I'm leaving for Spain on Thursday and I have a basic checklist, but I would love to see other checklists or to hear suggestions of things that are helpful to bring that I might not otherwise think of. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Meg, <BR>There was a posting sometime ago where the poster asked what to bring on a European trip. It prompted a horrendous number of responses. You might do a search under "General interest". If memory serves, if the traveler followed all the advice given, he'd end up loading a railroad box car and shipping it by freighter to accommodate all the suggestions ranging from Swiss knives and clothes lines to faceclothes, plastic bags, sewing kits, bars of soap, money belts, fanny packs, shoelaces. I was amazed no one suggested mosquito netting to fend off the flies of Venice.

Meg, Here are some tips that may help. <BR>The list is good for any part of Europe. <BR>BOB'S BLURBS:GOOD STUFF FOR EUROPEAN TRAVEL <BR>MONEY MATTERS: Use your credit card for everything. It gives you a record later, <BR> and offers the best exchange, based on the current bank rates. <BR> Get your daily cash at the local ATM machine--they are everywhere. <BR> Make sure your card has the CIRRUS or PLUS network, and use a 4 <BR> digit numeric PIN code. The menus will give you an English option. <BR> Take a small amount in TRAVELERS CHECKS as back-up only. <BR> <BR>CARS & DRIVERS: Try to get your rental car in Germany, France or Switzerland. The <BR> prices in Italy are very high, but be aware of drop-off charges if you <BR> do not return it to the same country. Best prices are for compact cars <BR> with manual transmission. Do not assume your credit card will cover <BR> the CDW insurance. It may, but check it out for the specific country. <BR> Stay out of the left lane unless passing. The big boys may be driving <BR> 120 MPH behind you and will run you down. Use your turn blinkers. <BR> Most of Europe has good signage on the highways. Learn to trust <BR> the signs that say " TO SIENA", the road numbers may confuse you. <BR> <BR>PACKING: The rule is; "you can only pack what YOU can tote for 2 blocks". <BR> Plan to take only 2 bags. A major one with wheels that you will <BR> check on the plane, and a carry-on that should hold the KEY items <BR> that you MUST have with you. Assume you have to live from it for <BR> two days---medicines, toiletries, travel documents, camera, etc. <BR> Also pack a canvas tote bag to hold the goodies you buy in Europe. <BR> Bring your own wash cloths, and some liquid soap. <BR> <BR>HOW TO DRESS: Europeans dress less casually than most Americans. Do not dress <BR> to stand out as a tourist. Plan your outfits around basic colors, and <BR> do not be afraid to wear the same outfit for 3 days[not underwear]. <BR> Do not try to make a fashion statement---pack for practicality. <BR> Pack like items[socks, underwear] in seperate plastic bags for easy <BR> access. Carry a laundry bag----it will tend to grow as you travel. <BR> Your most important items will be a GOOD pair of walking shoes, <BR> a rain coat, a hat for bad hair days, and a secure fanny pack. <BR> <BR>TRAVEL TOOLS: Your most valuable asset is a good map. I like the Michelin 400 <BR> series for the primary area of your trip. A good guide book is a must. <BR> The Michelin Green book is great to carry as you travel, but you may <BR> also want a more comprehensive one for background before the trip. <BR> Be sure to take these basic travel tools---you will probably need them: <BR> * swiss army knife/corkscrew * currency calculator <BR> * adaptor plugs/round outlets * extra camera battery <BR> * copies of travel documents * extra reading glasses <BR> <BR>

I am assuming you have access to Microsoft Works. Under the works wizard, if you go to User Defined Templates, and scroll down to Travel Packing List, it might help you jog your memory on what to take. Take a small folding umbrella, and those extra zip plastic bags...Don't take too much, and make sure things work together in clothing. We have gotten our packing down considerably....remember the people you see won't remember what you had on yesterday. Good old basic black separates works well. Anyway, have a delightful trip. Hope you are going to Barcelona. Oh, what not to take....anything that makes you stand out and look like an American....new white jogging shoes, baseball caps, and sweatshirts that say I love NY, etc. I once read that the sign of a tourist in Spain was one that did not wear leather shoes!

I am assuming you have access to Microsoft Works. Under the works wizard, if you go to User Defined Templates, and scroll down to Travel Packing List, it might help you jog your memory on what to take. Take a small folding umbrella, and those extra zip plastic bags...Don't take too much, and make sure things work together in clothing. We have gotten our packing down considerably....remember the people you see won't remember what you had on yesterday. Good old basic black separates works well. Anyway, have a delightful trip. Hope you are going to Barcelona. Oh, what not to take....anything that makes you stand out and look like an American....new white jogging shoes, baseball caps, and sweatshirts that say I love NY, etc. I once read that the sign of a tourist in Spain was one that did not wear leather shoes!

Hi Meg, this is mine, such as it is. <BR>Note that of course not all items apply to every trip, and the shorter the trip the less I take. <BR>Good luck <BR> <BR>Master pack list <BR>nightgown <BR>robe (?) <BR>underwear <BR>pants 1 plus top plus socks plus shoes (wear to travel) <BR>pants 2 plus top plus socks <BR>pants 3 " <BR>skirt 1 plus stockings plus shoes plus slip <BR>skirt 2 " " <BR>dress 1 plus slip, dressy shoes <BR>extra socks <BR>extra blouses/tops <BR>blazer/cardigan sweater/shawl for the above <BR>silk scarf, necklaces,earrings for the above <BR>belts for the above <BR>handbag <BR>outer wear (raincoat or warmer) <BR>bathing suit, flip flops,cover up sunscreen gloves umbrella converter plus plugs guidebook,maps glasses w/case wash n dries <BR>shampoo, conditioner <BR>deodorant <BR>makeup <BR>lotions <BR>tissues <BR>photocopy of passport <BR>contact lens case,lens,solutions razor sunglasses travel alarm ` toothbrush toothpaste floss walkman, earphones, tapes book to read travel wallet with currency,credit card, atm card,calling card,list of addresses (for postcards),tickets, passes <BR>passport <BR>perfume (travel size) camera, film <BR>jeans,shoes,socks,tops,sweatshirt, sneakers for hiking <BR>combs, brushes <BR>mousse for hair <BR>hair dryer/check with hotel <BR>advil/tylenol something for a headache <BR>bandaids for cuts and blisters <BR>

Hi sorry about the formatting on the above, it all melded together when I copied it from my files. <BR>The gloves don't really go with the sunscreen. <BR> <BR>I forgot to mention that the handbag I take on my trip is a roomy totebag that also serves as my carryon for the plane. While traveling, my wallet, guidebook,maps,and the other things that I walk around with <BR>are in the totebag. If I need it I take a small clutch bag for dressier evenings. <BR>

oops, I inadvertently left off <BR>Pen and pad/small notebook <BR>the afore-mentioned corkscrew <BR>a few paper plates/plastic utensils for picnic <BR>