How to…

Breaking down the impossible art of living out of one small suitcase

In 1992, Lyn Hughes travelled for six months taking just a 30-litre daypack. It was the trip that not only saw the inklings of what would become the UK’S first travel magazine take form, but it also taught her how to really travel light – a skill every traveller should have. She shares her tips here… On my first truly big adventure – a round-the-world trip – I’d packed everything but the kitchen sink, with a year’s worth of gear stuffed into my bag. Then, once I was on the road, the realisation struck that there were actually fully stocked shops in all these countries – who would have thought it?

So, as detailed on page 98, for our 1992 South American jaunt we decided to go hand luggage only. It turned out to be liberating. No worries about things being stored out of sight on public transport. No more fretting about keeping an eye on our cases in cafés or busy places. No feeling vulnerable on arriving in a strange town.

I haven’t travelled quite as light since, though there have been occasions when I’ve packed too light for the conditions – when a guide asks, ‘Where’s the rest of your gear?’, it’s not a good sign (see p101 for my ‘epic travel fails’). But even today, I still apply the same principles to my packing list ( right).