To ipod or not ipod that is the question?

This topic is all over this site. Search in the upper right hand corner for a ton of posts.

I personally...

1. Take it for the flight alone if nothing else. Also, with the Touch I can use the free WiFi at hotels to check into flights, email, etc.
2. Charge in the room with just an adapter (I'm sure your plug says 110 - 220V, but check).
3. You can get a charger that you put AA or AAA batteries in to recharge your iPod mid flight.
4. Audio tours are great on iTunes. Just search Rick Steves and pick the podcasts.

Good luck.

I took my ipod for a trip to Africa last year. I used it on the planes, had no problems with charging once there and I was able to listen to my trip "theme music" i.e. "Africa" by Toto and "The Lion King Broadway" Soundtrack. For my "must stay awake times" i.e. the flight home to adjust my clock, I would watch the on-board movies.
It will be making the trip to Europe later this month as well.

Not only can you find the walking tours for ipods, depending on the country you're heading to, there are free language lessons on itunes as well!
Happy travels!

Take it for the plane, and walking tours, or when needed if there are no grannies to listen too while you enjoy the scenery. Its great to have local music, lessons, or famous artists/composers from the area in there. For instance, I enjoyed listening to Grieg's works sailing into Oslo Fjord last year early in the AM with most of the top deck area to myself - was amazing! You could really tell how he was influenced from his native surroundings as his music had themes of nature from the area!

I am taking mine... mostly for the plane and long bus trips on my tour. It is also a video iPod, so I bought an adaptor to hook it up to my camera for extra storage space. I do have a few movies and TV shows loaded on it - but I don't think I will be able to watch a whole movie on a 2-inch screen. I have also downloaded Rick's podcasts and some language lessons.

What ever you do, make sure you keep track of your Ipod if you take it. I had just bought my Ipod 2 weeks before my trip to Europe. I was listening to it on the first flight I got on. It came unclipped and when I got off the plane, the Ipod didn't. I didn't notice until I arrived at my second gate but by that time, the other plane had taken off and my Ipod went with it. The gate I was at called the gate I came from and of course no one turned it in. They gave me the number for the next destination of the plane and I had to wait 45 mins before that plane arrived and when iti did, there was no ipod to be found. I was so bummed I lost my new toy. But, I can honestly say, my trip was not ruined by not having my ipod other than the fact that I lost it. Would I take my Ipod next time, maybe, maybe not. And don't worry about the voltage, the ipod is dual. You only need the 2 prong converter.

Destiny,

My suggestion would be definitely to take your I-Pod along. I've been travelling with one for the last few years, and it's been a great travel accessory. However, a few points to mention.

First, I'd strongly suggest buying a different type of Earphones than the model supplied with the I-Pods. There were several reports last year (Paris?) of travellers being "relieved" of their I-Pods by thieves. The distinctive white Apple Earphones are a "beacon" to thieves.

For charging the I-Pod in Europe, I bought a Sonnet Travel Charger, and it works well. You will need a Plug Adapter though.

Happy travels!

I always take mine, but never use it on the street, or even on the trains. I take it for the plane ride over/back, and for sleepless nights/noisy nights in a hotel room. I've loaded language lessons so I can practice on the plane and at night, but walking tours are good too, you could listen the night before and educate yourself for the next day's sightseeing!

I always take a adapter to charge my iPod and my batteries for my digital camera. Bought mine at Target. Never once had a problem with voltage in Europe. the iPod is ready to accept Europe's voltage difference.

I've taken mine twice, and found it to be very helpful for enduring the plane ride. The music made it easier to relax, and the noise-cancelling headphones/earbuds drowned out the relentless background hum and loud conversation.

Also, you can put some language lessons on the iPod, and go through some of them at night in bed in order to prepare for the next day's linguistic adventures. Of course, it's best to begin language work months in advance, but a refresher while on the road isn't a bad idea...

I also go the library and grab a few books on CD and put them on my ipod. Then instead of lugging readng material, I listen to the books. The ipods take up so little room and gives you so much that it's a must pack item where ever I travel now.

Like previous posters, I used mine on plane and train rides, but not walking tours. I had my ipod loaded with all kinds of stuff I had downloaded for my trip, but I did not use them because I did not like the "cut off" feeling they gave. When you walk around or visit a site with headphones in, I felt I was missing the things going on around me, the sounds and atmosphere of the places I was; I preferred to use Rick's printed walking tours, I just thought it helped me absorb my surroundings better. But I'd take it, you might like listening to ipod walking tours and it takes up no space.

I'm taking mine with me this summer. I'm also planning to buy the adapter so that I can attach my digital camera to it to upload my photos. I hope it works!

I'm definitely taking mine. I want to go out to the Appian Way early one morning and walk it while listening to Pines of the Appian Way by Respighi . . . In Venice I plan to put in some tiny speakers and play Sarah Brightman singing Il Mio Cuore Va while on the gondola with mhy wife, and maybe a couple Josh Groban songs in Italian while we're at it . . . In the Dolomites I'm thinking Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings . . . I just think music is better than words for some places and moments.

Definitely IPOD. I have a mini with lots of music and audio books. Also, I have really good earphones that isolate outside noise which I can not imagine traveling without since they block just about any sound from a jet engine! They were expensive but worth the price (Shure is the brand)

I would defiently take it. I took mine with me in May 06 and loved it. I have a video version, so I loaded it with music, walking tours, and videos. There is a program you can google called Videora, this program takes your downloads/dvds and converts them to play on your ipod. I was traveling by myself and it was nice to have some familiar shows like friends, and seinfeld to watch. I also have about 15 movies and it keeps me entertained on the trains and planes. I have a charger, it's the small white square one, you don't need to worry about voltage, you just need an adapter. I would usually charge mine in my hostel a couple hours before bed.