Welcome to The Packed Bag
#RoadTestingTheWorld™
This site is dedicated to road testing anything and everything that can be experienced while travelling: from destinations, accommodations and attractions to products that help you travel smarter.
Linda Bentley AKA The Packed Bag lives a 100% mobile lifestyle, always on the go, travelling from country to country, constantly circling the globe (in the most eco-way possible).
Creating her famous Challenges is a way of keeping things interesting.
“A lifelong 'frugalista,' I believe in travelling longer for less. Here you’ll find tips and tricks that can give you the best value for your money and time.”
You’ll find our destination Know&Go Guides™ to help you plan your visits, product reviews on essential kit for your travels and experiential essays on the Notes from the Road page, plus all the Challenges coming up and completed.
The added bonus of Google Reviews means everyone can benefit from her travels.
Linda is most famous for travelling through all 50 US states in 50 weeks, becoming the first to do so.
Her e-book of the The USA 50/50 Challenge is available now on Amazon!
“I travel a lot… I hate having my life disrupted by routine.”
– Caskie Stinnett
Feedback from our tourism hosts and readers
--- What a fantastic article! Thank you so much for the kind words. I just shared it on our Facebook page and tagged our partners and the state agency on it. Much respect to you!! - Shelly Harms, Public Relations Director, Visit Sheboygan
--- What a fantastic article! Thank you so much for the kind words. I just shared it on our Facebook page and tagged our partners and the state agency on it. Much respect to you!! - Shelly Harms, Public Relations Director, Visit Sheboygan
--- Thanks for sharing! I’ll be sure to pass it along to your hosts. I’m so glad you enjoyed the trip! - Amy Nesler, Stewardship & Communications Manager, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
--- Thanks for sharing! I’ll be sure to pass it along to your hosts. I’m so glad you enjoyed the trip! - Amy Nesler, Stewardship & Communications Manager, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
--- This is fantastic! Thank you for making us a part of your trip and writing this great blog. We will definitely share it! - Amanda Roll, Visit Laurel & Jones County
--- This is fantastic! Thank you for making us a part of your trip and writing this great blog. We will definitely share it! - Amanda Roll, Visit Laurel & Jones County
As I was reading your latest travel adventure, I imagined everything. Thanks for the history and cultural information, makes me want to jump on a plane and experience this for myself. One day. Stay safe and enjoy your travels. ---
As I was reading your latest travel adventure, I imagined everything. Thanks for the history and cultural information, makes me want to jump on a plane and experience this for myself. One day. Stay safe and enjoy your travels. ---
Amsterdam, The Netherlands 15Dec15
Hamburg, Germany 22Dec15
Malmö, Sweden 01Jan16
Copenhagen, Denmark 07Jan16
Somewhere in Iceland 11Jan16
Freeport, Maine, USA 17Jan16
Boston, Massachusetts, USA 10Mar16
Union Square, Manhattan, New York, USA 17Apr16
Central Park, Manhattan, New York, USA 01May16
Salem, Massachusetts, USA 05May16
Camden, Maine, USA 11Jul16
Niagara Falls, Canada 10Aug16
Lower Manhattan, New York, USA 02Sep16
Santorini, Greece 01Oct16
Vienna, Austria 28Oct16
Paris, France 12Nov16
Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas, USA 05Apr17
Tennesee/Georgia, USA 23Apr17
Bath, England 19Jun17
London, England 01Jul17
Bergen, Norway 16Jul17
Corfu, Greece 05Sep17
Harrod’s, London, England 18Oct17
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 12Mar18
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 11Oct18
Bangkok, Thailand 18Oct18
Ha’Long Bay, VietNam 25Oct18
Taipei, Taiwan 26Oct18
Seoul, Korea 03Nov18
Osaka, Japan 10Nov18
Kyoto, Japan 14Nov18
Tokyo, Japan 18Nov18
Mayfair, London, England 12Nov19
Porto & Lisbon, Portugal 11Dec19
Bryant Park, Manhattan, New York, USA 11Dec19
Freeport, Maine, USA 07Feb20
Salem, Massachusetts, USA 22Feb20
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 28Feb20
Philadelphia>Los Angeles>Sydney 18-20Mar20
Sydney, NSW, Australia 17Jun20
Sydney, NSW, Australia 08Feb21
Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia 16Jun21
Sydney>Los Angeles 24Aug23
San Juan Islands, Washington, USA 03Aug23
Seattle, Washington, USA 03Sep23
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA 04Sep23
Atlanta, Georgia, USA 12Sep23
Laurel, Mississippi, USA 14Sep23
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 18Sep23
Boston, Massachusetts, USA 18Sep23
Lower Manhattan, New York, USA 04Oct23
Sydney>Perth>Kuala Lumpur 20Mar25
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 02Apr25
George Town, Penang, Malaysia 10Apr25
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 20May25
Sydney, Australia 06Jun25
London, England 12Jul25
Île Saint-Louis, Paris, France 15Jul25
Milan, Italy 18Jul25
Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy 25Jul25
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy 25Jul25
Bordeaux, France 01Aug25
Lille, France 08Aug25
Brussels, Belgium 12Aug25
Ghent and Bruges 16Aug25
Antwerp, Belgium 22Aug25
Rotterdam, The Netherlands 24Aug25
Richmond, England 28Aug25
Where in the world is
The Packed Bag today?
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Travel Tote newsletter keeps you connected to our travel community and updates you on what’s happening in The Packed Bag’s world.