My favorite personal item carry-on is a cheap Amazon nylon backpack diaper bag (also doubles as my tennis bag). My kids are 17 and 15 now but this bag has so many great pockets and pockets even if something is wet and can be thrown in the wash. Now that the kids are older i don’t need it for our day-to-day while out so i have a small packable backpack. I ALWAYS bring baby wipes - like half a bag of one. And we always need them. This time we barely used them until the flight home when my 17 year old got a nose bleed (dry cabin air). We had brought a small tub of Vaseline but forgot to use it. Having those within reach was a lifesaver of not getting blood everywhere (had some nosebleed stop stuff in my mini first aid kit too). On our the flight home from Iceland I was sitting next to a family of 3 kids who, well… weren’t the most organized. They had given their 6 month old chocolate milk for some reason and not surprisingly she vomited it everywhere. The mom couldn’t find here baby wipes - I keep mine within reach at all times and just handed her mine. I also brought those washer sheets this time. We went on a river cruise and I used them for some more delicate items that I didn’t trust with their laundry service.
This is one of the BEST channels for traveling with children that I have found. Even though I have no desire to travel carry on only I always like to see ways to travel "family light". I always bring a small amount of medication just in case, I also like to bring a water bottle to drink water throughout the day, I like the Liquid IV packs and a theft proof backpack!
I'm a bag enthusiast. I have a bag for every occasion. I've been on the hunt for the perfect traveling / daypack and I think I have found it. Usually, I find them too big. If there is room, I will fill it and that isn't always a good thing. I found the G4Free mini 12L on Amazon and I get to try it out next trip to London in July. Crossing my fingers it's the perfect size and now didn't go too small. Love learning everyone's tips and tricks for travel.
YES to the caribiner!! We just got back from our Paris trip with a toddler and I used one for his water bottle and one for his little backpack so I could keep those items together, or clip them to my backpack and it was so handy! I’m glad you recommended it 😊 It’s reassuring to see how minimally your family packs. When I tell my friends that we’re carryon only (so far), they look shocked but it’s really not that hard! I do wish I had invested in the baby zen yoyo stroller, I saw them all over Paris and felt out of place with my baby jogger city mini (it was a bit too big).
I love that you used one too! It feels like such a weird recommendation but honestly, it's so handy. Our son was born in London so the babyzen was our primary yoyo when he was a baby and it's great for travel now. I'm impressed you guys were carry on only!
This was very helpful ! I went to Europe last year and going next year now with my son so I am going to change the way I back after watching your video .
I use the 2-gallon Ziploc bags as compression cubes. I roll my clothes, or then I'm the bag and squeeze out the air. Bonus is that it's waterproof. I bring extras for dirty laundry and for the clean laundry after i washed it. If i travel for more that a week, i do laundry somewhere. I'm plus sized so regular compression cubes are generally too small for needs
Carry on backpacks! These are all that I have owned or own. 1 beis the backpack. More affordable. Not as long lasting. Kinda heavy but lots of space 2 calpak terra backpack - my fave out of all of them. Lots of exterior compartments which is how I like to max space inside. Holds a lot. Water resistant. 3. Tumi backpack Pricey. Very functional. Not as large tho. 4.patagonia mini mcl 30 L. Not much exterior pockets. Kinda expensive. Good warranty tho
I just purchased a new backpack that I’m excited to try for my personal item. Dagne Dover indi diaper bag. Yes a diaper bag (my kids are older) but it looks so functional. I removed the diaper bag stuff and I’m left with a cool bag. Tons of the reviews talk about using it for travel. Check it out!
Very good tips. We are preparing for a family trip in November. Its been a bit challenging to find accomodations for a family of four ( two kids under 10) Any tips on hotels.
As a Brit, I'm kind of fascinated by the way Americans see Europe. This is one of the most down to earth videos I have seen. I wouldn't trust rental car seats through. Buy something here from Boots, Argos or Halfords.
All your videos that I have watched are enjoyable & helpful! Thank you! One question: what do you use for your phone calls..an esim or roaming charges etc? I tried a physical sim card for 2 weeks in Italy but I couldn't get it to work and now we are going to London for a week so what do you recommend. I don't want a $200 roaming charge on my phone bill. Thank you very much!!
Thanks for the amazing comment! Thanks for watching and sorry for the late reply to your comment. We use Airalo App for eSIMs. You can get 2GB of data for $7.50. Follow the instructions to activate on your phone. Activating is the tricky part for me. Here is the link: yourguidesabroad.com/airalo I hope that helps!
😂 Sorry, but you say you don’t pack any white clothing, but the video pans to you wearing a solid white long-sleeved shirt as you’re saying that @ 11:17 .
I stopped the video at that point thinking...surely someone else commented on that! Haha. But that's good to consider, you can still wear "lighter" colors without going full white and get a similar effect. I also tend to find "heather" colored clothing to be a little more forgiving due to the inherent slight pattern.
Here is my packing list of items, if you're interested: yourguidesabroad.com/europe-summer-packing-list/
My favorite personal item carry-on is a cheap Amazon nylon backpack diaper bag (also doubles as my tennis bag). My kids are 17 and 15 now but this bag has so many great pockets and pockets even if something is wet and can be thrown in the wash. Now that the kids are older i don’t need it for our day-to-day while out so i have a small packable backpack.
I ALWAYS bring baby wipes - like half a bag of one. And we always need them. This time we barely used them until the flight home when my 17 year old got a nose bleed (dry cabin air). We had brought a small tub of Vaseline but forgot to use it. Having those within reach was a lifesaver of not getting blood everywhere (had some nosebleed stop stuff in my mini first aid kit too).
On our the flight home from Iceland I was sitting next to a family of 3 kids who, well… weren’t the most organized. They had given their 6 month old chocolate milk for some reason and not surprisingly she vomited it everywhere. The mom couldn’t find here baby wipes - I keep mine within reach at all times and just handed her mine.
I also brought those washer sheets this time. We went on a river cruise and I used them for some more delicate items that I didn’t trust with their laundry service.
This is one of the BEST channels for traveling with children that I have found. Even though I have no desire to travel carry on only I always like to see ways to travel "family light". I always bring a small amount of medication just in case, I also like to bring a water bottle to drink water throughout the day, I like the Liquid IV packs and a theft proof backpack!
Wow, thank you! I appreciate the compliment! And I love the tip for liquid iv. I’ll bring that next time.
Just discovered your channel! Watch you guys all the time for your amazing videos on Hawaii
Thanks for subscribing to our new channel! We appreciate the support and I'm glad you found us. Enjoy your trip to Europe!
I’m loving this channel. So great to hear advice from people traveling with kids!
Thanks for watching our channel! We try to be helpful!
I'm a bag enthusiast. I have a bag for every occasion. I've been on the hunt for the perfect traveling / daypack and I think I have found it. Usually, I find them too big. If there is room, I will fill it and that isn't always a good thing. I found the G4Free mini 12L on Amazon and I get to try it out next trip to London in July. Crossing my fingers it's the perfect size and now didn't go too small. Love learning everyone's tips and tricks for travel.
Thanks so much for sharing the bag tip!! We will check it out. Enjoy your trip in July!
YES to the caribiner!! We just got back from our Paris trip with a toddler and I used one for his water bottle and one for his little backpack so I could keep those items together, or clip them to my backpack and it was so handy! I’m glad you recommended it 😊
It’s reassuring to see how minimally your family packs. When I tell my friends that we’re carryon only (so far), they look shocked but it’s really not that hard!
I do wish I had invested in the baby zen yoyo stroller, I saw them all over Paris and felt out of place with my baby jogger city mini (it was a bit too big).
I love that you used one too! It feels like such a weird recommendation but honestly, it's so handy. Our son was born in London so the babyzen was our primary yoyo when he was a baby and it's great for travel now. I'm impressed you guys were carry on only!
@@YourGuidesAbroad it was one week with one toddler. I’m sure as he gets older or we have another child, things will change!
These videos are great! I did laugh when you were talking about not bringing white clothing and then it shows you wearing white!
This was very helpful ! I went to Europe last year and going next year now with my son so I am going to change the way I back after watching your video .
That is great to hear! Enjoy the next trip and I'm glad I could help. Enjoy the packing!
We have a Carabeena attached to each of our bags ready for use.
Brilliant! We should have brought more on this trip.
I use the 2-gallon Ziploc bags as compression cubes. I roll my clothes, or then I'm the bag and squeeze out the air. Bonus is that it's waterproof. I bring extras for dirty laundry and for the clean laundry after i washed it. If i travel for more that a week, i do laundry somewhere. I'm plus sized so regular compression cubes are generally too small for needs
Great video! We always enjoy your content.
Thank you for watching!
What container are you using to store your shampoo and conditioner bars? We also use bars, but I haven't found the best thing to put them in. 🌸Heidi
Thanks! I took notes!
Hooray! Glad it was helpful and have a great trip.
Carry on backpacks!
These are all that I have owned or own.
1 beis the backpack.
More affordable. Not as long lasting. Kinda heavy but lots of space
2 calpak terra backpack - my fave out of all of them. Lots of exterior compartments which is how I like to max space inside. Holds a lot. Water resistant.
3. Tumi backpack
Pricey. Very functional. Not as large tho.
4.patagonia mini mcl 30 L.
Not much exterior pockets. Kinda expensive. Good warranty tho
Thank you Erica, we are gearing up for our first trip to London, and find your videos very helpful.
How exciting! Have a wonderful trip!
I just purchased a new backpack that I’m excited to try for my personal item. Dagne Dover indi diaper bag. Yes a diaper bag (my kids are older) but it looks so functional. I removed the diaper bag stuff and I’m left with a cool bag. Tons of the reviews talk about using it for travel. Check it out!
I've seen that bag! But I wrote it off because it's a diaper bag. I'll have to give it another look. Thanks for the recommendation!
Very good tips. We are preparing for a family trip in November. Its been a bit challenging to find accomodations for a family of four ( two kids under 10) Any tips on hotels.
Great Video. Thank you for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!
My carry-on backpack is a cotopaxi one. While not cheap, it is really well made and has a cool zipper feature that helps guard against pickpockets.
I've heard such good things about cotopaxi backpacks. I'll have to check it out! Thank you for the recommendation!
Great video! What compression packing cubes do you use? Yours look sturdy and I have tweens/teens :-).
So far they are great! And so much sturdier than any other I've purchased. I've included them here: yourguidesabroad.com/europe-summer-packing-list/
As a Brit, I'm kind of fascinated by the way Americans see Europe. This is one of the most down to earth videos I have seen. I wouldn't trust rental car seats through. Buy something here from Boots, Argos or Halfords.
Thanks for the tip! We ended up purchasing a quality car seat from Halfords for our week long road trip in Scotland. Thanks for watching!
I didn't see a link for the laundry soap and shampoo/conditioner bars????????????🙂🙂
What is the name of your cross body bag?
It is a Fjallraven cross body bag. Thanks for asking!
All your videos that I have watched are enjoyable & helpful! Thank you! One question: what do you use for your phone calls..an esim or roaming charges etc? I tried a physical sim card for 2 weeks in Italy but I couldn't get it to work and now we are going to London for a week so what do you recommend. I don't want a $200 roaming charge on my phone bill. Thank you very much!!
Thanks for the amazing comment! Thanks for watching and sorry for the late reply to your comment. We use Airalo App for eSIMs. You can get 2GB of data for $7.50. Follow the instructions to activate on your phone. Activating is the tricky part for me. Here is the link: yourguidesabroad.com/airalo I hope that helps!
Thank you very much!!!
😂 Sorry, but you say you don’t pack any white clothing, but the video pans to you wearing a solid white long-sleeved shirt as you’re saying that @ 11:17 .
Haha, it looks white on camera but it’s a light brown shirt. Thanks for watching!
I stopped the video at that point thinking...surely someone else commented on that! Haha.
But that's good to consider, you can still wear "lighter" colors without going full white and get a similar effect. I also tend to find "heather" colored clothing to be a little more forgiving due to the inherent slight pattern.