About Us
| Packing We try to pack light...we get better every time we go. Use carry-on size suitcases...and roll-on duffel bags Do not bring large size suitcases. European cars are smaller...and packing the car is like a puzzle game. Also, large cases are hard to maneuver in train stations and buses. Don't bring new shoes....You will just get blisters. Bring a older pair and you will probably be willing to throw them away at the end of the trip. Bring your oldest underwear and socks....wash them once during the trip...then throw them away before coming home. Bring neutral colors..tans, browns, blacks and blues Trust us... Americans don't really "blend in" wearing yellows, pinks, and teal Bring mostly casual clothes...if your travels include one or two big cities...bring one nice shirt and pants Ladies...bring one little black dress...not too dressy. Also bring a scarf...You may need to cover your head and or shoulders in visiting churches and mosques. Bring layers and a windbreaker. No coats. We even survived glacier snow in the Alps in a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, sweater and jacket in layers. Same with pants....sweats over jeans. Bring a bathing suit and water shoes ... Bring the smallest, lightest weight travel umbrellas and cheap rain poncho -can also double as a picnic blanket We bring a duffel bag for everyone's shoes (limit of two pairs per person) and their jackets...we put umbrellas and rain ponchos in the outside pockets...Also holds a bathing suit and water shoes--you never know when you might need them. This duffle bag is all kept together and stays in the car. No need to lug it in/out of hotels and there when you need it. We bring a duffel bag for a catch all....it holds the toiletries, snacks, picnic blanket etc...on the flight over. Then becomes the dirty laundry bag & souvenir bag. Bring lots of ziploc bags in several sizes...you will use them for everything! Pack light...you never know how far you have to walk or carry upstairs. |
| Family Travels Before You Go |
Bring Your Medicines with You Bring prescription medicines with you-- in their labelled pill bottle. And an assortment of over the counter medicines...headache, upset stomach, cold medicine, eye drops, anti-itch cream, Benadryll Ask your doctor for a generic antibiotic for just in case. |
| Walking the streets of London Everyone had a carry-on size case One duffel bag for shoes and coats One duffel bag as catch-all. Total of 7 small suitcases for five people for three weeks of travel ***Even my teenage daughter can pack for three weeks into a carry-on*** |
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| Before you go....Plan ahead. Again, buy the Rick Steves' travel book for your area of planned travel. Read more at "How We Travel" Make copies of pages Make notes or cheat sheets. Make a copy of your passport to carry in your luggage Make a copy of your itinerary and give it to family members or friends. If you travel frequently, see if you have Frequent Flyer miles to cash in, discounts for rental cars, or have enough "points' for free stays at the larger hotel chains. |
| Film and Batteries are very expensive in Europe. Bring what you think you need and then more! |
| Hotel Reservations We have travelled "free-spirited" and gone without any plans. But believe me, it is more stressful. Use a good travel book (like Rick Steves') Do on-line research Check out their websites Check out blogs and trip advisories on the net. Design a rough itinerary and make hotel or B&B reservations in advance. Sometimes up to two months in advance. |
| Picnic Planning We have a little fold-up picnic get-up with a small cutting board, paring knife, cheese knife, plastic utensils, wine opener etc. We bring a "Neat Sheet" This blue thin sheet is water and stain repellent We have used it everywhere. We also buy little sacks of small trash bags and hand wipes. Once we arrive, we visit the grocery store for plates, cups, napkins, ziplocs and anything else we need |
| Bring local currency with you so will not need to hunt for a ATM when you arrive or be ripped off at local exchange offices See "How We Travel" for more info |
Make Sure Your Passport is Current Also check to see if your destination requires a Visa Make a copy to keep in your luggage In the event your passport is lost or stolen, a copy will help you when you need to contact the Local US Embassy for help |
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| Ladies Be flexible. Don't be brand conscious. You can survive on locally bought soaps, shampoos, hair products and lotions. They do have grocery stores in Europe Pack light. Don't bring a large bottle of your favorite shampoo...buy plastic containers from Walmart and bring five smaller bottles of your favorite good stuff. Buy sample sizes. Disposable razors Mini Deos and Little bars of soap. Little tubes of toothpaste of the must have brands Then go the local grocery when you are there and get what you need. It saves weight in your suitcase. Throw away what you don't need at the end of the trip. Sure it is wasteful..but do you need half used lotions or shampoos...or a nice bottle of French wine. Do bring your favorite brand of personal hygiene products....some of the European brands seem archaic Don't bring blowdryers, curling irons, straightening irons etc... They are heavy and probably won't work even with a converter. Again, if you really NEED it...buy one when you get there. Don't bring steam irons or travel irons. Who cares if it is wrinkled. You are lucky if it is clean and doesn't small after two weeks. |
| Other items to pack Ziploc bags--small and large A picnic blanket or Neat Sheet Small bottles of laundry detergent concentrate A laundry detergent stain stick A first aid kit...with neosporin and band aids A wine opener Small cutting knife (sausages and cheese) a small cutting board Small travel size trash bags Travel umbrella and rain poncho water shoes |
| Bring a water strap. These can be hard to find. We love our from Disneyland. A simple device to connect a strap to a water bottle for easy carrying. We bring two large bottles whenever and wherever we go |