It’s been over a year since my husband and I got married and traveled to Poland and Italy for our honeymoon. This was originally written as a guest post, but I figured it would be a good time to share my packing tips for traveling abroad.
I’ve actually been abroad three times – the first trip was to France and Spain in 2002, and the second was to Italy in 2004. I fell in love with Italy and was more than happy to go back a second time!
I don’t know about you, but the most stressful part of any trip for me is packing. I’m a chronic over-packer, and I can’t follow the “pack everything you need and then take half of it out” advice. Just not my style! Here are some basic tips before you fill your suitcase.
First, do your homework!
- Research the airlines you’ll be using – find out exactly what their regulations are in terms of size and weight, and make sure you leave extra space for bringing home souvenirs!
- Research the areas you’ll be visiting and find out what the typical high and low temperatures are so you can pack appropriate clothing.
Clothes & Shoes
- Think layers – tops and bottoms that you’re able to mix and match, along with a few cardigans or jackets in super neutral colors – I took one black and one beige.
- Think versatility – I took mostly dresses, just because they’re one piece and were easy to pair with the cardigans at night. Most Churches don’t allow bare shoulders or jeans, so it’s always good to be well covered and slightly dressed up.
- Think COMFORT – I took three pairs of shoes for 2 weeks – two pairs of flats (again, black and beige) and one pair of heels. I only wore the heels for the wedding we attended, but could have gotten away with the flats. In hindsight, I would have taken a “dressy” looking pair of slip on sneakers – like these Puma flats - because I almost wore through both pairs of flats!
Accessories
- Be minimal – I took one silver jewelry set (watch, earrings, necklace) and one pair of gold earrings. The jewelry doesn’t take up much space in your luggage, but I didn’t want to bother carrying too much around.
- One large, light bag – a Longchamp was perfect for the travel days to keep everything I wanted with me. They’re great because they are almost weightless until you fill them up. JPK Paris makes some more affordable bags that are a similar style, and are constantly on sale at RueLaLa.
- One “fancy” small bag and one “every day” small bag. I used a swingpack that was just big enough for my Rick Steves book, our hotel keys, money, and my sunglasses. I used the clutch I brought just for the wedding and not a second time.
Other
- Extra batteries for your camera. You don’t want it dying after waiting in line to see one of the big tourist sights!
- Basic medications/first aid: ibuprofen, Benadryl, and a few band aids – just in case!
- Converters – so you don’t fry your straightener or camera charger.
- A tiny notebook – it’s fun to keep a journal so that you don’t forget a single second of your trip. If you’re a scrapbooker, it’s fun to get a map of the city you’re staying in and highlight how much you walk each day – we did 9 miles on our first day in Rome!
Those are my few packing tips in a nutshell – most of all, be flexible and enjoy yourself! We ran in to plenty of hiccups in our travel plans, but you have to make the most of it and enjoy the madness!
Have you been abroad? What packing tips would you add?
Great post! I lived in Italy for about 6 months in college, and also being a chronic over packer, I was a bit nervous about forgetting something. I somehow managed to fit six months of clothes and essentials in two suitcases (weight limit not to exceed 50lbs). My best friend became those bags that you can pack your clothes in and roll the air out. What was also a challenge was packing for the weather. When we arrived it was cold, coat wearing weather and when we left it was tank top and shorts weather. Somehow I managed to do it, with room to spare (who am I?). P.S. Europe will wreck your shoes (seriously, I wore out more shoes in 6 months!).
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I love the space-saving bag idea for long trips! Yes, the weight limit was my main concern – even flying domestically I worry about it because the overage fees are SO obnoxious!
I went to Europe this past summer! These are the perfect packing tips! O and always sign your credit card. Dad didn’t and we couldn’t use his the first time in London (he signed it after that).
I’ve never been to Europe. It looks absolutely amazing… I need to go! If I ever do, I’ll be using your tips
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Excellent tips…though I didn’t abide by the flats rule when I’ve gone…pretty much wore 3.5″ heels and up everytime I’ve tromped over Europe
Shanna, like Banana recently posted..Why I don’t fit in
You are far superior to me in everything shoe-related.
The only time I’ve been outside of the states was when I went to Canada years and years ago. I’m dying to go abroad, once I have the funds to do so! I’m also a chronic overpacker, but I’m getting better. I usually find myself mostly packing dresses, too. They’re so versatile and appropriate for many situations- and they take up a lot less space!
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I agree completely! Easy to layer if you get cold, and to dress up / down!
I am horrible at packing but have never heard of pack and then put 1/2 back! That would not work for me either. Your tips are great! Something I do for short trips is decide on either black or tan shoes and then pack outfits all around that so I’m only brining 1-2 pairs of shoes.
That’s what I did too – and wore out both pairs!
These are great tips! We always pack very lightly – you never know if you’ll get stuck carrying your baggage for a long time.
Another good point – having everything in a carry on is ideal – having an airline lose my luggage is one of my biggest fears!
Great tips! I do a lot of traveling and layering is my biggest life-saver. And no matter what bring tennis shoes.
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Definitely should have brought tennis shoes!
Ugh. I really want to go to Europe!
I’ve never been to Europe (Mexico and Caribbean–yes), but when I do, I’m going to use this post as a resource for packing. I can already see me overpacking now. Inevitable.
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Does Erie count?
Love this post! I definitely learned that I overpacked a little bit this past vacation. Lesso learned for our next trip though!!
Have a wonderful day hunnie xo
Good list! I packed in a carryon for 10 days in Europe, it was a huge challenge but it was awesome because I learned to pack smarter. Trying on everything and making sure it mixed and match was key. Dresses and also leggings were the best variations for different weather. And the “dressy” Pumas is a great idea. Everyone wears them over there, so they are stylish, comfy, and you don’t stand out too much as an American tourist in your Nikes
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