Ask Marjorie

Dearest Marjorie,

I'm a big fan.

I'm wondering, should I bring a backpack? What size luggage should I bring?

Signed,

Montgomery Legal Eagle

Dear Eagle,

Marjorie thinks that a small backpack (the kind that kids take to school) are a perfect accessory for a trip like the one you're about to take. You can fit a camera, sunglasses, guidebook, bottle of water and other sundries in the pack with room left over for any small purchases you make during the course of the day. When traveling international, Marjorie uses her small pack as her carry on.

As for the luggage, you can check two bags without any fees on this international trip as long as they don't exceed 70 pounds (each) and don't exceed 62 inches when you add the length, width and height of each bag. Don't exceed these limits as the penalties are pretty steep.

Marjorie is all about packing light, but she understands that different people have different ideas about what constitutes "packing light". Take what you think you'll need and no more, and be sure to leave some space in at least one of your bags to pack any souvenirs you may acquire along the way. On a couple of different trips Marjorie has bought an extra suitcase on her travels because she bought so much stuff and had no room in her luggage to get it all home.

On this trip, you'll only be packing and unpacking a couple of times, so taking a big bag shouldn't be a problem. Bear in mind that hotel rooms in Europe and cabins on barges tend to be small, so a bunch of huge suitcases can quickly turn your living area into an obstacle course.

Your friend,

Marjorie