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I’m Julie Rose, Boutique Travel Advisors’ resident nomad (no pun intended) — and I travel full-time.
For me, “traveling full-time” means I leave the U.S. and move around for 4-5 months on end, exploring multiple countries and usually living out of one suitcase — all to best experience and highlight amazing travel destinations and ultimately, better service BTA clients!
Sure, traveling across multiple climates, cultures, and continents sounds exciting and romantic — until you try to pack for it.
This past June, I spent a month in Scotland, the land of unpredictable weather, with travel to Mediterranean Europe and the Middle East to follow.
Scotland, as you can imagine, called for cozy layers, insulation, and waterproof boots. But I knew I wouldn’t need those bulky items once I hit the warmer, sunnier legs of my trip. Rather than lugging around an extra bag for months, or trying to stuff unnecessary items into a single suitcase, I decided to try something new: I shipped a bag home.
And wow, was it a game-changer.
The service that made it effortless: Luggage Free
I used a company called Luggage Free. Here’s how it worked:
- I packed up everything I no longer needed into a single bag.
- My hotel printed the shipping label for me.
- I handed the bag off to the front desk, who handed it off to DHL for pickup.
- I received real-time tracking updates as it made its way back to the U.S.
- A few days later, my mom texted me a photo of the bag safely delivered to our doorstep — while I was still in Europe.
No extra baggage fees, no baggage claim, no schlepping a no-longer-needed piece of luggage — just door-to-door peace of mind.
The best part? They only need 48–72 hours of notice to schedule most shipments — but if you’re in a pinch, they can often accommodate same-day or next-day service with a quick phone call. So even if you’re feeling spontaneous, it’s not too late to ship your luggage stress-free.
Why you might want to ship your luggage too
While my reason was a multi-season, multi-country journey, there are so many ways this service could simplify travelers’ lives. Here are just a few:
💼 Traveling with little ones
Babies and toddlers come with a lot of stuff — strollers, car seats, toys, and snacks. Instead of trying to navigate airport security with a mountain of gear, ship it all ahead of time and travel hands-free.
🎿 Multi-destination trips
Going from the slopes to the sea? Ship your ski clothes home after your time in the mountains and avoid overpacking for the beach leg of your trip.
⛳ Athletics & adventure
Don’t risk damaged or delayed gear. Send your golf clubs, skis, or scuba equipment directly to your hotel or resort so it’s ready and waiting when you arrive (or send it home afterwards).
💍 Special events
Destination weddings, milestone birthdays, reunions — these events often come with outfits, gifts, décor, and more. Ship everything in advance and breeze through the airport stress-free.
🚢 Cruises & tight connections
Timing is everything when you have a cruise departure or a tight layover. Skip the baggage carousel entirely and have your suitcase waiting for you in your stateroom.
So, what exactly is Luggage Free?
Here’s a quick overview of what they offer:
- What can you ship? Luggage, boxes, strollers, car seats, golf clubs, skis, and other sports gear.
- Where do they ship? 180 countries — including Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
- How long does it take? Domestic: 1–5 business days. International: usually 2–5 business days.
- How much is insured? $500 per item is included; you can insure up to $10,000.
- How is it tracked? Every shipment is tracked daily. On-time delivery is guaranteed.
Hotels and cruises: Seamless handoff
If you’re shipping to a hotel, the bell staff or concierge will receive and store your luggage until you arrive. For cruises, Luggage Free partners with port agents who bring your bags directly to your stateroom.
After bringing my bag down to the hotel front desk in Edinburgh, I didn’t have to lift a finger — a few days later, it showed up on my mom’s porch, delivered by a friendly driver. That kind of convenience is worth every penny.
What you’ll need to ship internationally
To ship abroad, you’ll need:
- A copy of your passport
- Your flight itinerary
- A simple inventory list of your shipment contents
Their team takes care of the rest: no long customs forms, no language barriers, and no stress!
Final thoughts: Travel lighter, travel smarter
Whether you’re a frequent flier, a first-time traveler, or planning a big bucket-list adventure, Luggage Free makes traveling smoother — especially when juggling different climates, gear, or a busy itinerary.
And when you factor in the cost of airline baggage fees, especially for overweight, oversized, or excess bags — using Luggage Free can actually be a comparable (or even smarter) investment for the convenience it provides.
I had a great time in Scotland in June, but it’s such a relief not to lug around my cold weather gear to my following travels July to November: Greece, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Portugal! Want to follow the journey and see the experiences I discover? Follow me on Instagram. And a big thanks to Luggage Free for saving my back and spine!
Ready to try it for yourself? Book with Luggage Free here and simplify your next journey.
About Julie Rose, BTA Affiliate Advisor and Travel Coach
Julie Rose is a travel advisor, travel coach, and curator of transformational group adventures. After leaving behind a high-profile corporate career to embrace a life of meaningful flexible self-employment and full-time travel, she now inspires others to design their lives and travel experiences rooted in freedom, purpose, and adventure. Through personalized coaching, hosted group trips, and expert travel advising, Julie empowers her community to explore the world with intention, reduce financial dependence, and reimagine what’s possible — one bold journey at a time. Visit her online on her blog, juliedevivre.com.
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Boutique Travel Advisors is a full-service, luxury travel agency. We specialize in creating bespoke itineraries for discerning clients around the world. Please visit our website or call 480-787-1477 to speak with a dedicated travel expert.
Are you planning an international or domestic trip? Check out our other articles to help you come prepared!
We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to protect your financial investment and health while traveling internationally. To purchase a policy with our preferred travel insurance company Arch RoamRight click here.
If you would like assistance purchasing a travel insurance policy, please get in touch with a BTA advisor.