Dick Foster

What are some must do things to prepare for a five week trip to Europe? We will be in Spain, Italy, Germany and France. We know about passports, but what are other things to consider or take with us? <BR> <BR>Thanks - Dick

Richard

Dick, in order of importance: <BR>1.Money belt;2.copies of travel documents; passport, return tickets, car or rail voucher;3.money belt 4. Swiss army knife; 5. money belt; 6.ATM card and/or travelers checks (in local currency for Germany and France, not available in lira, don't know about Spain); 7. money belt. OK, you get the idea; also follow the old axiom, take half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need.

Lee

Dick: Although not a world traveler, I've been around the block. I usually take some cash, but not very much. If going for a week, for example, I may have $200.00. We usually take one credit card and one ATM card and never have a problem. I think it was Donna that mentioned to someone else to take along some Traveler's Checks as insurance and that is a good idea. You would be surprised, I think at how many places accept credit cards and when we book in advance, we check to make sure that they do. Right now, we're planning a May, '99 trip to Bavaria and I have booked four of the five hotels we need. I am my own travel agent. <BR> <BR>Money belts are used by many people of which I am not one. I don't carry a wallet in my back pocket, either. I have also never been robbed. Know where all your belongings are at all times as awareness is the key here. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip! <BR>

Wes Fowler

Dick, <BR>If you're using electrical appliances, don't forget an adaptor/converter for European outlets. Considering one of the postings here that went on at great length, consider face cloths as well! You can print out cheat sheets on currency conversion as well.

Donna

All of the above is excellent advice. I would elaborate, however, on the moneybelt. By moneybelt, we do not mean the leather version (similar to an ordinary belt) with a zipper compartment inside, but rather an under your clothing pouch. The former has been known to disappear in its entirety (even from a NYC cop). The latter is available in many versions. For the gents, there's a nifty version which loops over your belt and is worn between you and your slacks. Get fabric, not leather (too "sticky" and stiff). Another version is worn around your neck (under your clothing). All are large enough for your valuables and your passport. You should find a good selection at any store selling luggage. Take several photocopies of all documents (passport, airline tickets, etc.) and distribute them throughout your belongings. Much, much easier to replace if necessary. Not likely, but you never know. In the event you lose your passport, a couple of extra passport photos also greatly speed up getting a replacement. When out and about, take only what you need for the day with you and leave the rest in the safe at your hotel. I would caution you to protect yourself against pickpockets. Awareness is good, but tourists are highly distractable and no match for the pickpockets who are well practiced in their "art". Unseasoned travelers give themselves away with their body language (think "protecting"). However, they go only after what is easily accessible, so just make sure nothing valuable to you is. If you keep your valuables in your pouch, you'll be fine. If you are driving, I highly recommend obtaining good road maps (in the local language) and familiarizing yourself with them (especially road signs and driving regulations) ahead of time. Unless you are fluent in the local languages, you will want to bring along good phrase books. I like Barron's "At A Glance" the best. Unlike many, these provide phonetic pronunciations (if you pronounce French words American style, no one will understand you). Also included is lots of other useful information, along with comprehensive menu sections. Find a store near your hotel and buy a six-pack of water (you can store it in your mini-bar), or pick up a bottle on your way out each day. You'll be glad to have it along. Much more economical than picking it up later. I emphatically reiterate the advice to PACK LIGHT. Have everything you think you absolutely have to bring packed a few days ahead of time. Then, take it all on a one-mile walk. Seriously. One other thing, take twice the film you think you'll need (it's very expensive over there)and extra batteries.

wes fowler

Dick, <BR>Another thought. If you'll be driving, do get an International Driver's license. There have been a lot of pros and cons in this forum about it but if you are stopped for speeding, an accident or even a parking violation, in some countries the drivers license is confiscated; better to lose it than your regular one.

Bob Brown

A lot of what you take is a function of where you will be going. We took an alarm clock last summer as insurance that we did not oversleep when we had to catch an early flight. The electric converter is a real plus for hair dryers and shavers, unless you travel so much you buy European models. <BR> <BR>I found that having both a standard ATM card and a check card (debit card) issued with a VISA logo came in handy. <BR>In Switzerland, there were two occasions when the debit card worked and the standard ATM did not. The ATM was ok at big banking centers. <BR> <BR>Be sure that your checking account has the money for the trip. Other users posting on this theme have pointed out that from overseas you may well not be able to get at your savings account via an ATM card. Also, be sure you have your prescription drugs, particularly something like lomotil. (And if you have any narcotic type drugs, I suggest a letter from your physician.) If you are a photographer, take your film from here; it always seems more expensive in Europe. I always have a few US travelers checks as does my wife, so we each carry a list of the serial numbers; she has my list and I have hers. Once we needed cash, and the ATM machine was out of order, so we had to use the travelers checks to obtain cash. (We may over do this one, but the checks are good when we get home.) And being a pessimist, we carry different credit cards, just in case something goes wrong with one of them. Some posters have told stories of banks shutting them off because of unusual transactions. So you might let your credit card institution know to expect many European charges in a short period of time. <BR> <BR>Also make sure that you have a little laundry soap for washing out stuff. <BR>And, yes take a wash cloth. For Italy, I suggest an immersion heater for boiling the drinking water, even for tooth brushing. (or a filter like one used by backpackers) It isn't only a question of the purity of the water, it is the awful taste and heavy chemical treatment that causes me to want to boil it or filter it. <BR>Depending on when you are going, I also suggest sun glasses and sun screen. <BR>And, have a list of phone numbers for your credit card center, etc, just in case the worst case materializes and you lose it or have it stolen. <BR> <BR>Perhaps another contributor will comment on this one, but some people have suggested taking a roll of bathroom tissue, just in case you hit a spot where there isn't any in a public facility and you have a sudden urge. <BR>Others have suggested a couple of clothes pins, and a few feet of string for improvising a clothes line. <BR>

Donna

The advice regarding your credit card, ATM/debit, numbers is excellent. You should also include on your list the telephone number of the issuing institution - and get their regular telephone numbers, as the 800 numbers will not work from overseas.

elaine

I always wear a pair of comfortable shoes and pack one pair that's more dressy. <BR> <BR>I always pack a foldable nylon totebag. <BR>It takes up little room in the suitcase but is handy if you need to hand-carry one of your treasures on the trip home. <BR> <BR>I second the motion on little packets of laundry soap. However, when packing keep in mind that Europe certainly has plenty of dry cleaners and laundries, and your hotels may even have such services. <BR> <BR>I also do not use money belts or such and have never been a crime victim. I don't carry one at home (I live in a very big city), and don't see the need to use one anywhere else. <BR> <BR>I always carry a few medicated bandaids in case of blisters. And a small corkscrew always goes with me ever since <BR>I was stuck without one. <BR> <BR>You will need the electric voltage converter unless your appliances are dual voltage. If you call ahead you can find out if your hotels have hairdryers <BR>so you might not need to bring one. <BR>But with or without the voltage converter, you must have the right plug <BR>adapters. <BR>elaine

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Bring packets of handi-wipes.

Al

First, check the Rick Steves web site. He offers a check list that is quite good. Second, when you put your list together, put it into your computer. My wife always does this. We have a hot climate check list and a cool climate check list. After we return, she goes over the list, adding or subtracting those things we found we needed and those things that were just deadweight.

Debbie

Don't forget-ziploc baggies,a couple of those white plastic garbage bags.swiss army knife(for those great chunks of cheese and bread),collapsible cup(great for taking a quick drink for pills,etc.) and a sink stopper as quite a few of the hotels do not have them in Europe.If you don't want to drag a washcloth around-we use a bath sponge(in ziploc) with a real size bar of soap. <BR>Have a super trip! <BR>

becky

I always bring a small, folding umbrella and a disposable plastic poncho ... just in case it rains. You can get the poncho at any travel supply store (i.e. Magellan's etc.) <BR> <BR>Definitely bring the plastic baggies - they are so handy! <BR> <BR>An ATM card is also handy. It may be hard in some countries to get a cash advance (through the ATM) from your Visa or Mastercard. <BR> <BR>Comfortable thick soled shoes are necessary if you plan to walk around a lot (Especially on those cobblestone streets!) <BR>

edie

this should be a no-brainer, but for ladies on birth control pills: <BR>....bring them in your carry on in case your luggage is lost.. <BR>and make sure your pack won't run out while you are away, if it does make sure you bring the extra pack. <BR> <BR>clearly this has happened to me, stupidly, so i felt the need to post it!

Donna

Someone else previously posted a list on one of the travel boards which included...as soon as you decide you're going, improve (preferably optimize) your aerobic condition. I highly recommend this. You'll do more walking that you can possibly imagine, and the better the condition you're in, the more stamina you'll have and the more you'll enjoy yourselves.

angel

Agree with the above! My latest addition for plane or car travel is a tiny travel-size of antibacterial gel. With so many people touching so many things, it's great to make a quick application to your hands. <BR>

helena

Focusing on the things you need to take care of at home, before a five week trip: <BR> <BR>Don't forget to stop your mail, arrange for a neighbor to pick up junk that would indicate you're not home, and keep an eye on your place. Ask them to park a car in your driveway (if you have one) or leave your own car parked outside during your trip. Also, get timers for the lights, figure out what to do with the Sunday paper, get someone to water plants, and wear your walking shoes before you leave. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family members, or at least a rough idea, including flight dates/numbers. Get a hotmail/yahoo email address so you can be in touch if you come across an internet cafe. Get a calling card if you don't already have one so that you can call home once in a while without local phone hassles. Organize addresses ahead of time -- put them in a tiny notebook or print them out on a little sheet of paper so that you can send back postcards from your destinations. Then, figure out how to get from your destination ariport to the first stop, and also how you're going to get home from the airport when you return ... <BR> <BR>and have a great time!

Lori

A yellow highligher and xerox copies (not the entire book) of things you want to see/do. Take a bunch of those small kleenix packages too - they come in very handy. Remember, Europe is very civilized - if you forget anything you can buy it there

steve

Has anyone mentioned a small printed list of Sprint/MCI/etc international numbers when you have to call home from Europe? And your Bank's "lost/stolen" credit card 1-800 number? I usually print them in small type on my PC, and make two copies - one for each of us. Our last trip, I even printed a list of hotels, with phone & fax numbers, where we'd be staying, so that relatives could contact us if the kids got sick or whatever. I'm a stickler for lighter-is-better, too. We never carry electrical stuff; too heavy. You can buy soap in Europe, if the hotels don't have it (doubtful). Lori's post about Xeroxing (and tossing) pages from your thick guide books is another suggestion you'll appreciate. Good luck!