Going Minimal vs. Excess

So I'm trying to syphon through the endless possibilities of what to brink (read:wear) while on vacay in Egypt, Germany and London. I'm trying to go super minimal, like a tiny carry-on size bag that would make it way easier to travel around with. I recall being in London and France the last time I was there and having to haul a giant bag with only half wheels around the greater western European area. Navigating through Euston to Paddington to catch the Eurostar on the eve of a bank holiday, bogged down by a fucking 50 lbs. bag of shite really sucked. It f--ing totally sucked.

And I swore then and there that the next time I returned to Europe i would a) have enough $$ to NOT stay in Hostels and b) not have such a cumbersome, heavy bag. So I'm going really really light, like one pair of jeans, a few Ts a dress and like 8 pairs of shoes. Thoughts?