10 Packing Tips for European Travel

Marcy Russ, perpetual explorer, beauty seeker, and owner of Blended Blue, a Minneapolis-based rep group,  has been all over this globe and has learned a thing or two along the way as to how to make the most of one’s travel experience. With my Euro trip just three weeks away,  I asked her to share some of her tips for packing and preparing for travel abroad. Check out her killer advice below. Thank you Marcy!

1. Adjust for the season, but packing light is golden.
2. Always a carry-on. Always!  You want your luggage to arrive with you, especially in a foreign country.  Leave behind the extra weight and edit.
3. The cardinal rule to packing light is to choose versatile pieces that you can easily mix, match and layer to create several different ensembles.
4. Bring only minimal makeup (This will help you look European).
5. Before you leave, pick up $300 in currency of where you’re going (unless you’re going somewhere silly expensive, then $400).  Most everything will go on your credit card, so make sure to call your credit card company ahead of time, and tell them when and where you’ll be traveling. Otherwise, they may put a hold on your card, and it can take a some time to resolve.
6. Don’t forget an electrical outlet adapter for the country you’re going to. (Europe as a whole usually just requires one adapter).
7. For daily exploring, bring a small bag you can wear diagonally across your body (most safe) for carrying your camera, lip gloss, etc.
8. Keep your currency, photo ID, and credit card close to your body, rather than in your camera bag. I have this tiny little Asian silk “wallet” that I bring with me (weightless and thin). I keep it in my front jeans pocket (as far down inside the pocket as possible), and usually I wear a top that is more like a tunic, so it covers the top of my jeans well.  This way, it’s not easy to grab, and doesn’t look like anything.  Then I sling my camera bag across from one shoulder to the opposite hip, and walk with one hand on the strap.
9. If you pack light, everything fits in a carry-on roller bag.  Be sure to invest in one with good wheels that can stand up to cobblestone streets, and MAKE SURE you get one that is International Carry-on Standard.  If you’re traveling on smaller planes in Europe, they can be very strict about carry-on-size.  And it’s just so great to know your bag will arrive with you.
10. And lastly, e-mail a copy of your passport to yourself, on a Yahoo or G-mail address.  This way, you can access your passport number from any country if need be.  It’s a good idea to carry a photocopy and e-mail a copy to a friend as well.  I’ve never needed this back-up, but peace of mind is, well, peaceful.

Base photo via Fine Art America.