Heat advisory- time to repack, ideas welcomed

extra underwear for sweaty days, a bandana to wet and put around your throat for a cooling effect

I have cooling neck bandanas that help a lot with the heat. I used them in SE Asia. Here's an example, they come in many varieties: https://a.co/d/0gJzuHmO and you might find something similar at the Lynnwood REI. The only thing is don't not pack them completely away until the beads in them completely dry out otherwise they get kind of smelly. I also took this hand held fan on a trip to London and Paris in the hot summer months https://a.co/d/02Wxq8l4 The handle can be angled so that it can sit on your bedside table - I used it at night which was helpful for the less than robust AC situations. Fully charged it will run almost all night on the low speed.

Light weight dresses, cotton or linen, not silk. Try to do most sight seeing early in morning or later in day, drink plenty of water.

Hello,

When it's hot during my European trips, I need less sunscreen, not more! :) And that is because I go from shade to shade. I walk on the shady side of the street, I stop under trees, in the shade of a wall, etc. It really helps.

Of course, you don't always have that option. Once, we were on an all day tour of the ruins in Crete and it was 117 degrees that day. Luckily it was a dry heat. LOL. We definitely wore our lightest, flowy skirts. For example, not a regular cotton tee shirt, but a thinner fabric that can blow a bit in the breeze and won't feel like it's sticking to you.

*EDITED To ADD: * Everyone has their own style and length of skirts/dresses they prefer. I prefer something long enough that the back of my legs don't stick to restaurant chairs/train seats. But also on that Crete trip, the welcome winds blew our skirts a bit TOO much, for modesty sake! A couple of years ago, I was able to find a Linen Coulotte skirt at TjMaxx that I really like for hot days. It can be dressed up or down. It's kind of a cross between a skirt and capris. Somewhat long, but still very cool (even though it is black) because it is loose and linen.

I also think your idea of a sun umbrella is brilliant. I wear a hat all the time when outside here at home, but if I am super hot and in the shade, I take it off because then I can get a bit of breeze through my hair to cool me down.

I hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Hi Carol, when it’s really hot, I take a second quick shower late afternoon with the water as cool as I can stand. That helps a lot. So, I pack extra underwear sets & extra culotte half slip. When it’s been a hot one, I am wearing this dress every other day:

https://www.royalrobbins.com/us/en-us/women/dresses/spotless-traveler-tank-dress/?v=Y326002%3A%3A840265892619&from=pg

The bottom hem has a little flair, so any light breeze can give a little air movement. And the fabric doesn’t stick to me when I’m hot. I’m 5’8”, and the hem brushes the top of my knees.

Carol, I find that if my feet are somewhat free and uncovered I feel cooler, so I opt for walking type sandals rather than sneakers or flats. I also use the cooling bandanas. The trick of applying ice cubes or a cold washcloth to the wrists and inside the elbows also can cool me down. Enjoy your trip!

I love the people on this forum! Such great ideas. I had to laugh at myself a little. I have a cooling neck scarf and a small fan that can go bedside but I hadn’t even remembered them.

Keep your good suggestions coming. It is much appreciated.

Do you buy beverages throughout the day, or have your own refillable water bottle? Carry one, and drink often. Of course, the more you drink, the more you have to pee, and I sometimes limit my water intake as a result. I try to remind myself that finding a useable bathroom is part of dealing with the heat/dehydration, as is topping up the bottle as needed, and not let inconvenience prevent staying hydrated. There are super-insulated bottles that keep liquids cooler.

I guess no fondue this trip. Two pairs of shoes/sandals?

Are they also predicting afternoon thunderstorms with that heat? If so I would put in a poncho you can slip on, that doesn’t trap in the heat.

The title "heat advisory" was the spark for me to click on this post. I will be in hot Corsica in July. Thank you for reminding me about my little hand-held rechargeable fan that also can be placed on a level surface to sit on its own . I also have several hand held fans of the old style that open up and close to take up almost no space in my bag.
I prefer light-weight short-sleeved and sleeveless dresses with NO waist band to slacks or skirts. If the dress has a waist tie/sash, I can loosen it or tighten it as I wish. I avoid polyester and heavy fabrics. I wear Vionic sandals that have great arch support.
I have a very large cotton scarf that folds into a small space in my bag. When entering a church or other cooler venue I use the scarf to cover my shoulders and arms. It is also handy if needing to cover my arms and neck if standing/walking in the harsh sunshine. I avoid sunscreen and body lotion since I feel like my skin does not breathe after application and makes me feel warm. My rafia hat has a brim that can be flipped up or down for more protection to my neck and nose. It is a Tilley that I don't think they make anymore. Happy travels.

Carol, forgot to mention.. don’t forget to replenish your electrolytes as you sweat. I pack these zero sugar Propel powder sticks to mix in my water bottle. They sell them at WalMart and Target. Hydrating is key, but as we age we can have electrolyte imbalances, especially in the heat. Hope this helps!

https://www.gatorade.com/powders/propel/lemon-single-serve-sticks

A travel size bottle of Johnson & Johnson baby powder is always good to pack.

Jean, I love that dress.

A travel size bottle of Johnson & Johnson baby powder is always good
to pack.

As is a small tube or contact lens container of A&D cream for heat related chafing situations.

I lived in a typical upstairs flat in a victorian house. Large sash windows and crap insulation with heat rising, so baking in the summer.
I found a water spray really helpful to keep cool. At home I literally used a plant spray bottle which I topped up everyday from the tap. Regularly spraying my face and arms really helped when i was stuck in the house. A small refillable one to carry when you are out and about should help. You obviously can buy aerosol cooling sprays but a refillable bottle is much cheaper.

When it got really hot in my flat at night, desperate times called for desperate measures..... I put a towel on the bed to protect it and went to bed in a wet, wrung out t shirt! It takes a bit of getting used to, and i'm not sure i would do it if there was any one else around, no one needs to see me like that (!) but it does work to cool you down.

What about your accomodations? Are they air conditioned? If not, will your neck fan work as a fan for your nightstand as well? If not, get one that does.

Frank, I always get air conditioning. Thankful that I do.

I always get a/c ....however....don't expect it to work as well as in the US.

I was recently in Germany during a heat spell. Some hotels a/c worked fine. Others I couldn't get the room below 23 C (74 F) . (Even with the thermostat set at 18C. ) Some hotels even shut off the A/C at night.

I'm glad I had my mini-fan to help.

I always carry a small (less than 2 oz) spray bottle with water when out and about on blistering days. We picked up an8-10” fan at Monoprix than runs off a USB - lifesaver at night. Current temps are running only a few degrees different than Vegas, but big difference in humidity.

To each his own, but 23C at night is already cold for us. We set our air conditioner to 26 or 27C (80F) at night and are fine.

Once again, thanks to all who replied. I’ve appreciated all your advice and have taken it to heart. I’ve successfully repacked and Tuesday it will be off to Switzerland via Helsinki on Finn Air.

I’m very interested to see if they will require me to re-register for EES ( I successfully used machines to register in Rome in April) or not. Once is supposed to be enough, but one never knows during this roll out/implementation period.

Thanks Carol….This heat wave does look crazy hot! You will at least be in somewhat cooler altitudes and near water!? I do see you got some good heat reducing advice. Those small bedside travel fans we got on Amazon have saved our nights in the past also! I see Paris on Wed is to be 106! Wow! What will it be like when we are there third week of July!? I knew getting A/C in hotels was our high priority. But yes…will not as efficient in older style hotels as ours. Extra little fan packed!! Enjoy your lovely travels!

Keen sandals and quick-dry panties and shirts-not cotton. You have the neck scarf so should be ok but I sometimes carry a wet washcloth in a ziploc bag so I can wipe my sweaty face.
frank, 74 is too cold for me!

I'm in Hawaii right now and have really enjoyed my cotton gauze dress. It's like this but navy. https://www.amazon.com/Weatherproof-Vintage-Ladies-Cotton-Gauze/dp/B0F27J2NSQ
I think I got it at Costco. I brought it to wear as a swimsuit coverup, but it's so comfortable and cool, I've been wearing it a lot more. I don't use the belt. Not even sure where it is. It even has pockets!
Someone mentioned the cold shower. I find that the cool water on my head is the best part of the cold shower. It's also the most lasting if you air dry your hair. Ah, evaporation!

I’ve spent the last couple of days in London walking around the home with a wrung-out damp towel round my neck, it’s made a huge difference. And when I’m on online meetings, the towel lies across my legs. I just wish I could walk around town wearing it

Carol now retired, I know that you are already on your trip and hope you are having a fabulous time!

I was in Japan in mid-May and it was a lot hotter than I had hoped it would be. The sun was very intense and reminded me of Tucson, Arizona, where I live. I was so glad that I had a lightweight scarf that I put around my shoulders and arms to block some of the sunshine. It helped quite a bit, along with a floppy hat and long, flowy lightweight pants.

Yes, I am on my trip. 98 degrees here in Basel all afternoon. I’ve used several of the suggestions. I put off part of my sightseeing until tomorrow when I plan to get an early, and hopefully cooler start.

One woman came up to me in the grocery store and wanted to know more about my semi circular neck fan that I wear. It looks a lot like headphones but can really move the air. She definitely wants one now.

Tomorrow afternoon I join my ship for my river cruise on the Rhine to Amsterdam.

Thank you all so much! This helped me pack and be prepared! I also brought electrolyte packets and an extra water bottle.

The rechargeable fan has been perfect.

Wow Carol…I bet when you booked this river cruise you never imagined these temps there!? Basil at 98! Fortunately it looks cooler. I have a good friend who was in Paris last week during the record breaking days. She said having lodging with A/C saved them! I have also purchased electrolyte drink packets to pack. My family swears by them!