One of the joys of road-tripping is the ability to put the top down on the Fiat Spider and take-in the panoply of sights, smells, and sounds that come with convertible travel. The downside is space is at a premium, bringing new meaning to the term “traveling light.” Here’s how we do it:
Pretty much everything we take has to fit in the Spider’s diminutive trunk. Two small rolling bags will fit, but not well, and don’t allow for much else. We found the solution several years ago in these leather duffel bags that not only fit a great deal in them, they look good, even when checking-in to the swankiest road trip hotel.
Versatility and flexibility are the key. A couple pairs of shorts and a pair of jeans for me, shorts and leggings for Judy, paired with comfortable yet stylish tops allow for a fairly wide range of spring thru summer temps and will look good in most locales. If the trip may include a stay at a fancier inn (our planned summer trip includes a stay at the classic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley), we’ll throw in a pair of slacks and a sun dress. We stick to comfortable yet classic shoes suitable for walking, leaving the hiking boots at home! A light jacket and sweater allow for the occasional shower and cool evenings. Don’t forget the swim suit for those places with pools!
We found a small cooler that fits in the trunk, even with the bags. In it, we can put a few water bottles, some snacks…even a bottle of wine to toast a fun drive at the end of the day! We’re big fans of roadside lunches in pretty parks or view spots, avoiding fast food whenever possible.
With lots of sun and wind, staying hydrated is incredibly important. Judy found these great water bottles at an air show a few years back that are great at keeping beverages cold. We fill them at every stop; often we’ll keep a jug of water in the trunk to refill the bottles between stores. Sun protection is equally important, so we keep hats and sunscreen in the car at all times.
Slow down! We try to limit the driving portion of the trip to four to six hours, allowing for the occasional diversion and plenty of stops along the way to stretch our legs. Regular readers also know we avoid the Interstates whenever possible, preferring the roads less travelled and the joys they bring!
There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Pack light, leave the extraneous items at home, and enjoy the trip with all your senses.
© The World A to Z, LLC 2021 — Unless otherwise indicated, no compensation was received for this blog.
The World A to Z 
Love this advice for a trip around the country! Quick jaunts are in our future and now I have the inside scoop on how to pack for our future convertible car! You two are showing the world the best hidden secrets in our beautiful USA and I’m loving it!
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Love this article. Growing up in Flyover Country, which I prefer to call Famlandia, I’ve always opted for the back roads when given the chance rather than the interstate (boring) highways. Last year it took me 7 hours to dive from Eastern ILL 120 miles to St. Louis. So long as I kept going West or South I knew I’d either reach the Mighty Mississipp or I-70.
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Great article. Growing up in flyover land, which we prefer to call farm country, I’ve often opted for country roads rather than the Interstate (boring old) highways. Last year it took me 7 hours to drive about 120 miles from East/Central IL to STL. I had no idea where the next turn would take me, but I know as long as I kept going West or South I’d either hit the “Mightly Mississipp” or I-70 at some point.
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