So how many suitcases can I bring?

If you've not traveled with us for a few years, we now have nifty 
new complimentary Adventures to Tuscany luggage tags 
we'll be sending out to you as we get closer to your departure!

 Your upcoming Beautiful Villages of Provence Tour is now just under 6 months out, and usually at this point with the Holidays over, some of our guests are beginning to start to think about packing... So our guests often ask us:  How many suitcases can I bring? 

 As far as we're concerned, you can bring as many suitcases as you want... (But to be the happiest, our advice is: one medium suitcase & one small daypack) This is what most experienced travelers learn to live with...) 

You do need to be aware of a few things...  Airlines today, in order to make more money, usually strictly limit both your carry on and checked luggage...  Today many airlines have at least four to five levels of tickets: 

• Basic Economy
• Standard Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business
• First Class 

With their very most-basic economy tickets, some airlines now usually only allow one small personal item (9" x 10" x 17") as a carry-on. (not a full size 9" x 14" x 22" carry on).  With these most basic tickets, if you want to check luggage, you sometimes have to purchase that separately...  Usually around $100 per piece of luggage up to 50 lbs.  And if you show up at the gate with a full size carry-on, they likely will make you pay the $100 to check it, and may even charge you a $25 Gate Handling Fee.  We strongly suggest you check your airline's written policies on their website... and if you haven't purchased tix yet, keep the luggage situation in mind when you research flights. If your tix doesn't include checked luggage, consider this scenario: 

• if there's 2 of you
• 2 checked pieces of luggage @ $100 each (the fee is charged each direction)
• total luggage fees = $400 

size matters! the black one is 22" and will actually satisfy full-size
carry-on restrictions, but  be aware now some airlines are also 
putting weight restrictions on the carry-ons... the purple one is a 26" 

With the next level up: Standard Economy ticket, you typically (not always) get one free personal item, and one free full size carry-on that's typically limited to no larger than 9" x 14" x 22" and one free checked bag (usually)with a top limit of 50 lbs...    They're pretty stringent on the weight limit...  if your bag goes over, the fee is expensive... (many airlines charge $100 extra if your bag hits 51 lbs - 70lbs and $200 extra if it goes over 71 lbs) All airlines have their own policies and they change often.  (While this post is just an example, it by no means is the exact policy of your airline.) Please keep in mind, this is generalized advice based on lots & lots of experience; but we don't know what airline you're flying, what class of tix you've purchased, or what their luggage restrictions are... We suggest you check with your airline for restrictions based on your class of tix.  (find their written policy on their website) You'll get nowhere telling a gate agent: i called and was told blah, blah, blah...

Biz Class / First Class: If you've shelled out the $4k plus for a biz class tix or the $6K+ for first class tix, you're probably not concerned about luggage restrictions!

As far as size and style goes, usually anything above a 26" case is wasted space as you can easily put 50lbs in a 24" - 26" case...  40 years ago we always traveled Europe with backpacks...We personally like rolling luggage these days, and it certainly makes toting your own a lot easier... And "spinner" luggage is a joy on smooth surfaces...  While a standard 2-wheeler tends to pull easier if you're walking across an Old World city on cobblestone streets...   Another thing to think about is that in Europe you're typically handling your own luggage. Most of your smaller 3 star hotels will not have porters, bellmen or lifts.  It's just not as common in Europe...  And this will be true at our Villa in Provence as well. The Villa has a couple of floors and there is no lift, so just like most everywhere else in Europe, you'll be handling your own luggage...

the classic  zip out tote bag, folds into the little pocket

in the front and available in several sizes for around $20

Also, another thing to think about; if you're sharing a car with others, you'll likely have limited space...   Cars tend to be smaller in Europe. Note the luggage guide on your car rental companies website for your class of car. If you're trying to put  4 people in a car with 4 large suitcases and 4 daypacks, you'll certainly need a larger car! After observing many of our tour groups with their luggage several times a year for over 25 years, we can tell you that we've always noticed that those with the least luggage seem happiest! 

We also recommend you at least think about packing  a "folding nylon suitcase" for your return flight... (Most of our guests end up buying things that they want to carry home).  They're  commonly available, economical and will last forever.  It folds up tiny into the little pocket in the front, usually weighs less then a pound, and packs into your suitcase till you need it...  So the strategy is this; you pull this out for the trip home, put your carry-on daypack inside of it plus any excess weight to keep your checked bag under the 50 lb limit...  If you decide to get one, make sure it's a size that satisfies the "carry on restrictions" within your ticket.  This bag or bags like it are usually about $20 and available in less then 30 seconds with one click at Amazon.com.

this is a style of daypack we usually recommend 

for daytime touring... room for a water bottle, camera,

 map, guidebook, lightweight sweater & umbrella

And then a daypack...  The daypack is a small backpack or shoulder bag like kids use as book bags for school... the key word here is small...  This a small pack that you might take with you as your free personal item on the plane and/or out touring everyday to carry your camera, water bottle, sweater, guidebook, umbrella, map, medicines, personal items, etc.. (usually available for as little as $10 - $25 at amazon.com)

Lastly, we'd tell you that from our experience, everyone usually overpacks...  We'll guarantee you this; the less you take with you, the happier you'll be... if you end up needing something, there will be stores everywhere!  Over all the years, and hundreds & hundreds of guests, we've never heard a guest say: "next time I'm going to pack more..."

Keep in mind, you will have access to the wonderful laundry facilities at the Villa... Chateau du Soleil is upscale, and the equipment at the Villa is all very nice!  The laundry room & facilities are very nice, and they are for you to do your own laundry, and we fully stock the laundry room with complimentary laundry soaps, stain removers, etc,  and we encourage you to use them. You'll be at the Villa in the evenings, so it's simple to throw a load in.   So if you're doing a multi-day pre-tour extension, you'll be able to do your laundry as soon as you arrive at the Villa and have all fresh clothes for the week... or if you're doing a post tour extension, you can do your laundry on Friday before you leave! 

Hope you're getting excited about Provence... You're gonna love The Beautiful Villages!  And you're really gonna love Château du Soleil... We're going to have a great time!  If we can help you with anything at all, please reach out to us! 

a little music to brighten your soul