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Learners and Makers

What to pack… and what to leave at home… and how to know the difference

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

Hi from Anthony and Jodie! We are the Learners and Makers. Traveling the world full time since 2022, we empower families and people with mobility disabilities to travel confidently, their way.

Packing is one of travel’s trickiest challenges.

We want to bring enough. But not too much. We need to be mindful of just-in-case scenarios… except they literally weigh us down.

We’ve been traveling for nearly 4 years. Our packing is still improving. However, we have learned a lot, including a little something we keep in reserve for when the just-in-case fears of packing too much nibble at us.

​The Serenity Prayer for Packing​

The discretion to know what to pack and what to leave at home: So simple. But as with so many simple things, it can be hard to follow. Let’s break it down.

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​Make more than dumplings​

Laughing while trying to cinch up a soup dumpling with its 18 classic folds in Taiwan.
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Wandering the grounds of a centuries-old hilltop winery in Portugal.
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Enjoying the cookies we had just baked while gazing at an ancient medina in Morocco.
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Many of our family’s favorite travel memories came from classes or small group tours.
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As much as we love to travel independently, we typically book at least one class, tour, or other organized activity wherever we go. We can engage with our guide or teacher. By getting hands-on with a class or exploring an area with someone who knows it deeply, we gain so much more understanding from the activity at hand, and from the destination’s broader culture.
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Whether a trip this summer or the travel you’re still dreaming of, Viator brings together activities from all over the world, for any interest and any traveler.

As for us? We have a long way to go on our dumpling folds. But our cooking class was a fun way to spend a rainy morning.

Thank you for using our links! Using our links supports our work, keeps us traveling, and helps us put together advice and stories for you.​
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More about packing

Carry-on travel backpacks for parents: Our top pick since 2022

Learners and Makers Family Packing List for Women, Men & Kids

This replaced duct tape, carabiners, and straps

Thanks for reading! See you next time, and happy travels

Anthony & Jodie

P.S. Before you go, check off your trip to-do list here

✔︎ Stays Booking | VRBO | Expedia | Airbnb | Agoda | More

✔︎ Tours, activities & more Find experiences​

✔︎ Services & gear for your trips All our fave travel resources​

What travel questions or ideas are on your mind? Hit reply and let us know!

Learners and Makers

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