2StepTravel

In just a few days, I’m heading off to Central America for 3 weeks 🌎
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica... and yes, I am doing my best to make it work with carry on only.

As someone who literally has to drag a suitcase to work every day, I can confirm... I still hate suitcases 😅 Give me a backpack over wheels any day.

My go to is usually my CabinZero 44L backpack, or a simple underseat bag if it’s just a few days or under 10 days.

A few packing rules I always stick to:

✨ Pack for a maximum of 10 days. You can wash clothes sc***je.
✨ Multifunctional items are gold. A scarf can be a blanket, scarf, cover in a religious site, or protection from wind and dust.
✨ Layers, layers, layers. Especially for trips with mixed climates.
✨ Stick to lightweight clothing that is easy to mix and match. In summer, you can really reduce the load with smaller, less bulky pieces.
✨ Shoes do not need to take over your bag. Standard sneakers, sportier shoes, and flip flops or minimalist sandals are usually more than enough.
✨ Packing cubes are one of the best inventions ever.
✨ A reusable rain poncho is lightweight and ideal for warm, rainy destinations.
✨ A crossbody bag is essential for the things you always need close by. Passport, phone, cards, and snacks.
✨ An eReader saves so much space and weight compared to carrying books.

For me, carry on bags just makes sense. Your luggage stays close by, it’s easier to move between destinations, faster to repack when you’re travelling often, and far less stressful than dragging a giant suitcase around.

Now to fit 3 weeks of volcanoes, lakes, rain, heat, and hiking into one bag ✈️

🙋‍♀️

Thinking about a Summer 2026 holiday? ✈️☀️

The best flights from Ireland West Airport, Shannon Airport and Dublin Airport are already opening up, and Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a great one for sunshinenand big adventures 🌍

If you’ve got a dream destination in mind (or you’re just in the “get me somewhere warm” stage), here are some of the top picks:

Spain: Costa del Sol, Alicante and Mallorca
Portugal: classic Algarve sunshine
Italy: Rome and beautiful coastlines
Canary Islands: sunshine you can rely on
France: chilled summer escapes and short breaks
Barcelona: beach days and city vibes in one

And if you’re already thinking ahead to later in 2026, there are some brilliant easy long-haul options too 🌴

New York: shopping and iconic sights
Orlando: theme parks and family fun
Thailand: beaches and amazing food
Madeira: scenic and beautiful all year
Tenerife and Lanzarote: winter sun you can count on

Summer peak dates always disappear faster than people expect, so if you already know your school holidays or annual leave, it’s worth locking something in early ⏰

And if the idea of going somewhere new feels a bit daunting, I can also organise escorted group trips so you can travel with others and have everything taken care of ✈️

Drop me a message anytime if you want ideas, prices, or just a bit of travel inspiration (even if you’re only dreaming for now!) 😊