Packing Tips for Europe

Once you have identified available cheap traveloptions, including cheapairplane tickets, cheapdeals, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, youwould benefit from learning what you should not pack for a trip to Europe.

The following are items that should not make their way intoyour luggage for a European adventure, according to Sarah Schlichter:

Newshoes

Most trips to Europe require lots of walking, often overuneven cobblestone streets. You mightend up climbing hundreds of steps to reach the cupola of the Duomo in Florenceor the top of the Belem Tower in Lisbon. Historic buildings such as these usually do not have elevators. Pack comfortable walking shoes that you haveworn and walked in for at least a couple of weeks.

Clothesthat stand out

When packing for Europe pick clothes that will help you fitin with the locals. Select fromwell-tailored garments in neutral colors. Avoid white socks and tennis shoes, baseball caps, T-shirts withstriking text or logos, and athletic wear.

Fannypack

Wearing a fanny pack in Europe is the surest way tobroadcast that you are a tourist. Inadditional to being unflattering, fanny packs provide an obvious and accessibletarget to pickpockets on crowded streets and subway cars. Safer alternatives can be found inpickpocket-proof clothing, designed to conceal and protect valuables, andcrossbody bags for travel that have been designed with anti-theft features butstill look stylish.

Thewrong adapter plug

You dont want to be in a position where you are unable tokeep your phone, or other electronic devices charged. Different European countries have differentlyshaped outlets. The adapter you used inLondon last year will not work in Italy this year. You may want to pack more than one adapter sothat you can charge multiple devices at the same time.

Heavy Suitcases

Some of Europes most charming hotels are historicproperties that come with plenty of character but no elevators. The lighter you pack, the less you have totransport up and down stairs. ManyEuropean hotel rooms tend to be on the smaller side. Try to take a single moderately sized bag.

Excessivecash and/or Travelers Checks

Every major airport in Europe has multiple ATMs where moneycan be withdrawn in the local currency. There is less of a need for cash in Europe today since many merchants acceptcredit cards. Consider bringing multipleATM cards in case one does not work or the machine eats your card. Always carry at least one backup credit card.

RestrictedFoods

Carrying food across international borders can result inheavy fines. Avoid bringing any meat ordairy products from a non-European Union country into the E.U. Many countries also ban potatoes. If you want to transport any food betweencountries, you should first research the exact food restrictions for thecountry you will be visiting before departure.

Hairstraighteners, blow dryers, and curling irons

High heat beauty tools are often not designed to work onEuropean voltage (220 240 volts, as compared to 120 volts in the UnitedStates and Canada). You could easilyburn out any American device as soon as you plug it into a Europeanoutlet. A possible solution would be totravel with a dual-voltage tool. Ultimately you may be better off just using your hotels blow dryer andleaving your straightener or curling iron behind.

www.cheapfares.com

Comments are closed