Finland 2022

Luggage:

We are going to be flying on some smaller international flights between Helsinki to Rovaniemi that require smaller carry-on sizes. At first sight, I thought there would be no way to fit winter clothing in such a small suitcase, but we did it (with the help of packing cubes and access to washing machines in Rovaniemi). However, the weight restrictions on Norwegian Air are super strict at 22lb total carry-on weight – that would be our suitcase plus a person item like a backpack. My Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Upright 2 Wheel Luggage, Black, Carry-On 20-Inch, fully packed weighed in at 21lbs. So, we’re back to our larger carry-on suitcases that we’ll have to check.

Mine: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2, Spinner Wheels, Olive, 21 inch

Bryan: Briggs & Riley Transcend-Softside Expandable Tall Carry-On Upright Luggage, Rainforest, 22-Inch

Lincoln: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2, Spinner Wheels, Charcoal Grey 21″

I have a Hammitt wallet similar to this one from years ago that also doubles as a clutch and a crossbody. I’ll use for daily things and one of our backpacks if we need to carry things around. If I have room, then I might through in a small purse like this Baggallini Crossbody Hobo.

We all still use our packing cubes from the Australia and NZ trip:

• eBags Packing Cubes – color coordinated by person – for clothes. I discovered packing cubes for the Australia and New Zealand trip, and still find them to be invaluable.  We use them on all trips – big or small.
• I purchased these clear plastic packing cubes for toiletries for Scandinavia and still use them, but London security checkpoints are tricky with carry-on liquid requirements. I believe we’ll have to put all of our liquids into a quart ziplock bag before catching our flight to Helsinki. So, we might just start with them that way from Austin and use the other toiletry bags for non-liquid items.
• I use these for non-liquid toiletries like makeup.
• I have a few small clear cubes for snacks.

I also purchased some collapsible Tupperware and reusable bags. These bags too. Sometimes I use them—sometimes I don’t.

We got Bryan a laptop backpack as a gift a few years ago and he uses it every time he travels with his laptop.  It’s been great. He’ll be taking his laptop this trip for work and hopes to use it. It is too large for the international restrictions as a personal item, so we’ll see what happens. My understanding is that they rarely question those. The ebags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack.

I got a new Patagonia Backpack a couple of years ago at a sample sale. It’s the Black Hole 32L and will work for carrying my liquid toiletries, charging cables, Ipad, and any other items that won’t fit in my suitcase!

Lincoln got a Patagonia Backpack at that same sample sale that he uses for school and will take it. Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L.

Electronics:

I always source The Wire Cutter, many blogs and to some degree Amazon for research. Wire Cutter has a great section on travel and loads on electronics.

Bryan has will be taking his work laptop since he’ll have to use it a few times for work and his iphone and airpods. Lincoln will be using his iphone and airpod for everything. I’ll take my ipad and keyboard, airpods and use my phone for photos.

Using the adapters from before – the Ceptics brand since they had 3-prong options. Also taking the multi-plug unit since we’ve got so many items to charge, plus an extension cord – never leave home without it!

We’ll take our bluetooth speaker from the last tip, the UE Roll! It’s adorable, has great sound and is SMALL!!

I use velcro straps for binding up all of our cords. I like these so I can color code and write a device label on it.  

My mom is loaning us her GPS for the trip. We’ll be driving from Sorrento onward. Fortunately, my mom traveled to Italy already had the maps downloaded. Win!

Games:

I’m taking a few games to entertain us since it will be light for only a couple of hours a day, and we’ll only have one activity a day once we get to Rovaniemi. I have some games on my phone plus Cards, Uno & Dutch Blitz