In his books Rick notes that some hotels have thin walls and that street noise, etc. can be a problem. Can anyone recommend a good (preferably light and durable) source of white noise for sleeping while traveling? (We will not be bring a laptop.)
Many thanks!
I have always used ear plugs when needed. We don't view it as a big problem but we are not super light sleepers either. I have noise canceling headphones but would be difficult to sleep with those.
Some people require white noise to sleep, instead of silence so ear plugs don't work. I use a device similar to this from Brookstone.com
This is a website for white noise white noise files. Some are able to download to the smaller iPods and sleep with earpods; other use pillow speakers, which are now small enough to take with on your trip.
Thanks for all your responses. Frank, I like the earplugs and may do that myself. My kids would likely prefer the sound system recommended by Michael (if it's not too heavy to carry in carry-on bags as we travel) or the pillow speakers described by Kent (I wonder if they can be loud enough so that one set would be effective for all 5 of us.)
Thank you again for some very helpful options.
the pillow speakers described by Kent (I wonder if they can be loud enough so that one set would be effective for all 5 of us.)No, pillow speakers fit under a pillow and are intended to be heard only by the person using the pillow.Speakers capable of being heard by 5 people in a room are more bulky and somewhat less compact, and that gets into the problem of how large is too large to haul around Europe. They're making some pretty compact speakers these days--but your question was about the pillow speakers in my first post and those are intended for one person.
I have a couple of "smaller" white noise machines and find they aren't that great. If you can get used to earplugs, I's suggest them instead. Much lighter to carry as well.
I use the Shaper Image's Sound Shaper device. Packs up small and makes about 20 different white noise effects. Has been a godsend in noisy hotel rooms.
This may not help you specifically John but it might help others. The iphone and ipod touch both have some really good white noise applications you can download to your phone. On my last trip to Italy I carried a white noise machine in my bag and for this years trip and I going to try the one I have on my phone. Unfortunately I am a very light sleeper.
I love this application, it works great for me.
White Noise application for the iPhone
The iPhone has many White Noise apps for cheap money so you can afford to find the best one. We like the ocean noise. Also, the iPhone is ready for Europe with GSM quad technology so it works for phone and data in europe AND it recognizes 220v so you don't need a transformer, just a plug adapter. So, you can keep the white noise generator on all night. ALSO, the iPhone can give u European maps, GPS, Internet, AND language translators that will even pronounce.
I use a BlueTooth wireless headset for the white noise on the plane, train and in the hotel.
