Following on from a recent blog post regarding bizarre things to pack when travelling, I have had a few requests to come up with a basic list of things to pack when travelling around Europe. The trouble is that Europe not only is seasonal, but is also changes climatically from North to South and East to West. Anyway I am willing if you’re willing, so here goes…
1/ Sunscreen:
The reason for being number one is that not only does Europe have fantastic weather in summer you also require sunscreen for those awesome days on the slopes in the middle of winter. Your skin needs it!
2/ Light Fleece with water proof layer:
Instead of buying a separate raincoat and a fleece these days you can buy a combination where the fleece can be unzipped from the jacket. This enables you to dress nice and snugly on those cold wintery and showery days, but to also where the jacket to keep out the rain in the middle of summer. Obviously there are plenty of others in the market, but checkout this North Face combination for an example
(http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-jackets-vests/mens-khumbu-jacket.html)
3/ Pair of Good Jeans or Dress.
You never know where you are going to end up. Most places will now let you in with a pair of nice jeans or a dress. It makes a change from your trusty cargo pants and you only need to carry one pair or dress.
4/ Long Sleeve Top:
An absolute necessity, as a lot of churches etc will not let you in with exposed limbs. In particular the dress code at St Peters Basilica and the Vatican has a dress code which isn’t too suited to 40° C days in Rome.
5/ Flip Flops- Jandals or Thongs
A must in summer. Not only they are necessary for the beach or pool they double up nicely as feet protectors from those greeblies you can catch in communal showers.
6/ Photocopies of your passport and documents
Trust me you have no idea how many people lose their passports credit cards and personal documents either through theft or just plain carelessness. Don’t be the one who has trouble getting them replaced. Take two photocopies. Put one in a plastic envelope and keep it in your pack and give another copy to someone at home. Additionally these days scan them before you leave and email them to yourself so you have them easily accessible in your email account.
7/ Bottle Opener
This in my mind should be at the top of the list. There is nothing quite like being able to buy a ham and cheese baguette and wash it down with a cheap bottle of red. Just make sure you put in your checked in baggage when flying as the authorities won’t let you board with it.
8/ Trainers or Walking shoes
Although they can get a little whiffy in the middle of summer. They are absolutely valuable for walking tracks such as the Cinque Terre. Just make sure you leave them outside of the room at night!
9/ Shorts- 1pr:
Really quite basic, but a good pair of quick drying shorts are invaluable in the middle of summer.
10/ Shirts -2prs:
T shirts are the norm. Try to bring dark coloured ones as they tend to look better for longer and hide a multitude of sins. For going out a light cotton shirt that looks as though it is supposed to be un-ironed is a godsend
11/ Swimming costume –Boardies or Bikini
Yep, you will need them at some stage both in winter and summer. Swimming in your undies might of been cool in the neighbours pool when you were a kid, but it’s not the go now
There are obviously more things that you could take. Just remember what you pack is what you have to carry!
Happy Travels
Following on from a recent blog post regarding bizarre things to pack when travelling, I have had a few requests to come up with a basic list of things to pack when travelling around Europe. The trouble is that Europe not only is seasonal, but is also changes climatically from North to South and East to West. Anyway I am willing if you’re willing, so here goes…
II Things To pack When Travelling In Europe
1/ Sunscreen:
The reason for being number one is that not only does Europe have fantastic weather in summer you also require sunscreen for those awesome days on the slopes in the middle of winter. Your skin needs it!
2/ Light Fleece with Waterproof Layer:
Instead of buying a separate raincoat and a fleece these days you can buy a combination where the fleece can be unzipped from the jacket. This enables you to dress nice and snugly on those cold wintery and showery days, but to also where the jacket to keep out the rain in the middle of summer.
3/ Pair of Good Jeans or Dress.
You never know where you are going to end up. Most places will now let you in with a pair of nice jeans or a dress. It makes a change from your trusty cargo pants and you only need to carry one pair or dress.
4/ Long Sleeve Top:
An absolute necessity, as a lot of churches etc will not let you in with exposed limbs. In particular the dress code at St Peters Basilica and the Vatican has a dress code which isn’t too suited to 40° C days in Rome.
5/ Flip Flops- Jandals or Thongs
A must in summer. Not only they are necessary for the beach or pool they double up nicely as feet protectors from those greeblies you can catch in communal showers.
6/ Photocopies of Your Passport and Documents
Trust me you have no idea how many people lose their passports credit cards and personal documents either through theft or just plain carelessness. Don’t be the one who has trouble getting them replaced. Take two photocopies. Put one in a plastic envelope and keep it in your pack and give another copy to someone at home. Additionally these days scan them before you leave and email them to yourself so you have them easily accessible in your email account.
7/ Bottle Opener
This in my mind should be at the top of the list. There is nothing quite like being able to buy a ham and cheese baguette and wash it down with a cheap bottle of red. Just make sure you put in your checked in baggage when flying as the authorities won’t let you board with it.
8/ Trainers or Walking shoes
Although they can get a little whiffy in the middle of summer. They are absolutely valuable for walking tracks such as the Cinque Terre. Just make sure you leave them outside of the room at night!
9/ Shorts- 1pr:
Really quite basic, but a good pair of quick drying shorts are invaluable in the middle of summer.
10/ Shirts -2prs:
T shirts are the norm. Try to bring dark coloured ones as they tend to look better for longer and hide a multitude of sins. For going out a light cotton shirt that looks as though it is supposed to be un-ironed is a godsend
11/ Swimming Costume –Boardies or Bikini
Yep, you will need them at some stage both in winter and summer. Swimming in your undies might of been cool in the neighbours pool when you were a kid, but it’s not the go now
There are obviously more things that you could take. Just remember what you pack is what you have to carry!
Happy Travels
