BOE, 14 days tour - question about ice at hotels...

They serve breakfast, so they will likely have ice.

BOE? Best of Europe? Best of England?

Some smaller hotels don't have ice buckets or big ice makers. But if you bring down a small ice bag, they will probably be able to fill it.

If you take OTC drugs for pain and inflammation, know you can easily get ibuprofen over the counter in Europe but naproxen sodium (Alleve) requires a prescription.

More importantly, RS tours require a lot of walking. Will you be able to manage?

Yes, they will have ice if they have a bar or restaurant, but whether they’ll be happy to give you any is a different question. A small amount won’t be a problem but it can be a bit of a scarce resource so they might not want to hand over a large bucket full.

Grocery stores, even quite small ones, often have bags of ice for sale these days.

In Germany, I found cups of ice at Edeka.

According to the TSA web page you can put instant ice packs in your carry on bag https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/instant-hotcold-packs

Why not bring a few with you to start? In bigger cities you should be able to find the instant cold packs at a pharmacy. Since you start in Paris, you could stock up, this recent post has suggestions where to buy: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/instant-ice-packs

I'd also pack some durable freezer ziplocks to use as an ice pack when you get there, the old school ice pack is bulky. I'd take a couple kitchen sponges so you can make your own ice packs (add water to sponge, put in ziplock, freeze). If your hotel is willing, you could ask them to freeze them for you while you're out for the day (only works for two night stops, obviously). You could also probably get ice at a fast food place if you're in a town that has them.

I once brought a hot water bottle and filled it with ice.

I was looking into 'instant cold packs' to bring, in case it acts up. No good reviews,

The instant ice packs work fine but they only stay cold for about 15 minutes. I tore my meniscus on a RS tour in Ireland and was able to get these at a pharmacy. I’d suggest you bring some ziploc bags for ice, but you also might want to throw a couple of the instant ice packs in your suitcase just in case one of your hotels doesn’t have ice.

IF you're checking a bag, you could also bring reusable ice packs and ziplock bags (so you can label them and keep separate from whatever else they put in freezer.), just ask the hotel to freeze them for you when you're out for the day. Obviously this won't work if you're moving every day, I'd have a careful look at itinerary to see if worth the trouble. Reusable ice packs are NOT allowed through security, I had a friend check at LHR, which is why I mention a checked bag. In a pinch, no pun intended, I've used the double ziplock bag method and just asked for a smaller amount of ice at front desk or in their restaurant, people have been very kind about helping me out.

Old time' ice packs that's like a bag you fill with ice, and twist the cap back on - Sure why don't you try it? And let us know if they don't leak!! Maybe add a tight knee sleeve to support your knee for walking?

I did a similar tour and get where you're coming from. Most hotels on the BOE tour do have on-site restaurants or are near cafes where you might be able to ask for some ice. I’d suggest politely asking the hotel front desk too they’re usually really accommodating, especially if you explain it’s for an injury. Bringing a small reusable ice pack is a smart move. Hope your knee feels better and you have a great trip.

I just returned from a trip where my sister injured her knee. She had brought an “old fashioned” ice pack like you describe and every single hotel we stayed at was able to get ice for her. It was a lifesaver! Just explain what it is for and ask nicely and they are happy to help.

I injured my knee before going to the RS Sicily tour in 2023. I bought a knee "sleeve", which was the only thing that would fit under clothing and that is what allowed me to do all that walking. I also brought Voltaren gel, which is also sold over the counter in the pharmacy. At each town, I went to the pharmacy and bought several chemical ice packs. Yes, they only stay cold for about 20 minutes, but if you have a small fridge with a freezer in your room, you can put the chemical ice packs in there and re-use them later. Good luck!

RE: TSA and ice packs - if they are frozen, you can bring them through security. If they are thawed, you cannot.

I'm guessing BOE means best of England. If so, I learned last year that hotels there are required by law to provide you with refrigerator or freezer space if it's medically necessary. I have meds that require refrigeration so I was reliant on ice packs to move from hotel to hotel on our RS tour. It worked just fine to label them with my name, date, room #, and bring down to front desk to freeze overnight. This may be a helpful back up plan to good ole ice.

And yes, we've found that since RS tour hotels include breakfast, they always have a restaurant, and we have always been able to get a cup of ice to take to our room.