- European cities are often narrow, with cobblestones and limited elevators. Large suitcases can be difficult to handle in these cities.
- Many people suggest traveling light in order to avoid confusion and headaches.
- Other people, on the other hand, advocate embracing the discomfort.
I visited in December Vienna. It’s beautiful, especially at Christmas. The imperial architecture and cobblestoned roads, along with the twinkling Christmas light, made me feel like a princess in a storybook. My rattled suitcase interrupted the fairytale experience. oversized carry-on Clacking on the paving stones. It wasn’t just me who got a headache from dragging and rolling the luggage. While walking from the train station up to my hotel I noticed I got a lot of judgmental looks. My luggage made me stand out—I was sure of it.
The assumption I made that locals were giving me the side-eye because of my suitcase was accurate. In a TikTok viral video, which has received more than seven millions views, the woman who created the account revealed that she was the one behind the account. @GreeceTravelSecrets The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other packing large suitcases It is a very common mistake that Americans make when traveling to Europe.
She went on to explain why tourists are attracted by this. There are fewer elevators throughout Europe. This means you will have to carry your heavy bag up several flights of stairs. Vienna, for example, is one of several European cities that have ancient cobblestoned road surfaces that are unsuitable for small suitcase wheels. Thirdly, European buildings tend to be smaller than those in the United States. The video below shows how difficult it is to get larger bags into the narrow hallways and doorways of older cities.
In addition to the logistical challenge, the judgement factor also comes into play. Overpacking It is a behavior that is distinctly American in Europe. The spectacle of it—the large suitcases, the struggling, the maximilist tendencies—it’s going to draw eyes.
The American traveler has become so well-known that Europeans are now asking them about it. One person wrote on TikTok, “I was told by a European woman in the airport that she immediately recognized me as an American due to the amount of luggage I brought.” There are many viral videos documenting the experience if you bring a big bag to Europe.
All things considered, this judgment is not entirely fair. Americans tend to travel farther and for longer for their European vacation. Most people are packing for two-week-long tripsIt is important to be ready for different types of activities.
The question is: do you prioritize convenience and subtlety or your own stuff? Are you looking to blend in with the crowd, or are you trying to be as stylish as possible for your museum visit and rooftop dinner? One commenter stated that she will always choose to overpack.
“I don’t mind if I appear like a tourist,” wrote a TikTok user. “I’m one.” It’s fine.”