Shopping for trip to Paris...
 

I am going at the end of April. I am looking for some good basic items that travel well and hold up. Our trip is about two weeks, first Dublin (an awards trip) and then we are extending on to Paris with a side trip for two nights to Normandy. As you see, doesn't sound like there will be much time to do laundry and our small Paris boutique hotel probably does not have service.

I love jeans and plan to take those. And some tshirts and blazers. Are there any pieces that you can't live without when you travel. Any tips for packing, any items you must have with you on the plane, in the hotel room.

Someone recommended taking my own soap, and of course a travel clock. Comfy good walking shoes, things that don't wrinkle. And a friend told me "go black" for Paris.

I am planning layers, and buying a lightweight black trench and a few other cotton basics from Eddie Bauer. But any travel items you can't travel without could really help us shop and pack. Thanks in advance...

Many hotels in France do not provide washcloths, so I always bring my own.

First congratulations on redeeming the Dublin awards trip!

Black is popular in Paris, yes. But you can wear whatever color you want.

I'm sure that at your Parisian boutique hotel there will be no need for you to bring your own soap. I assume the same would be true for your Dublin hotel. The only time I would think of taking my own soap is if I stayed in either a hostel or a 1* hotel.

I always bring a bar of soap because the ones in hotels are small.
A few dressier tops for your jeans will take you to most casual dining places
At this tim of year, I bring cashmere sweaters for the warmth and I go everywhere wearing them, jeans and a few knit and crushed velvet skirts-all don't wrinkle.
Congratulations on your award, may we ask for what?

My "must have" travel item is a purse that I bought at the Gap a few years back. It's made of a fairly lightweight nylon and easily holds my wallet, a bottle of water, map, sunglasses and a book or camera. It has a long, thick strap and I can comfortably wear it strapped across my chest, rather than just on my shoulder. I wouldn't travel without it. Beyond that, no matter what time of year I travel, I seem to wear my jean jacket almost all the time, along with an assortment of scarves. I also like to bring several cardigans which are easy to layer. Jeans, khakis and a pair of nice black pants round out my travel wardrobe. I've lucked out in Paris in the rain department, but I also bring a knee-length rain coat with me.

I wore cashmere sweaters under my raincoat early last May for Paris and Normandy; I especially got a lot of use out of the sporty (a bit oversized) black cardigan that I wore over t-necks, etc. I got it from J.Jill catalogue.

I actually wore gloves in Normandy, esp. on the beach tour.

I've always received good sized soaps, usually the round types that lasted a long time. Well, no matter, bring your own if you feel the need to.

Wow, thanks all. This is great. I will tell hubby that the Fodorites tell me I must buy some cashmere for our trip. Think he will go for that? LOL.

These are all great things to think about.

Awards for making 100% plus of sales quota. He sells for a major tech company and they offer wonderful incentives to their employees. Must confess, most of our "wow" trips have been these awards trips for the past 20 years. Gotta love them.

Grandmere, gloves you mean bc it was so cold in Normandy in May? Haven't planned on cold, thinking cool. But could be cold there by the sea? We are staying in Bayeux so maybe I need to pack a little warmer than short sleeved t's and jeans and a cotton lightweight jacket?

You guys are great.

Heavens, I find disposable washcloths (the ones with soap already in) useful for travel. You can find them at Walmart and similar places; look for facial washcloths. Another must item for me is a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

Indygirl2, I wonder if you and I have the identical Gap handbag. Mine is black microfiber. It has thousands of miles on it and I think its size is just right. It is really showing its age and I've finally bought a new bag which I hope will do the job.

End of April - it's going to be chilly with occasional drizzle in all those places. I advise you to dress in 'layers'.

Check the 'averages' stats on weather.com
Dublin 40-53*F
Paris 42-57*F

I'd throw in some lightweight silk underwear. That would give you a lot more flexibility. You can pack for cool weather but not freeze if you get unlucky.

www.Wintersilks.com should be having a good sale by now.

You also mentioned wrinkles. I find pants and tops with a little spandex travel beautifully.

Hi Heavens:

We'll be in Normandy beginning of May and then Paris. From tracking temps last year here is what I found:

Normandy temps were low40's-high50's, occassional rain showers, 10-20 mph winds on coastline, clear/sunny days,
cool & warmer days.

Paris temps low50's-high70's with passing rain shower, clear/sunny days, cool & warm days.

So it's definitely a mixed blend of weather just like your wardrobe will be.

MY PACK LIST:
3/4 length black rainjacket with detachable hood.

umbrella.

crushable hat/gloves/scarf.

waterproof walking shoes(Munros,Eccos,
NewBalance).

black evening low pump shoes(Munros,Clarks).

black microfiber cotton blazer.

black cashmere cardigan.

colored cardigan.

lightweight silk black underwear of capri bottoms & Tneck top.

3 LS tops (1) is a colored blouse.

3 SL tops (2) solid & (1) nonsolid colored.

2 silk camisoles/sleevless tshirts.

2 pr slacks, black & black/gray, mixed blend cotton microfiber/spandex/lyrca.

1 pr black jeans, mixed blend cotton/spandex/lyrca.

1 black 3/4 length skirt, cotton microfiber.

Neck scarf, costume jewelry, silk pjs/robe, silk lingerie.

Lightweight & midweight stockings.

Pantyhose.

Washcloth, washbuff, liquid bodywash,
minimum cosmetics & facial routine,
*travel or mini size toiltries-try to share with spouse and buy what you need as go along, *adapter/converter if needed for electronics,
*clothesline/travelwash/microfiber towel/sink stopper to wash out some things at night AND/OR drop off at launderette, travel alarm.

Check lodging to see if you'll need to bring travel hairdryer.

Whatever you forget or need just buy it there.

Have a great trip!

Well, Heavens, Normandy in May (we were there from the 9-14) last year was not cold as in January-in-Pittsburgh-cold but at night and during D Day Beach tour, it was cooler than cool; it was very windy with some rain. I would not have been warm enough with short sleeved tee and light cotton jacket. I would at least take a couple t-necks of some kind.
Paris was cool, but we all wore our jackets/raincoats everyday.

I've forgotten; where are you from? Your frame of reference for cool/cold could influence how you would describe the weather. If you're from the south, I think you'd call what we experienced in Normandy " cold"!

I'm sure it will all work out well; just add something long-sleeved to your layering plan.

Well, we are from the desert in So Cal, so yes, our frame of reference is a little different. And I am often cold in damp weather, since we are so used to dry. So thanks for the weather heads up.

And the packing list. Big help. I will for sure rethink my shopping plans. And invest in some silk underthings, just to be prepared. I hate shivering and the Dday tour is a long day.

Thanks again all. Any other tips for packing to make my trip the absolute best ever???

After freezing in London and Ireland in April several years ago (I had a long microfiber raincoat and a cotton sweater, which turned out to be useless) I bring a cashmere cardigan on every trip no matter the time of year. Soft, warm and lightweight. It's the one item that I've used on every trip since.

I also take a pashmina to use as a scarf or stole. Again, it's a lightweight item and convenient when it gets chilly on the plane or in the hotel. It's something you might also use on the windy cliffs in Normandy.

A few colorful scarves and at least one colored top to brighten the black clothing. You'll see color in Paris, especially in spring.

I've only had to buy soap once in Paris when the soap in the hotel was tiny. Pharmacies sell an array of scented soaps if you should need to purchase. And there's always luscious soap at L'Occitane.

I bring a couple of washcloths that are nearing the end and toss them out when I leave. I've bought the waffled cotton wash mitts in Paris in a variety of colors and use them as gifts along with bars of scented soap. I use them more at home than the American style.

Essential: Swiss Army knife with a corkscrew. I've used it to cut off threads that suddenly unraveled on my clothes, slice fruit, bread and cheese, and of course, to open half bottles of wine that I buy at Nicolas to drink in my room.

I wish I were going to Dublin and Paris in April. Have a great trip.

Thanks Luisa, for the advice. Hope you don't try to take that Swiss army knife on the plane. Yikes. But good tip.

Yes, I am getting the word that these places are a lot chillier than I would have thought. Will work on this.

Where can on buy cashmere this time of year?

And has anyone found the perfect travel purse? Not a style from four years ago, I mean one I can buy now? Now they make the handles so darn short and many of the tops don't zip.

I like fall and spring travel (frankly I hate the heat). I am on my third black 3/4 length jacket with a zip-in lining. I waterproof it with spray waterproofing. There have been many times in April when I've worn the jacket during the day without the lining, but zipped it in to go back out for dinner. A pair of black leather gloves fit nicely in the bottom of my suitcase and a small, flat, collapsible umbrella. Better be safe than sorry.

That said, a few years ago, I was on the train to Venice from Florence. We were looking out the window wondering what kind of "pollen" was falling. Turned out Venice was having an freak April blizzard. Was 22 degrees when we got off the train. Luckily I had the lining in my jacket, but I still had to pick up a fleece top to layer underneath. Bought it at the souvenier shop at the train station. Sun came out when I got to San Marco piazza! Was a great day despite the weather.

Hi Heavens,
I have 2 Kipling over-the-shoulder/across-the-shoulder bags that I LOVE for travelling.

The only differ in size, but they're both lightweight and fit SO much more than they seem to.
(Remember Felix the Cat and all the stuff he could pull out of his "bag of tricks"?--That's what I feel like when I have these bags!)

Go to Kipling.com, then click on BASIC and then SHOULDER BAGS. They have a bunch to choose from. Also, note that I think the measurements are in cm not inches.

Good luck!
Dina

Nice bag dina, what color did you get ?

Here's a bag that looks nice to me for travel. I like having one that I can wear across my body during the day,

http://tinyurl.com/oyjhb

I usually take another small, dressier bag to carry in the evening.