packing light

I know it's a little early in the proceedings, but I'm thinking about packing for the Europe trip. While I like the idea of heading off into the wild blue yonder with naught but a carry-on bag, I think that might be pushing it - I really don't want to be doing laundry every second day if I can help it. However, I do think we can manage with one not-too-massive bag between us, plus a carry-on size bag each, & a messenger-type bag for days out (this will probably be either packed into one of the bags, or if it's not too big I will carry it as a handbag with a few essentials for during the flight.

Having thought about that, and read through a few websites specialising in what to pack and what to pack it in, I can now keep an eye out for the ideal bags:

1. medium-size, lightweight, non-wheeled, rectangular bag, preferably one which can be carried as a backpack or by a handle, although the wheeled one I have will do if I don't find the 'perfect' bag.

2. carry-on bag for Miss Tizz - backpack style, not too large, light weight and sturdy fabric.

3. carry-on bag for me - the one I have is ok, although I'd like to replace the shoulder strap with something more 'grippy'.

4. messenger style bag - small enough to use as a handbag, large enough for all our essentials for day trips. Able to be secured against pickpockets, internal pockets so I'm not scrabbling around in the bottom of it looking for things, long strap so I can wear it across my body leaving my hands free.

5. packing cubes for the big bag. Lots of people recommend these, and I want to do a little more research, but they sound like a good idea.

Miss Tizz's impression of the Eiffel Tower, with weather remarkably similar to what we experienced here in Canberra today.