| So you've booked that perfect villa or
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| | storing leftovers, small gifts, damp
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| apartment, you've got your airline
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| | clothing, jewelry... and everything else.
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| tickets to Europe, and there's an empty
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| | Pack empty baggies, pack baggies with
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| suitcase sitting on your bed... Now what?
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| | cooking spices (salt, pepper, etc), and
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| A thousand different items could go into
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| | pack baggies with laundry soap (for
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| that open bag-- but don't get bogged down
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| | machine or hand use).
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| in "what-ifs," or you'll end up lugging
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| | 2) A small plastic cutting board and a
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| around the kitchen sink! Don't
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| | sharp knife will do wonders for your
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| procrastinate, either... Good packing can
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| | Italian cooking, and a sponge and
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| make the difference between a brisk walk
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| | scrubber will facilitate easy cleanup of
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| to another terminal and a missed-plane
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| | any unanticipated mess-- especially if
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| disaster; between exploring all day and
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| | you're traveling with kids!
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| "sitting this one out" to nurse swollen
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| | 3) Just in case: a roll of toilet paper,
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| blisters; between sleeping soundly and
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| | a book of matches, and a pair of earplugs
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| staying up all night to a symphony of
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| | never did anyone any harm. Other small
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| barking dogs. So pack light-- and smart!
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| | (but handy) items include a stain remover
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| Here's how.
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| | stick, flashlight, sewing kit, and
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| Clothes: The secret is layers. I usually
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| | multipurpose tool (a Swiss Army knife or
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| take a few light, short-sleeved shirts
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| | my tool of choice, the Leatherman).
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| that can be washed in the sink, a few
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| | 4) This may come as a surprise... but
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| pairs of underwear, and two good pairs of
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| | Europe has insects, too. Your vacation is
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| pants. After that, pack one or two
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| | going to involve spending lots of time
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| long-sleeved shirts that can be worn over
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| | outdoors, so bring some repellant to keep
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| the t-shirts, a sweater, a canvas hat,
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| | those pests at bay. In Italy, most homes
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| and a waterproof windbreaker with a hood.
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| | don't have window screens, but plug-in
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| If you have clothes that layer well,
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| | insect repellants can be bought in most
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| topped off with the windbreaker, you
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| | grocery stores.
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| won't need a jacket. You'll be tromping
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| | 5) The item I use most frequently while
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| around more than you think, and in the
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| | traveling is a small package of baby
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| course of even the coldest day you'll
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| | wipes. These can be used in lieu of
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| start stripping off those layers one by
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| | napkins, hand soap, toilet paper, a clean
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| one. For the ladies, bring one
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| | restaurant table, and even a shower (on
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| wrinkle-free black dress-- this can be
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| | occasion). A pack of tissue also works
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| accessorized for any occasion.
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| | nearly as well... except for showers.
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| Shoes and socks: People are often under
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| | 6) Airborne is the closest thing to magic
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| the impression that you've got to "dress
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| | I have found. Take a water-soluble tablet
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| up" in Europe. While this isnt always
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| | before you get on the plane or whenever
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| true, the Italian, French, and Spanish
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| | you'll be exposed to large crowds-- and
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| appreciate fine style (you won't see
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| | avoid whatever plague may be circulating
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| shorts in the evening). So if you want to
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| | locally.
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| bring your nicest clothes (in layers),
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| | Cell Phones: Though not absolutely
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| that's dandy. But when it comes to shoes,
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| | necessary, I highly recommend taking a
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| comfort comes first. This is not the time
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| | cell phone to your European rental-- it
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| to break in a new pair or suffer for the
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| | just makes everything easier. If you have
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| sake of fashion: After a day traipsing
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| | a dual- or tri-band cell phone, you
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| through ancient ruins, up and down city
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| | should be able to use it with your
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| blocks, or around an alpine lake, those
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| | current plan, but it's more affordable to
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| frumpy old tennis shoes are going to be
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| | contact your provider and ask them how to
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| your new best friends. Another way to
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| | unlock your phone. You can then purchase
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| keep your feet happy is to carry an extra
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| | a pre-paid SIM Card that will work like a
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| pair of (new) socks. Changing into a
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| | local number while in Europe. If you
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| clean pair at noon is an easy way to
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| | need a dual band cell phone, you can rent
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| refresh your tired toes! Also bring a
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| | one.
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| pair of flip flops or sandals. These will
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| | Space: That's right, take along some
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| come in handy at the beach, or just
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| | extra room! Take a larger bag than you
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| bumming around your villa or apartment.
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| | need, pack a collapsible canvas tote, or
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| Miscellany: So you've got your clothes,
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| | take things (like toiletries, paperbacks,
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| your shoes, and your toothbrush... that
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| | and even clothes) that you wouldn't mind
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| covers everything you'd need for a hotel.
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| | replacing if they had to make room for
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| But you've rented a villa, which means
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| | that precious new pair of Italian leather
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| you'll be on your own. What do you bring
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| | shoes...
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| to make your rental as comfy as home? As
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| | Finally, remember that packing is a vital
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| a veteran villa renter, this is what I've
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| | part of the vacation experience. So don't
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| learned to take along.
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| | let it wait until the last minute! Make
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| 1) Ziplock bags (in many sizes) are
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| | your list now and check it twice-- or
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| number one on my list. They're
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| | even thrice-- before you go.
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| practically weightless-- great for
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