Packing for Europe

Continued from page 1

3. Enough is Enough.

This is my approach. If I'm exploring the Faroe Islands, I'll pack differently than I would for a German opera itinerary. And if I'm staying in one city, I may take a 24" TravelPro suitcase that might be inconvenient on a whistle-stop tour of European capitals. (For what it's worth, I normally travel with a 21" or 22" wheeled upright bag, which is easy to lift onto luggage racks and to maneuver in crowded city streets.)

A number of years ago, my family and I rented a vacation cottage on the North Sea coast of Denmark for a week. We took sheets and towels with us because the rental didn't include linens, and it was cheaper--and easier--to take an extra suitcase than to buy expensive new linens on a Saturday in Denmark when all the shops were closed. (In case you're curious, we left our threadbare linens in Denmark and used the empty suitcase for Danish toys, books, and chocolate bars on the trip home.)

Bottom line: Don't make more than you need, but don't shortchange yourself, either. If you like dressing for dinner, or if you're an ice dancer who visits a new skating rink on every trip, then by all means take the clothing or equipment you need to enjoy yourself.

Random packing tips

Don't overspend if you're inexperienced. Quality luggage may be a good investment if you know what you want and travel frequently, but why commit yourself to a $300 suitcase when a three-week European trip may convince you that you're a backpacker at heart?

Avoid backpacks with external frames. Kelty and other external-frame backpacks are great for mountain trails in the American West, but they're too big to fit the luggage racks on most trains. They're also awkward on crowded buses, subways, and other public places. You're better off with an internal-frame pack that's designed for European travel.

Use plastic bags. Every bottle that contains liquid should be packed inside a plastic bag. Throw in a few large, lightweight bags to hold dirty shoes, soggy clothes, dirty laundry, or wet bathing suits.

Don't pack colored plastics next to each other. My wife learned this the hard way in Switzerland, where her new vinyl rain boots picked up the ink from a plastic store bag.

Wheels are handy--sometimes. European airports often have stairs, and so do hundreds (perhaps thousands) of railroad stations. Also, many European cities have cobblestoned streets. If you're going to bring a wheeled suitcase, make sure it has sturdy wheels and is well-balanced. A handle on the side is also important, since you'll sometimes find yourself carrying the bag instead of relying on the wheels. (For reviews of two excellent bags, see my Briggs & Riley 21" and TravelPro Crew 5 22" articles.)

Two can be better than one. If you have enough possessions for a large suitcase, consider dividing the load between two smaller bags. This will make it easier to walk long distances without developing a permanent list or yanking your arm out of its socket. (Note: This works best if you aren't also carrying a large handbag or travel tote.)

Web links - luggage and packing

Continued on page 3

 

Copyright © 1996-2009 Durant and Cheryl Imboden and their licensors.
All rights reserved.