Hoping for an stress-free, comfortable trip to Europe? It all begins with packing. Here are my tried and true tips for packing for a European Journey in warm weather.
Let’s start with Luggage. Here are My Do’s & Don’ts:
- Don’t even think about taking more than ONE reasonably sized suitcase! My advice? Take ONE suitcase, one carry-on you can reasonably carry through an airport by yourself, and a crossbody purse.
- Your one suitcase must have wheels and a handle, allowing you to drag it behind you or push it beside you.
- Make sure your carry-one fits over the handle of your suitcase. Ever notice a rectangular piece of fabric stitched to the back of your carry-on? One that looks like a pocket but doesn’t have a bottom? That’s to slip over the handle of your suitcase!
For a list of my personal favorite travel luggage and gear, check out my list at this link.
What Do You Really Need to Take?
Remember that you will need to haul everything you take with you BY YOURSELF and contained within ONE suitcase.
- Pick ONE color scheme for your clothes. Pick a color you love, and pick a color scheme in clothes you already own, that fit comfortably, and will hold up well.
- It’s all about weight! Choose lightweight clothing. I personally prefer cotton knit dresses and lightweight denim skirts. If a garment takes up a lot of space or is heavy, it does not get to go to Europe.
- Mix and Match. If you’re traveling for a week or more, you’ll want to mix up your outfits. Take several t-shirts that all match one or two skirts. Take scarfs and lightweight cardigans to mix up your looks add some welcome variety to your wardrobe.
- Washable garments: This is critical. Don’t try to take a “clean” outfit for every single day of your trip – that’s a LOT to haul around. Plan on washing out underwear and t-shirts at least a couple of times during your travels.
- Make-up and Toiletries? You need a simple, bare-minimum kit. Everything should fit into one small toiletry bag. Pick one color scheme and travel sizes of all your lotions and potions.
- Shoes: 3 pairs MAX – One pair of sneakers, another pair of flats, one pair of dressier flats (Remember you’ll be walking over cobblestones!); 4-5 pairs of socks
- Take chargers for all your electronics. Bonus for having one charger that works with all your devices. Remember European countries have different plugs!!! Make sure you have a converter plug, or you’ll not be able to re-charge.
- Jewelry: my own preference is to leave all expensive at home. Take a spare bare of earrings that work for every outfit you take. New jewelry bought abroad are terrific souvenirs…and they take up NO space!
- For rainy or cool weather, ONE raincoat that matches everything WITH A Hood.
My Personal Packing List
- 2-3 cotton knit dresses. I love my “throw on” cotton knit Lily Pulitzer dresses. They roll up easily for wrinkle-free wear, and they’re fairly easy to wash out in a hotel sink. AND…I use these dresses as “nightgowns,” too!
- 2-3 elastic waisted skirts. I always take one midi-length, lightweight denim skirt, one shorter lightweight denim skirt, and one patterned and midi length skirt. (OR 2-3 jeans or pants, if you prefer pants over skirts)
- 2-3 lightweight cardigans. For cooler mornings and evenings, nothing beats a lightweight cardigan! You can also change your “look” by adding a lightweight sweater in a color that brightens up your outfit.
- 1-2 cotton scarves. Though I rarely wear decorative scarves here in the US, I always wear them in Europe. Scarves are routinely worn in Europe (even by men!), and a colorful scarf instantly adds color (and warmth, if needed) to your otherwise plain t-shirt and denim skirt.
- 5-6 pairs of underwear. Not to get personal, but I like to stay “fresh” while traveling and take plenty of white or nude colored underwear. I always keep one pair in my carry-on. Underwear can generally be washed out easily; drys overnight.
- Comfort items: I’m an avid reader, so I carry my Kindle e-reader in my purse or carry-on at all times. I’m also an avid knitter, so I carry one small project in my purse as well.
- A crossbody bag – important for pickpocket prevention!!! Keep wallet, passport and anything really valuable in this.
- A canvas or nylon tote bag I can sling over my shoulder – for a sweater, e-reader, and other comfort items.
- An iPad for watching English language movies or shows; can be a back-up for my iPhone and my e-reader if needed.
For a list of my favorite travel clothes and shoes, click this link.
Cynthia Coe is the author of several novels and non-fiction books. Travel with her through time by reading her novels “Knitting Through Time” and “Knitting Under the Orange Trees.” To view her complete list of books, please visit her Amazon Author Page at this link.
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Travels With Cindy 