Travel
5 Packing Tips for Europe (& Other Overseas Destinations)
Tried & True Packing Tips Packing for Europe is so different today than during the Pan Am days. What should you pack for a trip to Europe or other overseas destinations?
Tried & True Packing Tips
Packing for Europe is so different today than during the Pan Am days. What should you pack for a trip to Europe or other overseas destinations?
I was prompted to write this post when I recently heard a gal at the gym announce that she was going to Europe this summer and had no idea what she needed to pack.
It made me stop and think how lucky I am that I have made the trip across the Atlantic at least a half-dozen times. I have learned so much from these trips that I am a much better overseas traveler today than I was on that first trip 20 some years ago.
By trial and error, I have discovered what to pack and what not to pack. This post will be the first of a series of my tried and true packing tips.
Part One – My First Five Tips
TIP #1 – The Suitcase – – Pack Light, Roll Your Clothes & Mark Your Bag
Okay, this is actually three tips in one! I am sure you have heard over and over to pack light! I did but ignored that tip because I didn’t get it! It only took one trip to Europe to understand why!
I soon discovered that smaller hotels and B & B’s don’t have bell boys and these older buildings don’t have elevators. Couple that with the fact that the European cars are very compact and there isn’t much room for luggage, especially if you are traveling with other people. Also, if you have a busy itinerary visiting several different cities or countries, you are constantly having to transport that luggage.
Rolling your clothes makes a huge difference when packing. You can fit much more in your suitcase by rolling vs. folding the clothes. There are some items that you won’t be able to roll, but if you roll the items you can you will be amazed at the difference. Here’s a great video from Real Simple on how to pack efficiently. I also have learned to use dry cleaning bags to prevent wrinkles which you will see in the video.
Tie a bright scarf or ribbon on your suitcase! If someone takes off with your bag whether it be at the airport, train station or while you are standing at the hotel reception desk, you want to be able to easily spot it. I tied an inexpensive pink bandana to my black suitcase.
Tip #2 – Comfortable Slip on Shoes
Walking on cobblestone streets goes hand in hand with Europe. They can be hard on your feet and are not high heel or platform friendly. Last year I discovered Sketcher Go Walks.
The Sketchers are extremely lightweight so they are great to carry in your tote bag. I switched off between my sandals and the slip on Sketchers throughout my trip. They have a cushioned bottom that helps with the impact of the uneven surface. I personally think they were made for cobblestone streets!
They were also great for the airport as they slip on and off easily and made walking between those long international concourses a breeze. The Sketcher Go Walks come in a variety of colors. I highly recommend them!
Tip #3 – No Show Foot Liners
I love the nude no-show foot liners by Hue with a gel tab on the heel to prevent slipping off your foot. These foot liners are easy to wash in your hotel sink and hang to dry. They help to keep your feet cool and blister free. I wear them with my Sketchers and also with my more fashionable flats!
Tip #4 – Small Crossover Bag
Find a small crossover bag with zipper closures and one that is lightweight. Some bags are so heavy before you put the first item in it!
Wear the bag across your body and hold on to it with one hand when in crowded areas. There’s no getting around it . . . tourists in Europe are prime for pick pocketing and you don’t want to be a victim. Don’t let the little street children fool you. They are well-trained by their parents and you won’t even know those little hands are in your bag! When we were in Dublin, Ireland, we saw groups of gypsies and their kids were put to work right there on the street. They took my friend’s wallet and she didn’t even realize it.
Tip #5 – Lightweight Nylon Tote
Baggu makes a fabulous nylon tote in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It weighs next to nothing and easily folds up in a pouch. I use this bag for touring during the day, carrying sunglasses, umbrellas, camera, maps, etc. When the straps are over my shoulder, the pick pockets can’t access the bag. The bag is made of sturdy nylon and is easy to keep clean.
Stay tuned as I’ll be following up with additional posts in the near future with more great tips on how to prepare for that exciting overseas trip. In the meantime, if you are planning a trip, where are you going and what questions do you have?
Travel
Favorite Travel Sites
If you like to travel you probably spend a good amount of time on-line doing some research. I do and I have some favorite travel sites to share.
If you like to travel you probably spend a good amount of time on-line doing some research on everything from your destination, flights, transportation, restaurants, etc. I do and I have some favorite travel sites to share. I’d love to know what travel websites and apps you enjoy too.
Here are the travel sites that I use on a regular basis.
Trip Advisor
Head on over to Trip Advisor to read reviews and recommendations from other travelers and to research your destination.
Kayak
Kayak is great for reviewing flight schedules and prices. What I love about this site is that you get to book your flight directly through the airline. I learned my lesson once having booked through a third-party. My flight was cancelled and because I did not book my flight directly through the airline, the airline wouldn’t help me after standing in line for a long time. I had to contact the third-party to re-book.
Hotel Tonight
If you ever need to book a last-minute hotel room, this is your site! Hotel Tonight will let you know what rooms are available. You may be able to snag a nice hotel at a discount due to a cancellation. This is a great travel site for road trips when you don’t know how far you will be driving before calling it a night.
Yelp
Yelp is the queen of review sites for restaurants, hotels, and just about any business you can think of. You can use the app from your phone.
Open Table
I have written about Open Table in the past. It’s my favorite way of making dinner reservations whether I am in a new city or my own home town. It’s easy to use and tells me at a glance what is available for the number in my party and the time frame I want to dine out. This is especially useful for last-minute dinner reservations. You can use the app from your phone. It saves you from calling all over town to see if there are any “open tables“.
Costco Travel
I have found Costco Travel to be very competitive and have saved quite a bit on car rentals and trip insurance. I only buy trip insurance when it’s an expensive trip such as an overseas vacation.
I haven’t booked any trips through Costco as I usually book directly through the airline and the hotel; however, I do know people who have raved about their savings on vacation packages through Costco.
Bed Bug Registry
Sad but true to have to recommend the Bedbug Registry. I have used it for many trips to check on hotels to see if there have been any Bedbug complaints.
My Other Travel Posts
If you are new to my blog, check out these travel posts:
Summer Vacation Road Trip Essentials
5 Packing Tips for Europe (& Other Overseas Destinations)
Your Favorite Travel Sites
What are your favorite travel sites? Please share in the comments below.
Travel
Enjoy America’s Fall Foliage
Fall foliage at its peak is some of Mother Nature’s best work of art. This post offers tips on fall foliage travel, peak times and great photography tips.
The most colorful time of year is just around the corner. Fall foliage at its peak is some of Mother Nature’s best work of art. If you want to get up close and personal with some spectacular fall scenery, this post is for you.
America’s Best Fall Color Drives
I am pleased to share two great articles, one from Travel & Leisure and the other from Fodor’s Travel highlighting the best fall foliage trips to take.
Moosehead Lake Region, Maine
Great Smoky Mountains
Peak Viewing Times for Fall Foliage
When should you travel? Yahoo Travel has a great map showing the average peak viewing times for across the U.S. This chart, of course, is dependent on the summer weather that region experienced.
I also came across this Interactive Fall Foliage Map at LifeHacker. “The 2015 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year.”
This year, it looks like the peak viewing time for most parts of the United States is early to mid October, between the 10th and the 17th. If you want to know when the time is right for your area of interest, click on the link above or on the map below to view the Interactive Map. Then just move the slider on the map to see when your area is highlighted in red (but not brown.)
America’s Best Hotels for Fall Colors
Omni Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Whether you want a grand hotel or a Bed & Breakfast, Travel & Leisure has you covered.
5 Tips for Better Fall Foliage Photos
Once you get there you will want to capture the beauty. These photography tips from Popular Photography and Dan Splain Photography offer tips to take the perfect fall foliage photos.
Smokey Mountain Fall Getaway
If you are interested in going to the Smoky Mountains, here’s my post about our Smoky Mountain Fall Getaway. We stayed at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek which was rustic elegance at its best.
Even if you can’t get away for a fall foliage vacation, you can venture out near home to enjoy your local fall colors. Do you have a favorite place to go in the fall?
Fashion
Celebrity Airport Fashion from the 60’s to Today
Back in the day it was a priority to travel in style, whether you were a celebrity or not. See celebrity airport fashion trends from the 60’s to today.
Back in the day it was a priority to travel in style, whether you were a celebrity or not. In those days you flew in your best clothes and many women wore high heels. Perhaps airports weren’t near the size they are today, but still, high heels?
Styles certainly change with the times. Following is a peak into celebrity airport fashion dating back to the 60’s.
Yesteryear’s Celebrity Airport Fashion
Marilyn Monroe stepped out of her tight skirts to travel in more comfortable pants.
Brigitte Bardot’s 1966 tailored pantsuit.
Between the hat and the white boots, Ursula Andress definitely is entering the 70’s with a bang.
via Source Unknown
In the early 60’s Sophia Loren is seen here traveling in a formal dress and hat.
Today’s Celebrity Airport Fashion
Fast forward to today and you will find everything at the airport. I’m all for being comfortable but you can still dress casually with style.
Following are some of my favorite celebrity airport looks. These stars got it right by picking neutrals such as black, gray and navy for their travel wardrobe.
I particularly like wearing darker colors. It’s so easy to get dirty from spilled drinks on the plane or from a greasy luggage wheel.
The majority are wearing flats which are needed for comfort. After all, you want to save your feet for those gorgeous heels for dinner.
First off is Reese Witherspoon who looks chic in black and white.
Here’s another one of her travel outfits. Simple yet stylish.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s gray scarf is the perfect accessory to her all black outfit.
I love Gwyneth’s tailored gray coat.
Nicole Kidman looks stylish wearing all black.
Angelina Jolie is also a fan of all black. It really is the ideal color to wear when traveling to look fresh and clean on arrival.
Hopefully Salma Hayek has a pair of flats in her bag for comfort on the plane. All of these celebrities carry one great oversized bag that is their carryall. No need to carry a purse and a tote.
Cindy Crawford’s scarf and necklace also add style to her simple jeans and sandals look.
Cameron Diaz traveled on the wild side in her animal print pants.
At 77 Jane Fonda proves you can be stylish at any age.
What do you like to wear when traveling by plane?
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