My wife and I are traveling to Europe from March 1 - April 10 (london, paris, venice, rome then greece). I have been to Europe during the winter and know what is needed but my wife is new to winter travel; could anyone please give her any advice to packing and what is being worn in these countries during this time of year. I think she needs to hear it from the pros.
Thanks
I, too, experienced a cold, wet, and snowy March in London All suggestions by previous posters are good ones. I would add a nice pair of lightweight (silk) long underwear. I was really glad I had mine for that cold March in London!
I was reviewing your post and got to thinking about your destinations. Could you do your itenerary in reverse? That would increase the chances of good (warmer/more comfortable) weather in all locations.
March and April are considered spring-time the the UK (I assume the same is true elsewhere on the continent.)
As far as London goes she obviously won't need full-on winter gear. This is an unpredictable time of year in the UK, it may be cold (although prolonged periods below freezing would be unusual,) it may be quite warm (shirt-sleeves warm, not shorts weather,) it may well rain ("April showers" and all that.)
So, pack flexibly, layers are good, something waterproof/resistant would be recommended. No need for goose-downs, ski-wear or thermal underwear (unless you're unusually cold blooded.)
I'll leave other destinations to other posters but you're moving south so things should get warmer.
The coldest wettest holiday in Europe I have ever endured was March in London( March 17ths, St Patricks day was lots of fun in pubs) . It was windy, rainy, and it sleeted( rain snow mix). I had a wool coat and a scarf.. but had no gloves or a hat, had to buy them after one day wearing my scarf wrapped around my head like a freak.
James, one problem you have is you are going to experience full range of weather from north( London in March) to south ( greece in April).
If it was me I would wear my heaviest items, that would be a decent lined raincoat, and a sweater,, and bring a few turtle necks or long sleeved shirts to to layer.
Good comfy walking shoes.Boots would be a pain to haul around in Greece I think,, and you won't need them there likely .
Here's what I'd suggest considering the range you'll be experiencing:
1 lightweight long sleeve turtleneck or Tshirt
1 cotton blend longsleeve "big shirt" that can be worn over t-neck or alone as a lightweight "blazer"
3 midweight Tshirts/shell type shirts or light weight sweaters
2 short sleeve button up shirts (layering again)
3-4 pair cotton blend pants (black or netural)
good socks and comfortable walking shoes (black or dark color in leather or synthetic can also be used as "dressy" )
1 light to mid-weight sweater (button up)- optional
1 "windbreaker" type jacket with hood (maybe with zip out liner)
Everything should co-ordinate with everything else. Take a scarf or 2 to dress up outfits (I plan my wardrobe around black, red, cobalt blue and purple- but I do that at home, too).
Check the weather predictions a few days out from departure- if needed pack gloves and hat or hooded scarf. Or just plan to buy those there if needed.
I have done well with skirts and tights. If it is warm you don't need the tights obviously. I find skirts easier to roll up in my bag and a bunch of tights take no space and are easy to wash in the sink.
