Hello,
I'm taking a trip from March 28-April 10, spending 5 days in each Paris and London, and a couple in Barcelona.
I've honestly no idea about what to look at regarding outerwear, so if anyone can suggest what type of jacket would be good for the weather at that time of year, I'd really appreciate it.
Many thanks!
I'd take a raincoat layered with a wool sweater underneath. You may be able to ditch the sweater some days. I'd also stick a neck scarf and thin gloves in the suitcase just in case.
I took a raincoat with a removable lining. I'm a big fan of layers and also bring along a pair of silk long underwear or leggings that can go underneath or be worn as pajamas. The dampness and wind can increase the chill factor- or you may hit an unseasonable warm spell. I bought scarves in France at Monoprix that helped to keep me warm. I suspect that, being from Toronto, you probably already have plenty of those.
I wouldn't think the weather range in Paris, London, or Barcelona at that time would be dramatically different from Toronto. It's a transition time, so be prepared for a variety of temperatures. You won't get snow, but will almost certainly get rain at some point.
Keep your options open.
Keep an eye on a live weather report, and be ready to re-pack around 2 days out.
Umbrellas are useless, since they will turn inside out if there's any wind. Better to bring a rain hat or hooded raincoat.
We have had snow in April...and hailstorms are not infrequent.
layers, easily removed.
Start with a really good waterproof shell.
My specs for a shell include: water-proof (not water resistant), hood (preferably adjustable), zippered pockets, slightly longer than your bottom (so water rolls off past you instead of onto you). Sometimes finding something that ends below your pants pockets is the hardest detail to find. I also like the pockets and zipper to have flaps to keep water out. Adjustable cuffs are good, as is a strap to tighten the wasteline to keep the wind out. For warmer weather, a back vent and/or zippered underarm vents are a plus (but probably not for your trip).
I currently have two shells. One is very light weight, for summer packing, not much more than a water proof wind breaker with lots of venting. The other is still considered packable (folds up into a smallish pouch) but it has some kind of lining to retain heat inside (like the "blankets" they give you after you run a marathon).
Under the shell, you will want warm layers. In April, I'd pack two that can be used either seperately or together. Right now my go to for cooler weather is a lightweight merino wool sweater and a packable down vest.
In various combinations the three can take me from a blustery dry day to heavy rain to freezing temperatures (but then I add a knit cap, leather gloves and/or a scarf that I purchase locally rather than pack).
