filed in Excursions
How to Pack for 10 Days in Europe
I leave for Italy next week, and I’m trying to figure out my wardrobe. I’ve abandoned the idea of a carry-on, though how great would it be to stroll right from the plane to customs without anxiously waiting for luggage. (The friend whom I’m meeting in Rome had to make do for four days before his bag finally showed up. OMG!) With variable spring weather, it’s hard to be concise, but the thought of dragging my suitcase around airports and trains, is enough to warrant some discipline. Keeping the shoes down to a minimum is the hardest part. Here’s some surprising advice from a flight attendant who really knows how to squeeze things in.
Image: How Do You Get There, 1941, by H.A. Rey at The Jewish Museum.
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3 comments for “How to Pack for 10 Days in Europe”
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Ooohh….how fun! Have a wonderful time!!
You can do it! I travel frequently for business and pleasure – mostly 3-4 days at a time – and I use a large rolling brief case that also doubles as my overnight bag. At least once a year I’ll do a 10 day trip overseas to Europe or Australia and I never take more than a 22′ rolling carry on bag along with a rolling tote bag that can be attached to the 22″ bag. I wear lots of black or brown and things that mix for different looks everyday and can be dressed up or down. I don’t take sweaters or coats – a good pashmina shawl and a pair of gloves is all I usually need. I’m a big gal, so my clothes take up a little more room than most. Shoes are always the biggest challenge. If I do a little too much shopping on my trip, I buy an inexpensive duffle bag and check some luggage on the way home. I think it is important to carry on the smaller tote bag with my toiletry items, a change of clothes, underwear, and anything else I can’t go without for 24-48 hours. Sometimes, even when you intend to carry on one bag, the plane is overfull and they will require you to gate check your 22″ bag. If it get’s lost/delayed, you’ll be stuck with nothing. Trust me, there is nothing worse than flying all night to land in Rome at 8:00am and then find you have to wear the same clothes for another 24-48 hours – yuk! I’m not a size that can just drop into any store and find something to wear for the day – especially in Europe! If you are not staying in one place, but touring several cities, your luggage may take a week to catch up to you.
Remember that your purse counts as a carry-on item, so make sure it is small enough to jam in one of the outer pockets of your luggage, if you had to, in order to stay within the “2 carry-on” rule – at least until you make it through the gate and on the plane.
Enjoy your trip!