Travel & Leisure

Holidays have made a major comeback, which means it’s time for you to pack your bags and head out on that trip you’ve long been dreaming of. But hang on, after two years of going virtually nowhere, do you even remember how to pack a suitcase anymore?

We wouldn’t blame you if you forgot. After all, it’s likely been a minute since you’ve thought about deciding between a checked bag or a carry-on, and if you should or shouldn’t bring your packing cubes along for the ride.

If you need a little help getting started, Lydia Mansel, travel writer and founder of Just Packed, a traveler’s resource for packing lists and product recommendations, is here to share her advice. Here are 10 packing tips straight from Mansel that will have you packing like a pro in no time.

1. Your mode of transportation

According to Mansel, she allows her mode of transportation to dictate just how overpacked her bags can get. “ e way I pack a suitcase depends on how I’m traveling,” Mansel explains. For example, if she’s driving or ying but only bringing a carry-on, she allows herself to overpack a little. Like Mansel, your mode of transport should help you decide just how much you can feasibly pack and which size of luggage you should choose.

2. Know your airline’s weight limit

“If I’m ying and checking a bag, I know the 50-pound weight limit comes quickly, and I’ll need to be mindful of how much I’m actually packing into the suitcase,” Mansel says, noting the average weight limit for checked luggage across major airlines. “In this instance, I’ll use my Away suitcase, which is just under 12 pounds. I’ll then pack normally and weigh the bag with a handheld weight scale. With a couple of pairs of shoes and my toiletries, I typically average 47 pounds, giving me a little wiggle room if I pick up any souvenirs on my travels.”

From Farm to Table is the gastronomic programme from Portugal’s Alentejo region.

Alentejo’s foodie heritage is celebrated internationally – including in the Michelin guide. A Michelin star was awarded to the restaurant Do Esporão in Reguengos de Monsaraz in early 2022. From Farm to Table’s ve major itineraries are divided into 17 smaller routes that allow you to discover not only the region’s gastronomy but also other aspects of the Alentejo, including its famous wines.

Coastal and southern Alentjo

e rst itinerary focuses on coastal Alentejo, one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. It is perfect for those who want to sample local seafood while also visiting wonderful beaches washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado and Mira rivers. In addition to seafood and sh, it is worth trying the area’s grilled and stewed dishes, pasta and sh soups, caldeiradas (cod sh stews), eel stews, winkles or cuttle sh

How to pack properly for that holiday

3. Just do what works for you

Which type of traveler are you, a roller or a folder? According to Mansel, it really doesn’t matter.

“I’ve done the research about the pros and cons of rolling vs. folding, and there’s a general consensus across the travel community: there’s no major di erence,” she says. “I personally prefer to fold more casual pieces, like jeans and cotton tops, but I’ll roll the clothes that are more delicate or tend to wrinkle.” Moral of the story, pick the packing method that’s right for you, and don’t stress about making the trendy choice.

4. Make every inch of space count

No matter which method of packing you choose, Mansel says it’s critical to make use of every inch of space you have in your luggage — including some often-overlooked spots.

Each piece of clothing, she says, should be folded or rolled as tightly as possible and squeezed into “every square inch of extra space, including inside my shoes.” Yes, you read that right. If you can, try

The gastronomic delights of Alentejo

feijoadas, and rice dishes with prawns or razor clams.

e southern interior

e second route crosses the southern part of the interior, running between Mértola, Castro Verde, Beja, Vidigueira, Viana do Alentejo, and Alvito. ose who choose this itinerary, or one of the smaller routes in the area, will be able to taste the famous Serpa cheeses, olive oils, sausages, and even some local sweets, all accompanied by wines like those produced in the vineyards of Vidigueira. is part of the Alentejo is also known for the many aromatic and medicinal plants that are grown here.

From Alqueva to Évora

e third route focuses on the area around the town of Alqueva. e beauty of the landscapes along the shores of the Alqueva reservoir (the largest in western Europe) pairs well with the area’s culinary o erings. Here visits to purveyors in Portel, Monsaraz, Mourão, Moura, Noudar, and Serpa provide opportunities to learn about how they combine traditional techniques and daring innovations. is is also where you will nd some of the most celebrated restaurants in the region, such as Herdade do Esporão, in Reguengos de Monsaraz. Tastings of oil, wine, cheese, and honey are a rolling up socks, underwear, or smaller t-shirts and stu them inside boots or sneakers. e little added space really can make a huge di erence.

5. Invest in packing cubes

A chaotic bag can kill a travel mood, which is why Mansel says investing in packing cubes is a good idea.

“I’m a recent packing cube convert and have been using them for about a year. Even if I’m just packing for a short weekend trip, packing cubes are involved at some level,” Mansel says. “I’ve found they make my life exponentially easier; my suitcase is more organised, and the unpacking process is a breeze.”

And invest in packing cubes to sort your laundry.

Speaking of those allimportant cubes, Mansel says it’s smart to pack an extra empty one that you can ll on your trip with all your dirty laundry.

“Once I arrive home, I can simply throw the contents into my laundry basket instead of deliriously searching through my suitcase for what needs to be washed,” Mansel says.

6. Give out t planning a try

Take your packing to the next level by re-thinking your travel wardrobe.

“My out t planning for trips usually starts about a week out,” Mansel says. “At this point, I’ll start a list in my Notes app on my phone. Here, I’ll begin to formulate what I’m wearing each day, and I’ll jot down the speci c items I need to bring — like an adaptor, toothbrush, or extra contact lenses — as they come to mind.”

According to Mansel, this list initially includes more than what she’ll actually bring, but she’s found it’s the perfect way to begin to whittle down a packing list.

“When it’s written out, you’re able to see that no, you really don’t need three di erent pairs

must if you travel to this part of the region.

Central Alentejo

e fourth gastronomic itinerary passes through central Alentejo, from Vendas Novas to Évora. is one invites you on a journey through the senses, where compotes, exquisite local pastries, fragrant rice dishes, and even edible owers will delight the eyes and nose, as well as your tastebuds.

e northern itinerary

Finally, the northern itinerary runs along the Guadiana river amid the landscapes of the Tagus basin. You’ll visit some of the most interesting towns and sights in the region, such as Marvão, Castelo de Vide, and Monforte. You’ll discover rst-hand that here country inns and rural retreats are often also gastronomic must-eat stops. Highlights include the sausages of São Brás, the co ee produced by the Co ee Science Centre of Campo Maior, and the wines produced here. Mushroom and cork workshops at of ‘just in case’ jeans. Giving yourself a few days before your departure ensures you have time to order anything you’re missing, like thick socks, a white t-shirt, or even a bathing suit.”

7. ink twice about what you’ve packed

When it’s time to actually do the packing, Mansel has a clear idea of what she needs to nd in her closet, thanks to her handy list.

“ ese pre-planned pieces then are folded into packing cubes, separated out by shirts, pants, dresses, gym clothes, and socks and undergarments,” she says. “As I place each piece into the cubes, I ask myself again: Will I really wear this? I usually veer toward overpacking, so at this stage, I try to remove at least two items that I won’t miss on my trip.”

8. Splurge on toiletry capsules

Toiletries can be the bane of every traveler’s packing experience. Finding the right size and the right amount of space for all your serums, creams, and cleansers can be annoying, which is why Mansel says this one Insta- famous knick-knack is actually worth it.

“In my opinion, packing toiletries is one of the most annoying and di cult parts of traveling, especially if you have a speci c skin or hair care routine,” she says. “If you, like me, need to have a more extensive list of products with you at all times (contact solution, Vitamin C serum, leave-in hair products, etc.), the Cadence Capsules you’ve probably seen all over Instagram are worth the investment. Since I started using them to hold my travel toiletries, I’ve avoided the lastminute panicked trips to the drugstore in search of a decent travel-sized shampoo or face lotion.

Moinho da Cova in Portagem provide opportunities to delve deeper into those aspects of life in northern Alentejo.

Timing your holiday

Autumn is the best month for harvesting many crops. If you want to see, or even take part in, the harvesting of grapes; walnuts, acorns, and chestnuts; olives; and rice (and its drying and husking too) as well as mushroom foraging. then fall is the time to visit.

With the cold weather comes the pruning of vines, the production of olive oil, and the harvesting of some seasonal products such as cardoons and tru es. Spring is the best time to take part in pruning aromatic plants, sowing rice, preparing and planting vegetable gardens, and making compotes.

During the summer many fruits and vegetables are at their peak and it is also when honey is bottled and cork is extracted. You can discover all of Alentejo’s surprises on the region’s comprehensive website.