As Baby Boomers are aging, along with that comes time for more leisure time, perhaps home improvement projects, golf, and my personal favorite, travel.
As a young child my father shared a story of how my grandparents returned to the old country (Italy) for the first time, after immigrating to the USA in the early 1900s. They took a ship and packed for an extended vacation, to reconnect with their extended family and see their birthplace once again.
I do not recall dad mentioning suitcases; however, I’m certain a trunk or something similar was used to take all of their clothes, shoes, etc. In those days, travel was not as easy as it is today.
This Fall I will be making the same journey, only this time it will be on a plane and I’ll be minimizing the number of suitcases that my husband and I will be taking. No steamer trunks for this gal!
Focusing on what to take for an extended trip can be overwhelming at best. Some seasoned travelers take only the bare essentials, for others it can be overwhelming to figure out how to pack and what’s needed, especially if you’re going to be there in Summer and Fall.
Realizing that tennis shoes, even fashionable ones are not always accepted in a fine dining establishment can put the most seasoned of travelers into a tailspin.
Since we will be straddling two seasons while abroad, the best plan is a light jacket, capri’s (which serve both day and evening attire), and a few shirt dresses (which are the latest look for ladies now). These functional dresses can look amazing with a necklace and light sweater, for an evening out.
I’ll be packing six tops, paired with a light colored poncho to take off the chill, and finally dress shoes and Ecco style slip-on tennis shoes to handle the cobblestone streets. No stress here, just an exciting journey to the old country and reconnecting with my heritage.
Wherever your travels may take you focus on the destination and leave your packing worries behind. Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.
