These shoes are made for walking

'So what shoes do you take with you?' is a question I get asked a lot. Well, the short answer is - one pair. Shocking, isn't it, that you can last for two or three whole weeks with just one pair of shoes? As I usually travel in summer, I also pack a pair of sandals and perhaps a pair of thongs.

To save space and weight - I fly with carry on hand luggage only where the maximum weight is 7 kgs - I wear my shoes on the plane. I wear them every day when I'm walking and sightseeing. Because of that, my shoes have to be comfortable. My shoes also have to double up as evening wear - well at least something I'm comfortable wearing with a skirt or a pair of trousers as well as shorts. So, fellow light travellers, choose your shoes well - and they'll reward you by making your trip easy, light and pleasurable.

But I wasn't always a one-shoe traveller. Like most people, when I first started travelling - way back in the seventies, I packed shoes for every eventuality: rain, mountains, evenings out, city walking, hot, cold, and everything inbetween - phew, what a lot of stuff I used to carry!

As you know, since 2010 I've been travelling and holidaying with one carry on bag only. I've got my packing down to a fine (light) art, and it only includes my one pair of shoes. But how, did I get there? I looked back over my travels, analysing my shoe evolution. What I can see is that I've always put comfort over fashion - you wouldn't find me in stilettos 👠 stumbling across cobbles, but I do like a bit of glamour from time to time, especiallly promenading along the beachfront.

So ladies - and gents - what are your preferred travel shoes? I'd love to know. Send me your photos and tips of your best travel shoes; I'd love to see them - and maybe I can blog about your best footwear.

Belgrade 1985

I'm wearing leather boots to complement my jeans: heavy!

Los Angeles 1995

Comfort over style! I travelled with these heavy duty rather ugly sneakers - and in white!

Vietnam, 2014

I love my Birkenstocks, but they're not practical for walking long distances.

Hamburg, 2015

By this time I've discovered that no-one pays any attention to my shoes - so I'm wearing my beloved Merrells for comfort.

My Merrells

I recently read 'The Arrangement' where one of the characters is described as being a little dowdy, wearing her Merrells, but I love mine: the most comfortable travel shoes I've ever had.

Germany, 2015

My day wear includes comfortable Merrell walking shoes.

Montenegro, 2016

When I need a little glamour, I slip on a pair of black patent sandals. I bought these in Kotor, Montenegro.