Pack smart for your European vacation
Posted: July, 21 2014
Packing for a vacation in a foreign country is a little different than packing for your typical vacation. Varying climates depending on where you visit, the walking culture of most European cities, and dress codes at some of Europe’s most famous attractions can all impact how and what you pack. Below are our favorite tips for packing for a European vacation.
1. Walking attire and shoes. Most people traveling to Europe, especially for the first time, will do a lot of walking. Most European cities are extremely pedestrian-friendly and walking is often the easiest way to get from place to place. This is why it’s very important to wear comfortable shoes that you can wear for hours. You really only need a pair of walking shoes and perhaps one pair of nice shoes that you can wear on an evening out to dinner. That’s it. It’s important not to over pack for your European vacation. As for walking attire, you’ll want to bring clothing that is light—think light t-shirts, Capri pants, and other attire that you can wear all day long without getting uncomfortable or too warm. You may also want to bring a hat if you're going to warmer locations. Think of what kind of clothing you’d wear on a hiking adventure and this is similar to what you should wear for a day walking around Europe!
2. Versatile clothing. Packing light is really the key to a European vacation and by bringing versatile clothing you are minimizing how much stuff you need to bring on your trip. European vacations are typically longer than the standard weeklong vacation and can be as long as two weeks or more. You need to find ways to make your wardrobe stretch by bringing pieces that can be combined into several different outfits. Also remember to bring items that are easy to clean if you find yourself running out of clothing or needing to clean pieces that are dirty. Avoid any items that are dry clean only or have very specific cleaning instructions.
3. Plan for dress codes. Many attractions in Europe, especially in Italy, have dress codes. These dress codes are most often found at religious sites. For example, at the Vatican, guests are not permitted to bear their shoulders. Due to the heat in Rome, wearing longer sleeves all day just so you can get inside the Vatican would make for a long and uncomfortable day. Instead, bring a light cardigan in your backpack or purse that you can easily put on right before entering. Many places also offer smocks resembling hospital gowns for guests to wear if they are exposing too much skin, but in case they don’t, it’s always good to be prepared and have a cardigan ready.
4. Secure purses and backpacks. Just like any large city, theft is a common occurrence. Pickpockets roam the streets in these large cities looking for people to steal from. To avoid becoming a victim, bring purses that zip close at the top so that no one can sneak into your bag. If you’ll be traveling with a backpack, you can purchase backpacks with built-in locks or purchase your own locks to secure your zipper compartments. Although they may seem safe, avoid fanny packs! These packs can be easily unlocked on your back and stolen and since they are strapped around your waste and easily ignored, it may be awhile before you even notice it’s missing.
5. Technology. While you may want to bring your laptop, cell phone, iPad, and camera on your European vacation, keep in mind that the more technology you bring, the more technology you have to keep track of as you move from destination to destination and different hotels during your trip. Try to bring only the pieces that you absolutely need like your cell phone that can also double as your camera and your lap top if you need it for work-related activities while you travel, but if the computer is just for leisure, leave it at home!
Testimonials
"I will definitely contact you when we make a decision. You will be the one we choose to use as we've always had good experiences with your...