I will be staying in Kassel (between Hamburg and Frankfurt) for three months, leaving Jan 16. I am enjoying reading tips, but as this is a longer term trip, I wonder if people could please advise me as to what to bring - how much clothing or shoes, for example? I am open to all tips. Please advise...thank you :)
Posted by
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
331 posts
Beth, I would say bring what you would bring for a 2 week trip. If you look at your "home wardrobe" you probably wear the same items in your closet on a 2 week rotation.(sounds boring, but I think its accurate). You just need to do laundry once a week (like at home) and you are good to go. I dont believe you can ever pack too little. If you are short of something, Go Shopping.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Perhaps you could provide more information. For what reason are you going to Kassel? Are you staying in a hotel, hostel, private residence? Are you taking any side trips? What activities do you plan to partake?
Posted by
OP
Boston
2 posts
Ah, more information for you! Thanks for responding, all.
I will be staying with family and helping take care of their baby. I may take a little language course while I'm there. I enjoy running, yoga, pilates, wandern. I am a classical musician and will be trying to network and find people in the field, perhaps speak with an agent and even audition. (I doubt it matters, but I'm 31 if that helps hone advice.) I will be traveling on weekends sometimes, within the country most likely; sometimes alone via the train, sometimes with family in their car.
I was thinking one wool coat (heavy and bulky but professional looking and warm) and one ski coat for more casual and active excursions...I think my waterproof snow boots are in order, as they're insulated to -40F. What would you advise? It's so hard to travel in the winter as appropriate clothing is so heavy and large.
Many thanks, again!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Unless you plan to spend a lot of time outside, the heavy snowboots probably aren't absolutely necessary. From what I understand, this winter in NW Europe has been significantly colder than recent years, but on average, winters in that area are more mild than Boston. Save yourself some luggage room, bring some wool socks, and after you arrive, assess if you need the boots. Perhaps someone in Boston could mail them to you?
I wouldn't know any better than you what clothes are appropriate for a classical musician, but I do know that you're going to the best country on earth to network!
Oh, one final thing to pack- if you prefer to use washcloths, they're not as common in Europe, so you may want to bring a few.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
Yes, there is winter right now. But temperatures of -10 C and lower as experienced now are very unusual. More normal is a grey sky with drizzling rain and temperatures hovering around 0 C. That is still bone chilling cold, be sure your coats and espescially your shoes are water proof! I wore long underwear much more often in Germany than here in Canada!
Since you're staying with a family you may want to bring some shoes along that you can wear inside the house to keep your feet warm.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
It looks like you're going to spend a lot of time inside teh house.Bring comfy clothes for that.
Now if are going to go out, bring a few nice outfits.
Others: jeans, t-shirts, a wool coat is a good idea.It's cold up in the North.
How much? It's up to you, we can't tell you that. How much laundry are you going to do? Do you get bored in the same cllothes every week or so?