What to Take on a Trip to Europe

Sorting out Confusion for Women Who Do Not Know How to Pack

Sep 26, 2009 Priya Ravindran

Air travel has become rather cumbersome with airlines becoming very strict about weight. There are a few essentials that every woman must carry to Europe.

Every woman wonders what she should carry in her luggage, especially for a long voyage like Europe. Most women end up taking too much and then have to lug their suitcases around cobblestone roads. Believe it or not, packing is easy once a person can figure out what is important and what is not.

Important Factors to Consider

1. Weather

Is it Fall, Spring, Summer or Winter? Does it get chilly at night? Is it sweltering hot? If one can find this out, then certain items of clothing may be discarded. For example, if it is Winter, then it is important to carry a good winter coat, gloves, scarves, hats, warm long-sleeved tops, camis to layer, sweaters, hoodies, solid boots and dressy boots. In the summer, a woman will need lots of skirts (stick to basic colors and pair with lots of colorful blouses), dresses, a bathing suit, cover-ups, linen pants, sandals, tank tops and breezy blouses. For the Spring, carry a light coat, camis, few full-sleeved tops, light sweaters in basic colors, tights, dresses and skirts. The same goes for Fall.

2. Type-of trip

Is it a backpacking trip, a casual trip, a business trip, a trip about partying, etc. This will help answer what clothes are needed. If it is a casual trip, don't take a business suit, and if it is a business trip, take more suits, shirts and cocktail dresses, rather than jeans or shorts. Make sure to carry basic bottoms, so that one can pair it with different tops and create different outfits based on accessories and shoes.

3. Occasions, schedules plans, rendez-vous

Will there be any birthday parties or dinners? Occasions include meeting parents, festivals, concerts, anniversaries, parties etc. Choose accordingly. It is also always safe to keep at least one formal dress and a couple of dressy tops.

4. Dress codes

Again, it is better to research any dress code policies that restaurants and clubs might have. Most clubs in Paris do not allow jeans, so carry a dress and tops with skirts. The same goes for restaurants. A lot of restaurants have a business casual to semi-formal to formal dress codes. Keep one of each.

Essential Items to Carry

Camisoles

Sneakers

Lots of socks

Ballet flats/sandals

Dressy shoes in black

A couple of jeans

Sweaters

Basic jacket (depending on weather)

Dressy and snow boots (again depending on weather)

Skirts in basic colors and dresses

Lots of tops

Few pairs of dressy and simple earrings

Necklaces

One casual bag, one dressy bag, one tote bag

Umbrella

Rain coat

Language book

Cash

Don't bother with too many toiletries. Wal-mart offers travel-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, lint rollers, toothpaste, and face-washes. Don't carry a hairdryer because most hotels have one.

To conclude, carry basic bottoms and more sweaters, tops and camisoles. Do not forget to carry at least one dressy top, one dress, and one formal dress. Do not carry too many cosmetics; just things like sunblock, concealer, mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. Carry shoes in basic colors and one of each type. For example, everyday shoes, a pair of ballet flats, sneakers, one dressy sandal, and boots depending on the weather. Also, carry a lot of earrings and necklaces. One can mix and match outfits with them.

The copyright of the article What to Take on a Trip to Europe in Vacations & Leisure is owned by Priya Ravindran. Permission to republish What to Take on a Trip to Europe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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