The HPL Podcast: Smarter Packing + Confident Travel | Female Travel Gear | Trip Planning

Packing carry-on only can be a challenge on its own, but to do that and under 10 pounds is a packing achievement. Gena Urowsky was inspired after reading a post by Tim Ferriss on his packing tips and proceeded to venture to Costa Rica with just a school backpack. We talk about her achievement, regrets and tips in this episode.

Abby is unsure of how to go about planning her upcoming trip itinerary when she cannot find any sample itineraries online. This answer could easily take an hour to answer, but instead I give her a few quick tips that can guide her along in planning her multi-country trip itinerary. Plus, an extra resource of where you can ask other female travelers for travel tips.

When you go away on a longer adventure, coming back home can be tough. You may have changed, but the world you knew before has chugged along as normal- and friends have even gotten used to not having you around. Readjustment to the daily grind can take a lot more effort than expected, and your family might not understand. We discuss the struggles of the re-entry process in this episode with Brianne Miers, along with her best insight for preparing for this difficult part of travel.

Can you wear a backpack on your travels if you're not doing stereotypical backpacker things? We had a reader voice her concerns a while back, and it got me to thinking that others might be in the same boat of apprehension and worry. Let us talk about what is important when choosing your luggage when you travel.

Strapped for cash but want to see the world? There are ways you can cut costs and get a real cultural experience in the process, and we explore one of those options in this episode. Irene Broer was able to spend 6 full months in New Zealand with just 3000 Euro. Find out how.

When traveling to destinations that tend to get more rain, is it wise to pack an umbrella? Is packing a rain jacket any better in terms of packing light? We discuss these travel rain gear dilemmas in this episode, and even touch on what I tend to pack for rain protection when I travel.

How does a 2-week cruise to Antarctica sound? Cold? How would you pack for that adventure with a couple of hot stops before and after? Ali Garland did just that all while going carry-on only. Have a listen for packing insights and highlights of a trip to Antarctica!

Bras were just not made for packing! This week on Ask HPL, our question comes from Tahni Hresko who is curious about the best way to pack bras so they don't take up as much space, and do not get crushed in transit. To answer this Q, I discuss a number of points from how many bras to pack to the gear that can help keep it safe.

How do you balance your love of travel with a full-time job? Katelyn has mastered the art of maximizing her leave time so that her normal 10 days is spread across 30 days of travel throughout the year. Not too shabby! We also discuss work-life balance as well as long-term travel versus short trips.

How do you keep your important items, like money and passport, safe when traveling? This week's Ask HPL question comes from Bethany Salvon, and to answer it, we investigate the different methods of stashing some cash; many of those tips can also be applied to passports, jewelry, credit cards and keys.

Whether you want to experience the tradition of a world famous festival, or just because you love a good beer, a trip to Oktoberfest is on the itinerary. In this episode of The HPL Podcast, we chat with Caroline Eubanks about visiting Oktoberfest as a woman, including what to pack, how much money to budget, and other tips for making the most of the event.

Shoes are difficult to pack, and Holly is struggling especially with which ones to bring on trips that encompass both work and play. In this episode, I walk you through the necessary shoe options, along with the maybe pairs.

Long time Her Packing List reader, Julie, admits to a costly packing mistake after her first big adventure overseas. She's never told anyone this story, until today… why? Because what she learned from the experience can help others become smarter packers and more confident travelers!

Jet lag can have disastrous effects on the enjoyment level of a trip, for at least the first few days. Preparing for travel with jet lag in mind can help to lessen its effects, which we explore in this episode of The HPL Podcast.

  At Her Packing List, we talk a lot about packing light, packing your lightest bag, and taking only what you need when you travel. But could you travel with no luggage whatsoever? Could you go away with nothing but your purse? Theresa Christine, a freelance writer and the blogger behind Tremendous Times, explored this extreme, and what she learned might surprise you.