Connie, just remember that once you use up the coffee bags, you'll have some extra room to bring a few goodies home!

At a pinch, it is possible to make coffee without filters, bags or a cafetière (press). It's best if you have two mugs, or a mug and a jug, but one will do.

Just measure out the ground coffee (not instant!) into your cup/jug, top up with boiling water and leave to brew for a few minutes. Then take a cold spoon and draw it across the surface of the coffee (the grounds will have risen to the top). Alternatively, sprinkle a little cold water over the surface of the coffee. Wait for a couple of minutes, and the grounds will all sink down to the bottom.

Then either pour the coffee into the second cup, leaving the last inch or so (as that's where all the grounds are), or drink as is, remembering not to swig the last inch. It works surprisingly well and you don't have grounds floating around in the coffee until you get to the very bottom.

It's how my parents used to make coffee (though they used a ceramic coffee pot) and is now my emergency/camping method and has saved me in times of dire coffee withdrawal!

>These "traditional" coffee bags are not so easy to find in Europe<

I've never seen them in the coffee section in Switzerland. In fact, I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. I'll have a closer look next time I'm walking through.

Lawchick: Wanna share a meal? :)

I'm really perplexed why OP feels a need to bring coffee bags. In all the places you mentioned, you definitelly find proper cafes where you can get the caffeine fix.

In UK, we have a single serve coffee filters (the kind that has coffee enclosed in a plastic ring, and you just pour hot water on top).

W9London, If Connie is anything like I am, she wants to have some coffee BEFORE she gets to a cafe. I like to get up, have a cup or 2 and then get showered, dressed, etc. I'm a bit groggy untiil I do...

Celiaanne,

oh but European coffe is in general, much potent than the watered down version in N.America (though comes in much smaller quantity)...

Celiaanne is correct, I want a cup of coffee as soon as possible after getting out of bed. Then, I can get a decent cup later at breakfast.

I'm single french press sounds like a good idea to check into.

I ordered and received a travel mug/french press and I think it will work fine. This way I won't need 2 mugs--one to heat water in and one to pour the hot water into and I'll be able to drink right out of it. I'll stuff my ground coffee (in a baggy) into the mug for packing. Thanks for everyone's great suggestions. I didn't even know this existed.

The coffee singles (only available in Folgers and Maxwell House AFAIK)might not be to anyone's liking, but there are dozens of brands of coffee pods that will work, including Italian Illy and Kona.
http://www.illyusa.com/AB1666000/sho...jectGroup_ID=8

I googled coffee pods and found this.
http://www.coffeepodcafe.com/coffeepods

I think you will find several varities at any grocery and Tuesday Morning type of stores have imported ones.

Thanks for the update Connie. French press is a great solution (I'll have to remember that tip!)