Umbrellas

I have never packed an umbrella.

I've stayed at several hotels that have provided umbrellas. Not a standard feature of all European hotels, of course...

A couple of thoughts: 1) if you don't take an umbrella, it will rain the whole time (just kidding) 2) if you do take an umbrella, you won't need it (again, just kidding) 3) Those countries all sell umbrellas 4) Depends on what time of year you are traveling
5) Depends on how well you do when you get wet...are you the kind that can just pull a hood on a rain slicker over your head and be happy? I have a favorite travel umbrella that opens up to a huge golf-sized umbrella, is study, but packs up rather small, with a strap that my hubby can carry under his arm. We have rarely used it, but I know its there and don't have to hit the streets looking for an umbrella, if one is needed. Also, when we did a river cruise, Tauck provided umbrellas for guest use, and often on various trips our hotels had some available. This spring when we were in Amsterdam and Belgium, we used our umbrella more half the days.........rain is very common in the spring. I normally check the long-range forecast, but for an entire month (how wonderful), it will be hard for you to get an accurate one that far out.

I always carry an umbrella. It never leaves my day pack unless in use. It has rained everytime we have been in Europe.....really came in handy in Israel also.

Thanks everyone. As always, common sense is the best advice!!

I'd say, sure, leave them behind. England has the monopoly on rain. It never rains in France, Belgium or the Netherlands. Have you heard of compact umbrellas?

In Europe we've noticed that, whenever it starts to rain, street vendors magically appear on the sidewalk selling umbrellas.

You can leave the umbrela at home, but be sure and take a bumbershoot.

travel-sized compact umbrellas are a really good idea no matter what. europe is rainy, it's not like California where you can be assured it won't rain between May and mid-October. I am always amazed that Europeans seem to be carrying umbrellas at all times, you don't see them, but the minute it sprinkles, everyone's got umberllas open. It's amazing.

We take lightweight hooded windbreaker type jackets that work for most situations. But we also each carry a super small travel umbrella. We pull those out in heavy rain. Haven't had to use them often, but when we did, it was worth carrying them around. We keep small heavy plastic bags that we got when shoping at Harrod's once to put the wet umbrellas in if it stops before we get back to the hotel. Saves carrying a dripping umbrella at our side and keeps contents of our day bag dry.

Hello April. I recommend bringing an umbrella with you to Europe. An umbrella for each person. I put a folding umbrella in my carry - on bag.
(My carry - on bag is my primary bag). Some carry - on bags have two elastic loops on the outside of the bag, for carrying a folding umbrella. The smallest folding umbrellas that I have seen are not of sufficient length for fitting into the two elastic loops on the bag. I do not like a very small folding umbrella : it is likely to fold when you do not want it to fold. A folding umbrella that I like is made by Victorinox of Switzerland. The cloth is a red color, with a white cross on it. That umbrella's ribs are titanium. And I know of other good folding umbrellas that can be purchased for a lower price, by mail order.

I live in Seattle and don't carry an umbrella here. When traveling, I don't bring one, either - it's just one more thing to carry. A hood on my jacket is all I need. It's okay with me if my jacket gets wet. :-)

Buy a cheap one while you're in the UK (they're available everywhere- it's the UK- it rains a lot) and leave it when you go home.

I don't pack one since I go carry-on only. If you need one when you get there, they will be available everywhere. You can pick up a cheap one on the street for 5 euros or stop by a department store and buy something more sturdy. Museums and galleries also sell umbrellas that make nice souvenirs.