winter travel

[sleep]

I'm travelling to Europe this upcoming winter and I'm looking for some winter travel tips. There is lots written about peak-season travel, but not much on the off-season. Also, I'm looking for some festivals/concerts etc. that take place in the winter.

[WillTravel]

What type of music do you like?

Here's a site to get started, although I don't think it lists all festivals.

www.whatsonwhen.com

The main problem with going in the winter is the clothing, jackets, and shoes required. I'm thinking a lot about the best things to bring and wear for different types of weather.

[megamay79]

I think for clothing the key is to layer layer layer. Jeans are a good thing in the winter becuase they are warm, and you probably arent going to be handwashing too much anyway, since it takes a lot longer to dry anything when it is colder and wetter out.

We have been traveling Sept-Dec, which isnt quite as cold as it will get, but we had to pack for pretty much everything. As for shoes, we just went with really good sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. Not the prettiest thing but they are very good for rain and snow.

Long underwear is good. And a waterproof, gortex jacket is key! We both have two jackets, one is a lighterweight gortex waterproof jacket (like you get at REI) and the other is a lot warmer but also waterproof with a fleece lining. We went for the high tec fabrics. I got my jacket on clearance at REI end of season it was originally like $200, but it is worth it becuase it is really warm and not too bulky. And when it gets really cold, we wear both along with one or two or even three long underwear shirts.

We didnt really pack for clubs or nice restaurants though. I dont know how you would really do that since you already have to bring so much stuff to keep you warm, but I imagine if you really try you could find stuff that looks good too.

Megan

[jennifer]

Hello!
Just a little note!
This is just my opinion, but jeans aren't really warm in my sense. The wind just goes right through them and freezes your legs. I know this is a question of personal opinion, but just felt like sharing! ;D

[Nicstar]

what on earth would you wear in the middle of winter then if you're not wearing jeans??? What else could be warm enough??

I find jeans coupled with a nice pair of thermal underwear are heaps warm. I guess it depends on the thickness of the denim.... (maybe I am the only person who owns winter jeans/summer jeans/autumn jeans......2 pair for every season!)

[jennifer]

hahah
I wear Jeans in the winter too!
But I mostly just where normal pants. There are winter cargos too!

I find jeans tend to "freeze up" in the winter with the wind. They become stiff after hours outside, anyways, just my own opinion, if you're comfortable in them, then go ahead, that's what's important!

[Nicstar]

this must be a cultural thing, cos I can't think for the life of me what would be considered "normal pants" in winter time... ?? I mean, apart from jeans. And winter cargos??? Its all I wear in the summer is cargo pants, but I've not got any for winter!


Damn its much too hot here to even consider winter clothes at the moment...tis currently 32 degrees celsius at the moment... 9:40pm at night (we're lucky though, it was supposed to reach 42 today but only got to about 38....) My poor friend climbed on a plane in today's heat to head to Canada... ! Talk about contrast!

[megamay79]

Sorry to start a debate about jeans. I know it is totaly a personal thing, but before I traveled I read all the arguments about whether jeans were good to travel with or not and found that most arguments against them were that they are bulky to pack, too hot in the summer, not something that europeans wear a lot and slow to dry if you are doing handwashing.

So I decided not to bring jeans even though at home that is pretty much ALL I wear. Now that I am here, I had to spend like $50 on a pair of jeans in Poland becuase I really wanted jeans that badly, and I found that in the off season it is a whole different ball game, so arguments that go for summer dont really work for winter, all my quick dry clothes still dont dry that well so we just have to use a dryer anyway. Plus in winter most clothes are bulky, my thin waterproof pants are just too cold. Plus I have seen that most younger europeans wear jeans as much as young americans.

anyway, I guess it is really a personal thing, but you need to think about the pros and cons based on your season too.

Meg

[MuvverRussia]

Guest-megamay79 said:

not something that europeans wear a lot.

I don't know where you heard that, but it isn't true. In fact I'm wearing a pair of Levis right now lol .

[Nicstar]

Yeah I can't imagine the whole of Europe is jeans free now...!

I figure for winter, they're warmer, easier to fit an extra fitted layer underneath if you need it, and you can wear them for a whole week and they're fine (in fact I reckon my jeans look best on their 3rd or 4th wear!). Me? When i go away I'm packing 2 pair of jeans and wearing one.

[LHR02]

I always take corderoy 'jeans'......fabric is softer and much warmer than jeans generally, they look just a bit nicer and can more easily be dressed up a bit if you need something a bit dressier. I have to agree with Jen though....I don't like the feel of jeans when it is cold out...they do seem to 'freeze up'.

[Cat]

Trust me, Europeans do wear jeans in winter! And in summer, for that matter.

When I was in college I used to ride my bike to the train station every day, which was about 5 miles. I wore jeans all the time and they did the job for me.

And you can wear them for quite some time before washing them, so that's a bonus.
Even when you are going out, jeans are usually quite acceptable, when they are in good shape. I do think the ultra-stonewashed jeans would be frowned upon.
I wouldn't recommend wearing jeans to clubs or into the theatre though.

Cat