Women's Lifestyle July 8, 2026 0 Comments

How Traveling to Five European Cities with Just a Carry-On Transformed My Health and Hustle Forever

Ever tried squeezing two weeks’ worth of clothes, shoes, and a Desi wedding outfit into a single carry-on? Yeah, me too—and let me tell you, it’s like trying to fit a feast into a lunchbox meant for a snack . When my boyfriend and I got hit with a wedding invite to Toledo, Spain, we figured, why not crank this trip up to a full-on vacation? Five cities, two countries, a spectrum of climates, and enough art, architecture, and mouthwatering food to keep us spinning. The real kicker? Packing light was a pipe dream thanks to the intricacies of wedding garb and city hopping. But here’s the thing about travel—and life—sometimes the tight squeeze forces the best kind of creativity, turning the packing struggle into a stealthy game-changer. Curious how I pulled it off without dragging multiple suitcases over cobblestone streets and through bustling airports? Buckle up, because you’re about to dive into my carefully curated, carry-on-only adventure kit that blends style, smarts, and just the right amount of savvy. LEARN MORE

3 min read

When my boyfriend and I received an invitation to our friends’ wedding in Toledo, Spain, we knew we wanted to extend our trip into a much-needed vacation. Fast forward several months, and we landed on five cities across two countries for the final itinerary: Florence, Rome, Madrid, Toledo, and Seville. Each rich in art, architecture, and food— and equally distinct climates. Throw Desi wedding attire into the mix, and checked luggage seemed totally unavoidable.

Pasta with grated cheese and wine on a table.

Michella Oré

Pasta at Cibrèo Caffè in Florence

Michella Oré

The Colosseum

As a firm believer in traveling with only a carry-on for domestic trips or weekend excursions, I wasn’t sure it could drag out a full two-weeks worth of clothing, shoes and accessories in such a tight space—my wedding look, a gharara made from embroidered crepe silk, was three pieces alone. But I love a packing challenge—that, and the thought of having to lug several suitcases across connecting flights, regional trains and tightly-packed cobble-stone roads was more than enough motivation to make it work.

For the trip, I brought my Antler Heritage Stripe carry-on, an upgrade to the Clifton suitcase I’ve traveled with for years. The British brand has been making bags that can withstand both the figurative and literal bumps of travel since 1914, and that know-how is apparent in the details.

Credit: Antler

In the new heritage line, the carry-on’s polycarbonate body is reinforced with an aluminum frame and corners, while the zippers are replaced with double-latch locks that ensure the case shuts quickly and securely (and won’t pop open when it’s inevitably tossed around on the tarmac). The inside is surprisingly spacious on its own, and compression packing cubes, allowed me to fit the following with room to spare for some international shopping:

Michella Oré

The packing list

Open suitcase with packed items, including a clothes iron, pouches, boxes, and a drawstring bag on a wooden floor.

Michella Oré

Everything packed up + some things picked up along the way on day two of trip

When it came to settling on what to actually bring, I led with basics—crewcut T-shirts from Leset, a silky two-piece set from Eileen Fisher, a cashmere sweater, Diane Von Furstenburg’s classic wrap dress—knowing that I would pick up a few trendier pieces along the way. (I specifically made sure to leave enough room for comfortably fitting in a couple pairs of Ballerette flats once I had a chance to visit the stores IRL in Italy).

Michella Oré

Wedding reception cocktail in Toledo wearing one half of the Eileen Fisher set and my new favorite purse picked up from Ibiz in Rome

The beauty (and self-imposed agony?) of traveling with a carry-on for extended trips is that it forces you to become way more discerning with shopping. When you’re away from home, everything suddenly seems novel and, at least for me, triggers a desperate desire to collect as much as I can for the sake of memories. But more often than not, those pieces quickly get shuffled to the back of the cabinet and closet once I’ve made it back home—except for my newly acquired magnets and mugs; those always have a space carved out front and center.

Sandwich with chips and coffee on a table at an outdoor café.

Young Sun Lee

Mid-day lunch in Madrid

Vintage art poster of a flamenco dancer with a floral background, visible through a staircase railing.

Michella Oré

Stairwell view from hotel in Seville

So while I came across many beautifully crafted leather goods, the most decadently dyed linens, and ornate ceramics during the trip, I only brought back the things that I knew for sure wouldn’t get neglected when I settled back into my apartment. That freed up space in my luggage and my mind, allowing me to focus on the aspects of the trip that mattered most: witnessing my friends embark on this beautiful new chapter in their lives together, getting to see pieces of history up close with my loved ones, and eating a lot of really good food.

Shop my packing list below.