If anyone knows how to pack for a trip, it’s Catriona Rowntree.

After 30 years travelling the world with Getaway, I think it’s fair to say she knows a thing or two about what to pack and, probably more importantly, what not to pack.

Catriona recently shared her tips for an overnight train journey, straight from her cabin, and I loved them.

And yes, I was also excited to see our Pink HOMEE beauty case travelling with her.

So, if an overnight train journey is on your travel list, here’s what Catriona recommends.

Comfy, flat-based shoes

This makes complete sense.

You’re walking through train corridors, heading to dinner and moving around while the train is moving too.

Leave the heels in your luggage and wear something comfortable.

Earplugs and an eye mask

Definitely.

Trains aren’t quiet and you’re going to be passing through stations throughout the night, so anything that helps you sleep is coming with me. Our wide Momme-19 silk eye masks are a MUST.

PJs

Or, as Catriona put it:

“Trains are communal, we don’t need to see you nude.”

Enough said.

Dress in layers

This was another good one.

You can’t control the air conditioning on a train and, depending on where you’re travelling, the temperature outside can change quite dramatically too.

Layers mean you can add or remove as you need.

Small, squishy luggage

Space in a sleeper cabin is limited, so this is not the time for enormous rigid luggage.

Something soft that can be tucked away easily will make life much easier.

Find a toiletry bag with a hook, or one that can be hung

Now, obviously this one caught my attention.

Catriona travelled with our Pink HOMEE, and this is one of those situations where its design really makes sense.

There isn’t a beautiful big bathroom vanity when you’re on a train. Space is tight and you don’t necessarily want your beauty products spread everywhere.

The HOMEE opens completely flat so you can see everything inside without having to dig around for it.

It also has D-rings on either side so you can hang it from a suitable secure hook when you need to. Or open it to a flat base on your bed to see everything.

And then when you arrive, zip it up and it goes straight from the train to your hotel.

That’s exactly how I wanted Estetika to work.

Beautiful organisation, wherever you’re going.

Pack a travel steamer

No iron? Catriona recommends packing a little travel steamer.

And while you’re at it...

Avoid anything that crushes easily

Because nobody wants to spend the first morning of a trip trying to get creases out of everything they packed.

Catriona’s overnight train packing list

So, the short version:

• Comfy, flat-based shoes
• Earplugs and an eye mask
• PJs
• Layers
• Small, soft luggage
• A toiletry bag that can be hung
• A travel steamer
• Clothes that don’t crush easily

Simple advice from someone who has spent a lot more time travelling than most of us ever will.

And I have to say, seeing our beautiful pink HOMEE travelling alongside Catriona made me very happy.

All aboard!

Wanda x
Founder, ESTETIKA