5 International Backpacking Basics

...for the girly-girl backpacker :)

Me in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2015 - I had to have my boots due to hiking we were doing, but I won't be bringing them to Spain. I had more than everything I needed for 5 weeks in the UK!

As I'm gearing up for our trip to Spain, I figured I'd share some of my travel necessities that fit in my lovely Ospry backpack. Her name is Daisy. This will be my second major trip with this backpack and I learned a ton from my last trip to Scotland - mainly that I packed too much! Yes, I packed too much in my 50L backpack in a cool climate and 5 weeks of travel. You never need as much as you think, but I DO need these items:


1. Backpack: This is Daisy - or rather, Daisy 2.0. My Daisy is two generations behind this one, but you get the point. So much fits in here! If you've never considered a backpack as your major luggage, I would highly recommend you give it a try. If you go to Europe, there are few elevators and escalators. Do you really want to drag a suitcase up and down narrow staircases and cobblestone streets? Didn't think so. At least with a backpack you can up and go in a flash and have everything you need! It's also a matter of safety in that on many European trans, you have to put your large luggage in a different area. Backpacks you can keep with you the whole time. I could go on and on about the advantages, but I'll do a separate post dedicated to just that later.

2. Carry-On Tote bag: I used a Longchamp in Scotland, but I plan to use my Kate Spade Francis in Spain. The carry-on tote is really helpful to put your essentials in for traveling. I keep my iPad, iPhone, snacks, sweater, etc. in the tote for easy access. I even keep my quart bag of toiletries in my tote when I fly just so I can pull it out easily for traversing the security line nightmare. After the initial travel needs, this bag doubles as a day bag for those quick day trips!

3.Travel Hair Tools: Your favorites, just smaller. I don't plan on bringing the blow dryer, but the curling iron and straight iron were used almost daily in Scotland. I plan on the same for Spain.

4. Chico Travel Bags: Chico Bags make an awesome travel set that includes three bags to meet all your needs. The large one is clear meets the TSA standard for quart size toiletry travel. The other two are great for storing charging cords, makeup,

5. Space Bags: These are a life saver! I saved the best and most needed for last. Aaron actually purchased these for us and they were the best thing about backpacking. They really shrink your clothes down to about 25% of the space they would normally take up. There are two ways to organize these in a file system in your backpack: by outfit or by clothes type. In Scotland I had all my dresses in one bag, then shirts, then jeans/pants in 3 medium bags. I also used two small bags for socks/tights and underwear/bras. I carried a large spare bag for my dirty clothes so they stayed separate. I can't tell you how amazing these bags are and how easy they make backpack travel.

Sierra Buttes, California 2013

I was blessed to grow up in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Sierra Buttes is the first mountain I summited when I was about 6 years old! I used to live so near this peak that it was a hike we constantly did on the weekends. Moving to Texas was quite a change for me when I was younger.

In 2013, I was able to take Aaron (my then boyfriend) on a trip to my old hometown of Portola. Aaron and I took a day trip to the buttes and hiked the whole trail in our Chacos! I was fine, but he got a few blisters. The lakes basin area in Plumas County, California is my favorite place on earth. It's beauty only rivals Scotland, but it is conveniently so much closer. 

The actual hike is a windy trail off the Pacific Crest Trail and the peak is only accessible by metal stairs drilled into the rock face. It's really not for those afraid of heights, but at the top it's a beautiful view of the lakes basin area. Worth a visit if you're ever near Tahoe or Reno!

Best Travel Rain Jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell

A few years ago I was on a little trip with my mother in Seattle. Of course, the best place to buy a rain jacket and umbrella is in the Emerald City. My mom and I went to the Patagonia store downtown and I happened to find a magenta Torrentshell Jacket on their summer sale rack! I absolutely could not resist.

Torrentshell with Gortex

Torrentshell

It is simply the only travel rain jacket I have and it was essential for my Scotland trip last year. Since I only had a backpack as my luggage, the Torrentshell was an obvious choice. It ket me dry and looked fantastic the whole time. I'll never travel without it.

Florence, May 2009

During our study abroad trip with Angelo State University in 2009, we decided to take a short train trip to Florence. We left early Saturday morning and spent all day Saturday and Sunday in Florence - absolutely the gem of Tuscany. We didn't have a lot of time to explore, but we really got a feel for the beautiful piazzas, sculptures, frescos, and cuisine.

We spent about 4 hours in the Uffizi where Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and the Four Seasons stand. I did not expect Venus to be as captivating as she was. Botticelli's art is in one of the first rooms you walk in to in the Uffizi and The Birth of Venus is huge. She stands 5'8'' x 9'2''. She is mesmerizing. Right next to her is Primavera, which is also huge. Primavera stands 6'8'' x 10'4''. Make sure to give yourself enough time to just be in the presence of those magnificent pieces.

We never made it into see the original Michael, but there are two other exact replicas throughout the city which are easy to find. I feel like we got a very good taste of Florence, though we were there for about 36 hours! Tuscany is where my Pierangeli family is from, so it was a joy to get some views of my roots.