Just got back from two weeks in Europe

Patricia: Nice of you to let us know, thank you!

,,,We've wondered about those packing cubes... nice of you to report ... Thx. P.

We're regular Rick patrons too. Moneybelts, luggage locks, compass, DVDs, and guidebooks. If not for Rick my European Experience would be limited to expensive tour buses going to only the popular crowded regular sites and hotels. Seeing half as much and paying twice the amount. Recently returned from our fourth European Vacation, third "though the back door" style. On occation we do purchase other travel items from other travel experts but 95% of the travel stuff I pack in my carry on suitcase has Rick Steves signiture on it.

That's awesome! I'm going on my first Euro Trip in November and I purchased a bunch of Rick's gear. Convertible backpack/suitcase, Europe Through The Back Door 2008, silk money belt, and packing cubes. I got them from Amazon (rather than here) and saved a few bucks.

Thanks Patricia. I'll have to look into those packing cubes. My mother-in-law has discovered that a washcloth that is meant for babies or kids is a great thing to have if you don't want to shell out the bank for Rick's. They dry really quickly and are small/compact.

We just got back from three weeks in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic--our first European trip using Rick's guidebooks and staying in many of his recommended lodgings. All of his places had great locations, but if you stay at Pension Neuer Markt in Vienna, ask for a large room (our first two nights were in a dark, small room facing the courtyard); they upgraded us to a larger room for the same price after we complained. We wish I would have taken a bottle of Fabreeze and a compass. And the packing cubes worked great. I obsessed about what to wear and found out I wore the same pair of black jeans everywhere--everyone wears jeans in Europe. We couldn't have done this trip without the guidebooks and this helpline!

As Joan says, I've found a small compass to be a very useful item when walking, to stay oriented when buildings restrict the view. And for rental cars a GPS.

Joan, what is FaBreeze ?

We appreciate your message about your trip, Patricia. Yes, I think the products in "Travel Store" at this website are very good, especially some of the items in the categories "Clean, Comfy & Handy", and "Safe & Secure". For people who do not have anything, a discounted price deal is at this website now : at the first page of "Travel Store" click on "2008 Travel Starter Kit : Save 45 %". The last day for that price is Sunday October 14, 2007.

Ron:

Fabreeze is a spray fabric deoderizer. Gets out that stale, smoky odor clothes absorb. I have read on this site about using it and wish I would have had a bottle on our recent trip! Our son bought some in Salzburg on his trip and used it every day.

The compass is a great suggestion - we talked about needing that too. Now that we're home and talking about the trip, we're so disappointed that we didn't wear pedometers! I'm sure we walked a million miles ;-) but it would have been fun to know for sure. The room we had in Paris was tiny and although we didn't spend much time in it the three days we had there, I so wish I would have asked for a bigger room. Tell them you want to see the room first even if you are tired and just want to unpack etc. For some it isn't a problem but for others it helps!

I always take 5-6 quart size, and 5-6 gallon size zip-loc bags with me. I always find uses for them, especially if you do picnic lunches. In addition I always take a roll of paper towels with about 1/4 to 1/3 of the roll left. It smashes flat and is light-weight. I always end up using them all for this that and the other thing. We will all be perfect travelers in time, with all the helpful hints. Perhaps we need to write a book collectively on helpful travel tips!!!