Luggage

On most RS trips I have been on you are responsible for your own luggage handling. The only exceptions I have run across are some National Parks prefer to handle the luggage. I have even had to carry up stairs to seconds story and have learned to pack lighter in the process.

On the 6 RS International trips I've been on all hotels have portered luggage with one exception. My last trip was the Provence: Art of Living program and the last hotel (in Arles) was not able to provide someone to pick up luggage from the rooms for the people who had to leave early to catch flights. There was one woman on as the night reception staff and some of the program participants had to leave at 4A so had to get their luggage down themselves. The hotel did offer to pick up suitcases at 8PM the night before and hold them in the lobby so a couple of people did that and just put their night things in their day bag. I left at 6A and normally manage my own luggage so it was no problem.

My US based trips, I arrived before the programs started and handled my own luggage. They were all programs that stayed in one location for the whole time.

Like TravelHound, I pack lighter in a suitcase I can handle on my own. On my International programs I've often traveled to the starting point on my own via train so have to be able to handle my bag onto and off of the train. I generally pack for a month in a 22" rollaboard although I check it on the plane.

~Pam