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!