Hello,
This will be my first time traveling Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, France, England). I will have a money belt necklace I plan to use while I am outside of my hotel room. Could you please send suggestions on what I should bring along with me? Thank you!
Brett
I always carry a light rain jacket (or sweater), kleenex, sunglasses, ibuprofen and sightseeing information (on tablet or in a plastic folder). I carry these in a small backpack, though many people prefer crossover bags. Have a wonderful trip!
Are you talking about in your neck wallet or daypack? If you are doing a daypack/Purse, just what you normally bring on a smaller scale. Figure you will be out most of the day but want to take a small cross body purse that is big enough to stuff a scarf into, so small wallet, lip balm, sunscreen, small tissue pack (I CANT STRESS this enough, you will encounter many different types of toilets and some will not have a toilet seat or TP),cell phone, camera, days itinerary and any tickets you may need. Each night of my trip I have a ritual of making a cup of tea, getting on the bed and my bag gets emptied and repacked with the next days essentials along with any tickets, instructions, guide book pages I need, sort out my cash and determine if we need to hit the ATM in the morning etc.
I'll just add one (perhaps surprising to some) suggestion.
I have a very detailed pre-travel checklist that's currently about 8 pages long. It includes not just things to bring but tasks to complete before departure (everything from booking and double-checking all reservations, to stopping the postal mail, to locking the doors on exit, etc. etc.). OK, so I'm obsessed with details. It helps make travel less stressful for me.
My "Stuff to Bring" packing list section is about 5 pages. It's quite detailed so not appropriate here (and you don't really need to know how much underwear I bring). But one item I always suggest anyone bring on a foreign adventure is a small, cheap compass. Tiny and feather-weight, a compass can help you find your way in a strange city. It never needs batteries and works anywhere. Get one at REI or some other "outdoor" store. Not an expensive one, just something that can point out (more or less) which way is north. The cheap ones often are combined with a thermometer and come on a clip. Costs less than a fancy cup of coffee. The smaller the better.
I have found a compass extremely useful in the narrow, twisty, maze-like passages you find in the old sections of cities in Morocco, and elsewhere. I've used one successfully to navigate vast underground passageways in Tokyo (there's a whole second city underground there) and through sprawling urban markets in Bangkok and Mexico City. With a compass, you can laugh at the people who warn you "Don't go into the medina, you will get lost if you don't have a guide!" Helpful anywhere when you need to get your bearings (literally).
OK, now back to my checklist. Hey, where did my spork go?
Thank you! I am really asking what to bring in my money wallet? ID, money, passport etc.
Just bring some cash, debit card in case you need more cash, and a credit card. There is a debate over whether to carry your passport. Seems to be 50/50 yes or no. I have never carried it with me. Carry the business card of your hotel in case you get lost.
I have a SMALL crossover bag, not much bigger than a money belt, and it has several inner zip pockets. I bring my passport, check card and credit card, cash, lipstick, phone and whatever tickets I will need. I personally feel safest when I have my passport with me, versus leaving it at the hotel. I'm VERY careful about protecting myself from pickpockets, though. I always have my bag (not just the strap) clutched in my hands on buses/trains and in crowds, and keep it in my lap when I'm eating at a restaurant. I do keep a photocopy of my passport, plus my US driver's license, back in the hotel.
Also, my husband and I each carry a check card and a credit card so if one of us loses ours or has it stolen, we aren't without access to money. If you are traveling alone, it might be worth leaving your check card at your hotel (after using it at the ATM to get cash, that is). In my opinion, it would be worse to lose your check card because then you'd have to rely on your credit card for cash advances, and the rates on that are INSANE. If you lose your credit card, you can still at least get cash, provided you have any money in the bank. :-)
In the money belt should be a credit card or cards, cash, and passport.
On you but not in the money belt should be daily money or credit card (you don't want to dig into the money belt every time you want to buy a 3euro gelato!).
Also general items you would need for going around - things like a phone, portable charger, camera if you aren't using a phone camera, and whatever else is useful to you. My last trip I had a camera, charger, money, chapstick, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a bag with tissues, advil, tums, and bandaids. Add a raincoat or sweater or umbrella, depending on weather. My guidebook, maps and other info is on my phone, but many people prefer to carry a paper map and guidebook.
Your Money Wallet is "Just in case'", so you would always want to keep your daily spending cash in your purse (budget what you can stand to loose if you get pick pocketed, for me that is 100€), some form of ID, I use my California Drivers License because I can also use it as a "security" item if I borrow a headpiece at a museum (no way am I leaving my passport with some strangers). In your Money Wallet keep some extra cash and your passport or a copy of , what ever you are comfortable with. I don't use a money belt, everything is in my purse. If I need more money I just go to the ATM, like I would at home.
I really can't get my head round the need for a money belt. I can perhaps understand it when you are travelling between locations, and carrying all your money / cards for many weeks travel. I.e more cash than other passers by would earn in a week, but that would have to be a higher amount in Europe to make you a target than it would be in other parts of the world.
I just carry a small back pack, with money for the day (+contingency); plus credit/debit card (but leave one behind in the room); passport (I don't want to stir the "must I carry it" argument); public transport ticket(s); phone/camera; maps/guide books and most important a bottle of water. Everything else stays in the hotel room.
I always save plastic water bottles and refill them to re-use. If it is hot (southern Europe) I take two.
If it is cold I will roll up a jumper or a coat and put it in the bag. If rain threatens add a folding umbrella.
That leaves lots of space for any shopping, and I try and keep it empty enough that if necessary I can sit on a bus/train and lean back in the seat without having to take it off.
In my money belt which I wearing during the day:
1. Passport
2. 2 ATM cards
3. Credit Card
4. My Euros, minus what I will be spending for the next 5 hours.
4. Small print paper that lists hotels & addresses
I read years ago in a RS guidebook or RS class in Edmonds that the money belt was the insurance that your trip wouldn't be ruined. Other than health issues, you could recover from any issue with just the items in the money belt, hence the reason those are the essentials......well, other than gelato!
If you have a GPS that you use in your car at home take it, and the power cord with you with you to Europe. Not for driving, but for walking. It is great for wandering around in the bigger cities and it doesn't use up your data on your phone plan. Download Europe Maps from the manufacturers web site and use it just like you use it in the car. I just got back from a two week solo trip to Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome and it was so helpful. As for the compass that was suggested, all smart phones have a compass app on them and doesn't require you to be connected to WiFi or Data.
I really appreciate everyone's input. I look forward to a great trip.
