Take food with you?

To me, part of the fun of traveling is to experience the food of other places. I can't imagine anything more boring than eating the things on that list. No matter where you are there are lots of lower cost alternatives to eating in a sitdown restaurant, and finding out what those are is part of the fun. I do take some snack stuff. As far as tea and coffee, most B&Bs I've stayed in have tea and coffee making in the room, as well as included with breakfast.

Nancy, my kids would be bored stiff if they had to survive on PB sandwiches in Europe. They want to eat things that are different, not the same. That's why we never eat at American fast food places in Europe.

But I guess this worked for these people. I'd rather buy local things at the super market/markets, delis etc., rather than haul that list with me!

This is not a strange as it first appears. It’s perfectly true that in Europe you can buy most of the groceries you can get in the US. It’s also true that if you shop carefully you can get a cart full of the stuff you need at about the same price you pay in the US. The problem is you have to know where to go and what goods are ‘same as’ goods. Do you really want to spend precious vacation time pushing a shopping cart around a supermarket ? I doubt it. So there is some value in packing a few ‘must have’ items in your bags ( this leaves room for souvenirs on the way back ). Provided you don’t take this to extreme levels this can save you both time and money. I’ll admit to smuggling a few cans of luminous green mushy peas ( the food of the Gods ) into the US as well as a couple of packs of Mr Kipling’s cherry bakewells – I’ve never seen either products on your side of the pond. A little ‘comfort food’ never hurt anyone, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Just be sensible.

Eli,
I spend the month of September every year with a rail pass visiting many countries in Europe. While I will throw in my carry-on six granola bars for emergencies that is all I take with me for food items.

I find that you can purchase food in Europe without breaking the bank. We buy bread & cheese in the local shops along with great pastries and a bottle of wine and enjoy picnic style lunches in fabulous places.

We buy all our bottle water in grocery stores many times getting the liter bottles for .25 and I also buy my wine in the grocery store. To the person that said they didn't want to spend their time in Europe in the stores, they can really be fun as their items are so different than ours. Since I'm not cooking and have no kitchen facilities we just pick up some pre-packaged items occasionally along with the water and wine.

With airlines being so stringent on luggage now not to mention security I wouldn't be too worried about taking your food from home.

I would not carry food items. There is always a grocery store close at hand for snacks,sandwiches,drinks etc. and it is so much fun to walk the aisles and see what the locals buy! The weight alone of the items would prevent me from taking anything other than airplane snacks.

I am on a restrictive diet for health reasons as is my son, and so I am taking some dry good mixes and other food items that we know we enjoy to have while we are there. While I don't mind grocery shopping abroad, the thought of spending my precious, hoarded vacation dollars trying to discover which gluten-free, sugar-free products are worth eating in other countries is horrible. We will buy meats, cheeses, and vegetables (we are staying in apartments), but I'm definitely packing a few dry goods.

I like to carry some healthy snacks for the plane and before I can get a decent meal on arrival. Whatever is left, I eat as part of our picnic lunches.

The only other reason I can see is someone who has strict dietary needs. Outside of that, it seems like needless self abuse.

I hit a bakery in the morning. I buy chocolate, wine and meal size portions of meat and cheese at the grocery stores for picnics. My stops take little time and put me more in contact with locals. I don't stock up and I don't lug around a ton of extra food.

I also pack a minimum of toiletries. I don't need much and if I run out, stores are everywhere.

It's true things are expensive, especially with the current exchange rate. The closer you stay to the hotels and tourist zones, the more expensive it is. I suspect this woman stayed in "American style" hotels and ate in "American style" restaurants, which may be the most expensive and least satisfying way to visit Europe.

I always like to have an emergency supply of food. I usually take a couple of health bars, a couple of the individually wrapped string cheeses, a few crackers, and some nuts. I usually carry off the plane some of the meal or snacks (carry baggies). It's true that you can buy these things in Europe, but sometimes there is a significant delay from arrival in Europe and access to a store.

What is the point of traveling if you bring your own food and not to mention such boring stuff? Going to the grocery stores is big part of the fun of traveling. You see many different interesting things and you get to try things you wouldn't get at home. It won't cost an arm an a leg to buy things instead of eating in restaurants.

I'd say there's a whole lotta crazy going on out there in Kansas if you ran into some woman who actually took rice and powdered milk with her to Europe! Did she pack her rice cooker, too?

It's your vacation, not prison. Like Brad said, get away from the tourist areas where prices are high. Eat ethnic: Kebabs, Falafel, Chinese, Thai, Indian. If that's too strange for your palate, get fish & chips or a crepe to takeaway. Buy food from farmer's markets - even in big cities, there is a farmer's market somewhere because they truck it in for the locals.

Shop for food at places like Marks & Spencer, Tesco or a local deli or bakery. If that's too expensive for you, then find an Aldi. My relatives who live in Europe routinely shop at Aldi - it's like the European equivalent of Costco (though Aldi also has stores in the U.S. as well).

Ceidleh, remember that this was a stranger I came upon. Last night I was on another web site and read where others were "thinking" of taking a few staples with them including all their toiletries. I believe this way of thinking has a lot to do with fear of the dollar dropping and the cost being higher across the pond.

That being said, I too have to shop for special items (celiac disease here), and have found that at least in the UK, they do have non-wheat, non-gluten items so I am not too worried.

In all three countries I will have the luxury of an apartment with a kitchen. I LOVE grocery shopping in a foreign country. When we were in Mexico I actually skipped the beach to wander around a market with locals and to try new fruits and veggies I had not seen before. It's a cultural experience and one that brings you even more in contact with locals than a restaurant. You can even ask locals what certain things are used for. Won't cook all the time, but will go to the grocery.

Al, I totally missed the green mushy peas last time and since this seems like a very important food item for you Brits, I WILL try them this time around. I love green peas. How is the mushy different from regular green peas?

Eli,

I always take portable snacks with me! I think it's a good idea and have been doing it for years. My ex first got me onto it. At first I thought he was being cheap on layover but now I know different. It especially didn't make sense when crew get expense accounts for meals etc.
But the practicality of it did make sense. It's so handy to have a power bar or granola bar or bag of nuts in your pocket! It's been a thankful pick-me-up on many an occaision.

I also take instant soup mixes like cup-a-soup and instant oatmeal. Instant hot chocolate, coffee, tea, powdered milk, carnation instant breakfast, splenda packets, salt n pepper packets etc. I usually have a kitchenette.
It really helps when I don't have time to go down to the diningroom for a full breakfast or have to leave earlier than it opens.

I also hit the local Market as soon as I can to stock up on fresh more healthful snacks and fresh milk etc. I also hit the Grocery stores. Shopping is fun! I also eat out like a normal traveller! Snacks are mostly just for convenience sake.

Hi Eli,
We always take lots of snacks with us. Before a trip we would go to Costco/grocery story and buy lots of individually wrapped items. Each of us would pack a snack bag (we each got a gallon sized plastic bag). Then each day on our trip, we pick a few items to take with us for that day in a day bag. We bring granola bars (so many different kinds now), jerkey, dried fruit, trail mix, etc. We usually stay at places that include breakfast, so we fill up at that time, then have snacks for lunch, and then only need to buy dinner out. That way you save quite a bit of money and still get the experience of trying different foods. Going to markets there is great, but we're always on the go with lots packed into each day. Even if you do decide to stop for lunch, usually you don't have to buy as much (you can split sandwiches) since you can supplement with snacks. Also, I think I read you are traveling with a couple teenagers-snacks are great pick me up for tired kids and parents!

Plus- the snacks diminish over the course of your trip and you have room for souveniers!

I really like the snacks idea. My son passed out one time as we waited to go through customs. They helped us immediately of course, and some kind soul had orange juice boxes which was much appreciated. The lady was a nurse and scolded me for not having "something" for my kids to snack on :-(. I didn't know we would be delayed so long getting off the plane and going through customs, but it sure taught me a lesson.

Well for years us Canadians had to endure the American dollar being much stronger then our dollar,so a trip to Hawaii for instance was 30-45 % more for us.
We travelled with our 3 kids, got hotels with kitchenettes and brought some food. Instant oatmeal and granola bars for sure, breakfast in our room. Packets of dried fruit and cookies, snacks for the beach.
We still had meals out, but with kids street side snacking for 3 kids adds up.
Also some of you sound so snooty, like you have tons of money and can't possilby understand why others don't, we aren't all going to just stay home if we can't go first class folks.
Lastly, groceries in tourist areas are NOT just as cheap as at home,since they are not even as cheap as you can get out in suburb grocery stores where ever you are.

PS I think the lady took the rice you just open and heat, not the kind that needed to be cooked.
And years ago ,it was impossible to find peanut butter in Europe, its cheap and portable protien.

I agree with the snacks (granola bars, fruit roll ups), special diet foods (if you need them), and kid friendly snacks are good items to take with you. You truly never know how long customs is going to take you and whether that bagel from the plane is really going to hold you.

I also agree with the prior posters about the adventure of grocery store shopping and eating with the locals - even if you don't like it, you have at least tried it once! I vividly remember the "ethnic" food section in an Italian market - a wide selection of mayonnaise, tortillas, and refried beans!

Pat you make a great point about the Canadian dollar and how it was for you guys. Maybe it's our time to understand and feel what it's like to look for ways to stretch our dollar!

The rice she was speaking of is the type in a pouch (she was really excited about this) and put in boiling water for a few minutes.

Last time we were in Europe and checked for PB it was in a tiny bottle and awfully expensive. But my kids aren't all that interested in PB. My son is looking forward to "blood sausage" in England, and all those amazing meat pies.

Eli, you have an amazing and brave son,, looking forward to " blood sausage" trumps my eating snails, mussels and even raw oysters( which I love) ,, but , I have to put blood sausage on the apex of "interesting and weird foods"!! How nice your son is so willing and open to new foods!
It just shows that many kids and teens are better travellers then we give them credit for!

The next time I go abroad I totally plan to take a jar of peanut butter with me. I looked all over last year in London and couldn't find any and I happen to like peanut butter. I realize that alot of people enjoy experiencing a new place with new foods as well but not everyone does. I am a very picky eater and not adventurous at all (with eating) so the fun for me is seeing things like shows and museums. I was in Poland last summer and almost starved! Wish I had that peanut butter then!!

I would love to take a jar of peanut butter; however with only a carry-on, it would not work too well since I would only be allowed a 3oz jar. I have decided to take some peanuts however, along with some crackers, and the individual sized drink powders that can be mixed in bottled water which I will get either at the airport or on the plane.

I have hypoglocemia and do need to have something with me at all times. When my sugar decides to take a dive, it happens quick, with no time to look around for food.

I had thought about making some oatmeal cookies to take with me. They would be packable and could serve as a healthy snack between meals if needed.

Mushy peas can be found in some U.S. supermarkets. Look in the "international" section, not the canned veggies.

Pat, my son really, really wanted to try stewed eels and mash last time we were in Greenich but unfortunately they were not serving it that day. He amazes me because he was the world's most picky eater as a little boy! Last year in Mexico he tried octupus, and in Belgium a couple years ago he tried frog legs. Blood sausage (black pudding) is something he loved even as a 2 year old.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mostof_blackpudding.shtml

Since I am going on a tour and I'm not sure what our meal periods will be, I might bring some granola bars because if I don't eat every few hours I get kinda weak and really cranky. hehehe

I am planning on bringing a few Clif bars with me in case of emergencies, but I do find half the fun of travelling is trying all the food! Breads and cheeses are so much better over there.

Eli "stewed eels and mash"' oh my,, that trumps blood sausage, your son should go on that tv show "Fear Factor" who could easily win by eating the eyeballs and whatever else the challenge of the day is!

I don't have food aversions. If someone tells me I can eat it, I will. I'm afraid the jokes I make about eating items like deep fried baby eels in Asia or blood sausage in Europe give other people food aversions. I don't want to put you off exotic foods before you even try them, so I'll be good.

Remember Scott O'Grady? The F-16 pilot shot down in the Balkans. He survived on black ants (they really do taste like lemon heads). Maybe that's the best way to stretch your food budget.

Food in European restaurants is more expensive then in the Us, but food in supermarkets is not. You have to understand that the food quality in Europe is more superior then the one here. You won't find untasty bread spongy looking like here in any grocery store. The bread over in Europe is excelent, fruit and vegies taste like they are supposed to. I am not sure about peanut butter, I don't eat this type of food, but maybe it's a good idea to take a jar with you if you can't live without it.
As another poster said, when I travel I prefer to taste new things, and forget about what I eat here at home.
I wouldn't carry coffee and tea. You can buy it over there. You will find Musli every where in Europe.Also cosmetics are not expensive if you buy them from a supermarket.I don't know which counntries you are going to go, but I can post a few cheap stores in Germany where you can go shopping for anything, food, cosmetics etc. Aldi and Lidl.They are all over Germany.

Something else. You will be able to find dehydrated rice in Europe, Uncle Ben brand.Very good product.

Peanut butter is available in Paris at The Real McCoy store off rue Cler. They also have other American-style foods such as poptarts. For emergency food to stave off hunger, I carry nuts. A few ounces in a pocket or bag can save the day. To save money, rather than going to restaurants buy food "take-away" wherever it is sold. My favorite is the falafels on rue des Rosiers (Jewish area) in Paris. Pizza in Italy. Pasties in Britain. And for a sit-down meal in Paris, I buy from the deli case in the ubiquitous Chinese delis, have them heat it up, and eat it in the restaurant there. They usually keep tap water available in pitchers. Fresh fruit is readily available almost everywhere; great ready-made and reasonably-priced sandwiches are available in France and Britain. I don't carry lots of food with me from home mostly because I travel light and an extra pound or two of food just makes my pack too heavy.

The Real McCoy, is incredibly expensive, my friends and I found the place by accident last month and went in (we've been living in France for 2 months at this point) and a box of pop tarts was at least 7 euros, PB was worse.

Peanut Butter is the only thing I brought from home, I'm a vegeterian who isn't a fan of cheese, so I always take a little jar with me, just in case.

All I plan to take with us is what we always take anyway and that is granola bars, almonds, dried fruit and gum (helps my daughter's ears on the flight). I need to make sure my son doesn't pass out from low blood sugar.

As for PB. I can't stand that stuff and my kids can live without American food for a month. In fact, we never go into any of the American chains to eat, but we do use their toilets :-)

I suggest granola bars, rice krispy treats and small packaged items for afternoon snacks or breakfast on the go. You can really cut down costs by using these small measures and still enjoy meals abroad.

How much money do you seriously think you can save by packing food from the States?

My wife and I agree with those that say the whole point of going is to experience life over there - food is part of life! As to whether or not we want to spend our vacation time in a grocery store shopping for food - the answer is YES! We are in a grocery store in Britain, or Switzerland, or wherever - it is a cultural experience just like the rest of the trip. We can go see old buildings over here too - but the buildings themselves aren't our reason for going (even if they are a little bit older).

We spent a month at a writer's retreat in Southern France in '06 and and the one thing hard to find there is peanut butter; if you find it, it is expensive for a small jar. So, if you are like us and want a peanut butter "fix" you're wise to take your own.They do have Nutella many places.

Somehow eating peanut butter and crackers in my hotel room in Rome seems sad, if not criminal. However, yes, my wife takes breakfast bars to supplement her meals and we will often buy picnic items from the grocery store...but even those seem exotic and are an experience. For me, food is as important as the sights, I'll sleep on a park bench before I cut out good meals.

Regarding previous posts expressing disdain about "spending your time going to a grocery store" I proudly admit that I make a point of going in Grocery stores and department stores when travelling. Grocery stores are a fascinating slice of culture. What do they eat? what meats are common? what types of canned goods are found? how do prices compare? Markets are maybe even more fascinating. My wife now groans everytime we pass a grocery store or see a market in the distance, but she gets swept up with it as soon as she's in the door.

For those of you who are wanting to bring PB but are concerned about carry on restrictions -- look into those individual squeeze packets of PB that Skippy sells as scool lunch snacks.

I will take along a bag of Muesli for our breakfast. For me, that's almost like medication as I know that getting my regular breakfast of Muesli and yoghurt will help me staying healthy, especially avoiding traveller's diarrhea. But other than that I am really looking forward to exploring local grocery stores and farmers markets!!!

At first, I was really surprised at this string; I thought taking food was a given. But, then I spent most of my young adulthood - and motherhood - traveling the world with children. Now, I have dietary restrictions so I still take food.

I usually pack whatever fits my diet and won't ruin anything if it opens all over my suitcase, doesn't need much preparation or many tools, and doesn't need refrigeration after opening. I also take basic cutlery and a small bowl. I rarely return with any food left.

One other thing it does for me is give me less stress and more options in case I find that I don't have the time or inclination to go to a restaurant. And it is usually easy to supplement what I brought with a few items from a grocery store to fill out a meal.

One of the things we enjoy the most in Europe is shopping for foods. We often rent apartments or farm houses and heading to the local Auchan, Lidl, Carrefour, the bread, wine, or vegetable merchant, or farmer's market brings us great enjoyment. The deli counters often have better food than many restaurants at a much lower price.

Wow! two sides of the fence here in this thread! I actually get paid to go to grocery stores when I travel as I am a personal shopper and it is my job to know all about foreign foods. I love groceries stores and trust me, everyone is more interested in my 'strange' food photos rather than some castle. I also take some food with me---If I am going to visit friends/expats they always want me to bring Mexican food stuff, seasonings etc... you can't imagine all the stuff I have been asked for!! I also like to bring interesting things for locals that I meet. Last year I took Reese peanut butter eggs to Scotland (got them cheap after Easter) and I was very popular!
For myself, I usually take a bag of jerky- light and good for the days that you are touring or need a quick bit. Some power/energy bars just in case-some extra seasonings(love those packets of Cajun Sparkle)for bland food, small packs of dijon etc..
But I do get a little kit set up when I am there with tea, butter,sugar and stuff for picnics.
On the same note--you should see all the stuff I bring back for myself and my firends :-)

The things that have made a difference for me, in domestic or international travel, is snacks for long waits or late at night or whenever I'm too tired to do anything else but rest but am hungry too. I enjoy local grocery shopping in exotic domestic and international locations as much as the next person, but it's nice to have a few snacks with you too. Your backpack or suitcase becomes your everything when you're on the road, and having a snack in there, heck there's nothing wrong with that. Vegetarian "jerquee" is good to take along. Those "tlc" bars, jerquee, cups of soup packets, lightweight stuff like that is what I take along. Its hard enough to find jerquee when you're in the states.

Part of the experience of travel is the food but if taking your own food is the difference between going and not going or missing out on a great museum or experience then pack away! Sadder still is not being in Rome at all. And take your PB and one of the rolls/croissants from "breakfast" and have that as your snack along with some fruit from the market. We bought little packets of Nutella in Italy ; we didn't use them quickly enough as we had a couple of punctures -- note to self: use ziplocs for everything! -- and Nutella all over the inside of the day bag! We always scrimped on the food by getting food from delis and eating on the move during the day. We'd then have a decent dinner. I'm glad for this post as I will stuff my bag with lots of high energy snacks for when I need a quick pickup. One of my faves from pregnancy was snack size ziplocs with a mix of almonds and dried cranberries. Yummo.

Wow Eli, my son wouldn't try alot of differnt foods, he's very picky! But! Now that we're due to leave on his first European vacation he's been more willing to not only try but actually eat a whole portion of foods that he'd normally turn his nose up at. We took him to a "pub" here that is run by a expat Irishman. They serve what I think is the "typical" full Irish breakfast. The boy surprised me by liking 1/2 of all the foods; some I thought he'd like he didn't, some I thought he'd hate, he loved! You just never know with kids!

Please. We are english - travel widely and now live in France - Sorry for your dollar - not our fault talk to your greedy banks and inept politicians - But my experience is that supermarket prices are a little more, really not much - and our wonderful markets are a shade more expensive. BUT its real food!!! You should try real food that tastes of something . Not, in my experience, normal in the USA You will not starve here, we are not the third world!!

Come and try - DO not clutter your bag!!

Tim, don't be offended please. This was about a lady who had already travelled and for whatever reason, she decided to take lots of "food" items with her. She was trying to be helpful by giving me an idea of what she took.

I will take snacks for the plane/airport and while we're trying to get from the airport to the apartment. I have a son with hypoglycemia and I won't risk him passing out again.

As a side note...yesterday I received an email from the owner of the apartment in Rome. He told me to take some gluten free snacks/items for myself because his daughter said not all the grocery stores carried gluten free products. Now that's going to be a problem for me!

Tim , your post, for an Enlishman is highly highy amusing,, I have seen TONS of junk food in England, land of " brown sauce" , " cottage pie mix" , and curry and bacon flavored " crisps" . Blech.

We are NOT talking about NOT experiencing local foods, or fresh foods, we are mostly talking about what most of us conisider pocket snacks. Those with blood sugar isssues, or travelling with children would be well advised to always have some little snacks with them, and if you have ones from home that you like and are convienent then people should feel free to take them.

Why Pat, what's wrong with a bacony-curried crisp?lol

I don't like bacon so that's one I wouldn't try. Curry is okay though.

Well you know Eli, I actually like buying some local junk food, fun to experiment ,, curry flavored chips are actually pretty good.. but my point was that Tim seemed to be saying that Americans eat or have assess to only junk food , as opposed to what is available in Europe " real food" I think he said. There is real food and junk food everywhere, and anyone who travels with kids will soon discover a fun thing to do is look at foriegn candy bars and gums, which are available in most little stores, just like at home.

As for gluten free food, do bring some, it is not avaible everywhere, you must be lucky where you live, since even here you have to search the shops for it,, it is much more common now then even 10 yrs ago, but still hard to find. I also hope you get a little card with the translation that explains , in perfect Italian , that you need gluten free, and what that means. We have a family friend with Celiac , and it was difficult to explain to waiters sometimes, he'd ask if

chichen was breaded,, blah blah blah, and they'd say no, but then chicken would arrive and it had been dredged in flour and spices anyways( but not " breaded" .. so you know how it will be.

Pat, we have health food stores and that's where I pay an arm and a leg for gluten free products. It's getting easier at Walmart now because I keep asking everytime for them to bring "more" products.

Breaded food items are a problem here too. That's really why we always have to try our best to have a place with a kitchen/kitchenette, even in the States. I am also lactose intolerant but buy the tablets to take before consuming cheese/milk. There is now lactose free milk/cheese here. It was very easy in England to find these things though.

Where can I get those cards in Italian? Is there some in French too?

Yeah, junk food exists everywhere! We went to an Indian grocery store and were surprised to find cassava chips and other snacks items. Just as greasy as ours and loaded with sodium,lol

My kids have always found the junk food isle in foreign grocery stores. They must have a sensor on them or something.

I'll admit I'm planning to take some food items. Let me first say there are 6 of us in apartments in Paris. We've budgeted half our budget to eat out most lunches and all dinners (very expensive for a big family, even in the inexpensive RS cafes, but we think it's half the experience of being there- and my teens will try anything-great). We'll be taking the kids to several outdoor markets to buy produce, cheese, etc.-great experience! We'll also be going to the grocery store when we get there for milk, bottled water, staples. That said, I plan to bring: toilet paper, all our toiletries, lots of snacks, favorite cereals to supplement local baked goods for breakfast, and yes, peanut butter (my daughter just spent a semester abroad in France and peanut butter was the only thing she asked us to send from home). If I figure what I'm spending per hour for us to be there it's a issue of time: I want to spend the time at the nice open market, I don't want to spend it in Carfour.

Nancy, are you taking these things in your carry-on or checking it?

How long are you going for?

Eli- We're there for 9 nights/10 days. I have a separate small toiletries/medicines bag that will get checked. I can tell you from experience that some medicines are hard to find, ie. my daughter ended up in a French hospital and they took her Pepto Bismol for testing as they had no idea what it was. I know they have plenty of stomach meds. there, but again, who wants to worry about it when you're sick (I personally spent 3 days alone in a hotel room in Italy with the flu and my meds. helped a lot). I'll take my son's nebulizer machine (asthma), all our perscriptions, and a few meds. that might be needed on the plane (stomach, pain releiver, etc.) in my carry on. I'll take a few snacks for on the plane in my carry on. Everything else will be in our checked luggage. More room on the way home for the kids souvenirs! I didn't take any food on my first (only) trip to Paris, but it was just me for a week, breakfast was at the hotel, and I didn't need snacks...w/family is different.

One more thing Nancy. Why take toilet paper? My daughter is allergic to many things, and have so far found a sanitary napkin that works perfectly for her, so she's taking the particular brand on this trip.

We found VERY small amount of (pink, rough, sheeted) toilet paper in our hotel in Paris last trip (had to ask for more). We found even less in Italy when I had the flu for 3 days w/vomiting & diarrhea. Let's just say the bidet saved me LOL. Taking no chances with our apartments for 10 days- 6 people; no way will it be that well stocked!

We pack Clif Bars/granola bars and then buy supplies once we get there.

My DH needs to eat something every 3 hours or he crashes, this keeps him satisfied when regular food is not immediatly available.

Small tissue rolls- Yep, I think I saw these at our Target store. I plan to buy one of these for each person to carry in their daypack/coat for use while we're touring all those adventurous French public toilets.

Nancy that was fluke, most hotels do use normal toilet paper,, just like ours now( I do recall the type you are talking about though).
What I do like to always make sure I have in my purse is the little packages of kleenex to use in public washrooms etc.

I always take my own drug store, I do not want to be in a pharmacie pantomineing " diarreha" at any point in my life,,,LOL
Although last time in Paris I was coming down with a cold, and I knew I had to fly home in a few days, nothing is more miserable then flying with congestions, so off I went to the drugstore, and bought something, I have NO idea what the heck it was,,my friend said it was "homopathic" because of the way you took it( little crystals serveral times a day under your tongue) I don't use that stuff at home,, BUT, it worked.. the pharacists in France are wonderful.

Taking a few snacks for emergencies is a smart idea. Time differences, cultural differences in shopping and dining hours, unexpected holidays or strikes can affect your eating habits.

But shopping the fresh markets and grocery stores in Europe is an amazing addition to your "living closer to the land" experience. Just make sure you understand the metric system of measurement or you'll end up with pounds of meat and cheese. That said, our al fresco picnics are often some of the best memories we have.

The best tips I can share is to take along some clean zip lock type bags to store your bounty along the way. Also, we regularly carry a few utensil packets from home to have disposable knives and forks that we use during picnics. And having a dash of salt and pepper is often a nice thing. If you think your lunch needs to be kept chilled, freeze a bottle of water, wrap it in yesterdays newspaper along with your lunch and you have a placemat, a drink and a memory.

Buy at the markets and deli's and eat in some nights, or for a snack lunch. But realy, if you can't afford to eat, you can't afford to go.

I also get low blood sugar so carry granola bars with me for the trip. We usually hit the grocery store fairly quickly for juice and fruit. With the language barrier it is interesting and a challenge to find 100% juice. Not knowing what will be served as juice in restaurants, it is good to have that in our room. Of course, we buy a small container to drink in one day, or if it is cool, we have been known to put it outside on the windowsill. We usually end up with a table full of snack foods as they are such fun to try. I have "still life" photos of our snacks. The quality of food in Europe can be amazing. The pudding! Oh lo lo!

Christie, we will have to try the pudding. You made it sound delish :-)

I love grocery shopping wherever we travel to, and trying their fruits/snacks/drinks. Last year in Mexico we went to a huge market and ended up buying lots of weird looking fruits. They turned out to be the most tasty of all.

I think that one of the best parts about a trip to Europe is seeing the food shops. Europeans don't like to spend a lot of money either. You can always find inexpensive meals and snacks, you just have got off the tourist track and explore. Buy a jar of Nutella and some crackers when you get there, it always tastes better in Europe. Besides, I don't think I would want to haul all that stuff across the pond, not to mention dealing with TSA and customs.

Nutella should be eaten with a spoon,, procedure as follows:

1) Make sure kids are in bed.

2) Grab spoon and Nutella jar that you keep hidden so darn kids don't get into it and eat it with a spoon, that would be naughty..LOL

3)Dip spoon into Nutella, scoop up large amount,, slowly lick it off spoon,, imagine you are sucking the hazelnut chocolate filling out of a chocolate,, , clean spoon thoroughly with a good last lick or two( should be clean enough to reinsert into jar,, LOL ,, now, repeat.

We have Nutella in stores here, have for serveral years.

Traveling with a child who was a very picky eater taught me to always have a jar of peanut butter in my suitcase. It saved her many times when she didn't like anything being offered, except the bread. Now she is 20 and eats most foods but we still take granola bars and some hard candy just in case hunger stikes while we are too busy to stop.

As far as taking toilet paper... I always have either a small travel roll of TP ($.99 at Target) and/or tissues. This was a life saver when women's bathroom at Venice airport had no TP. I was handing it out to all of my needy fellow travelers!

Linda, I think those small packets of tissues and some Purell are very necessary when travelling. If there is TP sometimes there is no soap and vice versa.

I always take peanutbutter and granola bars with me. Sometimes I also take some other snacks for the plane since I often cannot/do not want to eat what is served. I have had lots of 'on the go' lunches of peanutbutter sandwiches and apples or granola bars. Also, it is a good conversation starter if you are traveling alone and staying in hostels. I've met tons of great people traveling by offering them a bit of peanutbutter to try. I put the peanutbutter in a small rubbermaid container-for me a little bit goes a long way. I think the instant rice is a great idea expecially if you get sick and have to give your body a few days of "bowel rest"--the instant rice would give you a good start up to food again and I am going to include a pack in my suitcase from now on. I had very bad diarrhea one time while traveling alone and I was stuck in my hotel for over 30 hours with out any food and with out being able to leave to get any either. I have never gone without taking snacks again.

I also take all of the toiletires I think I will need too--I don't over pack--I just am very thrifty with things in general and very low maintenance. It can be expensive to replace things and I have found that I can make a small tube of toothpaste, bottle of biodegradeable soap (most hotels I've stayed at had shampoo/soap) and deodorant last a long time--over a month. I get just as much pleasure looking at things as I do buying them so I don't feel the need to purchase things while traveling-most things that I've seen people buy looked like junk anyway! I do shop at the grocery store while traveling-the food is not as big of a deal for me as traveling for a longer time and enjoying the history of Europe--I would rather make my own food and travel longer then eat at expensive restaurants. Your kids won't remember the food-they'll remember the fun you had. I bring a bottle and fill it up w/ water. No need to buy bottles and polute the earth further--never been sick from sink water!!!!

I see Pat knows the secrets of Nutella consumption. Did you know there is a World Nutella Day?

http://www.nutelladay.com/

I'm planning to take granola bars and/or Clif bars with me, along with some mixed nuts for snacks. Also some packets of instant oatmeal(it helps at night when I have problems sleeping)I'm also planning to bring a box of Sleepytime tea. Possibly a small jar of peanut butter too.

I will however bring ALL toiletries from home as well as a reasonable supply of OTC meds and supplies.
And I am doing that to save money. I understand that I can buy anything I need there and shopping foriegn stores can be a lot of fun,I would rather spend 99 cents on toothpaste here than who knows what on toothpaste there.

Regarding the small tissue paper rolls...You don't have to buy it pre-made...just glue the initial piece to a popscicle stick and wind it on and store in a snack size ziplok bag. Put a string through the centre as a lanyard.

Or if you really like the plastic case the store bought ones come in...reuse the case and wind up your own using the above method. It will be much cheaper. It's only a difference of pennies, really, but for the $2 bucks a tiny roll costs you can buy about four regular rolls of premium quality tissue. Someone is making a massive profit in the name of convenience.

Another good reason to carry your own is that some parts of Europe still use/sell coloured toilet tissue. Studies have shown that coloured tissue can be harmful (to women especially)due to the dye in it. You can't even buy it anymore around here.