Heading out in 1 week for 16 days solo trip to Amsterdam,Paris,Italy. I know theres tons of stuf on what to bring, but what are some of the items that you all have brought trips and realized was just a waste of space?

Also, for all of the guys out there, any tips on shirts I can but that dont wrinkle?

A friend took a travel iron and a huge beach towel to Italy and dumped both before she came home. Fearing I'd have problems with my new digital camera, I took my old one with me as backup. That was a real waste of space.

heels...total waste.

Do you live near a Nordstrom? If so, get some of their EasyCare dress shirts (only if you need/want something long-sleeved)..they never need ironing especially if you pop one into the shower for a short steam..in five minutes you are ready to roll.

I vote for Polo combed cotton shirts. Don't bring the kitchen sink. Bring only one pair of jeans and wear them dirty. Everyone else does. Bring only two pair of shoes. One for daytime and one for evening. Helps your feet feel better. I wear a light T-shirt under the polo the first day and wear the polo shirt the second day without the T-shirt.

Avoid thick coats and sweaters.

Shampoo and conditioner . .

All the hotels supply that stuff . .

Maybe not all guys are the same, but my husband refuses to pack any travel-sized anything. He lugs around the Economy Super Sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc. etc.

Leave home all that stuff that after your bag is already packed that you start thinking you just "might" need.

If you told us the items you are wondering about, it'd be easier to give you a yes or no vote.

I don’t take: a bunch of over-the-counter medications, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, duct tape, towel, laundry detergent, travel clothesline, pillow, book light, guidebooks, dress shoes, umbrella, or rain coat.

I do take a small flashlight, earplugs, sunglasses plus a spare pair of regular prescription glasses.

Think in terms of what would be hard or impossible to replace (prescription anything) and what would be easy to purchase if you need it (corkscrew).

>>>>> a bunch of over-the-counter medications, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, duct tape, towel, laundry detergent, travel clothesline, book light, guidebooks, dress shoes, umbrella, or rain coat.<<<<<<<

That's funny Suze, I always bring all of these things and since we camp & Bike we have used every single one of them multiple times. So I think what not to bother to bring depends on what your style of travel is.

If your staying in fancy hotels you don't need shampoo & hair dryer but for B&B's & budget hotels you'll be out of luck if you don't have your own.

I always bring my little mini blowdryer no matter where I am staying. I have been in a few hotels where the blowdryer cut out and my hair wasn't dry yet. Doesn't take up a lot of space, and saves my valuable vacation time!

Don't bring anything you haven't worn, used or carried around before.
You never want to find out that those pants you bought and were saving for your trip are not that comfortable.
This goes double for shoes.

Good point Celticharper! Yes I would definitely pack differently for a camping trip then hanging around cafes in Paris.

That's a great point, L84SKY. I always break in shoes, but hadn't thought about the clothes.

I almost never bring umbrella - maybe it's wishful thinking. But I always pack a water-resistant hat, which is useful for sun and for light rain.

I never bring an alarm clock. Most hotels provide one anyway. In addition, my Timex Ironman watch doubles as an alarm clock.

I <b>always</b> bring hair conditioner. It's been my experience that most 2-3* European hotels provide soap and shampoo, but not conditioner. I can't quite live without it.

I have relatively short hair, so I never use/bring a hairdryer.

i was laughing when i read missypie's response. my husband sounds exactly like hers, taking giant sized cans and containers of everything from deodorant to shaving cream. on the other hand, he packs in 5 minutes (i am NOT kidding) and blithely tosses everything in while it takes me 5 weeks to just contemplate what i'm taking. i hate hate hate to admit it but he always has just the right, i.e., minimal, amount of necessary clothing while i'm over-prepared for weather in the tropics to the north pole.

here's my vow for the next overseas trip - leave behind (1) the dressy dress and heels that look glamorous but feel awful if i walk more than one block and besides, am i really planning to eat at the ritz?, (2) the hairdryer - no matter where we've traveled over the past 4 years, every single hotel had one, (3) any heavy sweater - i'm now a fanatic about layering lighter pieces and (4) the wide brimmed sun hat i've squashed into my suitcase on every trip and never manage to get on my head.

on the other hand, i've found these things to be essential: (1) my own small alarm clock (do i really want to figure out technology in every country?), (2) a small magnifying mirror so i can put makeup on without looking like a clown, (3) a printed out, credit card sized currency converter so i can leave the calculator at home, (4) my own shampoo and conditioner (i'd like not to look like i've stuck my hand into an electric socket, depending on the hotel's supplies, (5) a small pretty notebook and my own pen to jot down thoughts, names/addresses, etc. and (6) a ziploc baggie with my favorite granola bars to tide me over during those odd moments when no local grocery is open or nearby.

ready2travel--
You and your husband sound like me and mine. He packs fast and packs light, and I take forever and take too much. Hoping to change that this trip!

Amazing! Other men out there who take giant shampoo (Pert shampoo + conditioner, etc.) and other supplies. I should have suspected a while back when I saw his order for Travelsmith (which I intercepted) marking the robe, pajamas, slippers, etc. to take in the one bag each we agreed to.

In-laws, or anyone who walks a lot more slowly than you do or is a picky eater.

I never bring a blow dryer or make-up. Blech.

Adam, this is my pack list, with the exception of my packed clothes (as they would be different for a man):

-toiletry bag with mini bottles, etc. also sm. spray bottle of febreeze
-pack towel (smaller size)
-combination locks (small ones for zippers and a larger cable lock to lock my pack to furniture, etc.)
-relevant sections of guide book ripped out
-mini phrasebook(s)
-small pad of paper&amp; 2 pens
-safety pins
-plastic bags
-travel alarm clock (hostels do not have these)
-small journal with addresses/ph#s written in front cover
-daypack
-small travel wallet (I have an eagle creek one)
-passport, eurail pass, flight&amp;hostel info
-nalgene (hooked onto pack w/carabiner)
-a few small bungee cords (for attaching stuff to the outside of my pack)
-camera, USB cord, memory card, batteries
-rainjacket (w/its own sm pouch)
-earplugs
-sunglasses
-mini-size advil, mini-size vitamins
-athletic tape (for things that fall apart as well as injuries)