I recently returned home from Italy. I loved the architecture, food, colors, and people. Italy is a wonderful and inspiring place to visit. For those with wanderlust, I wanted to share some simple packing tips.

While traveling abroad is certainly fun, here are a few things that you might want to keep in mind while packing:

1. Pack light. Plane tickets within Europe are rather inexpensive, but they tend to charge massive amounts of hidden fees for luggage. One thing that will help save you some unwanted costs is to try to fit everything into a carry-on bag. I suggest bringing one carry-on sized bag and a larger backpack or handheld personal item that will be able to fit your purse inside.

2. Bring a cute tote bag. Purses are wonderful, but they are only able to hold so much. Roll up a tote bag and place it inside your luggage for when you arrive. The tote bag comes in handy for the fun and random things that you might want to purchase while you are out. It also allows you to carry snacks to tie you over until the next meal.

3. Wear your biggest shoes on the plane. I suggest wearing your chunkiest shoes on the plane and bringing two additional pairs of shoes (sandals that can be both casual and chic and possibly a good pair of walking shoes).

4. Prepare to walk. While it is important to look cute on your holiday, don’t forget to pack some comfy shoes! Many of the streets in Europe are cobblestone and can become uncomfortable to walk on for extended amounts of time.

5. Bring and umbrella or rain jacket! It often rains in Europe and these items are necessities.

6. Pack dry shampoo. This little product is a lifesaver when traveling abroad. While you might have access to showers in Europe, this is not always the case elsewhere and it does come in handy after a long plane ride.

7. Accessorize. One of the easiest ways to save space in your luggage is to pack basic pieces of clothing and accessorize to change the look of the outfit. A simple, but elegant black dress can be worn several different ways.

8. Prepare for the unexpected. Sometimes luggage finds a way to get lost in route. Just in case this happens, it is helpful to pack an extra change of clothes and undergarments in your carryon. For this reason, I always recommend carrying your toothbrush and other essentials on the plane.

9. Headphones. It is always a good idea to pack a good pair of comfortable headphones for the plane and for tours.

Here are some fun and cute things to bring:

1. Headband from I Wear the Headress.

2. Batiste Dry Shampoo found at Nordstrom.

3. Adorable houndstooth umbrella from Target.

Need some more packing inspiration? Take a look at this amazing post from Stylebook to see how you can pack 20 outfits into one carry-on.

It is great to be home, but it now time for be to unpack and relax!