Vita

Janice, I don't have the mindset ot keep a formal journal either, but something I do is jot down notes in my travel guide next to sites, restaurants etc, and little notes in the empty spaces at the end of the larger sections. It's not fancy, but at least it helps me document the thoughts or feels I had that I'd like to remember.<BR><BR>For me, it's a purse. I always bring one, but a backpack is just easier.

why money belts

For Mauld, You aren't supposed to be "getting to" your money belt. They are meant as a means of securely holding passport, plane tickets, money, ATM, credit cards - things you couldn't bear to lose.<BR><BR>You carry daily money in a pocketbook, coin purse, pocket, backpack, whatever. They are more important depending where and how you are traveling (youth hostels, pickpocket heavy areas, long journeys, etc.).<BR><BR>Personally I don't use one either, but definitely see the worth of them for certain types of travel styles.

Danna

I won't take many travelers checks... but I will take a few... my debit card has a $200 a day limit, which in a pinch for a long time B&B fare can be limiting! I was glad the Scottish banks exchanged $200 and that I had them.

Don't Bring

1. Husband<BR><BR>2. Fanny pack or money belt. Dead giveaway you're a tourist, and you're always digging in it in awkward ways, making it even MORE obvious you're a tourist.<BR><BR>3. Calculator (who needs one with euros?)<BR><BR>4. Silly electronic translation gismos (I never brought one but I KNOW it's useless - whaddya do? stand there in the department store and plug in what the lady says and then you plug in what you wanna say, and yadayadayada...take some lessons and pack a small dictionary)<BR><BR>5. Anything more than 2 pairs of shoes unless you're traveling for a month or more or have business/social engagements that warrant them.<BR><BR>6. Large-size shampoos and other toiletries. Use the hotel stuff or buy it when you get there and toss it before you come home.<BR><BR>7. A huge European road atlas. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Buy maps when you get there (much cheaper), and toss them on the way home (if you want to keep them, they generally weigh less than the atlas)<BR><BR>8. Long raincoat (unless you need it for business or social purposes). Get the lightest-weight, shortest thing you can find to keep the rain off you, preferably with a hood so you don't need to bring an umbrella or hat.<BR><BR>9. Traveler's checks - useless. Bring $100 or more in cash in case you're in a bind.<BR><BR>10. Your best jewelry. You don't need it, and if it's stolen you'll be all over this board ranting about crime in Europe.<BR><BR>11. Your house keys. Leave them with a neighbor. It's a humbling experience to lose your house keys in Europe or have them stolen and not be able to get in to your own home when you return.<BR><BR>Do bring a tiny flashlight - I've used one on more occasions than I can count.

bobbie

shoes, shoes and my rosary ---- never said the rosary once while I was in Italy !

Jane

Travel iron - carried one on my first trip to Europe. Was a total wasted effort.

jared

these are excellent comments all, thanx for the Q Chara. I wonder if you can take TOO many clothes? As I am travelling for 2 weeks in france and germany in sept, can you wash and dry clothes readily enough to not worry about taking somehting for every occasion?

Jennifer

I always take way too much jewelry. I almost always end up wearing about the same thing with the biggest change in necklace (a short one for lower necklaces and a longer one for higher necklines). A nice pair of hoops is appropriate for every occasion that I've experienced so far.<BR><BR>I do need ONE tourist/travel book with me but not the 6-8 that I usually pack. {sigh}<BR><BR>Believe it or not, I'm probably one of the few people who really does use a travel iron! I just lay a towel on a flat surface, such as a kitchen table or a desk. It isn't as nice as an ironing board, of course, but it works fairly adquately.<BR><BR>Jennifer

janis

Definitely a travel Iron<BR><BR>A travel foot rest I bought from Magellans (I am short and can't rest both feet on the floor in most airline seats which is very tiring) It is heavy but still moves around so it is clumsy to use. Took it on one trip and never again.<BR><BR>Note for those who say a money belt is inconvenient to get to - that is the whole idea. You aren't supposed to be getting into it while you are out and about. it is supposed to stay hidden and is meant to HIDE your passport and extra credit card etc. Carry cash and ATM and a credit card as you would at home - in handbag or wallet. The Money belt is for your secret stash. Never access it in public - pick pockets just LOVE it when they see that!

Jessica

Yes, you can take too many clothes. I always do. Someone on this board says lay your clothes out and then reduce them by half and then pack. Easy to read, but for some reason hard too follow.<BR><BR>Jessica

carolyn

That's great to know about the foot rest, I was considering getting one for my upcoming 8 hour flight, now I won't waste my money!<BR><BR>Thanks for the tip!

Susan

Jessica, here's a different approach for downsizing your wardrobe. Hang the clothes you'd like to take so they are all clean, ready to go, and visible. Start packing with the most important pieces first. When your 22" rolling carry-on suitcase is full... STOP. Viola. Piece of cake!

X

Kind of off topic, but nonetheless. . .<BR><BR>Janis wrote: "Note for those who say a money belt is inconvenient to get to - that is the whole idea. You aren't supposed to be getting into it while you are out and about. it is supposed to stay hidden and is meant to HIDE your passport and extra credit card etc. Carry cash and ATM and a credit card as you would at home - in handbag or wallet. The Money belt is for your secret stash. Never access it in public - pick pockets just LOVE it when they see that!"<BR><BR>Talk about circular logic - Janis leaves her cash, ATM and credit card in a wallet or purse (an more accessible to thieves) because she is afraid going into her money belt will reveal to thieves where her "secret stash" is. I prefer to keep everything except loose change and a few small bills in my hidden pocket, and I pull the pocket out whenever I need it. <BR><BR>I'm not worried that potential thieves will see where it is, because they know they'll have to do a lot of work to get it. My guess is they'll choose to go for the folks who keep their money and credit/ATM cards in wallets and purses - like Janis. <BR>

xyourself

Yes it was off the subject and there was no need to single janis out because you do not agree with the use of a money belt.to each his own.use it the way you want.

carmenr

I hear folks saying they were too tired to use a travel journal. I decided to take a hand held tape recorder to Paris last month and it worked out very well. However, most evenings, I was almost too tired to speak into it, but forced myself to. Now, I'm very glad to have all those descriptions as a permanent souvenir.

Teri

I love the too many shoes comment. That's me, in every color with matching handbags. Two suitcases of stuff and a separate cosmetics case. My husband does the same (minus the cosmetics case)<BR>However, we always get good service in Paris. Perhaps it's the great accessories!

scarlett

Teri ! I like the way you think

Medusa

Umbrella

janis

X: In my own defense - I am not "afraid going into my money belt and reveal to thieves where my 'secret stash' is." <BR><BR>I have never been scared or nervous on any trip to Europe. I carry a credit card, ATM, and cash in a handbag or pocket just as at home. BUT - If I were to lose any of them due to just being careless or due to pickpockets I can't just drive home to pick up another one - I am thousands of miles away. So I keep an extra CC, extra cash if I have a lot on hand, and my passport in my money belt very safe and secure. <BR>

Holly

I finally decided I was going to get some use out of my unused cloth money belt this last trip. I cut off the straps and sewed the thing vertically into the inside of my jacket. I'm going to do this with every jacket I take on a trip from now on. I realize this may not be feasible for hot summer travel.