If you’re looking for a list of things to do before you leave for a European vacation, this isn’t it. There are tons of great ones out there and if you do a search, you’ll find tons of blogs that will give you the basics like checking your passports, calling credit card companies, packing light, etc… This is not that post. What I’m going to talk about here are the things I’ve learned after over twenty trips to Europe that you wouldn’t think of…

I’ve already written one post about the things I always bring when I travel in my backpack and you can find that here, but when I go to Europe, there are several things that I prepare for since I do not have access to superstores and drug store chains. Additionally, every single European country has different laws about medicines so finding things that we are accustomed to getting over the counter can be daunting and can use up precious sight-seeing time if you find yourself in need.

This paragraph is for the ladies- meaning that you men may want to skip it. Ladies, you need to know where you’re at in your cycle and even if you don’t think you’re going to need it, bring whatever feminine products you prefer. This includes tampons, pads, OTC medicine for a UTI, etc… Yes, they have stores there if you’re in a pinch, but last year when I went to Italy I ended up having to go to five (yes 5) supermarkets and six pharmacies to locate tampons that I didn’t even like because I ran out of the ones I brought. I know this sounds weird, but the heat and lots of walking can do funny things to your cycle, and at the time we were there for Ferragosto (an Italian holiday where everything shuts down). During the time before and after, many of the stores, although open, did not get their regular deliveries so much of what we needed was sold out. For anything that can wait- it’s not a big deal, but for things you may need immediately, this can (and did) pose a problem- and a lot of wasted time.

If there are little annoyances that you are prone to like allergies, colds, constipation, heartburn, etc… bring whatever OTC medicine you usually take. Different foods and climate can wreak havoc on your system so you’re better off being prepared. I throw all that stuff in clear zip bag and add it to my backpack.

For this trip we will be in several different temperatures. We’ve planned time in a city which according to the predicted weather, it will be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and then we are also planning a climb to the top of one of the volcanoes where the weather will be about 43 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a large difference and makes it difficult to choose items that will be appropriate.

Here’s how I’ve learned to approach it. In the city, it will be extremely hot and we are also planning to visit the churches. This doesn’t seem like a packing problem, but if you’ve ever gone to Europe and visited a church, you know that there is a dress code. For most of the churches I have visited in Italy, shoulders and knees must be covered. I’ve learned to get around this by packing lightweight scarves that I can fit in a quart sized clear bag that I can tie around my shoulders (and around my waist if they deem my shorts or dress too short). It’s not pretty, but it is practical and often necessary in order to gain access to these historic sites. For the men, they sell pants that zip into shorts (again, not fashionable, but practical) although I’ve seen men do the tie a scarf around the waist thing. I see tons of travel bloggers that have these beautiful pictures of them in gorgeous outfits- to those people, my hat is off to you, because I’m never that put together and often (for me) comfort supersedes looking good.

On that note- shoes are important! I hate not wearing open shoes in the heat so I have learned to but the least ugly orthopedic shoe I can find that goes with everything I’m bringing. I make sure to break them in a few weeks before I leave. I’ve even purchased orthopedic boots for European travel in the winter when sneakers wouldn’t have been warm enough. It’s important that you wear a good shoe especially in historic areas where uneven pavement or cobblestones can make walking difficult. There’s no sense in risking an injury that could hinder your ability to walk after you’ve spent all that money to travel out of the country even if you did purchase medical insurance.

Now for clothes- in my experience, European historic sites do not have climate control so in the extreme heat, be prepared to sweat. Natural fabrics like cotton are just better in these situations so I’ve learned to stay away from fabrics that will stay “wet.” Everyone has a personal preference on this, but my advice is to just be mindful of what will keep you comfortable. Additionally, I’ve learned to pack extra undergarments because I’ve been known to shower a several times a day in situations like this. If you just don’t have the room, you can also pack a travel bottle with a detergent like Woolite (they also make travel packets) and wash things out in the sink if need be.

In between the city and the top of the volcano, we’ll be staying in two towns that are also on mountains. This means warm days and cool nights. We’ll have access to a washing machine here so I’m packing one pair of lightweight jeans (that I can dress up or down), one pair of full length yoga pants, one sweater (that I can wear casually or for an evening out), one medium weight sweatshirt (in case it gets really cold and to use on top of the mountain), and one pack-able down jacket (to use on top of the mountain and because it rolls into a ball- it will double as my pillow for the flight and the long train ride). In addition, I’m taking five cotton dresses (I don’t particularly like shorts) two shirts (for the jeans/yoga pants), a pair of sneakers, a pair of flip flops, something to sleep in, and two swimsuits. Everything I’m bringing coordinates so I can layer and mix the items to achieve several different looks.

One change of clothes will be packed in my backpack in case of lost luggage and the rest will be in my checked bag along with gifts for the family members I will be visiting. That still leaves me plenty of room to bring home anything I purchase while there.

Let me reiterate- this is not the end all- be all of packing guides. This is just what works for me and what I’ve learned from my many trips back and forth. The important thing is that you are mindful of the temperatures at your destination and what works for you. Did you find this helpful? Share it and let me know!