need some help with packing

[lynx]

Dear forum users,

I am planning to go to Europe this June for 2 months and have compiled a list of things to take. I would be grateful if you could advise me where I can improve or some of the things to take or leave.

Clothes
-------

3 (all in one) trousers/shorts
3-4 pairs of t-shirts
5 underwears
5 pairs of socks
1 smart collared shirt
1 smart trousers(??)
1 pair sandals
1 pair shoes
1 pair sunglasses
1 baseball hat
1 large towel
1 swimming shorts
1 flip flops
1 PJs


1 Compact towel,
Digital Camera, Battery Charger, USB cable
Voltage Converter/Adaptor
Swiss Army Knife/Utensils
1 pillow case
1 Money belt
1 daypack
1 lonely planet western europe guide
3 Laundry Detergent Tabs (packs come in 2)/Downy Sheets
small cord/rope for drying laundry ()
pad lock & a zipper pack lock
Mini flashlight/key chain light
safety pins, sewing kit, compass
mini journal/address book/pen (for notes, directions, etc)

Toiletries
---------
toothbrush/paste,
wax
lip chap
deodorant,
Band-Aids,
Small mirror, razor
Tylenol,Parcetamol,
Muskol/Sunblock
Plastic bags
1 toilet roll
pair of ears plugs
all in one shower/hair gel

Documents
-----------
Passports
tel nos,address,phone
travel/health insurance
plane/hostel information

Would appreciate any opinions on this.

thanks

[WillTravel]

This looks good to me. I've never taken along most of the "supply" items you have there, but for a 2-month trip, I bet you will be glad to have them.

[ksteele]

Hey!

I'm leaving on Monday for a five-week trip (VERY EXCITED!!!).

I think the list is pretty comprehensive.. but I'd just be careful with some of the stuff on airlines. If you're planning on backpacking, and ONLY bringing carry-on, most airlines won't let you take swiss army knives, razor, etc

[Eagle]

lynx, your packing list looks reasonably good, however I have a couple of comments and questions:

- Towels: You've listed both a "compact towel" and a "large towel". The large towel might be a bother to carry all over Europe.

- Digital Camera, etc.: will you require Plug Adapters for the Chargers?

- Voltage Converter / Adapter: what type of "converter" is it, and which devices will you need this for?

- Laundry Soap, Downy sheets: I wouldn't bother hauling kit like that around (although I usually take a small bottle of liquid soap for my Tilley clothing), as you can easily buy supplies in Europe.

- Wax: that's an item I've never considered. Use?

- Documents: will there be a Rail Pass also?

Your list appears somewhat basic but fairly complete. I normally have a slightly different "mix" on my packing list, including my venerable Cell Phone.

ksteele, AFAIK, airlines in this part of the world will allow a safety razor in carry-on. I've travelled with one in my Daypack numerous times, and never had any problems.

Happy travels!!!

[lynx]

- Towels: You've listed both a "compact towel" and a "large towel". The large towel might be a bother to carry all over Europe.

It's the Life Venture Large Soft Fibre Towel which is fast drying
and packable...see:
(http://www.blacks.co.uk/blacks.storefront/product/090629.aspx?searchbreadcrumbs=090629)



- Digital Camera, etc.: will you require Plug Adapters for the Chargers?

I'll be taking camera with the charger and the plug adapter. USB cable will come as well.


- Voltage Converter / Adapter: what type of "converter" is it, and which devices will you need this for?

Mobile and camera

- Laundry Soap, Downy sheets: I wouldn't bother hauling kit like that around (although I usually take a small bottle of liquid soap for my Tilley clothing), as you can easily buy supplies in Europe.

that's true and will seriously consider this.


- Wax: that's an item I've never considered. Use?

wife.

- Documents: will there be a Rail Pass also?

interail pass for 1 month.

Your list appears somewhat basic but fairly complete. I normally have a slightly different "mix" on my packing list, including my venerable Cell Phone.

Would appreciate on your comments on what your slightly different "mix" might be.

Also something I forgot to mention in that list was the waterproof jacket.

- Happy travels!!!

Thanks!

[Eagle]

lynx,

It's the Life Venture Large Soft Fibre Towel which is fast drying
and packable

Good choice! That's similar to the large "chamois style" Towel that I carry. It packs almost flat, absorbs LOTS of water and seems to dry quite quickly. I don't carry a small Towel, but do have a small Facecloth (that sometimes fills-in as a small Towel).

I'll be taking camera with the charger and the plug adapter. USB cable will come as well.

I'm still a bit puzzled about the "Voltage Converter / Adapter"

Just to confirm - have you checked the "nameplate" specifications on the Camera & Mobile Chargers? Many devices these days are supplied with Chargers that will operate on electrical systems from 100-240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz. If that's the case, I can't understand why a "Voltage Converter" would be required? Only Plug Adapters would be required. I couldn't tell from your Profile where you're located, so don't know what your "home" electrical system is (as you mentioned "Black's" and "Interail", I'm suspecting U.K.)

Also, why are you packing along the USB Cable? Some Net Cafes are a bit reluctant to allow "foreign" devices to be connected to their computers. In addition, some Cameras require software to be installed on the computer before linking the Camera to it. If you're planning to transfer photos, a Card Reader (one which doesn't require software drivers) is much easier, OR go to a photo shop or whatever and have your photos burned to a DVD. Many people burn two copies, sending one home and keeping one with them for "insurance".

Also something I forgot to mention in that list was the waterproof jacket.

Absolutely! I have a GoreTex Jacket that I use extensively for travel.

Would appreciate on your comments on what your slightly different "mix" might be.

I tend to "re-structure" my packing list slightly, according to the circumstances of each trip. I always feel that I'm packing too much kit along, so I'm constantly looking for ways to "pack lighter". Some items are "essential" though, so I tolerate the weight. I'm in the process of revising my packing list for my next trip (hopefully this Autumn), but here's a sample of some of the items I took last time (with a brief explanation for my rationale):

-- Palm PDA (stores Phone no.'s, Itinerary details - basically, a "portable office").

-- I-Pod Nano (great for long train or air trips when there's no one to chat with, and indispensable for some Hostels when used with noise cancelling Headphones!).

-- Maps, photocopied, in a plastic sleeve (city maps really help me to get my bearings when I arrive, especially when finding my lodgings for the first time. I also take a Europe/UK map, for general reference).

-- Camera gear, a major weight item!!! (lately I've been travelling with a digital SLR and a small P&S, two extra Lenses, Flash unit, a few filters, Memory Cards, cleaning supplies AND a very compact and easy-to-pack Portable Hard Drive. I figure if I'm spending a small fortune to visit a location, I want to ensure that I have the ability to capture some good photo memories so I'm willing to tolerate the "nuisance factor" of hauling the kit around. After all, I might never return?).

-- "Backup" Toiletries kit (I always carry a small kit in my Daypack during air travel, with a Razor, Toothbrush and a few other odds-and-ends. Should the airline "misplace" my main Backpack, I could qute easily get along with this for a week or so. Now that the restrictions on liquids have been "relaxed" somewhat, it's possible to carry small quantities of toothpaste, etc. as well. When I arrive at destination, I usually store this in the main Pack until the next air trip).

-- Miscellaneous items (Spare Eyeglasses & Lens Cleaners; "basic" Vitamins as travel can be a bit stressful at times; small First Aid kit as I'm a retired Paramedic; spare Shoelaces for my "travel Shoes" - I normally travel with only ONE pair of shoes and a small pair of cheap flip-flps; Guidebook or two specific to the locations I'll be visiting; AND perhaps my most valuable and often used travel item, my Tilley Vest which often suffices as a "Daypack").

Those are a sample of some of the items I've been travelling with lately.

One other point, as you're travelling in June will you be pre-booking your accomodations or just "winging it"? It could be busy at that time of the year, so something to consider.

Cheers!!!

[lynx]

Eagle,

Thanks for your comments.

You are right, I am from UK and hence will only need EU plug adapter so that I can recharge my camera and mobile.

If you're planning to transfer photos, a Card Reader (one which doesn't require software drivers) is much easier, OR go to a photo shop or whatever and have your photos burned to a DVD. Many people burn two copies, sending one home and keeping one with them for "insurance".

A card reader does sound good and will be investing in one of them . I will upload some of them on-line and the rest will be copied onto CD/DVD as backups.

I normally travel with only ONE pair of shoes and a small pair of cheap flip-flps

This one is causing problems at the moment for me. I am planning to take 3 shoes (sandals - during the day,trainers - trekking,smart shoes - evening wear), but would really like to get this down to 1 or
2 and would appreciate any advice on this.

One other point, as you're travelling in June will you be pre-booking your accomodations or just "winging it"? It could be busy at that time of the year, so something to consider.

This is one of the first things that I did as soon as I did my itinerary.

One more thing, do you know of any packable daypacks or do you just wear this on front of you?

Thank you once again for your advice.

[Eagle]

lynx,

This one is causing problems at the moment for me. I am planning to take 3 shoes (sandals - during the day,trainers - trekking,smart shoes - evening wear), but would really like to get this down to 1 or
2 and would appreciate any advice on this.

I'm not sure what to suggest on that point? Footwear choices seem to be somewhat a matter of personal preference and also depend on the specific needs of the trip. Two significant points to consider are (a) whether you have the room in your pack to comfortably store the footwear and (b) whether packing them around Europe is going to be a bother after a while?

Some other thoughts.....

- The Sandals will also be useful in Hostels (showers, etc.). If you find them comfortable for touring about on hard pavement for extended periods of time, then it's probably good to pack them along.

- One solution might be to find a pair of Trainers that look a bit "dressy" so they could be used in the evenings also. I've never looked for something like that, so not sure if this type of product even exists?

It appears that you only have a few choices:

1.) Pack along all three pairs of shoes and tolerate the weight and extra packing room needed.

2.) Find some way to "compromise" and eliminate one pair of shoes.

do you know of any packable daypacks or do you just wear this on front of you?

Several companies offer "packable Daypacks". I'm not familiar with the shops that might be available in your area, but you could check www.eaglecreek.com as they have one model (there are EC stockists in the U.K.). Rick Steves also has a couple of models, such as the Civita Daypack. It's a good quality Daypack but is best considered a "light duty" product as it's made from microfibre (good for a jacket, small Camera and lunch, but not suited for heavier loads).

YES, a Daypack can certainly be worn in a "front carry" configuration. The Daypack I'm using (EC Continental Journey) is designed to be carried either in front or behind. This provides benefits for both load balancing and security. Of course, this depends to some extent on the design of a particular Pack and Daypack. You didn't specify what type of Pack you're using, so it's difficult to say whether this will be an option in your case?

Good luck with your planning!!!

[lynx]

Thanks for your comments Eagle.

I have decided to take 3 pair of shoes (1 trekking trainers,1 sandal and 1 smart trainers) after all and will have to tolerate with that bit of extra load.


As for the daypack, I have looked into your comments and will try to find them in shops first (as need to try it on),otherwise will need to order it from the web.


Once again thanks for your advice.

[Eagle]

lynx, Hope you find a suitable Daypack. Keep us posted on your trip.

Good luck and happy travels!!!