What I'm Adding to my Packing List

In addition to the other items we suggested on our packing list, here are some of the other "necessities" that I found helpful last year.

• Dramamine (or other motion-sickness medicine).  You might be thinking you don't need it.  I didn't think I needed it either until the last hour and a half before landing in London when I had a headache and felt nauseous.  Ninety minutes never felt so long.
• Gas-X.  Again, I didn't think I'd need it either.  But then you realize that on a 9-hour flight, you don't have many options.  Either you startle the whole plane and awaken everyone's senses, or you take preventative measures like Gas-X.
• Wet wipes and small hand sanitizer.  Europeans have germs too.
• Reading material.  The night train is a long trip.  You will want something to pass the time.  I'm bringing Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities (about London and Paris) to also add a bit of history and nostalgia to my traveling experience.
• Roll of toilet paper (or pack of tissues).  Yes, you read that right.  The night train from Paris to Rome is about 15 hours.  I wouldn't say that the Italian train workers in our class of cabin are particularly attentive to travelers' needs.  In other words, if our car runs out of toilet paper, it may or may not be replaced promptly.  Having your own roll will save you some worry and from that "Oh no..." moment as you finish your business and reach for the TP, only to realize there's one square left.  Here is a discussion forum on the night train from TripAdvisor.
• Rain jacket.  It will rain.  Do you want to be wet or dry?  Don't let a soggy sweatshirt ruin your European experience.  Bring something that will repel water.
• Ear plugs. Once we hit London at 7:00-ish Saturday morning we will be starting our day.  Sleep on the plane is essential. 
• Empty water bottle.  This is what I brought with me last year.  Filled it up each morning at the hotel and saved myself a handful of Euro each day.
• Energy bars.  Brought one box of yogurt, honey, peanut Balance Bars and one box of Odwalla Chocolate Bars last year.  Yes, you can buy a 3-Euro snack here ($4.33), and a 4-Euro snack there ($5.77), and a 2-Euro snack there ($2.89), then you end up not having enough money for that Eiffel Tower snow globe that you promised your sister. 
• A watch or other time-keeper (maybe not a phone!).  You will need to meet in certain places at certain times.  Have a watch with you.  A phone may not be the best idea as smartphone thefts have risen sharply in Europe.  See the entry below about smartphone thefts in Paris (especially iPhones).

These are the things I'm definitely taking with me and some things you may want to consider.  If you have other suggestions, feel free to leave a comment with your idea.
-Mr. Fong

Since we're on the topic of packing light...

Mrs. Mills on the far left, Mrs. Herrick's head in the center, and Mr. Randall with his neck pillow in the foreground.

Since we're on the topic, we came across a shot from last year's trip that reminded us that packing light is a necessity.  Remember, you have to be able to haul and care for your own luggage.  This picture is taken right after we arrived in Paris and are leaving the Gare du Nord and heading out to our motor coach.  Note that everyone is rolling their suitcase along.

If you're not able to haul your own stuff, it does slow the group down.  There will be times when we're walking a little distance and it's imperative that we all are able to handle our belongings.  So pack light.  It's okay if you wear the same shirt/pants combo more than once; we're looking at Notre Dame Cathedral, not your pants!

EF Tours: Packing Light

A couple of days ago we posted an entry with REI's tips for traveling light.  EF Tours just posted a blog entry about packing light on their tours.  The writer writes about his trip with students just last week to...London, Paris, and Rome, the same as our trip!  Find out how heavy one girl's bag was at the blog entry here.

PASSPORTS!

Just a reminder to get those passports taken care of.  We don't want to leave you behind!  Here's the website for the Department of State that will help you get the passport process rolling.

Traveling Light: Expert Advice from REI

REI is known for its outdoor equipment but it also has some great travel gear.  One of their bags, the REI Wheely Beast Rolling Duffel was named as one of the best pieces of luggage by Outside Magazine.  They also offer some great advice for travelers.  In their stores one can find packing lists that are set out for free and to help travelers ready themselves for their trips.

On their website, they have an article about traveling light which is definitely the way you'll want to go for our trip to Europe in April. It also has a great Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.  Check out the article here.