By Lauren Juliff
Student Travel Expert, about.com
Europe is pretty easy to travel around -- it's very similar to the United States with a similar amount of items available. But if you're going to be traveling for a month, it can be hard to narrow down what to take. What if you're going to be flying from Norway to Greece and want something for both weather likelihoods? Do you need to cover up to visit tourist attractions? Will people judge you for not wearing boots and jeans in Italy?
As you've likely discovered, there are hundreds
of thousands of packing lists around online and they definitely don't
make deciding any easier. In fact, they almost always seem to offer
conflicting advice -- should you take jeans or leave them behind? Will
you need a laptop or can you make do with a tablet? What sort of
medicines should you put in your first aid kit? Should you take a
backpack or a suitcase? How will a suitcase handle cobbled streets? Do
you need hiking boots or flip-flops or sandals or sneakers?
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Whether you're planning on sunbathing on the beaches of Create,
hiking Roman ruins in Italy, visiting the Alhambra in Spain or learning
about Anne Frank in Amsterdam, we have the perfect recommendations for
you.
How to Choose a Backpack
The first thing you need to
know is that suitcases can be impractical for Europe, unless you won't
be traveling on a budget and can afford to take taxis. The streets in
the Old Towns are often cobbled, uneven, and tricky to pull your wheels
over. You'll also struggle to fit your suitcase onto the luggage racks
on the local buses and trains, too, although the latter will usually be
fine if you're sticking to Western Europe.
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take a backpack, and I say the smaller the better. Look for one that's
between 40 and 60 liters and try not to let it get any larger. While it
can seem like bigger is better, remember that you'll need to carry it on
your back, sometimes for an hour or more, in a multitude of climates.
If you opt for a bigger size, you may find yourself throwing out half of
the things you packed after your first long travel day -- something I
ended up doing even with a smaller backpack!
A small backpack will
remove your temptation to overpack -- and I know that for me, at least,
if you have the extra space you're likely to fill it with "just in
case" items. You also don't need to worry about forgetting something
crucial either -- Europe is similar to the United States, so anything
that you do forget can be easily replaced at a fraction of the price.
Toiletries, clothes, medication -- it won't be a problem to pick any of
them up.
As for which type of backpack you need? A front-loading
backpack will save on packing time and is easier to keep organized
(don't forget packing cubes,
either!), a lockable backpack will help deter thieves and give you
peace of mind, and it would be perfect if you could find one that's
waterproof -- especially if you're going to be travelling in during
colder months (or in the UK, where the locals will tell you it rains all
year round!).
Clothing
Europe can be hot in the summer
and cold in the winter, and a mixture of both at any time of year
depending on which regions you choose to visit and when. Therefore, what
you pack will depend on the time of year you'll be visiting. Make sure
to research typical weather conditions for the time of year you'll be
visiting so you can be properly prepared.
And don't overthink it,
either! If you don't have enough warm weather clothes, you can easily
pick some up from any town or city -- and umbrellas, rainjackets and
fleeces are easy to find, too.
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If you'll be traveling during the
summer months, aim to pack light and airy clothes, preferably made from
cotton, as it's more breathable. You'll always want to choose neutral
colors, so that you can mix and match in order to maximize your number
of outfits. I usually recommend not packing jeans, but in Europe, I
highly recommend throwing a pair in your backpack -- you'll stand out as
a tourist if you don't.
If you're planning on visiting during the
winter, wrap up warm. Layers are key here, in order to keep your
backpack light while still remaining warm. Pack one thick sweater and a
parka, and then layer up with your t-shirts whenever it gets too cold.
For footwear, you can get by with just flip-flops or sandals most
of the time but pack some light hiking shoes if you plan on doing any
long treks. Sneakers work, too, if you're not much of a flip-flop
person. If you're a woman, consider packing a small pair of dressy shoes
if you're heading to a fashion-conscious city like Paris or Florence.
I recommend getting a microfiber towel for your trip, as these can be huge space savers and are very quick to dry. A silk sleeping bag liner can
prevent you from catching bed bugs, but it's unnecessary if you'll be
sticking to Western European places. Check the reviews of all of your
accommodations before you book to check there have been no recent
reports of them.
Clothes can be bought and replaced for cheaper
than in the United States in Eastern Europe so don't feel like you need
to pack your entire closet for every possible occasion.
Medication
You
don't need an enormous first aid kit for European countries, as you can
get most medications in pharmacies there. You may be able to pick up
antibiotics and birth control pills in Eastern Europe, if you're
desperate, but assume that prescription medications will be hard to
find. Pack some Tylenol, Imodium and Dramamine (and a general purpose
antibiotic if your doctor will give you one) to start with and replace
them as they run out.
You should also pack some insect repellent
and sunscreen if you're planning on visiting in the summer. Mosquitoes
aren't too much of a problem -- and you don't have to worry about
malaria or dengue fever -- but can be pesky if you don't like getting
bitten.
Technology
Laptop: Internet cafes in Europe are
in rapid decline so if you plan on keeping in touch with friends and
family, you'll need to bring a laptop. Most hotels and coffee shops have
Wi-Fi, so you won't struggle to stay connected.
Camera: Consider using a Micro 4/3 camera, such as the Olympus PEN E-PL5, which gives you SLR quality photos from a camera the size of a compact.
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E-reader: If you're planning on doing a lot of reading on the road then a Kindle Keyboard 3G is
a worthwhile investment. The e-ink screen eliminates glare, so you'll
easily be able to read a book while sunbathing on the beaches of
Portugal. If you get the Keyboard 3G version, you'll be able to get
online for free almost anywhere in the world!
Phone: If you're
going to be travelling in Europe, I'd suggest getting an unlocked phone
and picking up local prepaid SIM cards as you travel. These SIM cards
are the cheapest option for calls, texts and cellular data and are
available in most grocery stores. If you don't have an unlocked phone,
then opt for making phone calls using Skype over Wi-Fi. Too Many
Adapters has a fantastic resource for buying SIM cards in countries around the world.
