Tom

That's an easy question. Never overpack. Do laundry if you have to. European travel is not a fashion show. I've never met a traveler who wishes they had taken more clothing.

Rene

Ok, I admit to many of the points already discussed. However, I always have to have at least 3 hours to prepare before my airport shuttle arrives...packing, rearranging , reviewing tickets, hotel reservations, blah blah blah. I came to realize how senseless it all was, the morning we were leaving to go to Mediterranean for 2 weeks. My husband woke ME up about 20 MINUTES before the shuttle was to arrive! oops no alarm. and you know what, I didnt forget anything, and I had a great time

Dr. Betty

True Confessions! I worried about the truth of what I read here. Particularly about hairdyers and if it was true that they "really," no I mean REALLY wouldn't work in europe, regardless of adapters. I carted that measily little folded up wreck of metal only to find that you all were telling the truth here. Fortunately, I took someone's advice and got my hair cut before we left and it didn't matter. <BR> <BR>But then, I thought I remembered that wash cloths were really, no I mean REALLY important to someone, but I couldn't remember if they were kidding or not, so I packed them anyway. Wrong! <BR>Finally, my obsession became..how little I could get away with packing and that was the best.

Sue

What a fun post! I obsess about everything, toiletries, passports, tickets, hotel confirmations, etc. I even count out the cottonballs for makeup removal. I take small baggies with vitamins and medications labeled for each day. And I obsess about packing lightly, but the more I obsess, the more little things I remember I have to take. I also obsess about color schemes for clothes. (It does help minimize packing.) And I take travel packs of Kleenex for when TP’s not there (think I actually did pack a roll one time when we were renting a gite). <BR> <BR>I also obsess about not having food—I always have to have Balance Bars (used to be peanut butter crackers) for when I wake up in the middle of the night starving (about dinnertime in Nevada). Pretzels and goodies for plane/train travel (I save the cheese and crackers from dinner on the plane for the same middle of the night syndrome). I love taking lunch for the train because it seems sensible rather than crazy! <BR> <BR>And of course we have 10,000 guide books for planning (just discovered that the days we planned to be in St. Malo, most restaurants were closed, and same for Bayeux and Caen). And then there’s the great American novel that is our house/pet-sitters direction list. <BR> <BR>But my/our worst story is that when we were going to Carson City for the weekend (Las Vegas/Carson City—no big deal), we were so laid back, my husband forgot not only his medication, but his underwear! And his great obsession is list-making! <BR>

Maira

Fun thread to the top.

Gigi

I obsess over packing too much! I make sure I have a nice ensemble of clothes and usually take out a few things even then! When we were leaving Rome to go to Florence, I forgot (subconsciously?) one of the three pairs of slacks I had packed in the hotel! And we still had two weeks! <BR>I invariably underpack and, yes, probably wish I had brought a few more things. <BR>My husband takes more clothes and toiletries than I do! <BR>I'm sure people who look at my trip photos wonder why I seem to be in the same clothes the entire trip.

Monica

I'm definitely a "check the ticket, passport, and wallet" and I do this several times before I leave the house, in the car, and at the airport. Without these, then I can't get to Europe! Everything else I can buy or live without for a short time.

Judy

Have to confess to a travel-size toiletries fetish too.....I just spent over 1/2 hour a Ulta 2, looking for mini shampoos, deodorants etc. You get the Ugly Picture...."maybe I should get this , just in case..." syndrome! <BR>;-) Judy

Marlise

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for being as obsessive as me!! People think I'm nuts but I am very anal-retentive and yes, check the ticket, passport etc. MANY times. I too worry about the toiletries...right now I'm testing how long my travel size body wash will last.....just to MAKE SURE I will have enough! I have started collecting shampoo and conditioner in the foil packets....you know the ones you get free...and I'm truly a brandnamer, but not this trip I guess! But my BIGGEST worry is the carry-on...when I get to the airport will it pass and will it be TOO heavy and I'll have to check it....yicks!!...I can't have that happen! This will be my first trip to Europe this May and I totally DO NOT know what to expect....thank God for message boards and experienced travelers!

Sue

Ah, yes, Marlise, back when I wore contacts, I did the same thing as you with my travel bottle of lens lotion--tested it to see if it would last long enough. And, yes, you probably are nuts.

Celia

And I thought it was just me!! <BR> <BR> <BR>Lists, lists, lists! Lists for Africa, lists for Europe, lists for the Carribean! <BR> <BR>What goes in the under-the-seat carryon, and what goes in the up-in-the-bin carryon?

tina

Toilettries (sp?) and in particular, all those "JUST IN CASE" items. Yeah, Judy I'm with you --- walking around at Ulta's or Target's and picking up the myriad of travel sized stuff, because --- well you just don't know, you might need it . . . <BR> <BR>And upon reflection, all I've really needed is a small bottle of shampoo, conditioner (short hair & even can get away without THAT, a few band-aids and some Tylenol --- BUT NO, I have to drag all possible other counter meds and lotions & potions.