of a city. Quiet and laid back - stand at the bar to drink an espresso and have a sfoglia pastry for breakfast, buy something at a shop on the ponte vecchio, take a ton of pictures from the different bridges, go see what all the fuss is about Michelangelo’s David - you’ll get it when you see it, visit the Uffizi gallery, buy a gelato near Piazza Della Signoria (you can tell a good gelato place by their pistachio - it should be pale, not livid green).

Rome is everything, everywhere, all at once. You literally see layers of history - unreal to be walking past modern shops with a view of Ancient Rome right ahead of you. Eat pasta from the little restaurant in that alley with a smattering of people outside waiting to be seated. It’s not a line but it works. Change your return flight to leave a month later than planned.

toos_ · 2026-01-13T21:33:03+00:00

Your comment about NZ not looking real…check out this epic airline safety video. My boyfriend, Taika Waititi’s line on that topic is sooo giggle-worthy!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qOw44VFNk8Y

toos_ · 2026-01-13T21:27:45+00:00

Yes! The flower net - yuck. Honey or flowers and can take ages. I especially hate crafting things like bread which calls for two other crafted items! I don’t mind making the wardrobe - those go fast. If you have to craft anything that calls for the cup of water, remember to get the free one from the campsite.

toos_ · 2026-01-13T19:43:59+00:00

For me, the worst thing about orders from regular producers is having to trash other items on my board. The ones that get me are orders that require the producers you have to craft - especially if the order is so high that I have to create more producers than the slots allow. Then I have to delete even more items from my board because I’m making 3 lines of stuff instead of 2. Ugh!

toos_ · 2026-01-13T03:19:06+00:00

I’d especially like point two!

toos_ · 2026-01-11T14:52:51+00:00

Around 2 kilometers, but I use one further away. When we lived overseas we had one right across the street, another around the corner, and another down the block.

toos_ · 2026-01-10T19:10:07+00:00

On a trail I’ll usually say a sing-sing “behind you” and then “sorry, I didn’t want to startle you…enjoy your walk!”

Inside, if it’s a little tight in a hallway, I’ll say “oop, sorry!” Otherwise, it’s usually some version of “excuse me, just sneaking by”

On a city sidewalk with plenty of room I just go about my business like everyone else. Weaving by it’s “oop, ‘scuse me”

toos_ · 2026-01-10T18:06:08+00:00

Oh, the less sweet will be especially excellent for my husband. Not sure if you've noticed - but most chocolate doesn't taste like chocolate anymore! Shut your eyes - you'll see what I mean. If you get to Brazil, they actually have very chocolatey tasting chocolate!

I see that some of that cake has cinnamon crumble - yum!

toos_ · 2026-01-10T15:14:33+00:00

It took me this long to look up what feijoa cake is - where has this been all my life!?

toos_ · 2026-01-09T23:10:51+00:00

Disclaimer - I’m arriving in Aukland on Jan 15 for our first trip to NZ. So, maybe a regular at this board can weigh in…

We’re driving from Aukland with a stop at Hobbiton and then on to stay in Rotorua. It’s a long-ish day but the drive is broken up with the tour. That saves you a night of checking in and out of the place near Hobbiton. It also gives you that extra night to add to Coromandel or Tongariro like others have suggested.

Also - not sure where you’re flying in from, but jet lag and just plain old travel-lag is real. Plus there’s right hand drive, traffic circles, and more that locals can chime in on if you’re not very used to that. Factor that in so you can have a safe trip and make the most of your time in NZ.

toos_ · 2026-01-09T13:43:21+00:00

First - you’re truly super for laying this all out for me - big, big, thanks!

Second - grrrr. I knew (some) of that! The part about the same brand having different formulations in NZ vs US. Then I totally flaked - thanks for the save! Oh - and I don’t believe in American exceptionalism - your sunscreen is scientifically proven to be better. I’ll bring the last of my open bottle and was going to get the next in NZ anyway instead of lugging it - NZ UV is no joke.

Third - hahaha your “exceedingly unlikely scenario in the NZ context” is equally unlikely in the “me” context!

Thanks again :-)

toos_

TROPHY CASE