First Time Traveling to Europe – Packing Light Tips Needed!

How do you manage laundry on longer trips?
We take enough clothes to last most of a week (hint: you can wear pants and shirts more than once before washing), then do laundry either at a laundrymat or some of the places we stay have a washer (rarely a dryer though). We take the detergent sheets, but many places auto add detergent.

Do you pack for all weather possibilities or just layer smartly?
In Southern Spain right now, we have light jackets along, and a small umbrella, but that is it. For colder areas/seasons, we layer, including a lightweight rain shell.

Any must-have items you always bring that aren't obvious?
Avoid the "Gadgets" and Travel Items, they easily fill up a bag. Besides clothes, I bring a supply of different sizes of ziploc bags, power adapters, a larger "dry bag" to use for wet or really dirty items, my toiletry bag, and a flat bedsheet (I hate duvets)

What are your go-to shoes for walking a lot but still looking decent in photos?
I'm male, but lately I favor a pair of Sketchers Step In leather shoes, look like a leather oxford, dark brown, easy walking, look casual to dressy. Good for all instances except beach or extreme hiking.

Hello new Europe traveler! I have done many 3-week travel trips and for laundry, I google to see what is around where I plan to stay at the half-way point of my trip. Sometimes I'm willing to pay for laundry service at a hotel I'll be staying at, sometimes there are laundry places where you can drop off and pick up. I also pack along clothes that can dry overnight - like dri-tech t-shirts, microfiber underwear, etc. Hopefully you planned to stay at least 2 nights at each stop - that way you can wash a few items in the sink when you arrive and hang to dry. Years ago, I bought a stretchy clothes line from the Rick Steves shop that is small and easy to pack. Just hook it across a bathtub, or other area it'll work. That being said, the dri-tec type of clothes are great for layering too. I pack a raincoat that basically serves as my coat for all occasions and it packs up into it's own bag if I don't need it. A must-have that has been great is a phone lanyard! I know my phone is safely around my neck (so can't be pickpocketed or dropped into a canal, etc) and it's handy for taking photos. I don't worry too much about what my feet look like in photos - I wear good walking shoes which, for me, are either my Hokas or I have some goretex Brooks (great if going where it can rain a lot). Then, I pack along a light pair of Skechers boat-style shoes to wear in the evening and look fine with the clothes I wear. You could probably fit in a pair of ballet flats or sandals as well if you'll be traveling during warm months and those take up very little room. The first time I decided to travel with carry-on only, I packed at home several times and practiced carrying the suitcase upstairs (for hotels without lifts), and weighed to be sure I met airline restrictions. Once I got it figured out at home, I took photos of how I packed - using compression bags to help with space. Hope this helps - have a fantastic first trip to Europe.

How do you manage laundry on longer trips?

Go to a launderette.

Do you pack for all weather possibilities or just layer smartly?

You can’t pack for every eventuality.

Any must-have items you always bring that aren't obvious?

There are no must haves.

What are your go-to shoes for walking a lot but still looking decent in photos?

The comfortable ones. Take photos from the ankles up if that’s an issue.

I do love to hear your packing strategies,

Put out everything you want to take onto the bed. Then put half of the items back,

Look at what you have left. Repeat.

Start off with a small to medium suitcase and nothing else. Take nothing as cabin luggage, or everything as cabin luggage and nothing as hold luggage. Don’t do both.

Remember there are almost certainly shops and markets at your destination. If you really need stuff, buy stuff and donate the stuff to charity when you leave.

I have done all the laundry things at some point…drop off laundry service, hotel laundry service, laundromat, and sink washing. They are all just fine, and it depends on where you are. In Paris, the laundromat was right around the corner from our hotel and right next door to a bar. We put our laundry in, called the kids and had a beer with the locals while our clothes dried. In Greece or Australia, our hotels were often equipped with some kind of outdoor drying rack, so I took the solid laundry soap sheets and gallon sized ziplock baggies. I cut off a half or a quarter sheet popped my clothes in the bag, filled it with water and squished! Even jeans dried overnight on the balcony. In Rome, it was easy to do a drop off in the AM, go sightseeing and pick it up later in the day all done. You won’t find that everywhere.

My advice is to plan to do some “sink washing” of underwear and socks with the ziplock method, and plan some kind of laundry service/laundromat halfway through your trip. Email your hotel before you get there and they can let you know your options.

Welcome to packing light & the Forum. Connie & Paul (and the others who added things as I was typing!) have already given some great tips. I decided 6.5KG was my limit for recent 6-night trip. I bought a case I knew I'd use multiple times a year, that was pretty small and easily fit inside Lufthansa restrictions. (I come and go a lot to Europe, so I knew what I needed.) No, 'what if's. Many of us look for scarves, jewelry, fun shirts at a market, etc along the way. Sometimes I'm so tired of an item of clothing, I donate it during my trip if I've found a good replacement. I agree with Connie, a fully packed bag that you haul up and down staircases is a good idea, or go out for a walk around the block, take it over some curbs etc.

There's an entire section about best travel shoes - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes. It really depends on how well you can walk on uneven surfaces like cobblestones, stand inside museums, etc. If I'm going on a feet-aching trip like Rome & many museums, I wear Merrill Moab hiking boots. I always carry trainers and Oofors orthotic flip flops for hotels. My feet look just fine in photos in good quality hiking boots, I promise no one cares.

Any must-have items you always bring that aren't obvious? - Tiny first aid kit, whatever you like to take at home if you're sick. And a compression bag for use later in trip for dirty laundry, and I want at least 10-20% empty bag at start of trip. Many of us take a laundry sheet along & sink wash.* Watch the weight of liquids & shoes. No 'just in case' items - For example, I don't carry an umbrella, if we hit lots of rain, we can buy one. I assume you're traveling by train - 3 weeks in 3 countries is a LOT of up & down stairs, escalators, public transport between destinations. I use packing cubes. I also carry a small iPhone battery pack. And we both have Apple Air Tags, one on carry-on, one on personal item.

Do you pack for all weather possibilities or just layer smartly - If you're traveling before let's say October, layering smartly would be my preference. I still had my Costco packable puffer coat (that fits into a small bag) in nice weather in Germany, I wore my jacket multiple times in the evening.

There's a recent post by Jean about ultra-light packing you might find useful - She's an ace at this, takes long trips and moves hotels multiple times. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/ultralight-packing-appreciate-any-ideas-to-drop-it-further-down#reply_2456738. Good luck and you've come to the right place!
Dang, I wish I had known about dropping off clothes to be laundered in Rome.. I always learn more on the forum!

Speaking of phone lanyards, this was one of my favorite finds
https://a.co/d/e1c0Gle
I am famous for putting my phone down and forgetting it. That, coupled with all of the warnings about phones being stolen off of restaurant tables, etc. It saved me a couple of time from dropping it somewhere I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it! My husband likes to carry his phone in his front pocket, so he attached it to his belt loop. Highly recommend.

Welcome ansarimuhammadmudasir. I think packing light requires a change in mindset. You have to start with thinking of what you must have versus want to have. Being fashionable doesn't have to be the starting point, but that doesn't mean you have to dress poorly. It means accepting that you don't need to pack "outfits", and that no one cares if you wear the same clothes multiple times. One sweater or sweatshirt or hoodie, not multiple. Shoes should be ones that are well-broken in as you will be walking a lot more than normal (I just have one pair that I wear onto the plane).

It can rain anywhere anytime, so a waterproof outer layer is a must. If you need more layers, you can buy them over there, as you can buy more toiletries, extra socks, or anything else you find you need. You can also buy a cheap duffle bag or piece of luggage over there if you find you are accumulating more stuff than fits the carryon.

We splurge and get the hotel to do laundry for us, as long as you time it right. But laundromats (use the local terminology - launderettes, Waschsalon, lavanderia, etc., when asking).

Welcome to the Forum, you have received great tips! I will add that the best advice I have to make the shift to carry-on only is to think for one week, regardless how many. I typically rewear everything 4-5 times (+ my plane outfit for to and from) so other than sink washing underwear avoid laundry altogether.
I put a large compression bag on the suitcase or backpack bottom and once something is considered laundry I put it in the bag to keep it away from my other clothes.
I also hang clothes inside -our and spritz with a nice-smelling fabric spray.
Lastly, your feet's health and keeping them pain free is vital. Wear whatever already broken-in shoes are most sensible. Bright white sneakers can be paired with just about anything!
Have a wonderful trip!

I have had such wonderful experiences at laundrettes that it has become part of my trip. I pack for 1 week, wear things more than 1 day, take things that mix and match. I do some hand laundry in the sink. My favorite laundry experiences have usually been in France where a lovely person who speaks little or no English tries to demonstrate how to use the machines and me with my limited and badly pronounced French try to respond and ask questions. The other thing I do is over the years I have developed a spreadsheet that includes the clothes & accessories I pack. After each trip I review it and add or subtract items. It's been very helpful. I do pack for wearing layers and I have a light weight, thigh length raincoat with several outside & inside pockets with zippers. I ALWAYS pack a pashmiina shawl which comes in handy as a pillow, an extra layer, ,reading in bed, cover up......

One thing to remember is that there are stores in Europe! So you don't need to bring a 3 week supply of toiletries like toothpaste or shaving cream. As for OTC meds, I bring enough for a couple of days. If I need more I go to a local pharmacy. It's fun to see what the local stores carry.

Thank you all so much for the incredibly thoughtful and detailed responses — I’ve learned more in this thread than in hours of reading travel blogs!

I really appreciate the mix of practical advice and personal stories. It’s reassuring to hear that laundry doesn’t have to be a hassle, and I love the idea of making it part of the travel experience (laundromat + local bar? Yes please!). I’m definitely going to pick up those laundry sheets and maybe even try the ziplock washing trick — genius!

The reminders to keep it simple and let go of “just in case” packing were especially helpful. I’ve already started laying everything out and cutting it down, as a few of you suggested. I’ll also be looking into a phone lanyard and will test my carry-on on the stairs this week.

Most of all, I feel more confident now that I can do this with just a carry-on — and that it's okay not to look Pinterest-perfect every day.

Thanks again for the generous support. This is such a great community, and I’m excited (and a little less stressed) heading into my first big trip!

If I need more I go to a local pharmacy. It's fun to see what the local stores carry.

Same here, though do be careful. If you rely on a specific allergy or other OTC med, do some Googling and determine if it is available in Europe without a prescription, and if it goes by a different name. Some antihistamines may be difficult to get, and Pepto Bismo, for example, is just not available in much of Europe.

I agree with the mindset being different.

I have a friend who takes a large suitcase to Europe. She doesn’t want to do laundry on vacation. I don’t want to haul around lots of dirty laundry.

That said a few hints:

1) make sure you suitcase is light. I have an elite travel pro. When I replaced my old suitcase I shaved off several pounds to start.
2) Shoes have to work for you. I have problem feet and always take three pairs which most carry on packers do not. I have white and black sneakers and a pair of flat aestrex sandals that have lots of support but look nice. I can walk in them and I also wear as slippers as can’t go barefoot. I would not bring dressy shoes you can only walk a block in. You will walk a lot.
3) layers are your friend. For coolish weather, I bring one cardigan, a very lightweight denim jacket (I own several but only one makes the lightweight cut) and a water proof rain jacket. They can be worn together. For warmer climates/time of year, I would bring either the cardigan or denim jacket but not both. I don’t bring a puffer type jacket, although I own one,unless going somewhere in winter. It otherwise in my experience doesn’t get enough use. I have never brought a an umbrella.
1. One thing I learned the hard way is to have at least one pair of pants be water resistant. I had some cotton ankle pants in Sicily that were my only pants and we hit a lot of rain. Very unpleasant when wet. I bought some pants at Athleta that were water resistant and survived without getting wet downpours in Portugal.
2. I typically take 4 bottoms, a dress, and 7 short sleeved shirts. This is not extremely light. I left out the dress for October trip to Portugal and had three pants and one capri bottoms. For hot weather I usually have one pant, one skirt, and two capris. I obviously do not pack extremely light but I chose well. I pack very light weight clothes and they fit easily and I do carry on only. I also am able to lift my own bag easily.

I must admit I do buy clothes just because they are light. I just bought two short sleeved shirts at Athleta that weigh practically nothing at all.

Most of all, I feel more confident now that I can do this with just a carry-on — and that it's okay not to look Pinterest-perfect every day. YAY, then you've learned a lot! Once you put together your packing list, feel free to come back and post it here for more ideas. And we all have slightly different travel styles. Agree with BethFl, I usually shop for clothing that works for travel, BUT be sure to wear everything a few times before bringing it with you, and hand wash it. Sometimes there are fails, best to get those out of the way at home.

PS, i carry more than a few day's worth of OTC meds - Theraflu, for example, doesn't have all the same ingredients in the places I've needed it, I carry a week's worth of "sick meds", they don't weigh much.

If you're doing carry on it helps to weigh your clothes. One pair of pants can weigh twice that of another. The lighter weight synthetics also dry quickly if you hand wash in the hotel which is what we typically find ourselves doing. As other's have mentioned the hotel will typically offer laundering services at a price.

I usually go to a Laundromat about once a week. It takes maybe an hour. Sometimes I chat with the locals who are there, sometimes I'll walk to a nearby cafe or patisserie. Occasionally I will wash my quick dry underwear in the sink. I bring laundry sheets, a few dryer sheets and a few Shout color catcher sheets so I only need to do 1 load. I also bring a tiny bag of oxiclean. This came in handy when a travel companion spilled red wine on himself the first day of a trip.

I check the average temps for the locations I'm visiting and plan what to pack. Remember, if nighttime lows are in 30s, that's at 4 or 5 in the morning, not 10pm. A week before I leave, I monitor actual forecast daily and make adjustments. I always bring my lightweight raincoat that packs into it's own pocket. If cold weather is predicted I bring my packable down vest or jacket. With the right layers I can handle most anything. If the weather turns and I'm not prepared, I can always shop. Uniqlo stores seem to be popping up everywhere.

Google "capsule wardrobe". This is a method of coordinating outfits with less items.

When planning your toiletries, decant as much as possible. Before your trip, monitor how much moisturizer, shampoo, ... you use. Don't over bring. If allergies are not an issue, consider purchasing basics on arrival for your 3 week trip.

Must haves include any drugs I may need when stores are not open, such as aspirin and a tiny pot of cortisone. Sand fleas from the beach or a mosquito bite can be brutal.

I've been on a quest for years for the perfect shoe that is comfy all day, every day, but still looks good. I haven't found that perfect combination, yet.

We usually stay in B&Bs when we travel. I'm not sure if you're doing hotels or B&Bs. When I choose B&Bs I try to get a couple that come with a washing machine. We just came back from a 3 week trip to Normandy, Brittany and Sicily and all of the B&Bs (which were fairly low budget) had washing machines. Saves time and money to be able to wash clothes that way. It was pretty chilly in France, so we wore lots of layers. Have a great time!

i assume you know about the value of packing cubes in organizing your luggage. I pack clothes that dry quickly when sink washed. The British company Rohan makes pants, including jeans, that dry more quickly than most. I almost always take silk long underwear-it takes up no space in your luggage or under your clothes but provides a light layer. Our guide on a tour in Australia convinced me of the need for a puffer jacket that folds up into a very small case. If this is a summer trip, be sure to take a light jacket for Germany-I still have the jacket I had to buy in Rothenburg because I forgot that not everywhere is 90 degrees in the summer. I bring small microfiber towels to squeeze the water out of clothes I sink washed. I bring fold up plastic hangers to hang drying items in the shower, since many hotels have hangers that can't be removed from the closet.

When planning your toiletries, decant as much as possible.

Yes, decanting is your friend. I use contact cases for small amounts of gels/liquids. Sometimes multiple contact cases for the same thing if necessary. I just number them so I know which ones to finish first.

Congratulations on your exciting first trip to Europe!
You came to the right place for advice!

My strategies are:
Weigh everything on a handheld luggage scale.
If you can't decide between two tops or two bottoms, weigh them and take the lightest ones.
I make sure that every top goes with every bottom.
Therefore, if you have 3 tops and 3 bottoms, you then have 9 outfits right there to begin with.
Have a colour scheme so that this works.

Take dry laundry sheets such as TruEarth or similar.
They weigh nothing and are great for machines and sink washing.

Only three pairs of shoes.
One sturdy sneaker/walking shoe, one comfy slip-on to rest your feet in the evening and to go out in and also use as slippers, and one walking sandal.

Don't take a robe or dressing gown.
If you need to cover up your nightwear, wear your coat, jacket or long lightweight cardigan.

Lay everything out on your bed before the final pack to make sure everything will be useful.
If you are not going to use an item more than three times, it stays home.

Toiletries:
Get your small containers and fill them up now.
Use them now and see how long everything lasts.
You'll be amazed at how much of certain products are left over after your test three weeks.

I have an entire wardrobe of Eddie Bauer travel clothes. They are lightweight, pack well without wrinkling, easy to handwash, and dry overnight. Along with this, I also take a microfibre towel. When I handwash anything I then lay it out flat on the towel, roll it up, then step on it so the towel absorbs most of the water. This ensures quicker drying. I also pack a couple of foldable hangers because I’ve found it can be difficult, in a small bathroom, to find a place to put a clothesline.

We go for3- 6 weeks ( will be doing 4.5 in Greece this May- June ) carry on

Wash undies in sink - bring a small thing of powdered lingerie detergent, in a pinch use hotel shampoo lol

You will wear same 4/5 outfits over and over .( by choice , you’ll see )

Runners . Bring and wear runners - cobble stones paving stones , many stairs .
Bring some comfy sandals ( Clarks , Naots , Taos , etc ) make sure sole isn’t too thin ( as you will feel those stones and your feet will get so dusty in thin soled sandals )

A few sun dresses - simple and cool - or a few tops and two skirts .
One pair of long pants - not jeans - and not because jeans aren’t ok they absolutely are , but they are heavy , hot , take up a lot of room , and are impossible to sink wash .

Windbreaker or light jacket of some sort . Also a lightweight shawl - handy for Italy where you must cover shoulders and knees to enter most churches and the Vatican etc - it’s hot so you can just carry it and whip it out to cover shoulders - I’ve also tied one around waist sarong style to cover knees when needed .

They sell
Shampoo conditioner soap etc in Europe . And you will recognize many brands .

Avoid white for bottom as benches and public transport seats can be dirty or dusty .

Don’t worry about looking like you fit in - you don’t and you won’t ( and I was born in Europe and have stayed with family for months at a time - they can always always tell you’re a tourist )

Do worry about how you behave .

Never forget to greet anyone like the ticket sellers or shop clerks with a polite hello BEFORE you ask for any help or service .

Don’t yak loudly in restaurants and cafes .

Don’t put your phone on the table ( not safe ) .

I always take carry on and I always end up not wearing a few things

Also !

Instead of tacky souvenirs - buy yourself a new top or whatever in Europe , it will give you a nice change of something new to wear , plus be a souvenir you can really enjoy for a few years !

Laundry: I have three tips. You can use shampoo as laundry detergent so you don't have to pack an extra item. The second is bring along 2 laundry lines -- for sale on Rick's site -- and get used to washing in the sinks of hotel bathrooms. (If you don't bring a stopper, a pair of socks works well.) And the third is that it's sort of fun to wash your clothes in a foreign laundromat, even if you spend an afternoon doing it. I've washed my clothes in laundromats in Ireland, France and Spain. I met a group of fellow Chicagoans in the Bayeux, France, laundromat.

I have had no problem buying abroad for inclement weather. In 2010, I hiked the 100-mile-long Dingle Way Trail on southwestern Ireland. I bought rain-resistant pants in Dingle Town because I forgot to buy them. In Rome in 1994, it started raining one afternoon. I bought an umbrella on the street for $5.

A white noise machine is a good not-obvious thing to pack, even if you don't use that in everyday life. European cities can get a bit noisy. There are plenty of traveler-oriented white noise machines for sale. Make sure you have an adapter for the plug.

Stain remover is a good not-obvious thing to pack. I had a package on my trip to Turkey last fall and used it twice.

I always do laundry in the sink. Especially for longer trips, say 4 to 9 weeks, there are certain "must-haves," eg, a small scrubbing brush, the small Tide packs, (bring an ample supply) , and a stain remover that comes in a tube which I get in German stores.

I shared these on another post, but they work great for moisturizer, liquid foundation, face sunscreen and the like and are slightly bigger than a contact case. Good advice to try it out at home…you’d be amazed at how long they last.
https://a.co/d/8tdh71u

And as was said, if sensitive skin is not an issue, you may like to try some local offerings…or your hotel may put some nice toiletries in your room!. My friend and I liked the hotel shampoo and lotions in our Greece hotel so much that we sought it out and the market before we left and brought some home.

I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned yet, but if you like a washcloth for the shower like my husband does, you may want to consider bringing a couple with you. They were not common in France…and neither was conditioner. Shampoo yes, conditioner no (can’t comb my fine hair out without it, so it comes along!) I bring a (weightless) shower pouf for me. Don’t forget a baggie to transport them in!

For that matter, I travel with a gallon baggie that has: various sizes of other baggies (they come in handy more than you would think), my laundry soap sheets, a Tide stain stick, a couple of “alligator”-style clips for keeping curtains shut, a couple of zip ties, a tiny sewing kit, a couple of roll of Tums and a sleeve of Immodium - all ideas I got on this forum! All pretty weighless, but
Sometimes worth their weight in gold!

I cut two laundry sheets into small pieces before the trip for doing sink laundry. They weigh almost nothing. I also used the hotel's laundry service near the middle of each of our last two 2-week trips. It was worth the convenience.

Regarding white noise to help with sleeping, there are lots of white noise apps for phones, so no need for a machine. I use mine occasionally.

I pack more than some on the forum, but still keep my carryon to a weight I can lift into the overhead bins--usually 20-21 lbs. In addition to the outfit I wear on the plane (pants, LS top, warm sweater, walking shoes, plus a pashmina in my carry-on), I take the following clothing. Most or all can be mixed and matched.

2-3 pairs pants/capris (I've given up on taking a skirt or dress--I used to take one)
6 tops (assorted short, 3/4 and long-sleeved based on weather, some can be layered)
1 Vuori hooded jacket
1 light weight sweater or other outer layer (such as a worn hoodie for hiking in Switzerland or a nice sweater for a city trip)
5 prs underwear (some are ExOfficio)
4 prs socks
1 pair shoes (depends on the trip what kind of shoes--for an upcoming Greece trip I might take my Teva sandals, for cooler weather last year I took black Naot Okahus)
rain jacket
packable down uniqlo jacket (only if the weather will be cold)

I hope this helps.

1. I always sink wash, hang dry and use hair dryer when necessary. I wash my socks, underwear and shirts each day to keep everything fresh, clean, dry and ready to wear/pack.

2. Minimum 2-3 changes of socks, 2-3 underwear, 2-3 t-shirts, 2 collar shirts plus what I am wearing. Usually total 2 pants and 2 shorts. Light jacket and hat depending on climate. Fast drying synthetics is best, but I like cotton socks and cotton collared shirts cor comfort (see no. 1 above).

3. Arm sleeves and leg sleeves for sun protection. I don't need to carry or lather on
   or wash off sunscreen. They can also add extra warmth when layered. I carry a sackpack which I use as a day pack and sometimes as a personal item if I need to redistribute some weight in order to make a carry-on limit. When not in use it folds down and takes up very little space.

4. One pair of solid black running shoes, no obvious logos, currently Under Armour. I like to go running most mornings. They must obviously be built for comfort, support and long distance. They look conservative and would not look out of place in a nice restaurant. I do not carry extra shoes. I can always buy a new pair of replacement shoes, if necessary. I usually pack cheap flip flops.

5. Packing cubes are great for organization. Some small hotels do not have closets or drawers.

6. My heaviest items are electronics. Phone (no more camera), laptop for work and downloading/organizing photos, power bank, charger and cables.

7. Toiletries and medication (ziplock bag with prescriptions).

8. I used to carry paper copies of everything. Now I store everything in DropBox. I can access all documents offline. And if I lose my phone, all I need is access to another device and internet.

I pack pretty much the same whether the trip is 3 days or 3 weeks. I prefer a carry-on backpack with a hip belt. My wife uses a roller bag.

I see a lot of people talking about laundromats, but I manage it myself. I only pack clothes that dry quickly, and when I get to a new hotel I wash my dirty clothes in the sink and hang them to dry. I bring detergent sheets which take up no space in my luggage. I honestly feel too stinky after a day of walking many miles to wear my clothes more than once, so this allows me to not pack a lot but still feel clean and fresh.

Merino wool and layering are the key for me. It doesn't itch, it regulates temperature and it dries in under 12 hours. So I'll have a merino t-shirt, turtleneck and cardigan and I can wear one or all at once depending on the weather.

I don't know about looking decent in photos, but I am astounded by the fact that I can walk double-digit miles in my New Balance Fresh Foam shoes and my feet feel like I've just been out for a short stroll.

Thanks again for this thread, I've gleaned a few more ideas I’m adding to my list!
Jannypanny - Especially liked the tiny Amazon cosmetic containers.
Kathleen - I'm going to try the New Balance Fresh foam shoes, thanks.

I too have downloaded some 'white noise' videos, I use 8-hour Oregon rain. Maybe you'd enjoy trying this Cozy Headset, the wireless ones don't work for me, but this works GREAT, it needs an adaptor thingy for modern cellphones, BTW. https://www.amazon.se/-/en/CozyPhones-headphones-ultra-thin-meditation-relaxation/dp/B014T3QLBA.

PS, I always take an eye mask & silicon earplugs, (I carry earplugs in my purse for loud noises and often wear them boarding & leaving flights, in noisy stores, etc.) hubby prefers those bright orange earplugs you can buy at pharmacies. Again, try out everything before leaving home - Especially important to take well worn, comfy, no blister shoes you've tried with the socks you're going to take. (There's a new thread here on drying socks too.)
I reserve the last 10% of deodorant, small toothpastes, etc and save them for next trip. Here's my TR from last week's trip to Germany - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-report-for-sunny-skies-6-nights-in-germany