tcreath

After many trips to Europe, the only things I really always make sure I pack are my compact umbrella, a battery-operated fan (I sleep better, and it doubles as a noise blocker!) and a travel alarm clock (many hotels don't provide a clock in the room). I can usually buy anything else that I forget when I'm there, so it isn't a problem.

Tracy

Intrepid1

These days I never travel without a small amount of duct tape and a Swiss Army Knife...they can be used for a lot of things, including repairs.

Mimar

Every time I leave home without my "sink-blocker" I regret it. This is basically a large flat piece of plastic that acts as a plug for any size drain hole. It's hard to wash things out in a sink if the water drains out immediately.

va_deG

sleep mask, ear plugs and a flashlight(or mini-LED)......dancer's leg-warmers for the winter. 39dollarglasses.com for back-up prescription glasses. children's chewable sudafed for non-drowsy allergy relief, thermacare, eye-glasses repair kit,personal saline eye drops.....packaged by the dozen. 'plano"(no prescription)glasses for contact-wearers in windy conditions.

murphy89

Good tooth floss. I forgot to bring it and it cost me 5Euros for it in France -5 Euros! That is about 9 dollar tooth floss in Canadian - Ouch!

murphy89

Also,

For some reason I didn't pack any of my favorite "usual" items. My purse for example. I've used the same purse for 10 years but didn't bring it to Europe with me becuase it wasn't travel sized. I didn't bring my usual face wash because it also wasn't travel sized. I failed to bring my favorite coat because I wanted to save space in my pack. One day away and I saw the error in this thinking. My backpack was still heavy and irritating, at the very least it could have been heavy and irritating with my favorite belongings for crying out loud.

Just a thought,

Cheers,

Murphy

nini

A tote bag that folds easily is very handy when staying at B&B's in the countryside so you can pull from your luggage just what you need for an overnight (or two) stay and simply take the tote bag to your room. We have stayed at very few B&B's where we had a first floor room and dragging luggage upstairs is a pain. This, of course, depends on the area you are staying in and you have no concern over leaving your luggage in the car.

annetti

Lots and lots of paperbacks.

L84SKY

For a car trip I'm always happy to pack a good audio book that my husband and I will both enjoy and some music.

wordteacher

Hello:
I would make sure to pack any and all prescription and OTC meds. There's nothing worse than having to venture out in a strange land to find Tylenol, Pepto-Bismal,or "female" items in the middle of the night when you know you just purchased ample supplies of these things right before leaving for vacation! Safe travels

laclaire

If you have a battery operated whatever, take batteries that fit it. AA are way more expensive in Europe than in the US, and it is a pain to run out.

dville

toothpicks-you can't find wooden ones anywhere.my husband is addicted to them.
also s booklight if you are a reader. most hotels & B&B had poor lighting.

rickmav

A package of Kleenix in your purse at all times. We have been on the road, stopped to use the facilities at a small garage - and found no toilet paper available.

Your address book with list of those you want to send postcards to.

A foldable bag you can use for picnic lunches, getting groceries (plastic shopping bags cost you extra), keeping your dirty laundry in or bringing home extra purchases at the end of the trip.
Have a great time.

DCJones

Cough Drops. While you can find small packages of them in London they are very expensive compared to the US. I had a bad cough and went through a pack a day this spring.

anamaria

ttt