At Jet Set Digest, we believe you don’t need to choose between speed and style. You can travel quickly and elegantly—if you know how to pack.
After years of high-speed European trips (including a 9-country honeymoon in 17 days), we’ve fine-tuned our approach to luxury travel. The key? Travel light. Move fast. Stay luxe. Whether it’s just the two of us or we’re exploring with our kids in tow, our philosophy hasn’t changed—efficiency fuels freedom.
Here’s exactly how we do it.
Why We Travel Light
When you’re navigating train stations, hopping city to city, or weaving through cobblestone alleys, lugging giant suitcases slows you down—physically and mentally. We’ve learned that traveling light gives us more flexibility, more confidence, and more space to enjoy the actual trip.
We typically spend two days per city, so we need to be able to pack up, move, and reset quickly without dragging extra weight.
The Luggage That Works
Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of packing solutions. Here’s what works for us now:
- For Her:
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Rollaboard
Lightweight, compact, and fits international cabin size rules. It’s the perfect upgrade from a backpack, especially when wearing a baby.
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Rollaboard
- For Him:
- Osprey Farpoint 40 (Men’s)
- Osprey Porter 46
Still traveling backpack-only, my husband prefers these two models for flexibility and minimalist packing.
- Osprey Farpoint 40 (Men’s)
- Shoe Strategy:
- Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane—boots if it’s cold, casuals if it’s warm.
- Pack a single versatile pair for everything else. I travel with a pair of structured ballet flats I bought in Paris—they handle cobblestones by day and elegant dinners by night.
- Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane—boots if it’s cold, casuals if it’s warm.
What We Pack (and What We Don’t)
Less is more—especially when every item works overtime. Here’s how we keep it streamlined but stylish:
- Clothing:
- Mostly neutrals that mix and match effortlessly
- Wrinkle-resistant fabrics—Quince has become one of our favorite brands for elevated basics
- A few light accessories to change up the look
- Mostly neutrals that mix and match effortlessly
- Toiletries:
- We don’t bring anything the hotel already provides
- Solid shampoo bar instead of liquids = less mess, less weight
- Mini versions of our skincare to keep the luxury feel without sacrificing carry-on rules
- We don’t bring anything the hotel already provides
- Laundry Strategy:
- If we’re gone for a while, we’ll do laundry mid-trip—usually through local laundromats that offer hotel drop-off. It’s surprisingly affordable and saves space.
- If we’re gone for a while, we’ll do laundry mid-trip—usually through local laundromats that offer hotel drop-off. It’s surprisingly affordable and saves space.
Luxury, Without the Bulk
Packing light doesn’t mean giving up the details that make travel feel elevated. For us, luxury comes from experience, not excess:
- Stay in 5-star hotels—but carry your bag upstairs with ease
- Get dressed for dinner in pieces that feel good and pack small
- Walk confidently in shoes that don’t ruin your feet or your photos
- Start the day with a skincare routine you love, just mini-sized
When It Changed
For years, we both traveled with backpacks only. That changed when we started traveling with our kids. Now I wear the baby, so switching to a rollaboard suitcase was a game-changer. It gave me back balance, mobility, and comfort—without losing speed.
But even as our travel seasons change, our style stays consistent: pack intentionally, travel freely, experience deeply.
Want help designing a fast-paced, carry-on-only itinerary that feels anything but minimalist?
We offer VIP Concierge Planning to help you book light and travel luxe—without sacrificing your pace or comfort.
Contact us to start planning your next adventure.