Monday, May 18, 2009

Packing Tips from Rick Steves

Hi everyone….thought I would share with everyone what Rick Steve’s says women should pack. He says he packs the same for 2 weeks or 2 months…of course, when he showed us on his show what he packs he did not have this much stuff! So, use your best judgement :)

  • 1 pair of walking/comfortable shoes
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 rainproof jacket
  • 2 pairs shorts/capris (shorts aren’t allowed in major cathedrals, but capris are OK)
  • 2 pair of pants
  • 1 swimsuit (packed in a plastic bag)
  • 4 pair of socks (cotton blend)
  • 5 pairs of underwear
  • 1 extra bra
  • 4-6 shirts (long/short-sleeved, various colors)
  • 1-2 light cardigans for layering
  • 1-2 skirts
  • Scarves (to dress up a shirt)
  • 1 pair of pajamas
  • Body soap/puff (washcloth); most European hotels do not supply washcloths
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Brush/comb
  • Lotion
  • Vaseline (for feet)
  • Razor (non-electric)/shaving cream or soap
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent
  • Prescription drugs (in original container with your name and your doctor’s name, write own generic name)
  • First aid kit/moleskin/blister kit
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Deodorant
  • Nail clippers/file/tweezers
  • Spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, or contact lenses and supplies
  • Hand sanitizer
  • OTC remedies
  • Clothesline, sink stopper, soap
  • Moneybelt: Passport, plane ticket, debit card, credit cards, traveler’s checks, railpass,
  • driver’s license
  • Bury copies of your passport, plane ticket and prescriptions in the bottom of your luggage
  • For money he suggests you bring a credit card, a debit card, and an emergency stash of ard cash (he relies on a debit card for ATM withdrawals, a credit card, and several hundred dollars in cash as a backup)
  • A record of all reservations, along with a trip calendar page to keep things up to date.
  • Small daypack. Fanny packs are a popular alternatives, but are magnets for pickpockets and should never be used as money belts.
  • Camera with a high capacity memory card (we read a tip where someone puts their pictures on a jump drive and puts the jump drive on a keychain from the country they were visiting).
  • Water bottle. Can buy the plastic half-liter mineral water bottles sold throughout Europe. If you bring one from home make sure it’s empty before you go through airport security.
  • Wristwatch
  • Travel alarm
  • Sewing kit
  • Map
  • Postcards from home and photos of your family. A small collection of show and tell is great to share with Europeans you meet.
  • Small notepad and pen
  • Journal
  • Small packet of tissue
  • Shout wipes or Tide to Go
  • Slippers
  • MP3 player
  • Adapters
  • A good paperback
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Gifts

See you all soon!

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