Packing for a year on the road

In addition to the other very good posts, I would suggest the following:

1. A mini laptop such as the Dell Mini 10 or others that will be mentioned.

2. A list of ALL phone numbers you MAY need including your pharmacists, US Embassie/Consulates. country calling codes and banks.

3. Travelers Insurance.

4. Adapters for electronics.

5. As Jon stated...pack for 5 days.

6. Prepared boxes with winter gear for friends or relatives to send to you. Just remember it may take a month or more in some areas to reach you.

7. Locks and cable locks for your backpacks and luggage.

8. Money belts!!!!!

9. Notify your bank of your itinerary prior to your departure and update them from time to time.

10.Rick Steves' travel clothes lines (2) flat round sick stopper, clothes pins, 2 xlarge Rick Steves' travel towels and 1 small one to cut up for wash cloths.

11.Iomega portable HD for back ups and to store pictures.

12.Assuming you have a digital camera, would suggest you get 2 CF cards in case one is lost or stolen.

13.Create a Travel Blog so relatives and friends can enjoy your travels along with you.

14.Rain ponchos and small umbrellas.

LOL. If I think of something else....will post.

Go for it and enjoy!!!!!

I would recommend performing an internet search as a starting point. Search on “packing for a year abroad” or "packing extended world travel" & you’ll note several respectable websites with good information for students, workers, and others preparing for an extended trip out of the country. By adding “U.S. expats” to your search, you’ll find even more resources from reliable sites. From there, a visit to your local library and bookstore might be time well invested. This should get you started. You’re only asking about packing here…I’m sure you know there’s much, much more to learn and understand regarding extended travel abroad. Good luck!!!

Same way you pack for a 5 day, 5 week or, or 5 month trip.

Basically, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, shorts, socks and underwear. A hat, a pair of boots or shoes, sandals, Gortex rain shell, possibly a fleece if needed but that depends on where you will be and when.

Camera, small computer (if needed), battery chargers, MP3 player, plug adapters, travel books.

You WILL get sick of wearing the same things over and over again, but that is the way it works.

Make sure to bring enough medication if you take any so that you will not be stuck somewhere without it.

Everything else you can buy easily locally (although it might not be the brands you are used to).

I recommend a pack with a rigid frame in it. I do not recommend roller suitecases if you are going to be doing a lot of day to day travel. You are much more agile with a pack.

Finally, a passport that is good 6 months past your return date.

You can stay in Europe for 90 days out of 6 months, then you'll have to leave the "Schengen zone" (most of Europe except the UK) and come back (if you wish to come back) after the first 6 months period (starting from your first entry into the Schengen zone) has expired.

Also, if you wear glasses an extra pair is nice. Contacts, make sure you bring glasses and enough boxes to last you.

I traveled with a laptop this summer and installed Google Latitude on it in order for my friends and relatives to track our moves.

You can set it to automatically recognize you location or set it manually. It takes some playing with to get use to it.

It will also work on an iphone.

Only the friends and relatives that you invite can view your location.

http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html

I think it is different packing. First off, 3 shirts and 2 pants are not going to last the year. You need to plan to buy replaces as you are traveling. My thought is I would take less than what I normally would do with the idea that I would purchasing clothing as I went. You need the basics of rain coats, study shoes, etc. but plan on buying what you need when you need it.

Read other people's round the world blogs....
I have been following www.sabenandlin.com and http://leapandthenet.blogspot.com among others and they both have their packing lists listed. www.gobackpacking.com is a great site for round the world travel as well. THey also have packing lists as well.

I agree with Frank. Also, what kinds of weather will you encounter? You may need to buy a coat or long underwear but it'll be cheaper on the road. I'll recommend bootsnall.com as a start. Good luck!

Joey, you say "We are not very young". If that means that you collect Social Security benefits, you must notify the SSA if you're outside the country for a trip that lasts 30 days or more. Look here:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10077.html

Scroll about halfway down the page.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond. It sounds like it's planning, culling and planning again for this kind of adventure.

If my defective memory serves me correct Lonely Planet has a forum for around the world travel.

What's needed:
(1.) Swiss Army Knife ...
(2.) Portable Typewriter...
(3.) Classic bush jacket: http://jlpowellusa.com/product/34_51-OUTERWEAR/105-J-L-POWELL-3XDRYsupsup-Bush-Jacket.html ...
(4.) "Far side of the world" on your ipod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DotENSHBe2U ...
(5.) Dog-eared copy of a biography of André Malraux: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Malraux
(6.) Case of Scotch.

7) Trusty sidekick to help the intrepid traveler on his way.

I like these last two suggestions the best. What is life without a sense of humour?

Yes, definitely pack your sense of humor. Of course, it's on the light side...

Back to the topic-look at onebag.com and you'll find lots of ideas. Even if you don't want to go as light as he does you will find lots of info.