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Packing - Probably the world's dumbest question....

Packing - Probably the world's dumbest question....

Old Apr 1st, 2010, 10:01 PM
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Packing - Probably the world's dumbest question....

The where is decided - thanks to you helpful folks. We are heading to Italy and Germany in July! I haven't been to Europe in a number of years and I'm stumped as to what to pack. I know we'll be moving around a bit (Rome to the beach of Italy, to Berlin) Do we have to dress up for dinner? Do we have to dress up for anything? What are the "can't forget" items? Is there a type of converter that's better than another? I feel like this is something I should have a better grip on, but I'm confused. I've searched this forum and haven't found this issue addressed well. Thanks so much for your help.
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Old Apr 1st, 2010, 10:49 PM
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It's hard to believe that you haven't found packing advice on this forum since there are hundreds of threads about packing and even an entire packing section under the Travel Tips forum. Do you travel at home? You would bring about the same type of things to Europe that you would bring for domestic travel.

>

It depends on what type of restaurant you'll be dining at. If you do not plan on eating at a fancy resto then wear your normal sightseeing clothes. You might want to dress up an outfit with a scarf. If you'll be dining at fancy restos where jackets/ties are required for men then you'll need to dress up.

>

We don't know where you are going but I would say that the opera on a Saturday night would require a dressy outfit. but that's me. I'm sure you could also wear jeans.

>

I think converters are pretty much the same today. You won't need a converter for laptop, blackberry, etc as the voltage converter is built into the power cord (take a look at the rectangle box on your power cord for voltage info). As has been stated many times on this forum, hair dryers, flat irons, etc. do not work well with voltage conversion - I wouldn't know since I don't use a hair dryer. You will need AC plug adapters for the wall outlets. Any brand will do - Europe adapters for Italy and Germany.

>

I think this depends on your age and your needs. I will now never travel w/o immodium, lactaid, pepto, etc. And I now need eyeglasses. If you're going to the beach you'll need a bathing suit or shorts. You can see my packing list at this site:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzexip89/id37.html
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Old Apr 1st, 2010, 11:10 PM
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Since I don't know the starting point of you "dressing up," a potential problem area can be visiting cathedrals that enforce dress code.

The Saint Peter's is one such place:

http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/P...essCode-JG.jpg
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 01:22 AM
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Dress codes for churches and the like boil down to covering shoulders, knees and torso

So wearing a bikini would be a bit of a no-no.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 02:39 AM
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Bear in mind that in Southern Germany and certainly in Italy, the weather in July will be pretty warm, so pack accordingly.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 03:09 AM
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The minimum essentials:

Rain gear - umbrella and/or lightweight rain jacket. You probably won't need it in Italy but very likely in Germany. Never travel without in these parts of the world, no matter which season.

One warm sweater (I prefer fleece - lightweight and easy to wash). Sweater plus rain jacket will help you to survive the chilliest and rainiest summer days and nights. Something like 15°C is very well possible in the German summer.

One set of better/dressy/evening outfit, best something lightweight that does not crumble and does not need ironing. You never know what options you discover during the trip.

Your most comfortable shoes - one pair of closed shoes that can be worn on rainy days or rough terrain plus one pair of sandals/open summer shoes should be minimum. If you have a pair that is comfortable and goes with your evening outfit, the better.

One pair of jeans/long slacks, whatever you prefer wearing. Some people are totally against jeans for travelling because they are rather heavy and take a while to dry, but I like wearing them, so I always take at least one pair.

Otherwise, summer clothes, and a tube of washing detergent (which you can just as well buy in Europe, though). By washing clothes in the bathroom sink you can reduce your luggage notably.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 03:58 AM
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I do similar trips each summer - one place hot (like Italy) and one that can be cooler (like Germany).

I bring several skirts (look better than shorts, especially for cities but work just as well for beach towns, etc) and short sleeve or tank tops. Very light weight stuff and therefore also possible to hand wash if you run out of stuff, or your favorites get dirty.

Two pair light weight cotton slacks, that can be rolled up to be capri style. Work for slightly cooler evenings, etc. The fact that you can wear them rolled up or down makes them even more versatile. PLUS I bring my silk long johns. In cold rainy Germnay I wore them under the cotton slacks and they were as warm as a pair of jeans but much easier to pack, plus the cotton slack alone were not too hot for the nicer weather. The silk long johns take up almost no room in the suitcase.

Two light weight sweaters that can be layered. One is usually enough for evenings in Italy, but in Germany when it got colder I could wear both of them, which was the equivalent of a heavier sweater/fleece/sweatshirt which would have been useless in Italy.

A thin windbreaker/rain jacket - unfortunately you might need this in Germany.

A couple of summer scarves - useful to carry in your bag to cover shoulders in Italian churches, but also wrapped around you neck for warmth in cool rainy Germany (we loved Germany, but it did get cool and rainy several days, as it did in Denmark, Scotland, Prague and all the other Northern Europe destinations I've been to on numerous summers).
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 04:09 AM
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Are you using any budget airlines during your trip? If so, check the weight requirements listed on their websites.

If you are traveling as a family and don't expect to be going to Michelin-restaurants, you hardly need the wardrobes being described above for Europe in the summer. Pack to be nicely but dressed to stay cool, especially for italy. Bring things that are easy to dry if you spill something on them (jeans are heavy and not great for travel). Super lightweight athletic pants and broomstick-type skirts are great. Bring a pair of leggings to warm them up in case it gets cool.

Some thin-type of waterproof jacket. Land's End sells great cheap ones that fold up into nothing. Likewise, Land's end sells great fleece vests that will cover almost all summer cold snap situations or evenings on the beach and they are lightweight.

If you are really paranoid about chill, Winter Silks sells great long-sleeved undershirts or silk long johns that weigh nothing. If everybody packs one, you'll be fine for July.

You can buy umbrellas and scarves in Europe on just about any street corner if you need them.

If any of you wears glasses, bring your extra pair.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2010, 07:13 AM
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Thank you so much - continuing along the dumb question path...after I posted this I did another search and found far more on this forum than I had before - why it didn't pop up before, I don't know...probably to prompt me to actually ask a dumb question. But, the information in here is really valuable and now all in one place, so I'm glad I asked! Thanks again!
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