Travel Hack: 29 Days Away From Home 29 Days – 3 Countries – A Travel Packing Update

Posted On March 23, 2026

29 Days. 3 Countries. Packing Strategy.

From cruise ship living to international flights and daily excursions, discover the packing hacks that helped me travel lighter, smarter, and a little more sustainably across South America.

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Travel Hack: 29 Days Away From Home

29 Days – 3 Countries – A Travel Packing Update

In a previous article, Travel Hack Travel Light, I shared tips for packing for a 14-day bareboat sailing trip. The same principles still guide me today: space, time, weight, money, and being kind to the Earth.

This time, however, the adventure was bigger.

Twenty-nine days. Three countries. Land and sea. A South American cruise and travel adventure that required a fresh look at how I pack and what truly earns a spot in my suitcase.

New Discoveries

Life changes bring about a change in how we travel. With each trip, I find myself refining the process—learning what I really need, what I thought I needed, and what I definitely should have left at home.

This journey was another opportunity to test those lessons.

Packing: Saving Space, Weight, Time, Money… and the Earth

Although we spent 18 of the 29 days aboard a cruise ship, which allows you to unpack and settle in for a while, packing still required careful planning.

Airlines today seem to be on a mission to reduce luggage allowances while increasing fees, especially on international routes and smaller regional flights between countries. Add in the length of our trip and the mix of climates and activities, and suddenly packing becomes a strategic exercise.

Before you travel, check baggage restrictions for every airline on your itinerary. Requirements can vary widely, and the last thing you want is an expensive surprise at the airport counter.

My Fashionista vs. My Suitcase

My fashionista tendencies have not disappeared, and my passion for photography while traveling certainly hasn’t either.

However, as time passes, I’m increasingly willing to sacrifice a few outfit options in exchange for carrying less weight. My shoulders thank me every time.

So, let’s begin with the most important piece of gear.

Carry-On: Protect the Baby

You would never consider checking your baby.

For me, my camera equipment is the baby. It never leaves my side, and it never gets checked.

A multifunctional carry-on bag is essential. I prefer a backpack that distributes weight evenly across my shoulders rather than a bag that must constantly switch hands as I trek through airports, taxis, docks, and cobblestone streets.

So… I went shopping.

After plenty of research and comparison, I found a balance of space, weight, and value that worked perfectly for this trip.

My Choice: BAGSMART Camera Backpack

This backpack became my carry-on, and excursion daypack all in one.

Features I loved:

• Adjustable Velcro dividers that securely hold camera bodies and lenses
• Multiple zippered compartments for small items like batteries, chargers, and lens caps (those little escape artists)
• A padded sleeve for my tablet with an additional Velcro security strap
• Capacity for up to a 17″ laptop

The “smart” expansion feature allowed me to tuck in a few extra clothing items like:

• a light jacket
• socks
• a shawl for chilly flights

A side mesh pocket held my water bottle, keeping everything organized for travel but easily reconfigured for daily excursions.

 

The Other Photographer in the Family

My husband carries additional camera gear and chose the PGYTECH OneMo Lite Camera Backpack 22L.  

It offers similar advantages:

• excellent gear protection
• organized storage
• laptop space
• airline carry-on compatibility

Between the two of us, we were able to carry everything we needed without sacrificing comfort or accessibility, and meeting carry-on guidelines.

YES, we each have checked luggage, but these great carry-on bags assisted in our organization.

                                                   What About the Purse?

Here’s a surprise.

I didn’t carry one.     And honestly, it felt liberating.

Instead of a traditional purse (and thankfully not the old fanny-pack days), I opted for a crossbody wallet.

This little travel hero allowed me to carry:

• passport
• credit cards
• cash
• cell phone

—all hands-free and secure.

The wallet included three zippered compartments, with the center pocket deep enough for a passport. The strap and locking ring made it easy to attach or detach my phone when needed.

I actually purchased three different crossbody wallets before the trip to test them out, and this one quickly became the winner. Aiseaulis – Clip and Go Strap for Phone with Wallet Crossbody

If you’re looking for a small travel upgrade, this is a good place to start.

Travel Extras Worth Packing

Foldable Reusable Shopping Tote  Kaxich brand    

 

These foldable grocery-style tote bags are fantastic when you know you’ll be doing a little treasure hunting along the way.

They weigh almost nothing, pack flat, and are useful both while traveling and back home for grocery runs.

Plus, they’re reusable and earth-friendly, which fits perfectly with the theme of reducing my travel footprint.

 

 

Liquids — My Favorite Topic

 I remain loyal to reducing my packing footprint, reducing liquids, and becoming earth-friendly. I have become a big fan of solid shampoo and conditioner bars.

No leaks.
No plastic bottles.
No airport liquid drama.

In my previous article, Travel Hack Travel Light, I mentioned a brand I loved, but this trip, I decided to try something new.

                                        Rice Water Shampoo Bars

My hair care needs change over time, and rice water products have become my new favorite discovery.

Benefits include:

• strengthening hair
• supporting hair growth
• adding shine and smoothness

The bars are clean, vitamin-rich, and made in the USA, and they left my hair feeling silky and alive even after long travel days.

The best part? The shampoo and conditioner bars lasted the entire trip. I returned home with nothing more than an empty mesh bag.

No waste.
No spills.
Mission accomplished.

The Kitsch offers a variety of bar combinations, giving you the versatility to choose one that suits your hair care needs. Check them out.

Travel Makeup Essentials for Packing Light

What girl leaves home without makeup?

Well… not this girl.

While I prefer a light and natural look, I still want a rounded, glowing appearance, whether I’m exploring a city during the day or heading out for dinner in the evening.

The key is choosing versatile products that work for both day and night while taking up minimal space.

Whenever possible, I repack liquids and creams into 1-ounce wide-mouth screw-top jars. As it turned out, this small amount lasted the entire 29-day trip. BPA Free Silicon Cream Jars

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, some of my favorites to repack and travel with include:

 

• Neal’s Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm – my go-to face moisturizer
• Best Deodorant Ever from Hygieia – compact and effective
• ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – a wonderful combination of sun protection and a natural-looking base.

 

For my eyes, I keep it simple.

The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick is perfect for travel. I carry three shades:

• Shore
• Taupe
• Expresso

Along with one mascara, this gives me just enough versatility to dress my look up or down.

A clever little hack:
I cut round cotton pads in half, place them in one of my small jars, and saturate them with my favorite eye makeup remover—moist but not overly liquid. Leave the bottle at home.

This jar held enough pads, which lasted the entire trip.

Ta-da. Simple, elegant, and far more time to enjoy touring than trying to look like a Barbie Doll.

After all, you will never see these people again!

Traveling with Medications and Vitamins

Medical planning is another important consideration for longer trips.

Twenty-nine days of vitamins and supplements can quickly become bulky if you carry full bottles.

Instead of a traditional plastic pill organizer, my solution: small resealable reusable bags (3×5 inch size).

They kept everything organized and took up far less space than bulky pill dispensers.

 

 

Traveling with Insulin or Refrigerated Medication

For travelers who need refrigerated medications such as insulin or GLP-1 medications, planning is essential.

I used the 4ALLFAMILY Nomad Insulin Travel Case Cooler, which keeps medication cool for up to 48 hours without electricity and is TSA-approved.

The case easily held:

• five vials of insulin
• five needles

 

This always travels in your carry-on, since checked luggage is exposed to uncontrolled temperatures.

It is also wise to travel with a paper copy of your prescription from your doctor. Place it in a zip-lock bag inside the cooler so it is protected from condensation.

Smart Packing Makes Travel Happier

As important as planning the where, when, and how of your dream trip, it is equally worthwhile to spend time planning how you pack.

Allow yourself time to prepare and order any items you may need before departure.

When your essentials are organized and easy to access, you’ll be a much happier traveler.

 

Coming Next: The South America Adventure

So now you’re wondering about the 29 days in South America.

Where did we go? What did we see?

Well, dear reader, I’m currently sorting through over 6,000 photos from three countries:

• Chile
• Uruguay
• Argentina

There were wine tastings, penguin and sea lion excursions, train rides, tango in Buenos Aires, glacier viewing, and the awe-inspiring experience of following the historic paths of explorers like Sir Francis Drake and Ferdinand Magellan.

Yes, there will be plenty to share.

Articles are coming soon, so please subscribe to the blog, visit often, check in on Facebook, and continue to explore the possibilities as we Take Another Route – Exploring the World’s Options