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Packing Tips for a Carry On + 24 Uses for a Scarf by a Travel Blogger

Packing Tips for a Carry On + 24 Uses for a Scarf by a Travel Blogger

After travel around for so many years, I realise have I lots of Packing Tips and Travel Hacks by now.

You may already know How I became a Travel Blogger but I have never shared my packing tips and tricks.

I have put lots of them into this short video if you prefer not to read the tips.


Packing Tips & Travel Hacks

How I Pack a Carry On Suitcase

  • Use packing cubes to compact your clothes + fit more in
  • Roll garments if you don´t have packing cubes
  • Wear the most heavy/bulky shoes to travel out in
  • Take a Travel Scarf
  • Have your Cosmetic bag ready always so that you dont forget anything. This also saves time as its always ready. I always stock up when I return if things have run out or are running low.
  • Another thing I always have is cammomile tea. Great for settling your tummy and calming for an evening drink.  My travel bag has me prepared for most eventualities.

Inflight Style

When I travel, usually it means long days, getting up early and arriving to your destination late.

Choosing the right clothes for the long journey can make a big difference. I´ve been wearing this Loungewear Set

As well as it being lightweight and practical to wear. It barely creases when you wear it. Being black is ideal in case of coffee stains during turbulence (yes I´ve had that happen a few times!) When folded it occupies hardly any space. It´s easy to mix and match with other items you take travelling with you.

As comfy as a tracksuit, it´s smarter and more edgy, so for me its perfect for the outbound journey. Especially when I have lots of transfers to do.

Gladiator Carry on travel tips

Travel documents

  • Choose a lightweight semi rigid suitcase. I use Gladiator Grow Up. This case is Ok for low cost airlines to carry on into the cabin. Yet it has an expandable compartment to let the case expand for extra room. Usually I make the most of this on the return leg after buying souvenirs, local food etc and then I check in on the way home.
  • Pack your swimsuit, flip flops and suncream. Even in winter I always take a swimsuit in case there is a hotel spa or pool. Flip flops (jandals) can be useful too in case you need to shower somewhere outdoors or camping.
  • Colour match your clothes and accesories. If all the items can be mixed up and match then it makes getting dressed with limited amount of items much simpler.

Packing Cubes Smarter Women

  • Put all travel documents in a plastic sleeve, clear bag or wallet so you know where they are. Being chaotic with your travel documents can cause unecessary stress.
  • Cables and Electronics. I carry these all together in a clear zip up bag. Its handy to have them visible in case you need to get at them while delayed or en route.
  • Check your travel schedule while packing. If you have activities they may indicate special footwear or clothing is required. Looking over your itinerary may remind you of something you need to pop into your suitcase.

Packing tips by a travelblogger

24 Ways to use a Scarf

For years a light scarf has been part of my travel kit. However I didnt actually realise how useful it is.

This tends to be a large, long length fine cotton scarf in a rectangular shape.

So I have quite a few of them. Probably my favourite one is this pastel green one in the photo below.

A pretty scarf always make a great Travel Gift for someone too.

Molly Rio Verde Otivar Granada Spain

Scarf Travel Hacks

Here are all 24 uses for a Scarf:

  1. To use as a Swim cover up (pool or beach)
  2. Roll up, use as a pillow.
  3. Cover your head/shoulders at a religious site
  4. To accesorise when you have few clothes on your travels
  5. Cover up your legs or arms when the sun gets too hot
  6. Wrap up when you didn´t pack warm enough clothes
  7. Use to cover you nose if there are unpleasant smells or lots of dust.
  8. Pack around fragile items to cushion your luggage
  9. Can be used to tie something up (e.g connect your suitcase to rucksack)
  10. Lay out as a blanket on, e.g on sand or grass
  11. Cover a stain when you are out and about
  12. Wearing white jeans, put the shawl down first when you sit down. (Keeps them cleaner longer)
  13. Wrap around to make an improvised skirt
  14. Cover things you dont want to be seen. (e.g luggage in a parked car.)
  15. Lay across your legs as a light inflight blanket
  16. Use it to hide behind as you change (swimwear on a beach?)
  17. Gather the ends or the corners + tie it up to carry things.
  18. Use as a tablecloth
  19. Can be used as a curtain to block the sun (annoying gap in hotel curtains?)
  20. Cover your face from the wind or elements. Put over your mouth and nose in a Sandstorm or strong winds.
  21. Use as a sling or torniquet for First Aid
  22. In very hot temperatures, wet the scarf and put it on the back of the neck to cool body temperature down
  23. Use to cover a childs buggy or pram for them to sleep or keep out of the sun.
  24. Fly it in the wind behind you for amazing Instagram photos ; )

You may have some of your own packing tips to share too?

packing tips scarf travel

Please Note: For this blogpost I have collaborated with FemmeLuxeRefinery and Gladiator. Recieving a gifted item to review. However all thoughts, feelings and opinions shared on this blog and in this post are my own.

  1. Susan Braidwood says:

    We’ll be in Lisbon, then Granada and Sevilla for 2 weeks in September. We’re both planning to go carry on – I figure it should be doable, especially since we’ll have access to a washing machine for our last week in Seville. What I always find difficult is shoes – I want to have at least 2 pairs with me since I’ll be doing a lot of walking and I don’t want sore feet!

    • Molly says:

      Shoes are always tricky for me too. I usually wear one pair and take 3 others…

  2. Brianna says:

    Scarves are my favorite souvenirs to buy when I travel. They have so many uses, so it’s not like buying something that’s just going to sit on a shelf. I also like that you never really grow out of a scarf, like you might with a t-shirt.

  3. Penelopi says:

    I loved your video!! Very informative especially the cubes technique ๐Ÿ™‚
    By the way, I really like your blog, the little village photo drawings is just very cute!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Molly says:

      Thanks so much Penelopi
      The drawing is the Old town in Granada, known as the Albaicin, itยดs exactly like that even in 2017

  4. Tasha Amy says:

    I always have to travel with a scarf after traveling south east asia! It just has so many uses. Though I have lost a couple of them by stuffing them under flat pillows then forgetting to grab it on check out

    • Molly says:

      the good thing is you can pick up a new one as they arent too expensive and are a souvenir from your travels

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