The Benefits of Overpacking

Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 02.07.05 | 5:24 PM ET

Last Sunday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Thomas Swick wrote a column calling for a Slow Travel movement to accompany the growing Slow Food movement. The column generated two letters—an “overwhelming” response, Swick wrote yesterday, indicating readers are “following my advice and taking time to digest the idea.” So he decided to follow up yesterday with advice on just how each of us can begin to slow down. Among his unconventional tips: “Buy guidebooks with small print to discourage speed-reading” and “Note the wallpaper in the corridor.” My favorite suggestion contradicts everything you’ve heard from Rick Steves and other travel advisors. Suggests Swick: “Overpack—heavy suitcases slow you down.”