It never ceases to amaze me how people pack. My aunt used to travel to Europe with 2 checked bags. One for her matching Dior Outfits. One for her Shoes. She was a stylish professional lady in the 1950’s. This was the era when a well-dressed, smiling porter would gladly lug your steamer trunk of shoes from location to location for you.
On the other end of the packing extreme was my colleague who used to pack for a 2-week business trip with 1 dress shirt and an extra pair of underwear. I can only hope he used the hotel laundry service.
I’ve been on trips with people who packed a full outfit for each day. I’ve also been on trips where people packed 4 tank tops, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans and 1 sweatshirt only to find that Ireland in May can be a cold, rainy place. Please, before you even think about packing, check the weather at your destination. And always take a light cover up. Yes, even if you are headed to Phoenix is August.
In this blog we will address the basics of packing, regardless of destination or activities planned.
Shoes
I honestly feel that packing shoes for a cold weather trip is much harder than a multi-week European Vacation with a Destination Wedding and a Cruise. Why? Shoes are bulky. And heavy. And we need multiple pairs depending on where we are going and what activities we have booked.
Further complicating footwear issues is the fact that our feet take a beating. You might be planning a European Holiday where you will top 25,000 steps each day all of which is on cobblestone streets designed in the 1700’s.
One trick is to find the smallest shoe possible to fit any reason. Don’t take the sketchers with the heavy heels. Take a lower profile set of tennis shoes. A pair of ladies walking boots or winter warm boots must have low heels. High heels hurt your feet and they take up room you could otherwise employ for shirts.
You might be one of the millions of people who suffer from foot problems, further complicating your packing decisions. If this is the case, you will need to do a bit of research and possible some shopping to find something that works for your adventures.
Below is a general selection of shoes for a variety of conditions. My goal is to never take more than 3 pairs of shoes. 2 pair is preferred. Always pack your lightest, smallest pair, and wear the heavier pair. Yes, even if that heavier pair is snow boots. And you’re flying out from Phoenix. In August. Embrace the craziness of walking through Sky Harbor Airport in 100-degree heat in snow boots!
Men
In general men should be able to get by on a European City Vacation with 1 pair of loafers or other low-profile shoes that pass for dress shoes and 1 pair of tennis shoes.
Going to Hawaii? The Caribbean? You will want a pair of sandals, but you might not need those loafers. That depends on your dress up plans.
Cold weather destination? A good pair of heavier hiking boots or a pair of snow boots fits the bill.
If you are taking hiking boots, you must also take tennis shoes. Anyone who has spent 2 weeks in hiking boots have the battle scars to prove why! But, if you’re taking hiking boots, chances are, this isn’t the kind of trip where you will dress up. So no dress shoes.
Women
Any European City vacation includes 1 pair of tennis shoes and a nice walking sandal that can double as a dress shoe. This doesn’t work if you’re going in the winter as your toes will freeze. In that case, plan your wardrobe around a nice low heeled dressy boot.
The rest is the same as the men’s shoe guide above.
All shoes must be a neutral color. Black is best. Except, of course, for the tennis shoes or hikers. This way, they will match whatever color you wear.
One last thing about shoes. If you are headed somewhere where it is going to rain a lot, make sure your shoes have weather proofing. Shoes are notoriously slow to dry and you do not want to start your 25,000 step walking tour of London in the wet shoes from the day before. So again, check the weather before you leave home.
Clothing Basics
There are 2 items I never leave home without.
- A light sweater, sweatshirt, or windbreaker – yes, even if you are headed to Phoenix in August. You never know when a summer thunder storm might pop up. And you only have to sit in one restaurant, theatre, or tour bus that resembles a meat locker in temperature to be grateful for that sweater.
- A bathing suit – yes you’re headed to New Zealand in Winter so you won’t be jumping in the ocean unless you are joining the local Polar Bear Club. But you might want to enjoy the spa at the resort. I have purchased many bathing suits at local stores through the years before I finally learned this lesson. Plus, a bathing suit takes up almost zero room in your bag. So why not?
Now that you have these 2 necessities, let’s discuss the basics.
Unless you are going somewhere hot and humid, or your adventures include a country that frowns upon western clothing, a pair of jeans is your best bet. They go with everything, you don’t have to wash them constantly, and they are casual and dressy at the same time. Do check, however, if you are headed to the middle east or some Communist Countries as they have much more traditional dress codes.
Ladies’ always take a light cover with sleeves to a hot destination. You might want it for dinner. You also might want to tour the inside of a church or monastery that denies entrance to those wearing tank tops.
For a standard 2 week sightseeing trip through cities you will need:
Jeans
1 additional pair of pants
1 pair of good neutral colored shorts (if the weather calls for them)
1 touring dress that can double for dinner
1 lightweight cover up top
Bathing suit
1 sweater, sweatshirt, or light jacket
Layered tops dependent on weather and location
Undergarments and socks
Choose a color scheme and stick with it. All your bottoms should be either black/grey or brown/tan. Your tops can vary more, but try to be consistent – all pinks and reds or all blues and greens. It makes it easier to substitute a top should your amazing pomodoro end up on your blouse.
Men – simply change out the dress to a couple of nice dress shirts, and you’re good to go!
Another clever option is to buy some inexpensive tops at a place like Old Navy that match what you are taking. Wear them on your trip and then leave them at your last destination. This opens up space in your bag for souvenirs. After all, if you spent $10 on each shirt, you don’t mind donating it to the housekeeping staff at your last stop. They’ll appreciate the “cool American clothes” and you’ve just dropped weight and bulk for your flight home.
There are honestly a ton of youtube videos, blogs, and travel lists out there on the internet that can guide you based on your destination, number of days, and season.
In future blogs, we’ll have some fun packing for more off-the beaten path adventures. The kinds where you can’t run to the local Target and there is no laundry service. There might not even be hot running water.