Oh wow I am getting so nervous, I am leaving in a week! I am working on getting my suitcase organized and I am determined to pack light. My only concern is the weather. I plan on wearing capri pants with 3/4 sleeve shirts with a coat and maybe a light scarf. Is that too much? We'll be visiting Dublin, Galway, and Cork in Ireland, as well as London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
Also, what else am I forgetting? Name some must-have items to pack! :) Thanks!!
I don't bring a coat. Instead I pack an unlined water/windproof shell with a hood (light and easily packed) and a couple of light sweaters. If it's cold, I layer both sweaters and a shirt under the shell. I don't pack a hat and gloves. If it's really cold, I buy wool knit cap and gloves locally and keep them as souvenirs.
The other main thing to think about is whether your pants/socks/shoes will dry out fast if you get caught in the rain. Cotton stretches out of shape, loses it's insulating ability and takes a long time to dry. Waterproof walking shoes are nice to have. Wool/wool-blend socks are perfect. Pants made of microfiber or polyester dry really quickly and keep their shape.
Must haves: chap stick, small LED flashlight, backpack lock, big memory chip for your digi cam, extra zip lock bags and a very light weight daypack. If you forget anything else, buy it there.
Brad -- your suggestions are fine -- for a man! I don't think Christie is one. She is going to Paris, London and Amsterdam and probably wants to look as good as she can with a travel wardrobe. What she described sounds about right to me. I don't know about Ireland though -- but she should bring an umbrella at the very least. Also check the weather.com 10-day forecasts for each city just prior to leaving and adjust wardrobe accordingly.
With Ireland on you list I would plan on something for rain.
I wouldn't say it's too much. Depends somewhat on how easily you get cold. Especially in Ireland I would plan on cooler weather, low to mid 50s during the day and low to mid 40s at night. The forcast for London and Paris has been in the low 60s, and Amsterdam sort of mid 50s to low 60s. All a bit cooler than Florida right now, so, again, it depends how easily you acclimate. Oh, and Dublin can feel significantly cooler than the "actual" temp because of the wind coming off the Liffy.
Hi Christie,
Definitely pack one warm thing- it's been chilly in these parts recently (I'm on the South coast of England). And wet. Hope you bring some of that lovely Florida sunshine with you!
Christie: Now that your departure is nearing, you'll definitely find it very useful to take the 5 minutes to go to www.weather.com and look at what the weather actually is going to be, they have averages and also 10-day forecasts which you can start looking at in a few days and then checking in with the weather site every day leading up to your departure. The single best idea of what you should bring will come from the forecasts made in the day or two before you depart. The trick with weather.com is to input the name of a larger town fairly close to where you will be: Dublin will work and maybe Galway and Cork. In general, it can be chilly and wet this time of year in Ireland and London.
Christie, you are from Florida ( warm ) you are going to some places that will definately still be rather cool ( to you) , so I suggest wearing or bringing at least one pair of full length pants, ( not jeans, since if jeans get wet( likely) they take days to dry) .
Also, hope coat is rain proof,or rain resistant anyways.
Pack a hat or umbrella . I take an umbrella even in summer.
How exciting the big count down,, only 7 more sleeps!!
Worst case scenerio, you buy some stuff there!
I'm from New England and probably have a much higher tolerance for cold/wet/windy weather than you do in Florida. Last summer I was in both Ireland and England for an extended period of time and I wore long sleeve t-shirts, sweaters or a fleece and long pants. It was cold a lot - and it was also extremely wet. You are travelling very early in the Spring. If all I had packed was an umbrella, I would have been soaked. Bring a good windproof/waterproof jacket (preferably with a hood).
If I recall correctly, about a week or two ago someone on this board mentioned it had snowed in the U.K.
Your capri pants might be fine for Paris and maybe Amsterdam in May, but I don't think you want to leave home without at least 1 pair of long pants and 1 long sleeve shirt in your suitcase.
You might appreciate having some thin gloves stuffed into each pocket. My hands always feel cold at the seaside.
I like to carry those mini stretch gloves you can get at the Dollar Store. I wouldn't normally wear those at home but they're ok for travelling. They're small, compact and if you lose 'em it's no big deal.
And don't forget pocket kleenex. The dampness and windiness give me the sniffles! :-)
F/A
I'd be taking a polatec sweather, or fine merino, for warmth, and a longer jacket for wind/rain protection. Microfibre is good. Packs light and keeps the weather at bay. And something to keep your head warm or sun protected. Have a FABULOUS trip
Hi Christie,
I posted the email about snow in the UK a couple of weeks ago. That was a rare event at this time of the year in the south and it is back to average temperatures now. Average temperature in London in the next few weeks will be about 60F so it will feel cool to you, being from Florida. I would suggest you bring a thin sweater which you can wear between the other clothes you mention in your post. As you will be walking a lot and the temperature could reach 72F you probably don't want to be wearing thick clothing in case you get too hot! Enjoy.
Thank you all for your input! I am trying my best to pack the best combination of things :) What a great help you've been!
