One thing I use a lot (less now with the Euro zone-so less fiddling with different kinds of coins) is a little change purse with a couple of compartments. That way I can just save all my US coins in one place easily and not mix them with other currencies. I have one I bought years ago at a market in France-they sell them all over the place there.

Flip-flops are fine for the beach. Otherwise leave them at home.

Not only are they bad for the muscles, tendons, and joints of your feet, ankles, and lower legs if you walk any distance in them, the potential for a vacation-dampening injury is very high on cobblestones, uneven sidewalks, and trails leading to various sights.

On July 3rd mrswillie posted that she wears the flipflops on the plane and also in her hotel room as slippers. She does not wear them when out walking.

Take less than you think you will need. We just returned from 11 days in England and France and I took too much despite all the wonderful advice I had read on these boards to the contrary. I guess sometimes you have to learn a lesson for yourself. You will see every thing, people dressed very casually and French girls looking so stylish! London especially felt so international with people from around the world. It was very hot last week so I hardly wore all my cardigans and jackets that I had packed. Sleeveless tops which are cool with a cardigan is probably a good bet. The tube can get very hot so it was nice to have a sleeveless cotton top.
Also, I wish I had taken more skirts, these would have been cool but made the transition to dinner well. I found great shoes by Naot( a sandal that was so so comfortable with great support) and a closed toe Mary Jane by Ecco which also proved very comfortable. Have a wonderful trip and soak it all in!!

LauraLF, do you have any pics or links to those shoes? I'm always on the lookout for comfy and ATTRACTIVE traveling shoes w/good support (for ridiculous Barbie-type high arches & plantar fascitis).

Don't know if these would have the arch support you need, but you could give them a try. Sorry I'm not so good at posting links, but I found both pairs on Zappos.com. The Naot style is called "Dorith" and the Ecco was "Glory Mary Jane". The Naot have several styles that look like they may have better arch support. You might also look at Earth brand shoes which also have good support and are supposed to keep your foot in an anatomically correct position.

Thanks, Laura. I found them both. You're probably right about the Dorith. I really like the Ecco. I think the nice thing about Zappos is that you can try a pair on & send them back if there's a problem.

The best advice I can give is to first, allow yourselves only one carry on apiece and one smaller bag for the miscellaneous stuff, toiletries, books, camera, etc. Second, get some compression bags. These allow you to stuff a lot of clothes into them and them press the air out. This reduces the size of the bag by 50% and allows you to get more into your luggage. We pack everything in each piece of luggage using two 'large' compression bags and one small one.
Then, get yourselves a money holder that attaches to your husband's belt. Keep your money and credit cards in there. Keep just enough money and an alternate credit card in your purse for the days expected expenses and wear a purse that hangs in front of you and which you can thus keep you eye on it. Never go into the money holder on his belt in public. Put copies of your passports into each piece of luggage and the money belt. Also put a copy, or print one on your computer, of your itinerary so that if your luggage goes lost (maybe you decide to check it) the airline can see where you will be and deliver it to your hotel, or even call you.

You basically need enough clothes to last you until you can get them laundered.

As for colors, styles, etc, do as you would do for travel in the US. Remember, other than going out to some fancy place in the evening, you will need comfortable and roomy clothes as you climb steps or trails, in the hot sun, in a crowded metro, of lying on some grassy park.

I've been doing Europe, almost annually since the early 70s and for a good decade spent 11 weeks straight living there in the summers and three things that I always take are a cross body shoulder bag, walking shoes with really great support and thick soles for walking over cobblestones, and a sturdy umbrella. Those 3 items are my absolute necessities. Everything after that is negotiable.

As for shoes, I like www.finncomfort.com. I pick out a model and then go over to www.shoebuy.com to see if they carry the same model as they regularly have specials. Right now if you type in the word, "Summer" at check out, it's an additional 20% off. Over Father's Day weekend they had the 20% off special,too and then instead of ordering on the internet, I called them and asked is there were any other specials and one was found and I got an additional 10%, off thus saving me over $170.00 on two pairs of Finncomfort, "Soho" style tennis shoes that would have been $170.00 more had I purchased them on the Finncomfort website, the Nordstrom website, or a few other websites.

What I never take along with me to Europe are regular tennis shoes although it's fine to do so if that's what one wants to wear. But, the thin ones like Keds, don't have enough support, are too hot as the bottoms heat up if I'm somewhere where it's really hot. And I'm just one who detests the look of the big chunky tennis sold at sports types of stores.

So, I only take my Soho style Finncomforts (tennis) of which I have 4 pairs and absolutely love. People comment on how cool they look. I walked for hours in Paris in them in August and the feet were fine as they have the built in arch support, suede footbeds. In cooler seasons when I'm in Paris, I just wear boots and put in my own arch support thing.

I also have a lot of pairs of Mephistos. I have 6 pairs of the Allrounders in different colors. But, the Allrounders are softer, on the bottom, than the Finn Comforts, or the oxford style Mephistos, so the FinnComforts are worn for the major, all day walking and then it's nice to change into the Allrounders later in the day when I don't need as sturdy a shoe.

Shoe comfort is extremely important and I've worn tons of brands; Eccos (in the 70s as they're Danish and I lived in Denmark, (Anna) Kelsos in the 70s (also Danish) but I saw them at Whole Foods last night, Rockports, Birkenstocks, Tevas, Mephistos, Finncomforts, Beautifeel (for evening wear), and a list of other brands that I can't even remember. But, what works for one person might not necessarily work for another which is why it's important to just get a list of different brands and then try various ones. I personally no longer wear Eccos as they just don't work for me anymore. They worked in the 70s when my feet were different. Happy Travels!

Wow, Guenmai. Thanks for such great info. (You must have a lot of shoes in your closet!)

On the subject of shoes. If you're not used to a lot of walking, take moleskins. They are available at any drug store.

I don't get on a plane without earplanes. They are also available at any drugstore or Target/Walmart store and really help my ears during take off and landing.

Sap: I have a lot of "comfortable" shoes in my closet as I'm not into "heels". I just called shoebuy.com and ordered a new pair of Finncomforts that are going for something like $294.95 and got them for $212.36.

I just called and mentioned the 20% "Summer" sale and then asked how I could get an extra 10% off, and was told that I could just use my registered info to get the extra 10% off.

See if you call them and have them register your e-mail address into their system, then they send you over all of the specials. I had done that, but didn't realize that I could have gotten the extra 10% off had I ordered them online. The woman on the phone was quite helpful. Even if there might not be a special going on, I still call.

A few minutes ago, when I called and mentioned the summer sale, the woman said that she'd look it up to make sure that that sale was still on and if not, she'd search to see if there were any other sales. They're the best!

So, my new shoes should be here in 5 days as they are quite fast. Happy Travels!

I forgot to add that a lot of time women have trouble finding a pair of nice shoes for the evening, but that are comfortable. When traveling one usually has to walk to a bus stop, metro, or many blocks to get to where they're going in the evening; restaurants, etc...

I like www.beautifeelshoesusa.com They aren't cheap, but don't despair. And the only Beautifeel store is right here in L.A. County at the Westfield Topanga Mall in The Valley (Woodland Hills). But, they can easily be had on line.

I recommend www.astore.amazon.com and also www.glimpse.com and www.6pm.com.

I bought a gorgeous, black patent leather pair of the model called, "Scarlett" for a good $100. less than they normally go for.

Right now the Evelyn style, which is actually the same shoe as Scarlett, just in leopard, are going for $102.38 instead of $255.95 on the Astore Amazon website. I wore my black, patent leather ones to a tea event, weekend before last, and the women went wild. And all of Beautifeel shoes are made for comfort. So, one can be stylish while also being comfortable. Happy Travels!

Guenmai, you are amazing! Thanks for the great links!

The only true "essentials" are a passport, comfortable shoes, and money. :)

I took a trip to Europe recently with a friend who had never been out of the country before, and she told me that the best advice I gave her was to bring a cross-body travel purse instead of her regular purse. I find it helpful to have a purse that stays absolutely attached to my body, while leaving both hands totally free, because there is always fumbling with the passport, tickets, luggage, shopping bags, etc. Plus my regular purse is too tiny to carry all the stuff I need when traveling.

Sap: You're very welcome. Happy Travels!

Thanks for all the advice. Guenmai those are some great shoe recommendations thanks. LauraLF I have started laying things out on my dining room table and I am afraid that I am going to take more than necessary too. I am trying to include what others have recommended but am definitely trying to stick to 1 carry on and 1 smaller bag. Still working on it. Winnick thanks also for your specific advice that was very helpful. Please keep the advice coming it has been a great help!!

I always travel with a decent quality pashmina because is very lightweight and folds tiny yet provides a great deal of stylish warmth. I use it as a blanket on the plane also. Pashmina, very comfy ( already worn frequently ) shoes,a cross body bag, my passport, a phrasebook, restaurant glossary for any country where I do not speak the language well, ATM and Capital One card for no fees and I am a happy traveller! Oh yes, and noise canceling headphones.

"Be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport--one to keep in your suitcases--one to leave with someone at home--just in case."

I was waiting to see someone suggest this. It is essential to have at least one photocopy of the information page of your passport in case it's lost or stolen. Also bring two recent passport size photos to go with the photocopy. It will save time if you have to replace your passport.

Don't worry too much about your clothes.

Have a great trip.