Help! I will be leaving for Europe in two weeks!

In addition to those mentioned: lock for hostel lockers, small pack towel is convenient, mini led flashlight, travel journal, additional data cards for the camera, swim trunks/shorts, a good book (might I suggest the Ridiculous Race - my current read and it's funny so far), a pair of super cheap and light flip-flop sandals and the sections you need from RS Europe 2009 book.

Pete

Passport?

Underwear?

Don't sweat it too much, my philosophy is that as long as I have my passport, plane tickets and my wallet I'll be fine. Everywhere in the first world has shops if I forget something (which I invariably do.) In fact nowadays you rarely even have to worry about the plane ticket as most airlines have moved to e-tickets.

Don't forget your passport!

Don't forget to relax.

If you are staying in hostels I would take along some ear plugs and an eye/sleep mask. I take mine everywhere.

Take an extra pair of shoes, just in case something happens to the other ones, like you get caught in the rain or something like that.

Make sure to make copies of your passport, credit card, debit card, stuff like that, in case they get lost/stolen.

Oh yes, I will be carrying my passport, underwear, and wallet. Please let me know what else I would need. I don't need a converter because I have the canon power shot that uses batteries.

Not sure you 'need' this like you would your passport, but I once read a tip and have found it useful. I take some duct tape and re-roll some on a pen or a pencil. It comes in handy if something on backpack or shoe breaks and you can just tape it back together to get you through to the end of your trip. (and you can still use the pen or pencil-which comes in handy as well).

If you are going to be washing some of your clothes along the way in a sink, you might want to get a little plastic disk-like stopper thing for the sink so they can soak.

"Not sure you 'need' this like you would your passport, but I once read a tip and have found it useful. I take some duct tape and re-roll some on a pen or a pencil."

Just one comment on this idea, if you include it with your carry-on luggage. Make sure you don't completely cover the pen or pencil with the tape, so that the object is still readily identifiable. On my last flight, the security line was held up because the girl in front of me packed a ball of electrical tape in her carry-on.

Moneybelt?
Daybag?
Reading material for the plane?

I assume packing 2 pairs of pants means in addition to one pair you are wearing. That's probably enough. I had three pair, including the pair I was wearing, and I spilt something on one pair, which meant I had to wear the last two pair every other day. If I had only had one pair, I would have been down to wearing the same pair for almost two weeks.

If transportation and hotels are already paid for, $125 per day should be more than enough. I ususally spend €20 per day on meals, drinks, tips. Breakfast is included where I stay. I eat most of my meals sitting down, unless I am on the run and just catch a sandwich and drink at the station. Incidental and admissions are maybe €10 more each.

You can buy batteries as easily in Europe as you can here. I wouldn't bring them.

Add: don't forget a pair of sunglasses.

Hi Shawn,

My .02 will ditto some up thread and disagree with a couple, too. Add it to your pocket change and see what you like :-)

Shoes: one good pair, on your feet. If water-resistant or -proof, all the better. Why just one? The weight, mostly, leave it behind. I've made two trips now with just one pair and enjoyed the freedom. Do note: I wore good shoes (New Balance 811s worked for me), so a whole lot better quality than the $20 Walmart specials I wore my first trip and agonized in. Another note: I did take Dr. Scholl's air pillow insoles (cannot take the gel insoles with carry-on), for a bit of extra padding, and I took 2 pair, one in case the shoes did get wet, but they never did.

Another thread on the board currently has info about men's shoes that looks like good recommendations.

Pants: just two pair in the carry-on, plus what I wore. It was enough. Mostly black, so wearing them multiple days did not matter much. The occasional wash and everything was great.

Re: both extra shoes and extra pants, or almost anything that someone says, "Just in case." Buy it there, if you need it.

Passport, tickets, and ATM/credit cards, those are the essentials :-)

Handy items: a few big safety pins. I also have a bit of duct tape on a pen. Actually used a pin and piece of tape this last trip ... McGyver-ed a young girl's flip-flop's broken strap.

A bit of toilet paper in the daypack .. yes, I've used that essential in a few public toilets.

Jacket? Are you set with that?

Enjoy the trip!!

Shawn--just one more item to add to all the other great suggestions: a few bandaids. Sure, you can get them there. But, if you need one "right now," you won't want to go looking for a pharmacia to find some.

Going solo is a great adventure. I've done it numerous times. Don't be bashful about meeting local people even if their English isn't good. You'll find people everywhere are more than willing to be helpful if you need any help. Have a great time and let us know what your experience was like.

Here's a potentially interesting experiment we can conduct. The topic of this thread comes up from time to time. So, here's what I propose. If some soul out there in Ricknik-land is now packed for their trip, add everything suggested on this thread and see how if you can fit it all.

Thanks so much for the advice guys! Does anyone know where I can get a money belt from? Do I really need one? I mean Europe isn't a third world country and I walk around with my wallet in my back pocket in miami and it's never been stolen.

Another question do those that have been- how affected were you by jet lag? I arrive in London at 7 in the morning. Should I hit the ground running or maybe sleep until 1pm then start sight seeing?

Is 20 Euro a day for food (Breakfast included,) adequate? I figure 5 Euro for a loaf of bread and cheese and 15 Europ on dinner.. Also someone mentioned toilet paper do I really need to bring that? The hostels should have that as well as any public bathroom right? That's how it is here..

Also has anyone been to the day spa? I'm going to Berlin and Amsterdam as well and I was told to try those out. Thanks for all your advice so far, I'm writing this all down!

Thanks so much for the advice guys! Does anyone know where I can get a money belt from? Do I really need one? I mean Europe isn't a third world country and I walk around with my wallet in my back pocket in miami and it's never been stolen.

How long is a piece of string?

It's one of those topic that gets people strangely passionate but there's no single, 100% correct, answer. It's a matter of assessing risk and convenience and then deciding what you are comfortable with.

For what it's worth I don't wear one to holiday in western Europe and neither do any other people I know. On the other hand, from reading internet chat boards like this, it seems that most Americans do.

Things to bear in mind:

-There's a small chance of getting pickpocketed in Miami.

-The chance is about the same in Northern Europe, probably slightly higher in the south (esp. Rome, Barcelona.)

-Pickpockets are much more likely to operate around tourist attractions, you'll spend more time in these type of places on holiday compared to being at home.

-It's much more inconvenient replacing a lost wallet's contents when you're away from home (in a different timezone.)

-A moneybelt reduces the already small chance of being victimised.

If you do decide to get one a large part of Rick Steves' business is selling them.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=124

"Does anyone know where I can get a money belt from?" Look in the luggage section of any department store.
"Do I really need one?" If most of your time will be in heavily touristed areas, where professional pick-pockets tend to linger, better safe than sorry. Although you can take the statement "I didn't get robbed because I wore a moneybelt" with a grain of salt (was it the moneybelt or the overall statistically low chance of being robbed that saved you?), but conversely, I have never read a comment from ANYONE who WORE a moneybelt AND had their money stolen.

"Another question do those that have been- how affected were you by jet lag? I arrive in London at 7 in the morning. Should I hit the ground running or maybe sleep until 1pm then start sight seeing?" This seems to vary greatly between individual. Personally, I eat a meal, shower and take a short nap (no more than two sleep cycles, or about 80 minutes), then spend as much time outdoors moving around as possible on the first day, then go to bed at a normal hour and sleep slightly longer the next day. But others have probably found a different routine that works best for them. For most people, jet lag can not be avoided. What is desirable, though, is to limit its effects to the first day or two of your trip.

"Is 20 Euro a day for food (Breakfast included,) adequate?" This seems like an overly optimistic estimate, especially because one of the great joys of European travel is trying the different foods.

"Also someone mentioned toilet paper do I really need to bring that?" In my experience, no, anywhere you'll find a toilet, you will find toilet paper. Even if you didn't, it's as easy to buy in Europe as in the US.

Regarding the moneybelt....the back pocket is the easiest place for a pickpocket to get to your wallet. They are looking for you in Europe....tourists are targets. You are not a tourist in Miami and you probably don't hang out where tourists do.

What will you do if you lose all of your money, credit cards, passport, etc?

As a former tour director, I can tell you I don't wear a moneybelt around my home town. But when I travel, I do.

A moneybelt can be found in luggage stores, some department stores, travel supply stores, etc. Eagle Creek is a well known brand. You can go to their website and search for stores in your area that carry their products.

If you wear a belt, I'd suggest the "hidden pocket" type of moneybelt. It has loops your belt goes through and then the moneybelt itself hangs down INSIDE your pant leg. I think this one is more comofortable than the one you wear around your waist.

Remember, a moneybelt is worn UNDERNEATH your clothes and should only be accessed in private. You could also carry a small wallet with the days spending money in Euros and perhaps one credit card.

I've met many people who do not wear moneybelts and have been lucky. I've met others who don't and were pickpocketed. They then had to spend a couple of days of their vacation getting everything replaced. Not fun.

"Also someone mentioned toilet paper do I really need to bring that?" In my experience, no, anywhere you'll find a toilet, you will find toilet paper. Even if you didn't, it's as easy to buy in Europe as in the US.

Do you need to bring it? Only if you need it :-)

When it is a "Just in case" issue, perhaps I think in terms of weight. "Bring another pair of shoes, in case it rains." A lot of weight if you never need it.

Pop out the center of the tissue roll when it gets down to the last 1/8" and store in your daypack. It comes in handy .. whether stopping at the rest stop on the way TO the airport from home, or in the little public toilet over in Europe.

Some "just in case" I leave home, a few small ones I do bring. Cheers!

re.- toilet paper- take a couple of "individual" packs of klennex- can sub fro tp if needed in an emergency. I don't take extra shoes- just extra inserts (non-gel). Money belt- we don't use it, but my husband has a "uncuttable" waist bag that he wears. I don't carry duct tape, but do tape a tiny roll of scotch tape to secure bubble wrap, etc. I also take a mini sewing kit. I have fixed clothes, umbrellas and even our luggage with it. I also take a roll of dental floss. Good hygene, plus can serve as closeline,etc. Even used it to slice cheese! i also take some twist ties and lots of baggies to put daily food purchases in. We buy a large bag of whatever snack food my husband wants (nuts, chips, cookies, etc) when we arrive at a destination. Because we stay in one place several days, it will last the entire time if I secure it with a twist tie or put it in a baggie. I also take a small first aid kit I put together myself. I include butterfly bandages now - I fell in a train station once and busted my forehead. Had a dickens of a time finding seristrips or butterflys (needed more than just a bandaid). Don't forget toiletries. I also take my art stuff- but you have your camera. Maybe take you Ipod or mp3 to listen to on trains.

If you wear Rx glasses and/or sun glasses take 2 pair of each..they don't take up much room but if you break or lose your glasses you will be happy you did...I speak from experience!!

... one more thought regarding money belts vs. never having been pickpocketed in miami ... just remember that you were in America then. you probably were dressed like most every other American around you ..... not wearing clothing that "advertised" you as a foreign tourist.

pickpockets target people who LOOK like tourists - with noses buried deep in guidebooks, distracted by all the wonderful sights, etc. ... and American tourists are often perceived as having money. the way you are dressed can help a pickpocket quickly identify you as an American tourist .... and therefore, a potential mark. ABSOLUTELY bring a money belt, but also think a bit conservatively regarding clothing choices .... avoid packing loud t-shirts, super high-end sneakers, or other items that scream "American tourist." hopefully, the pickpocket in the crowd will look elsewhere.

Toni's mentioning of baggies gave me another idea. You certainly don't have to bring any, but if you think you may visit grocery stores frequently, realize that plastic sacks are not provided in many European countries. So, you could bring a few bags, or just buy one of the reusable sacks (for a minimum charge) that every grocery store sells.

You sound like you have it covered EXCEPT ... don't put your wallet in your back pocket. My husband always keeps his wallet in his front pocket here (in NYC) and abroad. It's safer. Before we travel I send myself emails with all my important info ... passport info (scan a copy and email it to yourself maybe as well). Hotel info. Flights. Train schedules. It's nice to know I can log on to AOL and have all my info handy.

rain poncho? we packet cheapo rain ponchos on our last trip and they were lifesavers. We were fine traipsing around Prague in the rain and boy did it rain!

As Edina Monsoon on Absolutely Fabulous says "Tickets, Passport, Money." My first trip to England I arrived at the airport without my ticket. Take a small notebook and a pen. You're going to have a marvelous time... Write to us when you get back.

another option to a money belt is a leg stash.. eagle creek has a good one for about U$16.. it's just as safe and less annoying in your waist..

have a great trip.. I leave in two weeks two from San Francisco to London.. and reading this thread has helped me too!!!

Shawn,

Really, you don't need much. Most everything you can buy there for cheap if need be. A pack of kleenex is a good idea as a multipurpose tool. I've never owned a money belt and have traveled to lots of places without problems. But it's one of those things... Take a lock for your suitcase for when leaving it anywhere.

If breakfast is included, 20 might be ok. You can get sandwiches/baguettes for 3-5 euros. Buy one water bottle and refill it always. Drinks (especially alcohol) will break that budget way fast. Dinner can be done about 10-15. That doesn't include any entrance fees anywhere though...

Maybe a language guide? If you have an iphone you can dl an app for that. Helps for when your trying to talk to the local gals. :)

Go to library or bookstore and get a copy of Europe through the back door. From your questions we have determined that you need this book for most of the answers! It will ease your nerves knowing more about European travel than you know now. Also, pack light! Very important!

Thanks Cheryl! I think I've purchased everything I need.. Including a money belt. I leave Thursday. I'm at work so I sooooo do not want to be here though!

Shawn,
Not sure you'll get this message since you're leaving tomorrow, but one piece of advice if you're taking a credit card, and plan on using it....call you credit card company and let them know where you are travelling. That way, they won't put a hold on your card or block any "suspicious" transactions( ie transactions originating in Europe when they have no idea that you're over there)....

Thanks Glenn! Got your message.. I did call them to let them know I'll be away.