Packing for Best of Europe 21 Days July/Summer

The weather is already hitting the 80s even in northern France. We had 87 yesterday near the Mediterranean, so expect 90s in Italy, and 80s elsewhere, some 70s up at the beginning particularly in the evening. Your denim jacket may be useful in the Alps in the evening or if you go to the top of one of the high mountains, but a sweater and neck scarf will pack smaller and lighter. We have travel raincoats that fit into pouches for going to the top of the Jungfra. The rest looks good.

Your son's choice of jeans will be hot and heavy to wear once moving away from the Netherlands. Denim shorts are heavier and bulkier to pack than cotton. He'll need more than one pair of jeans for 21 days, and they take longer to dry than other clothes. But no teenager is going to give up his jeans. LOL.

We took this tour and loved it!
I packed three skirts and 5 light weight tops that went with my skirts and two pairs of capris. I also took a windbreaker and light sweater, a pair of sandals and slip on sketchers, a tiny umbrella which was needed, undies for 5 days, tiny toiletries, and sunscreen. I did carryon and a small bag for stuff I needed on the plane. You will have two laundry chances ( we did) so less is more! We went in July. It was extremely hot except in Switzerland where my sweater was enough. We chose not to take the optional up the mountain. You can swim in Cinque Terre. I think one of our hotels had a pool.
No one dressed up! Fashionable is nice but not needed. No one dressed up for dinner!

Have fun! We have great friends from that tour. We took it in 2016.

In Italy where it will likely be hottest your knees and shoulders will need to be covered for you and your kiddo if you are going to visit a church. Look at the hemline on your dresses. If you have sleeveless you’ll want a scarf to go over your shoulders in case you want to enter a church. Since you are likely much more stylish than I, perhaps capri length bottoms are out? To me these are much more functional than shorts.

Have you done a trial wash of the linen pants at home? I’m a sink wash person so I try washing everything at home by hand before I leave.

Have a wonderful time!

Tell your son to can the jeans. You can do away with the denim jacket because you have a cardigan.

I think you’re being very optimistic about the weather. I would expect it to get into the 90’s or higher. Remember that most restaurants don’t have ac. The only ac you may encounter is in your hotel (if at all). Definitely bring some shorts. Ditch the denim jacket, you likely won’t need it.

Your son may want to take some lightweight chino or linen pants instead of jeans. Old Navy has some now. There will be places where pants are required for entry.

A big consideration should be how long items take to dry after hand washing. Try them at home in advance. Quick dry fabrics and gauze/linen usually work well.

As others have said, assume the worst temperature wise. The last few summers have been near unbearable for most of Europe. Also recommend bringing fabrics that you can easily wash and hang dry in your hotel rooms (bring a roll of fishing string to hang them on)

I like to wear dresses in Europe, too, and typically bring half of my clothes as dresses. Are the fabrics something that will still feel somewhat cool in the heat, and do they dry overnight after washing?

Other than the plane rides & up in Switzerland, you probably won’t have as much need for your jean jacket. I would bring either the cardigan or jeans jacket - not both.

Deciding on your dresses & shirts, get out the kitchen scale and weigh each one you like in a bowl. Select the three that weigh the least.

One comment you’re free to ignore - LOL! I like variety even with the tiny amount I take for a 3-week trip, so I pick a variety of colors & styles for my two dresses & two blouses. Just commenting because you mentioned your shirts are all tees. I also include a fun necklace or two or colorful scarf.

Have a great time!