Packing for Europe.....

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

As far as white, black, beige....that's exactly what I'm doing. I figured it would be easy to match, and I would need less accessories.

Forget the "accessories". Those will easily add a few pounds to the luggage.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Definately comfortable shoes, and have at least a couple of pair because even in comfortable shoes when your feet get tired just changing to a different pair makes them feel better.
In Italy a lot of art work etc. is in big churches (duomos, basillicas (sp)etc) and in many of the cities and even a lot of the smaller towns you can't go in the churches with clothes that leave your knees or sholders exposed. On our tour if we were going to be visiting churches during the day they wouldpost on the plan for that day "no shorts!" and my wife and I saw a woman in a sleeveless blouse get turned away by the police at the main duomo in Milan and also saw the same thing at the Vatican in Rome. I wore a lot more light weigt slacks than I usually do on vacation and my wife would wear capri pants alot on the warmer days.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I have no suggestions but I may have adapters to lend....I'll go check right now.

I am watching this thread very closely as I will have to pack 3 suitcases at 30lbs each come August. Very timely.

ETA that I have to foreign current converters. I'll get them to you pronto!

OK....I just checked Alitalia, and it seems that we are allowed up to 50 lbs, per suitcase. Size of suitcase allowed is 28 length, 40 width, 32 height.

BTW....that's assuming that 20 Kgs = 50 lbs. Not sure that I converted that correctly.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Forget the "accessories". Those will easily add a few pounds to the luggage.

What!!.....no accessories!

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Also on power converters, check the things that you need to plug in to see if they need a power converter or just a plug converter. In much of Europe the plugs are different but the power is also 220 instead of 110. Most chargers and power supplies for laptop computers, cameras etc will run on either 110 or 220 (check what is written on it for voltage if it will run on either it will say something like 110-220 volts). If this is the case then you really only need a plug converter and you can buy some pretty compact ones now days. I have one this has a place on the back to plug in my device and then several sliders that push out the plug you need on the other side. It is also fused and works great for those devices that you don't have to worry about a power conversion for. Devices like hair dryers, portable irons etc usually need a power converter though.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

On our tour if we were going to be visiting churches during the day they wouldpost on the plan for that day "no shorts!" and my wife and I saw a woman in a sleeveless blouse get turned away by the police at the main duomo in Milan and also saw the same thing at the Vatican in Rome.

Oh wow Ken I'm glad you wrote that! I have to PM BigFrank....in Greece they would not permit women in the churches on the islands <and perhaps the mainland too I'm not sure> unless you were wearing appropriate attire.

and they meant a skirt or dress.... with at least a cap sleeve top.

Would be a pity to miss out on the fabulous icons that are in these small town churches.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Ken....thanks for the info!!! DH was planning on bringing mostly shorts, and I have mostly sleeveless tops at the moment. We will both have to make a few changes. Thanks again....I wouldn't have wanted to find out that info, while in Italy.

Definately comfortable shoes, and have at least a couple of pair because even in comfortable shoes when your feet get tired just changing to a different pair makes them feel better.
In Italy a lot of art work etc. is in big churches (duomos, basillicas (sp)etc) and in many of the cities and even a lot of the smaller towns you can't go in the churches with clothes that leave your knees or sholders exposed. On our tour if we were going to be visiting churches during the day they wouldpost on the plan for that day "no shorts!" and my wife and I saw a woman in a sleeveless blouse get turned away by the police at the main duomo in Milan and also saw the same thing at the Vatican in Rome. I wore a lot more light weigt slacks than I usually do on vacation and my wife would wear capri pants alot on the warmer days.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

So, am I better off just buying the converters, when I get Europe. I haven't seen any here marked for individual countries, just a general 'Europe' marking.

It is my understanding that each country has its own "plug" end. I tried a cheapo converter years ago and it blew up and blew the fuses in Germany.

A friend of mine forgot his power cord for his laptop and was able to get one right at the hotel in Wales. He may have also gotten the converter there. He went to several other places with no luck before asking the hotel. I'll be het paid plenty for it, though.

Although I haven't spent much time in laundromats in Europe, another friend spent 3 weeks in England and used the laundromat there. Apparently he got in trouble with the other patrons for removing clothes from either the washer or dryer before the owner came back for them and there were no empty machines. Apparently a no-no there, but accepted in the US northeast.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

OK....I just checked Alitalia, and it seems that we are allowed up to 50 lbs, per suitcase. Size of suitcase allowed is 28 length, 40 width, 32 height.

BTW....that's assuming that 20 Kgs = 50 lbs. Not sure that I converted that correctly.

Angela,
20 Kgs is actually 44 lbs, but we also flew Alitalia and they told us that the limit was 50 lbs per suitcase and you were allowed 2 suitcases per person flying out of the states, but like Frank said the rules are different for domestic flights within Europe and I believe it is a one suitcase per person rule and maybe less weight.
We also have foldup nylon bags that are light and we carry them to have a second bag on the way home and pack it with stuf like dirty clothes etc for the trip home.
One other thing that Alitalia told me but that they didn;t seem to inforce was that your carry on piece of luggage could only weigh 11 lbs. I never saw them weigh anyones carry on but they did give a person who was on our plane a hard time about a bag that was too big for carry on.

[basham Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close basham]

OK....I j

BTW....that's assuming that 20 Kgs = 50 lbs. .

My brain says the quick conversion rate was 2.2 lbs per kilo.

Perhaps worth looking up as you could be slightly overweight with the complications that could bring.

Sounds like a great trip.

[vinolover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vinolover]

What!!.....no accessories!

My favorite accessories are scarves and costume earrings. I take lots and just wear with the same top every couple of days. No one notices of course, except it makes me feel like I'm changing my "look". It's something fun that takes up no room in the suitcase. My DH and I don't care that we see each other in the same clothes over and over for two weeks. We usually travel in off season and have a coat or jacket on in all the photos anyway so no one back home knows what we're wearing.

Learned the hard way after many years of two week+ trips to Europe that packing light is really the way to go. Don't think just because some airline will allow 50 lbs. that you want to schlepp a 50 lb. suitcase.

I know you will probably try to take advantage of all the advice to pack light but when you actually start to fill up your suitcase you'll think you can't live on that little for two weeks. No one does. But after you have overpacked for the first few trips you change your mind. It is advice that most people don't heed until they've "been there, done that" and realize you don't really need all that much stuff to live for two weeks.

I also agree with everyone else. Take the most comfortable shoes you have. And wear the most heavy shoes/clothes on the plane.

Have a great trip!!!!

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Angela, it'll be cheaper for you to get the converter or plug adaptor in the U.S. Everything is generally cheaper in the U.S. Plus you can shop around here.

When we brought our laptop, we could plug it in the U.S. and Europe (same voltage as Australia) with no probelms. As mentioned before, most laptops should run on both 110/220v. You don't need individual country markings on the adapters as all European countries use the same voltage.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Hey I got caught up in the advice giving and forgot to say:
Have a great trip!!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I just spoke to them, again. From Spain to Italy, I am allowed 1 suitcase, up to 44 lbs. The total sum of the dimensions added together cant be more than 62 ". So your standard large suitcase, 22X30X10 is the largest allowed.

They said one carry-on ....Not larger than a large hand bag, and 11 lbs.

Not so terrible.

Angela,
20 Kgs is actually 44 lbs, but we also flew Alitalia and they told us that the limit was 50 lbs per suitcase and you were allowed 2 suitcases per person flying out of the states, but like Frank said the rules are different for domestic flights within Europe and I believe it is a one suitcase per person rule and maybe less weight.
We also have foldup nylon bags that are light and we carry them to have a second bag on the way home and pack it with stuf like dirty clothes etc for the trip home.
One other thing that Alitalia told me but that they didn;t seem to inforce was that your carry on piece of luggage could only weigh 11 lbs. I never saw them weigh anyones carry on but they did give a person who was on our plane a hard time about a bag that was too big for carry on.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

vinolover

My favorite accessories are scarves and costume earrings.

I like scarves, too. But, I love custom earing's....They're my favorite.

Fortunately, they don't take up too much space, or weight too much. I guess what I can't take in clothing, I can make up for, in earings.