First Timer
May 7th, 2005, 09:23 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First Timer
Hello everyone.
A friend and I will be travelling to Europe for two weeks. We're both recently out of college, so we're basically travelling light and travelling cheap, well, as cheap as Europe can get. We'll be in London for about 5 days, Rome for 5, and Florence for 3. We'll be there for the last two weeks of May. Any suggestions on how to pack, clothing wise? Any other suggestions would be much welcome too. Thanks!
A friend and I will be travelling to Europe for two weeks. We're both recently out of college, so we're basically travelling light and travelling cheap, well, as cheap as Europe can get. We'll be in London for about 5 days, Rome for 5, and Florence for 3. We'll be there for the last two weeks of May. Any suggestions on how to pack, clothing wise? Any other suggestions would be much welcome too. Thanks!
May 7th, 2005, 09:55 PM
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Fooster, well I don't know if you are 2 males, 2 females or male and female but basically I would suggest this. Dark colors do not show the dirt as much as light colors. I wouldn't worry about wearing clothes a bit longer then you might at home. You will not be seeing the same people day after day (except for each other).
I would try to make sure that all tops and bottoms mixmatch. That cuts down on extra clothing. I would take 2 pair of shoes. The heaviest wear on the plane, pack the other. I would take some kind of a jacket in case of chilly weather. I would wear the heaviest clothes on the plane. First of all planes can get chilly. And also it will hopefully mean that you have a bit of space in your check in luggage when you fly home in case you buy a few things during this fantastic trip.
I would buy small travel size bathroom items. All supermarkets, or Walmart, Target etc. seem to have them. Shampoo, deoderant, creams etc. This will make your carryon bag so much lighter. You can replace what you need during your travels.
I have never bee to London but Rome and Florence should be beautiful weather. If you pack (again everything mixmatch) with the idea of layering if it does get chilly by some chance, it will cut down on the amount of clothes.
Do make sure that your shoes are good for a lot of walking, which I am sure you will do.
Imagine you will have a credit card or two with you. Do call your credi card company(s) to let them know that you will be in Europe and the dates. That way they will not put a freeze on your account thinking their is fraud. Do you have a checking account and an ATM card? Let your bank know that you will be in Europe also. At least in Europe the ATM's seem to have only numbers on the keys so if your ATM pin is letters either memorize the letters and how they correspond to the numbers or go into your bank and have the pin number changed. Also, at least in Italy, the ATM's use only 4 numbers.
Hope this is of some help. Remember, no one ever comes back from a trip saying "I wish I had brought more stuff with me". You can always pick up something in Europe if you have to, a clean shirt or socks or whatever.
Oh, do photocopy your passport. Make a list of your credit card info including the credit card company phone # from Europe, the account # etc. Put this in a separate place from the originals but do put this info in your carryon. Do not pack anything in your checkin luggage that would cause you undue stress if it is stolen (glasses, cameras, personal ID info, medications etc.).
My one other suggestion is go and have a wonderful time!!! You will, you are going to three beautiful cities. My very best wishes that you have a vacation that you will always rememeber.
I would try to make sure that all tops and bottoms mixmatch. That cuts down on extra clothing. I would take 2 pair of shoes. The heaviest wear on the plane, pack the other. I would take some kind of a jacket in case of chilly weather. I would wear the heaviest clothes on the plane. First of all planes can get chilly. And also it will hopefully mean that you have a bit of space in your check in luggage when you fly home in case you buy a few things during this fantastic trip.
I would buy small travel size bathroom items. All supermarkets, or Walmart, Target etc. seem to have them. Shampoo, deoderant, creams etc. This will make your carryon bag so much lighter. You can replace what you need during your travels.
I have never bee to London but Rome and Florence should be beautiful weather. If you pack (again everything mixmatch) with the idea of layering if it does get chilly by some chance, it will cut down on the amount of clothes.
Do make sure that your shoes are good for a lot of walking, which I am sure you will do.
Imagine you will have a credit card or two with you. Do call your credi card company(s) to let them know that you will be in Europe and the dates. That way they will not put a freeze on your account thinking their is fraud. Do you have a checking account and an ATM card? Let your bank know that you will be in Europe also. At least in Europe the ATM's seem to have only numbers on the keys so if your ATM pin is letters either memorize the letters and how they correspond to the numbers or go into your bank and have the pin number changed. Also, at least in Italy, the ATM's use only 4 numbers.
Hope this is of some help. Remember, no one ever comes back from a trip saying "I wish I had brought more stuff with me". You can always pick up something in Europe if you have to, a clean shirt or socks or whatever.
Oh, do photocopy your passport. Make a list of your credit card info including the credit card company phone # from Europe, the account # etc. Put this in a separate place from the originals but do put this info in your carryon. Do not pack anything in your checkin luggage that would cause you undue stress if it is stolen (glasses, cameras, personal ID info, medications etc.).
My one other suggestion is go and have a wonderful time!!! You will, you are going to three beautiful cities. My very best wishes that you have a vacation that you will always rememeber.
May 7th, 2005, 09:58 PM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I somehow this posted before I edited it so ignore the spelling mistakes. Sorry about that! Anyway, if you have more questions just post them on this thread you have started. You will find everyone here will be happy to add to your enjoyment of Europe.
May 7th, 2005, 10:30 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My suggestion for a basic packing list would be as follows:-
5-6 x T-shirts/tanktops for sunny days
2-3 x sweaters/sweatshirts/zipped tops for cool evenings (or possibly days in London)
1 x lightweight waterproof that rolls up to virtually nothing (can also be used to keep the wind out if it's particularly chilly)
1 or 2 pairs of jeans
1 or 2 pairs of combats for the extra pockets - perm any 3 from the last 2 items
1 or 2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of shoes that you feel confident about walking around in all day.
Don't go overboard with underwear and socks - you can always rinse these through each day. A good rule of thumb is one to wear, one to wash, one to air and one for spare.
A space-saving tip is not to buy separate shampoo, shower gel and laundry liquid. Just one of these (preferably not the laundry liquid!) can be used for all 3 jobs at a push.
Don't take more than 1 guidebook for each city and any info that you think may be useful that you've gleaned off the web, edit and print it and tuck it in the back of the relevant guidebook.
For cheap daytime eats in London, visit any Boots store and get a take-away meal deal - a sandwich or salad, a drink and a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar for under £3. Other places do similar deals, but imo the ones from Boots are the best quality/overall value for money.
Enjoy your trip!
5-6 x T-shirts/tanktops for sunny days
2-3 x sweaters/sweatshirts/zipped tops for cool evenings (or possibly days in London)
1 x lightweight waterproof that rolls up to virtually nothing (can also be used to keep the wind out if it's particularly chilly)
1 or 2 pairs of jeans
1 or 2 pairs of combats for the extra pockets - perm any 3 from the last 2 items
1 or 2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of shoes that you feel confident about walking around in all day.
Don't go overboard with underwear and socks - you can always rinse these through each day. A good rule of thumb is one to wear, one to wash, one to air and one for spare.
A space-saving tip is not to buy separate shampoo, shower gel and laundry liquid. Just one of these (preferably not the laundry liquid!) can be used for all 3 jobs at a push.
Don't take more than 1 guidebook for each city and any info that you think may be useful that you've gleaned off the web, edit and print it and tuck it in the back of the relevant guidebook.
For cheap daytime eats in London, visit any Boots store and get a take-away meal deal - a sandwich or salad, a drink and a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar for under £3. Other places do similar deals, but imo the ones from Boots are the best quality/overall value for money.
Enjoy your trip!
May 8th, 2005, 05:22 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May 8th, 2005, 05:49 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi fooster,
If I were doing this, I would fly into London -5 days, fly to Florence 4 daysm train to Venice 4 days and fly home from there.
You can also fly London/Venice and home from Florence.
See www.whichbudget.com
Save Rome for its own visit next time.
Have a nice trip.
If I were doing this, I would fly into London -5 days, fly to Florence 4 daysm train to Venice 4 days and fly home from there.
You can also fly London/Venice and home from Florence.
See www.whichbudget.com
Save Rome for its own visit next time.
Have a nice trip.
May 8th, 2005, 06:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I read above that travel sized toiletries were suggested. If you have a Container Store or other store that specializes in travel, I would advise picking up some of the Nalgene bottles. They are a little pricier than other small bottles, but they are leak proof. I think I paid between .60 - $1 per bottle. I write on the top of them in a permanent marker of what is inside.
Echoing what others have said, be sure to have your shoes well broken in before departure. I like to wear something with socks at the airport since they almost always have me remove my shoes for x-ray.
Do you have a pouch that goes under your clothing for your passport and credit cards? To me, that is a must have item.
Echoing what others have said, be sure to have your shoes well broken in before departure. I like to wear something with socks at the airport since they almost always have me remove my shoes for x-ray.
Do you have a pouch that goes under your clothing for your passport and credit cards? To me, that is a must have item.
May 8th, 2005, 10:25 AM
#8
My packing method is to start a month ahead, and gather clothes I'd want to take in a separate place. Definitely have 2 pair of comfortable and not brand new shoes. 7 "tops" and 4 "bottoms", a jacket or sweater, plus something to sleep in. Reasonable amount of underwear and socks and do laundry once mid-trip.
Downsizing any toiletries and cosmetics is a must. Shampoo deodorant etc. for just 14 days isn't much at all.
Most important IMO is getting organized for your paperwork... passport, methods to get money, plane tickets or confirmation codes, etc. Also anything prescription you need... glasses, medications.
You can always buy a clean pair of socks or new t-shirt along the way. That's how I sort out my priorities... what you could not replace in Europe, and what you easily can.
Downsizing any toiletries and cosmetics is a must. Shampoo deodorant etc. for just 14 days isn't much at all.
Most important IMO is getting organized for your paperwork... passport, methods to get money, plane tickets or confirmation codes, etc. Also anything prescription you need... glasses, medications.
You can always buy a clean pair of socks or new t-shirt along the way. That's how I sort out my priorities... what you could not replace in Europe, and what you easily can.
May 8th, 2005, 10:30 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
suze, can I hire you to pack for me on my next trip? You are one well organized lady! I have used your previous tips to great advantage, but still hate to pack. So many choices and so little time!
May 8th, 2005, 10:47 AM
#10
Ah shucks- thanks Degas. Funny thing is, while I am a hyper-organized packer, I don't plan my trips at all (I believe we have discussed my non-use of guidebooks in the past). Never made an "itinerary" in my life. Buy a plane ticket, make hotel reservations, obsess over packing, then get on the plane. That's my true secret method for successful travel.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WonderShay
Europe
31
Jun 5th, 2004 07:45 AM
