India, Aug. 5 -- I used to think packing light meant giving something up. Then I spent eight days in Hong Kong carrying nothing more than a cabin suitcase and a small sling bag, and I realised the opposite was true. I was not waiting at baggage claim, dragging an oversized suitcase through train stations or trying to squeeze it into crowded public transport. I simply picked up my bag and kept moving.

That trip completely changed how I pack. These days, I avoid large suitcases unless the trip genuinely calls for one. I rely on public transport during most international holidays and city breaks across India, so a cabin suitcase makes far more sense. The trick is not fitting more into a smaller bag. It is understanding the difference betwee...