As many of my friends and peers approach graduation or take
that leap of faith to study abroad, I’m often faced with a myriad of messages
asking for advice. How did you get around Europe? What countries suggest for a
ten-day trip? What weather should I prepare myself for? Don’t get the wrong
impression—I love talking to my friends about the adventures they are about to
embark on. That is why I’m embarking on my own adventure (a blogging adventure
that is), and releasing a series of posts about the nitty gritty details that
all of you future travelers seem eager to hear. There’s no time like the
present, so let's get started.
Packing
Assuming you know your destination and have your
transportation booked (two topics that you can expect blogs about in the future),
the next task is packing. Packing can be both exciting and a chore. Your
suitcase is iconic. It says—hey I’m actually doing this! This is the exciting
part. The chore is deciding what to pack and what is excess. Here’s a list of a
few steps to take.
1. Identify your mode
of travel and destination(s).
-
One destination: If you are traveling to one destination and staying
put, you have it made. Simply check your baggage restrictions if you are flying
(weight, dimensions, number of bags, etc) and you are set. If you’re traveling
by car, bus, or train, just make sure there is enough room and that’s that!
-Multiple destinations: This
option gets a bit trickier, but is often more rewarding. In this case, you need
to know all of your modes of
transportation. For instance, say you are flying to Europe and then country
hopping. Even though American Airlines allows you a massive suitcase, how do
you plan on getting around after that? If you plan on using one of the cheap
European airlines such as Ryan Air, they have extremely tight weight and dimension restrictions you must abide by
unless you plan on paying hundreds of dollars in fees on a $70 flight—research
them. Multiple destinations also implies carrying your bag(s) a lot, so don’t
pack more than you can carry for an extended period of time.
2. Check the weather.
-For
shorter trips this is usually pretty simple, but for longer trips be aware that
the weather can quickly change. For example, over the course of two months I
went from a 90-degree weather in Rome to wind and rain in Dublin. Do your
homework and be prepared.
3. Buy a good
bag.
This
mainly applies to backpacking, but you really want a bag with support. For our two-year
anniversary, Danny and I both coincidentally bought each other backpacks for
our big Europe trip. I bought him an oh-so-stylish Hershel duffel that he
wanted and he bought me a tan and orange, heavy-duty REI bag. At the time, I
was happy, but thought I was going to look like an total dork. However, during
our trip my bag with the waistband and back support was much easier to
transport. Functionality is key.
4. Neutrals and
layers are your best friends.
-
I know we think that traveling is a fashion show (think of the Instagrams!),
but I cannot stress enough only packing what you need. You’re going to need
room for souvenirs, so pack light. The key to this is packing things that can
be worn with many outfits. Jeans, black cardigan, tan sweater… Bring a few fun
necklaces and one or two fun tops as accent pieces, but don’t go overboard.
Trust me. It will take up space and you won’t use it. If you haven’t worn it in
the last two weeks—don’t bother.
5. Toiletries and
extra tips…
-
Always pack one travel sized set of toiletries in case when you arrive at your
destination the stores are closed, etc. Once you are settled, buy cheap shampoo
there because then you don’t have to deal with the many hassles of traveling
with liquids.
-Hair care: Ladies, if you can deal,
don’t bring hair your curling iron. First of all, if you’re in a foreign
country there is a high chance that your outlet converter won’t be able to
handle the voltage and you will ruin your precious straightener. Secondly, your
hair probably needs a break as it. Opt for a side braid, natural hair, a pony,
or a bun.
-Bags: Pack extra Ziploc bags. These
will come in handy for separating dirty clothes and storing souvenirs. Pack a
day bag. This is a small backpack you can take out for the day for your maps,
snacks, camera, etc. Collapsible ones are available for easy storage!
6. Your carry-on bag can be a lifesaver.
- I speak from experience when I
say that luggage gets lost. Trade all of those magazines out for the real
essentials. Think of it as an overnight bag: a full change of clothes, charger,
important documents, and cash. Shove the snacks and magazines in after if space
allows.
7. Oh, and all
that technical stuff.
-Bank:
Notify your bank so your account doesn’t freeze, and order currency from that
country in case the ATM doesn’t work when you arrive (it happens pretty often).
-Electronics:
You may need an outlet converter. Do your research before you go!
“Anyone who needs more than one suitcase is a tourist, not a
traveler”
― Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby
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