Earlier this year when I landed at the airport in Rome, I rushed into the ladies room to brush my teeth to freshen up to meet a friend, so in my state of mind and being in a hurry, I fumbled my toothbrush and it landed right on the bathroom floor. So I met my friend with gritty teeth, and since I had arrived late on a Sat. night and we drove down to Amalfi Coast, I had to wait until Monday to buy a toothbrush. I used floss and toothpaste but I wanted a good brush.
Another time I lost my Lancome eye cream somewhere in the plane and my eyes got all puffy in their withdrawel eye cream state, so I looked pretty weird until I could get to a store to get some more, this was in Florence.
Another trip my curling iron quit working so I was all bushy haired until I could buy a new one, and it didn't get very hot, so I wore my hair in a ponytail most of the trip.
I am writing this so some of you will be able to learn from my mishaps and if you have room pack some extras. It is easy to buy things of course in Europe but can become a timing hassle.

Maybe things are different in Italy, but I don't really feel like a trip to Britain is complete without at least one visit to Boots (an omnipresent High Street Chemist).

As long as nothing happens to my passport, camera and credit card, why worry in advance about the other million things that could go wrong but probably won't?

Other than a European hair dryer, we carry no extras and have only enough to last us a few days because we like to buy toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc. in foreign places. Look in our medicine cabinet and find about 8 languages represented.

Yikes, ohblondie, it's difficult enough to get everything I need into my suitcase, without taking backups. This way lies madness!!

Not only do I not pack extras - I seldom pack "firsts" except for any OTC meds I might need (cold/sinus meds for instance) and my tootbrush

I often fly Virgin and they give everyone amenity bags that include tooth brush, tooth paste, skin cream etc. enough to get me by until I can get to a local shop.

I don't usually take a curling iron, let alone a spare one.

Invisible traveler: I'd love to know where you purchased a European hair dryer. having just returned from Italy with hair fried from the cheap dryers in the hotel I am in desperate need of one for the future. the dryer i brought with me blew up when i attempted to hook it up with a converter.

hair dries so fast in France and Italy why bring a drier? Vacation was supposed to mean relaxed, no make up, no gadgets? Maybe my concept is wrong?

Lisasal, I bought hair dryers in England and Italy. If you think you're headed to a town too small to sell a hairdryer, buy it at the airport or along the way. It will cost under about 20 euros & will last you for years unless you drop yours like I did with the first one I bought.

Cigalchanta, you asked and yes, I'm afraid your concept is wrong. Other than family reunions, most photos taken of me were taken during my vacations, so why wouldn't I want to look my best? Please don't judge & don't lose sleep worrying about those of us who squander a whole 5 or 10 minutes a day on personal beauty routine during our vacations.

I just bought a hairdryer in Prague, because I didn't like how my hair dryer which was dual voltage sounded or worked with the adaptor. It was at a store that was like a super walmart. Can't remember the name, but I am sure every country has some store like it.

invisable traveler, it's only a question, not a judgement. I have very unruly curly hair and quit fighting it on vocation, that'all....

I think if you are in any urban area, you probably can look around and find a drug store or general purpose discount store, etc., that will have cheap hair dryers in Europe if you really need one. My hair doesn't dry any faster in France than it does at home, for some reason, and without a hair dryer I would have wet hair for perhaps three hours as it is rather long and thick. I would not go out for the day with wet hair.

Well, I dont see why I woould want to look worse on a vacation than I do at home, so I do take a hairdryer, makeup, curling iron, etc. My backups are simple though, a curling brush to use with a dryer, two toothbrushes, some makeup doubles. If I buy things on a trip it is because I want to, I have been stuck buying some mundane item because something happened to my original.
I would want my significient other to be proud of the way I look at home and abroad.

Being somewhat anal and unburdened by an concenrs about cost, I bring two of everything with me.

In the spirit of adventurous travel, I would have picked up that toothbrush off the floor, washed it out in the sink & USED it, rather than be without for 3 days!!

Actually, I do always pack a spare toothbrush! Fortunately I have hair that does not require a dryer, curling iron, etc. And I take all normal cosmetics and toiletries, but downsized into tiny containers for the trip. You can get alot into several snack size ziplock bags. Works great.

Yes, I do think that it is a good idea to bring minature backups for things you really need. The minatures from airlines would be ideal as backups.

I love to buy cosmetics, etc. in foreign places but at my own pace, not when I am down to nothing.

Suze, I am fairly adventurous, but you can't be serious in suggesting washing off a toothbrush that fell on an airport toilet's floor? I gag just thinking about it.

Yes I am entirely serious about the toothbrush. Clearly I have traveled in more primitive locations than where you have been. Having said that...

You couldn't have bought a new toothbrush at the airport in Rome? Or asked your hotel for one? Your story is a bit dramatic, for want of a toothbrush in ALL of Rome, is my point.

On a more fluffy note, I don't like to try out new stuff traveling. So I save and reuse or buy small containers and transfer my own products into them, just enough for the length of the trip. I'll use hotel shampoo to wash out some undies, but not on my precious hair~ LOL.

ohblondie - you could have simply disinfected the toothbrush in the mouthwash you probably had two of . . . .

It is interesting to think that when I go on trips now-I think of Fodors, how "they" say to pack, what "they" would do
I must confess, we just returned from a trip, I took 5 pairs of shoes! ( and shuddered to think of what some Fodorites would say to me) And an outfit for every day and nights also.
And extra sunglasses.
While away, I bought a considerable amount of soap and bath products. My husband looks at me in a questioning way, but has not said anything so far~
So we all know now that I will never be found without an extra pair of shoes and lots of soap!

I take a small dual-voltage hair dryer plus the necessary adapter plug. I've used it on occasion to finish drying laundry in a pinch. My other extra is my hair styling cream. If you saw my hair you'd understand that these extras are well worth the space.

Ohblondie, I do pack two toothbrushes and two flosses, simply because it's easier - one for the daypack, the other in the toiletry kit in the main bag. Also it's the one thing for which a backup is convenient, as you discovered.