donna

Hi to all- I have read the travel advice on what women should pack- but now I would like first hand advice from women who spent ten days in the Netherlands/Belgium in July. In the past, I have always overpacked, no matter where I go. I have a rolling suitcase and a backpack to take.(But my toiletires take up space, even though I think I am bringing as litle as possible) <BR> I think I can wear black pants with a balck blazer and a shirt most every night and I will bring one black dress. I am not the kind of woman who wears nylons, heels and a business suit normally- I am an artist who wears lots of black and sweatpants and birkenstocks!I like to look nice at museums and restos. I am not too comfortable in shorts anyway, but thought I'd bring a long pair and a pair of capri pants for the daytime. Specifically- will I need long sleeves and a jacket? Will a windbreaker with a hood do or do I need to bring my long raincoat? How many pants,shirts etc. do you bring? (I have never done laundry on vacation,but..) Has anyone ever tried the "wrinkle away" in a spray can? Thanks in adavance for your advice. dbl

mary

Donna, <BR>We just returned from Italy-- however your destination is different-- I can help a little with what I packed for the trip. <BR>I only carried one small duffle bag with side pockets for the 11 days we were gone. I wore black Clarks sandals that I could wear with capris or a dress at night. Very comfortable!!! <BR>I had two pairs of capris (one I wore on the plane) 4 cotton shirts ( one I wore on the plane) one long black rollable skirt, one long black rollable dress and a black and white scarf, one rollable black and white sundress, and a pair of khaki shorts( which I did not need), a nightgown, underwear which I tossed away as I went along, my makeup. <BR>I brought a little bottle of liquid detergent and washed out the cotton shirts ( which went with the skirt, capris, and shorts). I had more than enough clothes, always felt dressed properly and I was comfortable. <BR>Enjoy your trip--since I had so much room left over in my bag and my other hand-- Iwas able to buy a few more things than I had anticipated - <BR>Mary

Thyra

Donna, if I may offer some small suggestions. Believe it or not I actually took a class in how to pack! Offered at our local Hospital... weird huh? I can go for 3 weeks with one roll on and a purse here are my tips! <BR>1) Wear your heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane. <BR>2) ROLL your clothes up and rubberband them in tubes, this also helps with wrinkles. You would be amazed at how much space this saves. Take your pants, a few shirts some undies.. and lay them flat on a hard surface (being careful not to wrinkle the end you start with) begin rolling as tight, TIGHT as you can, smoothing as you go, just as you would a sleeping bag.If you are good at this you can get 4-8 articles of clothing in one 4-6 inch roll. <BR>3) Stuff all socks in shoes, tape high heel shoes together, lay them on the bottom and stuff little things around them. <BR>4) Take all of your big bottles of toiletries and put them in small bottles carrying just enough to get you through your trip. (remember to zip lock them up)or try buying th .99 cent sample products they sell at drug stores (deodorant, hair spray, mouth wash). <BR>5)Coordinate your colors so anything can be worn with anything else. <BR>6) Pair down your wallet, leave your check book at home, try to put cosmetics in your purse. <BR>7) Bring one long sleeve top, but remember if you get caught in a sudden downpour you can buy a rain coat in Europe! <BR>8)The most important thing is the rolling. People are skeptical of this but if you do it correctly you will avoid wrinkles and be amazed by how much space you will save. <BR>9) Leave enough room to have a great time! <BR>There, that is what they taught me in packing class! I hope it helps you, have a great trip.

donna

Thank you for your advice. I will try the rolling and the advice on the clothes. I am still overpacking, I think, but I won't take up so much space!

Caitlin

Here's what I know: <BR> <BR>1. Thick padded socks, cotton panties, etc. have a lot of air trapped in the fabric. Stuff them into a gallon-size, sturdy ziploc-type bag and close the top amost all the way. Then sit on it and squeeze out as much air as you can. Close the top. You'll at least halve the size, and you can use the bag to separate out your small items of dirty laundry as you go. <BR> <BR>2. If you don't smoke you'll find that, even if you don't mind the restaurants, etc. full of smkers, you'll hate having all your clothes smell like smoke at the end of the day and won't want to wear them again. Get some febreze fabric spray (you can deecant it into a travel-size spray bottle), and spritz and hang up your clothes before bed; they'll smell fresh in the a.m. <BR> <BR>3. Get sample-size toiletries or decant into film cans or other tossable containers, and jettison them at the end--more room for souvenirs. (and remember, you can always buy more there; many of the same brands are available, and it'll be a fun reminder of your trip to see that dutch shampoo label every morning at home.) <BR> <BR>4. A great way to cushion little glass jars (jam, perfume, etc.) to carry on on the way home is to drop one into a thick sock (even if it's dirty). <BR> <BR>5. Unless you pack super-light, you probably won't end up wearing all that you bring. So try to bring less but focus on things you really like. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

nancy

Caitlin, <BR>Where does one get Febreze? <BR>Never heard of it,but sounds very essential. <BR>Since I quit ciggies 18 yrs ago, I really don't enjoy the smoke smell. <BR>Thank you very much, <BR>Nancy

traveler

I've seen Febreze in the grocery stores in the detergents/fabric softener section.

donna

Hi Caitlin- thanks for the advice about the ziplock bags-I would have never thought of that. I'm sure other people are reading this thread and picking up lots of tips! I already use Febreeze to get the smell out of clothes I need to wear several times-I buy it in my local supermarket near the fabric softeners-it's in a white bottle with blue letters and they make a travel size! <BR>Any more suggestions from anyone? <BR>I admire Mary for only bringing 4 shirts- i don't thinkI can do it! donna

Mary Ann

hi Donna <BR>This may or may not help, but a word of caution about temperature. We were in Brugge and Amsterdam in early August 1997. We had packed warmer clothes (long sleeves,etc) for that area after coming from more southern spots. They were having a heat wave, it was upper 70s in Brugge and mid 80s in Amsterdam. We ended up re wearing shorts and short sleeves. Most hotels in Amsterdam do not have air conditioning so sleeping attire should be minimal. About 4 days before you leave check out yahoos weather or similar to see what the trend is and adjust accordingly. If you are taking a pair of shoes, just use newspaper delivery bags. We did take a fleece jacket (we were going in the Alps too) ended up only wearing it one morning, but carried it on the plane. I am not sure but I do not think we even used our sweaters. Also the newer expandable luggage is great. We have a 21 inch rolling carry on (that has a detachable garment bag) that we take with 3 days clothes (for 2 people) as lost luggage insurance, along with our toileterie bag. When we get there we expand it 2.5 inches and use it most of the places we go. Coming home we leave it expanded and just check it. We take an empty cloth zippered bag to bring home the breakables.

nancy

Thanks for febreze info! <BR>Nancy

J.M.

I was stationed in Belgium for 1 1/2 years. I can tell you that the summers can be warm, but they can also be very chilly and rainy. The 4th of July fest at my base was a real failure one year because the temp went from 75 and sunny to 50 degrees and rainy (with hail, no less!) a few hours before the fest was supposed to open. <BR> <BR>In other words, don't discount the need for at least a raincoat/windbreaker! <BR> <BR>As far as what else to pack, in case you are worried about getting some personal items while you are there: in Belgium, there is a grocery/everything-else-under-the-sun chain called GB, and they carry quite a few American brand items, as well as European ones, in such things as tampons, shampoo, etc. But, like another poster stated above, it's fun to get local items and come home with French shampoo, Dutch lotion, etc. <BR> <BR>In Europe, the favorite clothing color of the university and art crowd is black, so your choice of clothing will let you blend in nicely. One good, comfy and stylish pair of black shoes should be all you need. <BR> <BR>BTW, rolling clothes works like a charm, if done correctly - it will save you lots of rooms for souveniers!!! <BR> <BR>Hope you have fun in your travels!

Janice

I usually go to Europe for 10 days to 2 weeks - and I have a SWORN LIFE POLICY never to pack more than 10 items of clothing and 1 pair of shoes. (socks and underwear don't count - and I allow myself 1 huge tee shirt for sleeping) The hardest part to realize (or remember, if you've travelled before) is that what you're wearing becomes unbelievably unimportant once you're in another country. Where I'd rather have my head shaved than wear the same clothes to my office twice in the same week, when I'm in Paris, or Venice, or Rome, I'm perfectly happy with the same black pants and sweater, and maybe a different necklace or scarf. Same with toiletries - where I get up here in the morning and primp and paint and etc etc - if I'm in Europe, I'm pretty low maintenance, and I want to get out the door and get going. But it took me a half dozen trips to really figure this out - maybe you'll just have to travel a lot 'til you get used to packing light! <BR>And remember, if you don't pack lots of things, you have a great excuse to shop! <BR>Have a wonderful time - and be kind and forgiving to yourself, and learn from your decisions (and report back to us).

donna

Everyone has been so nice to answer me! <BR>Janice- I know it is true, it does seem that once I am on the vacation, I end up wearing the same thing almost everyday! I also know I have more than enough clothes in my closet for a small country!I am going to try to do the 10 item pack,plus the allowed extras listed, as well as the rolling and the zip lok bag idea and washing out cottons at night. I guess I am concerned that the weather can get cool at night and rainy and that I need sweater/jacket(s). It's just a waste of time to keep packing and unpacking clothes I'm not wearing. I think I will just bring the one pair of black walking shoes that I'll wear on the plane, for day and evening and maybe a pair of sandals for around water. thanks again - donna

Janice

Dear Donna, <BR>I'm so glad that you're finding our ideas useful! As far as staying warm/dry goes, I recommend taking something fairly big and "Polar-fleecy" - i.e. something that doesn't weigh a lot, can be scrunched into a fairly small ziplock, and will dry out quickly. And our friend Elvira can definitely chime in on this one - take plenty of socks - dry socks can save your life! If you take a longish coat/jacket that's water resistant, you should be (excuse the pun) covered. I violate all standard packing rules and take lots of jewelry (most of it fairly cheap) and a mess of scarves - but it still all fits into a bicycle messenger bag. All my toiletries go in my handbag, and I'm a strictly carry on girl. (more accurately, lady - I'm over 40) <BR>Please feel free to contact me directly if you have specific questions, or want a real specific list from my last couple of trips. <BR>I'm getting very excited for you - I want to leave now, and I'm not going anywhere 'til Ireland in October!