Thank goodness I brought that on my trip to Europe!
 

Amusing to read all the Q&A on what to wear in Europe. When I went to Paris, I fully intended in 10 days to see as much as I could so I ignored the 2-3 pairs of shoes advice,brought 4 pair, used each to the fullest! What a relief for my feet after all that pavement/museum walking! I read another post about disagreement on robes. Well, another luxury I love having in my travels since not all hotels provide is a silk robe that I use for lounging in my room after a great day out or a break in the day - good for modesty when room service is ordered, and it's lighweight and barely takes up room in my luggage. My favorite - a simple black long sleeve pullover cotton/lycra dress from Patagonia that looks great in town day or night and is fantastic on long plane rides - no binding/pinching as you sit for such long periods. Sorry men, this post obviously was for the ladies. Would be interesting to know what others-men and women- found they were so happy to have with them once they were actually IN Europe?

Actually, a box of kleenex. We rented a flat, and it didn't have tissues. I know we could have bought a box at the grocery store, but it was sure nice to just pull our box of nice soft ones out of the luggage.

Duct tape; Swiss Army knife (or equivalent); zip lock bags; disposable face cloths; dental floss

An ATM Card!

DUCT TAPE? What, are you planning to take someone hostage?

A small coin purse. Easier access to make correct change (which seems to be appreciated more in Europe) and for churches that have small chapels, etc. that need coins for the lights.

I was glad I brought my fun jewelry. I left the real stuff at home and brought several pairs of casual dangly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. It took up no space and added no weight.

It took the boredom factor out of wearing the very limited wardrobe that I had packed. A change of earrings, a different necklace and a bright beaded bracelet changed the same outfit into an enirely different look. That and a different shade of lipstick!

My husband. :)

Ok, honestly, gel bandaids for those blisters when they start. That way, you don't have to hunt down a pharmacy.

The universal European word for 'gel bandaid' is Compeed. Understood in every chemist and pharmacy from Kiruna to Odessa.

But for prevention rather than cure - anti-blister socks. No-one contempating serious pavement-bashing should go out without them.

flanneruk -

Where do you find anti-blister socks? I must get myself a pair. Thank you, also, for the info about "Compeed."

I agree with Singletail on the same items (duct tape, Swiss army knife, dental floss, etc) but I also do not travel without a small flashlight and fingernail clippers.

We have used duct tape for all kinds of necessities, from repairing a suitcase to treating a sprained ankle. Happy travels. Peace

Robyn

Aside from the items mentioned above, I packed an Aqui. This is a super absorbant towel. I used it every day for my hair.
I also packed a nice large wool scarf. It was great for the plane and also on cooler nights.

Washclothes and zip lock bags. Both proved indispensible. Through 3-4 washclothes in your suitcase. Keep one in your daybad for drippy snacks (or handiwipes) and when they've been used enough through them in the zip lock if they are still damp (or bring old ones and pitch along the way. Zip locks were great for snacks and tons of other stuff.

Binoculars for getting a good look at paintings, statutes, mosaics, stained glass windows, etc. that are four stories up from the ground where we are standing.

artstuff:

Anti-blister socks are at every outdoors shop (though oddly, these seem to be much more a feature of most British High Streets than of US malls).

And Marks + Spencer stocks a wide range of rather more tasteful ones than your average Rock+Snow or YHA Adventure Shop.

.....single day use contact lens! A
joy to throw away after a day's use
and taking almost no space in my
luggage.

Pain pills such as Tylenol- Codeine or something similar. I sprained my back when I was in Rome in December. It was practically impossible to get a prescription for them. The emergency room wouldn't prescribe them, and I finally got some from a private doctor. Then after four days of pain, as soon as I began taking pain pills, I finally started improving.

small flashlight

pocketknife with assorted tools (see my post about dismantling a lock to rescue my bag on the "most memorable" thread)

journal to write in

I also travel with duct or strapping tape ever since my suitcase zipper burst on a return trip. Fortunately, I was staying in a friend's apartment and was able to use her tape to strap the suitcase shut. But I now take no chances, and the roll goes with me.

I didn't want to bring a washcloth mainly because I knew it would not have sufficient time to dry and didn't want to have it in a ziploc either... so, I used my Pond's facial cleaning clothes. They were perfect, because after my shower I would just throw it away.

Several pair of shoes and sandals, a silk robe is nice, and anything prescription (medications, eye glasses). More than one way to access money & passport w/ extra copy. Other things I figure I can pick up along the way (kleenex, bandaids, etc.)