Champagne Travel on a Beer Budget

Anyone who has ever dared venture beyond the realms of their home town knows that one easy way to turn a good trip bad is to be too heavy-laden with luggage. Indeed, a lightness of luggage can equal a lightness of the spirit.

For the budget-conscious, it also opens up a world of money-saving opportunities that are just not possible with several trolleys of luggage that takes 30 minutes to load into a taxi. Public transport, making your own way from the airport to your accommodation, and being able to walk between locations with your luggage are all possible when you travel light.

But is it possible to travel light without compromising on style? And for those of us who appreciate at least a little bit of comfort whilst we roam from home, is it possible to travel too light?

Inspired by best-selling author Tim Ferris’ post about travelling with 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or less , I decided to explore the concept of travelling light, but with a stylish twist. For as inspirational as Tim’s packing list was for its minimalism, I know to enjoy my travel I need more than a couple of outfits (am I alone here?).

Late last year I took a bit of a last-minute sojourn to relax in Thailand after finally finishing my university studies (10 years later… but thats a whole other story). I thought it would be a good opportunity for a little bit of an experiment on ‘travelling light without compromising on style’.

My goal? To pack for a two week holiday (laptop included) with only carry-on luggage.

Admittedly, Thailand boasts very warm weather which works in your favour when trying to pack light, but still my trip would see me lazing around on islands like Ko Samui & Ko Phangan (south of Thailand), doing a bit of exploring in Chiang Mai (north of Thailand) which required ‘modest’ clothes for visiting temples, and shopping and partying in Bangkok. I needed to pack for quite a few different scenarios (clothes that you wear trekking just aren’t going to cut it at that fancy restaurant). So, with the incentive of not having to wait around at baggage collection, I undertook my experiment.

What did I pack? My travel wardrobe looked something like this: Travelling light without compromising on style by taraskipp  

How did I go?

It was so liberating only having carry-on luggage and I never really felt lacking in the clothes department. I could have done with another dressy outfit but ultimately it was great to not have a backpack or suitcase slowing me down. 

Here’s what I learnt: 

5 keys to travelling light without compromising on style:

1. Pack items that have multiple uses. I have waxed lyrical about my love of travelling with a sarong before, but it really is a great multi-use item when travelling. Wrap, scarf, plane blanket, beach mat - one little piece of fabric can do it all. I also packed a black tankini with gold chain detail that I could both wear to the beach and also pair with pants of a night.
2. Plan your outfits. Before you pack, try every item on and make sure you are completely comfortable with it and know you would definitely definitely wear it (no room in carry-on for clothes you may not wear). Think of the different scenarios you’ll be in and make sure you have outfits to suit them all. When you are doing your planning, make sure that every item can mix and match with all the others. I find laying everything out on your bed can help with this.
3. Pack accessories that will offer some variety. If you like a bit of variety in your wardrobe, you may find travelling light a bit limiting. But even if you are wearing a dress for the third time in a week, having an assortment of jewellery or even clutches to change your look can make it feel like a new outfit. The benefit with jewellery is that it doesn’t take up a great deal of room in your luggage and can be a great way to add some colour to your travel wardrobe.
4. Take at least one item out of your bag. Coco Chanel supposedly said that you should look in the mirror before leaving the house and remove one item. This old adage can be applied to travelling light with style. Resist the temptation to pack your bag to the brim because every jet-setter needs to leave at least a little bit of room in their carry-on for exotic purchases. To lighten the load, once you have finished packing choose at least one item that you know you can live without and leave it behind. 
5. Remember that style is much more than just clothes. You could have the most glamorous wardrobe but if you don’t wear it with confidence, you are without style. In the same sense, even if you have packed on the lighter side and aren’t wearing a different outfit every day of your trip, you can still ooze style by walking with your head held high, having a big smile for everyone you meet and the confidence that you truly are fabulous (which of course you are!)  

Ok, champagne travellers… if you have some tips to add on travelling light without compromising on style, please enlighten us in the comments.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to read:

Travel packing just got simpler with Travel Packing Online 

 Want to relax? Detox? Feel rejuvenated? Look amazing? 

If so, make sure your next travel experience involves some time at a luxury spa…

Steam rooms, spas and communal baths have been all the rage in countries such as Turkey and Korea for centuries, but day spas and spa resorts are a phenomena that has increased exponentially over the past decade.

And if you have been to one, then you know why. Nothing beats the feeling of walking out of a spa in a blissful state. Refreshed & calm while radiating that glow that is only acheived by being massaged to within an inch if your life.

Most luxury hotels from Sydney to Singapore, Chennai to Costa Rica have their own spa (with some resorts even being solely dedicated to the spa experience), meaning you can work a bit of spa action into the itinerary of nearly any trip you are planning.

But if you are reading Champagne Travel on a Beer Budget, chances are that you want the luxury experience without the luxury price tag. Am I right? Never fear, here are some ideas for a champagne spa experience on a beer budget:

1. Book into a luxury spa, but stay at cheaper accommodation nearby

Just because you are not staying at a hotel or resort, doesn’t mean you can’t book into their spa facilities. So, to cut down the cost of your spa experience, book into the spa at a ritzy resort but book your accommodation close by in a cost-friendly hotel.

Using Thailand as an example, here are three tried and tested spa resorts (from budget to decadent) that have very affordable accommodation options nearby:

The Sanctuary - Ko Phan Ngan

Spa Resort - Ko Samui

Chiva-Som - Hua Hin

Whether you book in for a quick beauty treatment or a week long fasting program, most spas will allow you to use their facilities (either complimentary or for a small fee) - pools, spas, saunas, fresh juice. Which leads to my next point…..

2. Pace your spa experience

Think that a whole day at a spa is too expensive? Then pace out your spa experience. Only booking in for a massage & a blow-dry? Space your treatments out and make a day of it. Get there early and relax in the sauna and spa. Have one treatment and then laze by the pool reading a book and sampling some spa cuisine before you have another. Spending a day at the spa is a very glam and decadent experience and you’ll walk out feeling like a new person.

3. Find a hidden gem

Every travel destination has its own well-known spa, you know the one, you’ve seen it in the magazines, heard it whispered about with almost reverential tones. But usually not too far away is another spa that is maybe not as well known, far less pricey, but still a haven of relaxation equipped with therapists that really know what they’re doing. Ask the locals where they go, check out the back streets and don’t be put off by spas that look like they’re in need of a fresh coat of paint (as opposed to things you should be put off by - like promises of ’sensual’ massage). Some of these spas without all the hype are the tried and true black book secret of many a local.

One that springs to mind straight away is The Ginseng Bathhouse. Located in Sydney, Australia’s Kings Cross, this spa (also known as the Korean Baths) has been relaxing and rejuvenating locals for years for less than half the cost of spas only blocks away. It may be a no-frills establishment, but these women take the spa experience seriously and ensure that you won’t regret your visit.