I live in Southern California and am used to warm, dry weather. I barely ever wear a coat!<BR><BR>Hubby and I are going to Prague for a week over New Year's and would like to know the most helpful clothing items to bring.<BR><BR>Do you recommend thermals under pants and such? Or is that overkill. Cold for me is in the 40's. I know Prague will be in the 30's. I'm just not sure if that 10 degrees will make a difference. I've only been in cold weather 2-3 times in my life.<BR><BR>Thanks for any help.

Reporting in from Northern CA, Lynn. Yes! Take thermals--you'll be so glad you did. Also take warm gloves, a scarf to tuck in at the collar of your coat, a turtleneck shirt, and a woolly hat. Think layers: your thermals, a turtleneck, a long-sleeve shirt, a sweater and a jacket. You can take off layers if it should be warm. This advice is based on a December trip to London and a fall trip to Germany.

Hi,<BR><BR>I was in Prague over the New Year holidays, but I'm from Boston. It was in the 30s, as you said, and it was cloudy. We did nave one wonderful sunny day. I took wool slacks,a long wool skirt, turtle necks, and sweaters. Cashmere sweaters are great because they are thin and warm, plus I assume that Southern California people can use cashmere sweaters. I would not recommend jeans as they are not warm. I wore ecco short top boots with socks or knee highs. I only took one coat and it was fur, but you will be fine with a parka or wool coat. I like long coats because they keep your legs and backside warm. Do not forget a hat to keep the ears warm and gloves. You will not need thermal underwear if you have wool slacks. It you wear jeans, then thermal is a good idea. This is hard if you do not own any of these clothes already and you will not need them again. The good part is you will always have on your coat, therefore you do not need a lot of different outfits. Have a great time.

thanks!<BR><BR>I have a long black coat that a friend gave me. She was a flight attendent who worked the europe route so I think it'll be good enough. I'll check if it's wool. I'm not sure.<BR><BR>I was wondering if those microfiber tights would work instead of thermals? Do you guys have any thoughts about that? I was thinking they are more hugging and would take up less room in the luggage.<BR><BR>Thanks again.

lynn - by thermals, most people mean silk long underwear. Not heavy "long Johns" type things. They are light, and take up almost no room in your luggage. Plus the better brands are finished nice enough to wear the top as a blouse in the eveninf under a jacket or shawl.

In practical terms, microfiber tights will be just as good for 30 degrees as would silk undies or wool pants, both of which would be impractical investments for a one-week trip.<BR><BR>For outerwear, I'd recommend a layer of fleece, ideally Polarfleece, which can be gotten for $30 or 40, topped with a layer that's wind- and water-proof. This combination is cozy, lightweight, and flexible for a wide range of temperatures. Hat, gloves, warm socks, and something to keep your neck warm (scarf, turtleneck, etc.) are also vital.

Silk underwear! Very warm, but thin so it doesn't feel bulky under your clothes. And they are lightweight and take up very little room in the suitcase. I like the camisoles and the capri-length pants - don't show at the hem of your pants - from LL Bean. Wintersilks has a top with 3/4 length sleeves which is also nice since it doesn't show at the wrists. They don't cost that much and you will use them again on future trips - maybe even in So. Cal. on a unusually coolish day. Have a great trip!

Hi Lynn,<BR>You have gotten some good advice! I just have a couple of addtions. Make sure that you dress in layers. Eastern Europe is famous for overheating the interiors. When we lived in Budapest, I always wore a sweater over a short sleeve top, just in case I had to cool off!<BR><BR>Also, bring boots. The ecco suggestion is a good one. Rubber, preferably with tread, is a necessity on the bottom. You may have ice and/or snow. If the boots are lined, all the better. My cold points are always the toes and fingers. Bring gloves. I like leather lined with cashmere or polartec b/c you can get cash out etc. If you don't have some, bring what you have and buy them there! One last thing, I HATE hats but love my ear muffs. I find that with weather in the 25-35 range, they are sufficient.<BR>Enjoy!<BR>Jan

Lynn,<BR>I took my daughters to Vienna for New Years a couple of years ago and it was very cold and often windy...20 degress F. during the day. The best things I took were LL Bean gortex lined boots with nice thick soles, long warm coat, hat & gloves. Ditto on the layers - it is very warm inside the restaurants.

Wouldn't go anywhere in winter without FLEECE (polartec or something like it). Get something thin and lightweight that can be layered as previous poster said. I can't imagine needing to be any warmer than a cashmere sweater (T or crew neck), fleece cardigan, and winter coat. <BR><BR>When I was in Berlin in January (brrrr at the very memory) it was my toes that suffered the most, even in lined boots. I wished that I had some cashmere socks.<BR><BR>Also, either a large-ish scarf or 2 scarves are best -- 1 for inside your coat collar, and 1 to muffle up outside your coat (if large enough, also handy to pull over your head, face, ears, in bitter wind).<BR><BR>Man, just writing this has made me decide I'm going to Mexico for Christmas.

Definitely go with long underwear if you don't normally need cold-weather clothing in your wardrobe. A good set of thin silk or synthetic long underwear will last a very long time for you, and they never go out of style.<BR>Combine the longies with your regular "winter" clothing, and you should be fine with that and a hooded coat and gloves. I usually wear an all-weather coat with a zip-out liner when travelling, for dual-duty. If you are like most of the southern Californians I've known, dampness will bother you more than the actual cold. <BR><BR>REI also has a very nice selection of longies, as does Land's End. I've also often found them in stores like Marshall's and TJMaxx, where you can get a pair of silks for about $20. (They usually don't have the men's sizes, though.)

I absolutely agree with everyone! (except HiHo- sorry!). I spent NYE in Pais last year and it was in the 30's. I bought a few pair of silk longjohns and they are the best. You can layer them with a turtleneck and then a sweater over. I used micro tights under my pants and wish I would have gotten the silk bottoms. Nordstrom carries really nice ones. Lines gloves (cashmere is best), I also took 2 pairs of Ecco boots- they were great! Threw in a Dr. Scholl's padded insert for even more comfort. Big scarf to wrap around my head, neck, face for when it was windy. Hat that covered my ears. <BR><BR>Also I put all those bulky sweaters in plastic zip lock bags which saved me lots of room when packing! <BR><BR>Have a great time!

I'll really try hard to find a deal on the silks. We usually travel to Southeast Asia during the winter so I'm just not sure how soon I'll use them again.<BR><BR>I'm printing this out for future reference.<BR><BR>Thanks again.

Lynn: Probably makes you wonder why you chose Prague in the winter......

That ten degrees will make a huge difference! I live in New England and it's a huge difference here! Microfibre tights are not warm. I'm with all those who recommend LL Bean silk underwear, especially the capri length for under slacks (skirts, too). It is NOT true that you do not need the silk underwear with wool slacks. Most wool slacks are lined with acetate or similar fabric which is ICE COLD against your skin when it's cold outside. Cuddleskins are also wonderful. Definitely bring warm footwear, a hat, gloves, scarf.

brrr-<BR><BR>Just looking to do something different. We've spent the last 3 years in Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore and I've been missing Europe. Haven't been since 1999.<BR><BR>We run our own business and nov/dec is the best time for us to be gone.<BR><BR>Donna -<BR><BR>I have several scarves and a microfiber jacket with a zipout liner. It's long. Goes down to mid-calf. I need a hat/ear muffs, gloves and the silkies. Saw some cashmere gloves at Off 5th for $20. Would those be warm enough? They didn't seem like much but then I know cashmere is known for being thin and warm. I also saw a pair of leather gloves with some type of fleece lining for $40. Which would you buy?<BR><BR>Thanks.

Leather gloves with cashmere or wool linings are best, silk-lined leather would be next best. Cashmere knit without leather exterior will not block wind or rain, so won't be much use on their own. Fleece gloves would be better.<BR><BR>I just bought a pretty cute polartec (fleece) hat from Lands End - it has a roll brim so that it looks a little more stylish than a ski-style hat. Is supposed to be water repellant, and squishes down to nothing for packing (or stuffing in a bag once you're indoors.)

I live in Minneapolis, so I know cold and how to dress for it. But, I also travelled to Paris last February where weather is probably similar to Prague's winter temperatures. I frequently thought I'd die of the heat when I went inside, so beware of that and don't over-dress. Layering is definitely the way to go. <BR><BR>I visited Prague in the summer and so know about distances but not winter temperatures. Walking along the Vlatava and over Charles Bridge will probably be the coldest times. It is a hike up to Castle Hill and you will warm up from the exercise. Personally I don't think distances for walking are that far in Prague, so don't dress as though you are going out on the Arctic tundra for a 12 hour stretch.<BR><BR>Here is what I found comfortable (both for outdoor walking and visiting the indoor sights) last winter in Paris. Slacks with silk longjohns. WATERPROOF light hikers (good for rain or snow) worn with some good hiking socks. SierraTradingPost.com is always a good cheaper source for lots of these things. A wooly hat and a long silk scarf to wrap around my neck several times. Gloves of course, but don't buy the super heavy lined ones. Be sure your coat isn't too heavy because it will be a pain to drag around all day when you are indoors. Actually, I didn't even take a winter coat. Instead I took an unlined microfiber raincoat and underneath I layered either a boiled wool jacket or a nubby textured man-made fabric blazer that is lined with a light polyester. Underneath I very rarely wore the turtlenecks I had brought because they trapped too much body heat in the over-heated buildings. Rather I wore lightweight crew-necked sweaters with a little silk scarf around my neck--looked dressy and provided just the right amount of warmth. With what I'm suggesting, you'll be warm outside and won't die of the heat inside. Plus, other than the hat and gloves, you should be able to use all the other items again in California. the silk longjohns make great pajama bottoms.