How to pack like a (Swiss) boss

MANILA, Philippines - The night before a trip, I always find myself staring at a wide-open suitcase, hoping my things would pack themselves. It’s a chore that not even those who call themselves “seasoned travelers” can get used to. Many spare themselves the headache and just opt not to unpack upon arriving home. Some don’t bother organizing and just throw everything in, leaving everything to chance as toiletries, clothing and documents tumble around together.

But the Swiss, they have it figured out. Since the first Swiss Army Knife was created in 1891 by a cutlery shop owned by Karl Elsener, which later became Victorinox, the world has known about their knack for organizing necessities into one compact case –– and Victorinox suitcases are a reflection of the brand’s iconic design.

 At the Victorinox Swiss Night, an event organized by Victorinox held at the Peninsula Manila (where we were served an exquisite five-course Swiss dinner prepared by executive chef Samuel Linder of Aubergine fame), we were introduced to the new Victorinox Werks Traveler Dual Caster 4.0, an expandable, ultra-light, eight-wheel upright that takes most of the guesswork out of packing for long and short trips. The model presented was in that trademark Victorinox red, so that it resembled a Swiss army knife from its minimalist, tough-as-steel outer shell to the many surprise features inside.

The dual-caster uprights allow for 360° maneuverability and the dual-trolley handles easily adjust when transitioning without putting any strain or weight on your wrist. The removable garment suiter holds two to three items and features foam bolsters that keep clothes from getting wrinkled. You can also travel easily with multiple bags with the Never-Lost Attach-a-Bag strap that secures an additional bag to the front of the upright and holds up to 30 lbs.

The Philippine STAR asked Ambassador of Switzerland to the Philippines H.E. Ivo Sieber, who was present at the Swiss Night, about his packing style. Here’s how an ambassador gets his stuff together:

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: What are your packing strategies?

H.E. Ivo Sieber: I always try to pack light. I make a list of everything I would essentially need during a trip and I try to stick to it, not unlike grocery shopping (smiles). It’s not to say that I don’t over-pack at times, but the tendency is somewhat minimized.

Do you have any packing tips for travelers?

I find that rolling your clothes and packing them that way does save a lot of space. Plus, it’s quite true that they don’t crease as much. And I do keep a copy of essential travel documents in my luggage and as scans on my mobile phone, just in case the originals get lost.

What are some of your travel must-haves?

Aside from a Victorinox luggage and my Swiss army knife –– stored away in my Victorinox travel case, of course — it would have to be my MacBook Air fully-charged with my music library, a good set of ear phones with an airplane adaptor... and of course a good book that keeps me company while waiting for connecting flights or a ferry on the RoRo trail.

What makes Victorinox an ideal travel companion?

Victorinox is not only a travel companion; it is a companion for life! I don’t have to worry about the contents of luggage being damaged or stolen and still can rely on a light, versatile and easy-to-handle travelling help.

What do the Swiss have that other brands don’t so that they are able to create, establish and sustain a brand like Victorinox?

The Swiss value precision, innovation, impeccable quality, and iconic design. This reputation, so to say, has been established by various brands such as Victorinox, Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Swatch, and Lindt, just to name a few. These are known to offer luxury and at the same time unparalleled quality. Their products have indeed proven to stand the test of time and have won over generations of patrons.

What destinations would you like to visit next?

I’ve already had the chance to see a good number of places in the Philippines but I definitely want to see more. Indeed, having visited places such as Bukidnon, Zamboanga, El Nido and gone on a RoRo trip through Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, Samar and the Bicol region, I can certainly vouch that it is more fun in the Philippines to be a tourist! The places still on my list are the Banaue Rice Terraces, southern Leyte and Siargao, the Underground River in Puerto Princesa and –– as an avid diver –– the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the Sulu Sea. And as I am also the Swiss Ambassador to Palau and Micronesia, it excites me that I will have the chance to explore these places more.

What are some of the more modern must-visits in Switzerland?

It’s clearly the mountains that are spectacular in summer and winter –– and the numerous Swiss cities where long historic traditions blend with a modern and multicultural lifestyle. Swiss cities offer an attractive mix of modern architecture, a very wide array of cultural highlights and an urban flair that stimulates and satisfies even the most discerning traveler’s expectations. Why not visit St. Gallen’s 8th-century monastery, enjoy world-class opera or top-class night life only an hour away in Zurich, and then visit Mario Botta’s avant-garde architectural masterpieces in Lugano while savoring the Swiss version of the Mediterranean lifestyle in Italian-speaking Ticino? And along the way enjoy the Alps by skiing, sledding or playing a game of snow-polo in the winter or hike their peaks in summer.

Any packing/luggage nightmares?

I do recall our family weekend trip to Laos in the days when we lived in Bangkok. Arriving in Vientiane for a city visit and an overnight, we found out that our luggage didn’t make the flight. So we set off to the local market to buy toiletries and some clothes. It turned out that they were all locally manufactured and made from beautiful batik materials. The next morning as our plane waited for clearance for our onward flight to Luang Prabang, we saw the Bangkok flight landing in Vientiane with our luggage in its hold. Hence we spent our overnight in Luang Prabang in our newly acquired Laotian garb blending in very comfortably in the serene atmosphere that the old Laotian capital offers. We finally recovered our luggage at the check-in for our flight from Luang Prabank to Bangkok. So while we unpacked an untouched suitcase when returning home, we also brought with us wonderful memories of a very authentic weekend trip to Laos –– and some beautiful Laotian outfits.

What do you like most about the Victorinox Werks Traveler Dual Caster?

It keeps the iconic Victorinox design, but has improved features such as the dual-handle trolley system that makes it easier to handle and maneuver, the attach-a-bag strap that makes it convenient to lug around your hand-carry bag while on-the-go, even the attachable garment suiter that is perfect for people who travel frequently as it guarantees wrinkle-free outfits, and of course the dual caster wheels that make transporting the bag feel so light and easy! It is the ultimate travel companion.

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Victorinox Travel Gear is available at Victorinox stores in the Podium, The Travel Club, R.O.X., Duty Free Philippines, Rustan’s, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and The Landmark.