travelwith3bubs

Travel Tips, Family Friendly Holidays and Life in Hong Kong

Author: travelwith3bubs

  • Study Abroad – Tips Learned from Mistakes Made!

    Study Abroad – Tips Learned from Mistakes Made!

    This blog is for those with children planning to study abroad in the UK. Hopefully these random tips will come in handy when you’re getting ready to send them off.

    Study Abroad – Visas

    study abroad oxford england
    Photo by Artem Zhukov on Pexels.com

    Many people use agents to arrange all the paper work. Being a thrifty type, I like to think if you can read you can do anything yourself. This is not always the best decision! If it seems straightforward then by all means go for it. But if you don’t have the time, or acceptance is not always a given, then ask the experts.

    Paying Extra for Priority and Express

    Again, I like to think that if one has time one does not need to pay extra for fast track. This is absolutely the wrong thinking! Always pay extra and have the peace of mind when your application is approved in days rather than months!

    Student Fare

    Always get your travel agent (or yourself) to book student airfares. Not only will they get a discount but they will also get extra baggage allowance. This is most helpful in their first year when they have a ton of belongings to cart over. Students are usually all seated together too.

    Amazon is your Friend

    Try and order as much as you can online and have it delivered to their accommodations. This saves packing and trying to source items on arrival.

    amazon logo
    Photo by Sagar Soneji on Pexels.com

    Study Abroad – 4 Must Buy Items

    Vacuum and Wipes

    Coming from Asia we take cleaning seriously! On moving in day we wiped down all surfaces and vacuumed carpets, curtains, bed and chairs! Buying a stick vacuum cleaner is really handy and doesn’t take up much space.

    Mattress Topper

    A mattress topper makes a huge difference to the comfort of one’s bed. For most students this is a must have item. It looks thin on delivery but expands to a decent level of comfort.

    Hangers and Hooks

    Student accommodation will probably not allow sticking items on walls or drilling holes. Over the door hooks are very useful for hanging towels, hats and other miscellaneous items. Space saving hangers are also useful.

    Vitamins/Berocca/Panadol

    For university students in preparation for Freshers Flu make sure they have a stash of over the counter medicines. Even if they don’t get sick in their first week they will inevitably catch something later.

    Studying abroad is an exciting and wonderful experience. It also comes with challenges and unknowns. University education in the UK is fantastic and will be a most memorable time of their lives. If your children do choose the UK they should embrace all that is on offer.

    Thank you for reading and best of luck!

    Shareen

    © 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.

  • Nozawa Onsen – The Best Japanese Ski Resort

    Nozawa Onsen – The Best Japanese Ski Resort

    Nozawa Onsen – the best Japanese Ski Resort and the worst Best Kept Secret

    Nozawa Onsen is a bit like Fight Club. Everyone who has been to Nozawa Onsen does not want to tell anyone else about Nozawa Onsen. Indeed any Instagram and TikTok posts are met with disdain, anger and abuse. But it’s too late. The cat is most definitely out of the bag.

    About Nozawa Onsen

    Nozawa Onsen is a quaint beautiful village in Nagano prefecture. It only requires a bullet train from Tokyo (under 2 hours). A short bus or taxi ride (20 minutes) will then take you to the village.

    shinkansen nozawa onsen

    The ski resort recently celebrated it’s 100 year anniversary. Foreigners have been going the last twenty years or so. But it has only been the last few years that it has become THE place to be.

    Nozawa Onsen - sledding

    Many newcomers are Niseko converts. Niseko is the upmarket resort in the North famous for its great powder but long queues and fully booked restaurants. Unlike Niseko which requires a flight to Hokkaido, Nozawa Onsen is accessible from Tokyo which offers many more flight options. It is also great to have the chance to spend days either side, exploring everything Tokyo has to offer. But that’s another blog entirely.

    The Famous Nozawa Onsens

    Nozawa Onsen is also famous for its public onsens (hot baths) dotted around the village. These waters are known for their medicinal properties but are not for the fainthearted. Coming to grips with the rules of Onsen etiquette is important. Getting used to being fully nude and managing the almost boiling temperatures are all part of the experience.

    Important Tips

    Accommodation

    There are a range of accommodations but if you do decide to go, do not leave it too late. Most returners tend to book a year in advance. Once they come off the slopes on their last day of skiing they sign up for the following year!

    Restaurants

    Now that Nozawa Onsen is more popular than ever, it is also worth booking some restaurants ahead of time. This only needs to be a few weeks rather than months. See my blog on recommended restaurants and the ones that you must book early.

    Lunches are all walk in so you just need to queue. Best tip is to get there when they first open or slightly earlier. Most people do not linger over lunch so the wait times are not long.

    Nightlife in Nozawa

    Nightlife is very tame – think Whistler, but the opposite.

    There are a few bars but not a lot of rowdy yahooing. There is still enough for the younger crowd to enjoy great nights out after a long day on the slopes.

    Nozawa Onsen for Non Skiers

    For those who don’t ski there is enough to do for a week. One can visit the snow monkeys, go snow walking, take cooking classes and enjoy the village. There are yoga classes, a climbing wall and of course all the onsens to explore.

    snow monkeys

    Our family love Nozawa Onsen for its gorgeous village feel, hearty food offerings and fantastic skiing amongst a beautiful backdrop.

    I highly recommend a visit for your next ski holiday – despite the backlash I will receive!

    For more detailed information about the village.

    Thanks for reading and happy skiing.

    Shareen

  • Spend Less on Disney Cruise Line – 5 Must Do Tips

    Spend Less on Disney Cruise Line – 5 Must Do Tips

    spend less money
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    You have decided to bite the bullet and take the best family cruise line. Now you want to know how to spend less than an arm and a leg.

    Hopefully you are not planning to go for another 18 months because that is the first tip!

    Early booking is key to spending less

    The first day the cruise is released for sale is the day you should be booking. The price is the cheapest on Day 1 so you will spend less if you book on this day. But you will need to decide before this date which cruise you will take and your preferred stateroom.

    Specialist cruise agent

    To book on Day 1 you need a good agent who knows all your details and requirements. They can advise you when new cruise itineraries are released. They can then put holds on your stateroom as soon as the cruise opens.

    Spend less with On Board Credit

    Another reason for using a specialist Disney cruise agent is for their onboard credit offers. You may need to shop around to see who can offer the best deal. Onboard credit feels like someone has given you a lovely gift!

    Spend less by booking your own Excursions

    Like all cruise lines, ship excursions tend to be more expensive than booking private operators directly. Some people prefer to book through the ship as it is easy – just a click on the app. Cruise lines also claim that you will not be left behind if your excursion is late returning.

    I always prefer to do my own research and book private guides as much as possible. Small groups (usually just our family) rather than a bus load is much more conducive to sightseeing. Logistically it takes time herding a bus load of passengers at every monument and photo stop. And we won’t even mention how long it takes for everyone on the bus to go to the loo!

    Choosing your Stateroom

    My policy is choose the cheapest room you can handle! If you don’t think you can handle an inside stateroom then go for an ocean view. Need outdoor space, upgrade to a balcony. If you prefer the finer things or really need more space then splurge on concierge. The more you can rough it though, the more you will save!

    I have sailed concierge and personally I do not think it is worth the extra. I much rather put the difference towards excursions or premium dining.

    Disney Cruise Line really is the best for families with younger children. It is definitely the most expensive when compared to similar cruise lines. You will make wonderful memories and it will all be worth it. Obviously if you can spend less the happier you will be!

    Happy cruising

    Shareen

    Logo
    Logo

  • The Great Migration – Safaris  don’t get better than this

    The Great Migration – Safaris don’t get better than this

    Safaris are awesome. In Botswana I have taken a dugout canoe through the Okavango Delta and camped in tents in Chobe National Park. In South Africa I have stayed in luxury lodges in the Kruger National Park. And in India I have seen tigers in Ranthambore National Park. BUT, if I was to choose only one destination for a safari it would hands down be Tanzania. Specifically – the Mara River in the Serengeti to witness the Great Migration.

    Taking oneself let alone one’s family on an African safari is indeed a huge financial undertaking. Witnessing the Great Migration is an absolute bucket list item. So if the opportunity presents itself I would say do it!

    Many people go on safari with young children. I personally would wait until they around 11 years old to really appreciate the incredible journey.

    Getting There – not so direct to witness the Great Migration

    A safari in Tanzania requires several stops on very small planes. It is not for the fainthearted or indeed the very tall traveller! Coming home our journey involved six stops – Lamai, Fort Ikoma, Seronera, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Doha and finally Hong Kong. So direct it is not!

    Packing is also more challenging. Everything should be in duffle bags and there are strict weight restrictions. There is no space for big suitcases in the plane storage. For further tips on packing refer to my post Challenge : 3 weeks, 3 kids with just carry on?

    Small plane to safari camp

    Accommodations range from luxury lodges to tented camps. Whatever your budget it will still seem like a huge chunk of change. But try not to linger on that thought (like we did all during the lead up). Once you are there you will feel it is money completely well spent.

    Safari tent

    The Great Migration – What you see

    Most safaris I experienced before Tanzania involved prides of lion sleeping under trees or stunning leopards sleeping on tree branches. Amazing yes. But in terms of action, not so much.

    Fast forward to the Great Migration. From the moment we stepped off our tiny plane and into our fully open jeep the adventure began.

    Just the journey from the airstrip to our campsite we witnessed a plethora of activity. Wildebeest and zebra deciding whether to cross the river. Lions awaiting their decision, while hyenas and vultures lurked in hope of catching some scraps.

    Cheetahs, three brothers in fact, on a team hunt hoping to nab a gazelle. Meanwhile giraffes and pairs of ostrich popped out of bushes to cross our path.

    Herds of elephants drinking at water holes surrounded by stunning birds and inquisitive otters.

    It was all too much!

    Safari elephants

    The Great Migration – what is it

    Although the movement of animals occurs throughout the year it is generally divided into several key periods. July and August are the peak viewing season as the herds cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The incredible river crossings are the most dramatic scenes I have ever witnessed.

    Great Migration wildebeest safari

    After our first day my middle son exclaimed “The Serengeti is Brutal!”. He was not wrong.

    Getting the timing right is of course up to mother nature. We were incredibly lucky that the river crossings only started the day we arrived. That was mid July. If you do not get the timing spot on do not despair. Although that experience was truly mind blowing, there is still an abundance of action.

    I would highly recommend working with safari specialists to point you in the right direction both accommodation and timing wise. This is the company we used and they were brilliant.

    Safari – The Joy of Being in Nature

    Cheetah - Great Migration, Serengeti, Tanzania

    What I love about holidays like this is that you are outdoors for most of the day surrounded by nature. Many accommodations do not have wifi so everyone is forced to have a digital detox. In the evenings we played board games or gathered around the fire to discuss our sightings with other guests.

    From my experiences thus far, a safari is the very best holiday one could ever hope to do. Seeing animals roaming freely in their habitat is incredibly special. Sharing that experience as a family was a once in a lifetime trip that we will forever remember.

    Thanks for reading.

    Shareen

    © 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.

  • Journeys of a lifetime – why we love cruising with kids

    Journeys of a lifetime – why we love cruising with kids

    There are so many positives why we love cruising with our kids that many people do not consider. The stunning destinations, easy excursions and plethora of entertainment usually come to mind but there are a host of others. Here are 5 often overlooked reasons why we love cruising with kids.

    Disney cruise line. Ultimate family cruise line

    5 Often Overlooked Reasons Why We Love Cruising With Kids

    1. Multiple cruising destinations – kids can see more of the World

    Most cruises cover several destinations. Mediterranean cruises we took with our kids included Greece, Malta, Turkey, France, Italy and Spain.

    Another interesting cruise we took with our kids was the Baltics which included Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Estonia.

    One of our favourite cruises was the British Isles covering England, Scotland and Ireland followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

    Travelling to several destinations in one holiday would be so much more difficult if not by cruise ship.

    Navigating a host of airports and taxis is another headache one can avoid.

    Visiting several cities and only unpacking and packing once is also a luxury only available to those on cruise ships.

    2. Educational for kids – learning as you’re cruising

    Cruising to different ports is also educational, particularly in Europe.

    Port days for our kids have included

    • visiting the beaches in the Normandy landings of World War II in France
    • strolling through the Hermitage, the world’s largest and most prestigious museum in St Petersburg
    • wandering the Long Room in the Old Library of Trinity College, Dublin
    • exploring the Churchill War Rooms in London – the secret underground headquarters during World War II
    • appreciating the ancient exhibits at the Acropolis Museum in Athens

    and many more!

    Of course many of these attractions were of no interest to our children. Knowing they would later be back on the boat, in kids club and with their new friends made it easier. Learn some new things and later you can go back to the boat!

    3. Kids Entertainment included – love all the activities onboard

    Most family friendly cruise lines have brilliant shows and activities throughout the day. If you don’t want to lie by the pool there are always other things to do.

    From basketball courts to mini golf and ropes courses. Dodgems to skydiving. Depending on the cruise ship there are a host of daily activities on offer.

    4. Food kids love

    Cruise ships are well known for their enormous buffets and people stuffing their bellies till they pop. But one must appreciate how amazing it is to have a daily spread of food that children will happily eat.

    Removing the stress of having to research every family friendly restaurant in a city near your hotel is a godsend.

    5. Cruise Accommodation

    Doing research on hotels can be exhausting. The number of hours spent reading countless conflicting reviews and comparing prices requires a holiday in itself!

    With cruising you just need to decide whether your wallet can manage a stateroom or suite. If not a suite, then choose whether you want an inside, ocean view or balcony and you’re done!

    This is a great thing to love about cruising. You know exactly what you’re getting.

    So there you have it. Some of the reasons why we love cruising with kids and why it makes for a brilliant holiday!

    Thanks for reading and happy cruising. You won’t be disappointed.

    If you want to find out which cruise line I rate the very best for families see The Ultimate Cruise Line for families with kids.

    Shareen

  • The Ultimate Cruise Line for families with kids

    The Ultimate Cruise Line for families with kids

    If you don’t want to scroll to the end – here is the ultimate cruise line for families with kids. Disney Cruise Line.


    To say our family love cruising is an understatement. We took our first family cruise on Disney Cruise Line to Alaska when our youngest was 9 months old. Although he was too young to remember his first cruise (where he won Jack Jack’s Diaper Dash!), his siblings loved it and still remember it fondly.

    Baby Disney cruise line passenger

    We continued cruising with Disney every Summer until he turned 8. Amazing destinations included the Baltics, Scandinavia, the British Isles and the Mediterranean.

    Then it was 2020 and the world turned to custard. But let’s not dwell on that!

    5 reasons why Disney is the Ultimate Cruise Line for kids.

    Why is Disney the Ultimate Cruise Line for kids? Because everything is catered to children!

    • Reason 1 – They will not starve as there are always things they will like at the buffet.
    • Reason 2 – The musical productions are such top quality that the kids will be riveted.
    • Reason 3 – Bathtubs in most staterooms make bathing young children so much easier than fixed shower heads.
    • Reason 4 – Excursions booked through the ship offer many child friendly options.
    • Reason 5 (and the top one in my book) – the Kids Clubs beat all other cruise lines hands down. The decor, technology and activities for kids of all age groups is next level awesome!

    There are adult only areas including pools and bars and there are many passengers who travel Disney without children. I do believe though that the best bang for your buck is when you take kids.

    There are other great cruise lines without the Disney price tag (which is double or triple similar itineraries). I would definitely switch when the kids are older but if you have children under 12 don’t bother looking elsewhere. This is the Ultimate Cruise Line.

    But don’t despair. There are ways to make the Disney Cruise Line holiday less expensive. Check out my blog Spend Less on Disney Cruise Line – 5 Must Do Tips!

    Thanks for reading and happy cruising!

    Shareen

    Logo

  • 8 Essential Tips For A Great Day Out

    8 Essential Tips For A Great Day Out

    8 Essential Tips Riding the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, Hong Kong

    Caine Rd escalator

    A busy tourist attraction in Hong Kong but so many visitors fail with the logistics. Let me give you a short introduction about the famous escalator followed by 8 essential tips no one tells you.

    The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. I will not bore you with measurements as they do not compute with me. All one needs to know is that it is not one super long escalator (that would be frightening!) but rather a transport system comprised of 18 escalators and 3 travelators. 

    The escalator system was built in 1993 to ease traffic congestion in the residential area known as the Mid-Levels. It takes commuters from Central to half way up the mountain and vice versa and it is used by thousands daily to get to work, school and go about their daily lives. 

    There have been many articles and vlogs about the Central to Mid-Levels escalator. But none of them seem to cover the most important details for tourists! Luckily I am here to assist 😄.

    Start of escalator - 8 essential tips

    Start of the Midlevels escalator in Central

    Tip 1 of the 8 Essential Tips

    The whole system only goes ONE WAY! It goes downwards from 6am to 10am for rush hour commuters. It then switches direction and goes upwards from 10am to midnight. 

    Tip 2 of the 8 Essential Tips

    Although it says 10am, this is when it starts switching over from the top of the escalator system. By the time they switch directions of all the escalators it will not be until around 10.20am that you can be sure the escalator is going up from the start in Central. DON’T GET THERE TOO EARLY. Otherwise you will either be standing around or have to walk up a few of the steep sections. 

    Tip 3 of the 8 Essential Tips

    Keep to the RIGHT HAND side of the travelators/escalators if you are stationary. If you want to walk, you can do so on the left hand side.  

    Tip 4 of the 8 Essential Tips

    There are famous noodle shops, dim sum restaurants and bubble tea cafes in the area. Feel free to exit the escalator system after the first travelator if you want a QUICK SNACK. 

    My favourite is wonton noodles and a plate of vegetables at Mak’s Noodles (77 Wellington St). There is also the famous roast goose at Yat Lok (34-38 Stanley St). You will also find a branch of One Dim Sum (44 Lyndhurst Terrace). For a more authentic experience though I’d recommend their Prince Edward restaurant. 

    Tip 5 of the 8 Essential Tips

    After the second set of travelators you will find TAI KWUN, the rejuvenated prison, police station and magistracy complex. Definitely leave the escalator system at this point to have a wander around and take some photos.

    There are also some al fresco bars and high end restaurants. My favourite bar here is Botanical Garden for a cheeky G&T. For an expensive but excellent Indian dining experience book a table at Prince and the Peacock for dinner. 

    Tip 6 of the 8 Essential Tips

    Rejoin the walkway to continue with the escalators. In this collection of escalators you will find all the tourists queuing mostly for bakery items. Head to Bakehouse for a delicious sourdough PORTUGUESE EGG TART. If the queue is too long then try a tiramisu danish at Vission which usually has smaller queues.

    There is so much to do in Hong Kong. I wouldn’t waste my time if all the queues are super long. It is just a pastry after all.   

    Vission bakery queue - Tip 6 of the 8 Essential tips
    Queue for Vission. Definitely not worth the wait if you have other things to do. 
    Bakehouse queue - Tip 6 of the 8 Essential tips
    Queue for Bakehouse.  Don’t bother if the queue is any longer than this.

    Tip 7 – Important!

    At this point between escalators you will need to cross some one way streets with pedestrian crossings. Very important – pedestrian crossings do not have the same kudos as those in some other countries. ie cars tend not to stop at pedestrian crossings in Hong Kong! LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOLLIPOP POSTS AND CROSS WITH CAUTION. 

    Tip 8 – MOST IMPORTANT!

    Go up a couple more sets of escalators and when you get as far as Caine Rd then STOP! DO NOT GO FURTHER THAN THIS. You will be tempted to continue to the top but believe me, it gets more underwhelming. There are less shops and the higher you go the further you need to walk back down.

    At the Caine Rd escalator, stand at the landing to get a nice photo of the escalators below. You should then walk back down via the stairs.  Also take care and don’t look at your phone as the steps going down can be slippery. 

    Caine Rd escalator
    View from Caine Road escalator. There is no need to go further than this!

    So there you have the 8 essential tips that no one else will tell you. If you ignore my MOST IMPORTANT TIP, then head to 5 Practical Options at the Top of the Escalator. Here I explain what to do if you unfortunately find yourself at the top. 😉

    Thanks so much for reading. 

    Shareen

    Logo
  • At the Top of the Escalator – 5 Practical Options

    At the Top of the Escalator – 5 Practical Options

    If you ignored my advice in 8 Essential Tips For Riding the Mid-Levels Escalator you will now find yourself on Conduit Road.

    Click here if you would like to buy a t shirt to say you made it to the top of the escalator. You’d expect to at least find a shop at the top selling these, but no. There are zero shops here. 

    Conduit Rd
    Conduit Rd

    There are 5 options once you get to the top of the escalator. 

    Option 1 – walk back down from the top of the escalator

    Walk back down. There are stairs adjacent to all the escalators. Just take care as some areas can be slippery if wet. 

    Option 2 – catch a cab

    Take a taxi wherever you are heading next. You can just hail any taxi that drives past. It should cost around HK$40 to get back to Central. 

    3 minibus stop at top of escalator
    Taxi option or Number 3 Minibus stop

    Option 3 – catch a bus

    Take minibus number 3 back to Central. This is cheaper than a taxi but I don’t recommend it unless you are solo or the only ones waiting.

    The number 3 minibus is sometimes unreliable and by the time it gets to this stop it is often full. You need coins (no change given) or an octopus card. You can download the Citybus app to give you a better idea of real time schedule. You should always have an octopus card anyway. It makes life much easier with public transport in Hong Kong. You can also use it at convenience stores, coffee shops and many other places.

    Option 4 – This is a great option! Turn left at the top of the escalator.

    Walk to the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Gardens. It is an easy walk and can tick off another item on the sightseeing list. Google maps is not clear and many people go the wrong way.

    If you need to cross a busy road and there is no crossing then you have gone the wrong way! Here is the Google map which seems to confuse people. I also have a YouTube video showing the exact route. 

    Route to Botanical Gardens from the top of the escalator

    Option 5 – not for the unprepared! Head up the Peak from the top of the escalator.

    Walk up to the Peak! If you do not have a reasonable level of fitness don’t bother doing this. 

    There are two routes from the top of the escalator at Conduit Road. Via Old Peak Road (left) which is very steep and via Hatton Road (right) which is longer. I have included Google Maps showing both routes but again these are not clear and often lead you astray.

    You can also watch my YouTube videos showing the exact routes. Note there are no drink stops or shops on the way. 

    Top of the escalator - turn left
    Head this direction for Option 4 to HK Botanical Gardens or Option 5 to the Peak via Old Peak Road
    Route to the Peak via Old Peak rd

    Google Maps showing route to the Peak via Old Peak Road 

    Route to the Peak via Hatton Rd

    Google Maps showing route to the Peak via Hatton Road

    Top of the escalator on Conduit Rd - turn right
    Head this direction for Option 5 to the Peak via Hatton Rd

    If you do decide on Option 5 you will be rewarded by magic views at the top. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

    Good luck and thanks for reading!

    Shareen

    View from the top

  • Carry On Challenge : It’s a Game Changer

    Carry On Challenge : It’s a Game Changer

    Carry On Challenge – 3 weeks,3 kids


    A couple of summers ago our family of five spent 3 weeks holidaying in Europe. A week on the Greek island of Kythera, followed by a week cruising and a week in Arezzo, Italy.  My one rule – all family members were only allowed to take carry on luggage!

    Surely one needs more than carry on you say?! The boys did not mind so much. Our 17 year old daughter needed more convincing…

    Losing luggage in Europe during the height of summer seemed very high so I didn’t want to risk it. It was absolutely the right call. Had we not done so we would have spent the entire cruise with the clothes on our back! 

    Flying from Kythera to Athens most checked in luggage, for reasons unknown, did not make it on the plane. Passengers waited hours at the conveyor belt for their luggage only to find out they had not left the island!

    With only one flight per day, luggage would not be received until the arrival of the flight the next day. In our case, we were going straight on a cruise ship the next morning. Any luggage would not have been returned until we got back to Athens after the cruise!

    After finding out about that incident, our teenage daughter was convinced – Carry On Only was a brilliant idea!

    Top 3 Essentials for Carry On Only

    1. Packing Method

    To follow the Carry On Only policy one needs to implement the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method. I originally read about this on a home and lifestyle website.


    The 5-4-3-2-1 packing method involves variations around – 

    • 5 tops
    • 4 bottoms
    • 3 dresses/jumpsuits and 3 shoes
    • 2 swimming togs and 2 bags
    • 1 accessory (hat, scarf, sunglasses)

    This packing method has been invaluable and by keeping to matching combinations it is not difficult. For the most part we looked fairly decent. The uber cool waitstaff at the Dolce and Gabbana Martini restaurant in Milan would probably say otherwise!

    Our outfits in holiday snaps are same/samey but hey, are you a tourist or in a fashion show! (Actually in Milan it was probably the latter!)

    There can be lots of variations to the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Our daughter had about 15 tops but teenage girls tops and indeed all their clothing items seem to be minimal. They didn’t take up much extra space! 

    As a base template this method will massively cut down on your packing. Of course using packing cubes are also a must.

    I have also tried this for winter destinations, swapping out dresses and swimsuits for jackets and thermals. It is much harder to squeeze ski gear in carry on but usually I will wear or hold bulkier items. We also followed this method when we went on safari although all items were khaki in colour!

    5-4-3-2-1 packing
    Deciding what to include for the kids in the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method!

     

    2. Transfer Liquids

    The biggest effort with Carry On Only is what to do about liquids. I suggest ordering a range of 50ml and 100ml travel bottles to transfer moisturisers, cleansers and hair products. Note – stricter airports only allow a 1 litre in one see-through bag.  If you are happy to use any products then you can always buy supplies when you arrive at your destination. 

    Liquids for Carry On

     Transfer all liquids into 100ml containers

    3. Get on board early – carry on needs overhead space

    Another challenge when travelling with Carry On Only is finding enough overhead locker space. Nowadays people seem to bring all sorts of items of varying shapes and sizes and it fills up super quick.

    It is not unusual to have your cabin bag in an overhead locker nowhere near your seat. This makes it easier for opportunistic thieves to take something from yours while pretending to open theirs! To avoid this, queue up at the gate early so you can “bags” the lockers above your seat. Don’t worry if you look like a keen bean! 

    I highly recommend you give Carry On Only a try. It is such a win to walk off the plane, go through immigration and then straight out the door. A wonderful head start to your holiday!

    Thanks for reading and I do hope you give it a try!

    Shareen

    Carry On luggage

    All packed and ready to go! Carry On Only for 3 weeks in Europe for a family of 5!

error: Content is protected !!