Tips for Getting the Most out of Your European Trip--Part 1
Feb 23 '00
YentaKvetch has done many pilgrimages to Europe of the budget variety. Assuming you will be doing a similar trip and will not have a luggage schlepper around at all times, she does have a few tips.
TIPS 1-9
1. Remember, anything you pack, you schlep. Bring no more than 5 changes of old clothes and tops that can be mixed and matched with the pants. Unless you are going to a coronation (in which case, YentaKvetch is sure you won't be schlepping), leave expensive jewelry and dress clothes at home. Jewelry especially is only something else to worry about. Most people don't know the difference between the real stuff and paste anyway. So, if you go to an occasional fine restaurant, no one will throw you out for wearing imitation.
2. You don't need fancy schmancy clothing except in, maybe a 3* Guide Michelin restaurant. YentaKvetch has even been known to attend the opera in her schlumpy clothes. Maybe she didn't fit in so well with the locals in their tuxedoes, but there were other tourists similarly attired in schlumpies. No one was ejected by the clothing police.
If any of your clothing falls apart, you can replace it. There was one trip where YentaKvetch packed at the last minute and forgot to bring underpants. YentaKvetch is pleased to report that they do sell underpants in Germany. A trip to a department store, looking around in the bargain area (she didn't speak the language, so she couldn't ask), soon came up with some replacements.
For men, a sport coat is much more versatile than a suit. For women a skirt that can be matched with one of the tops you wear with pants is better than a dress. Heels are unnecessary and are not kind to the feet when you have to walk on cobblestones. In summer a pair of sandals is a good substitute (and generally weighs less). Jeans, in general, are not a good idea because they take too long to dry when you have to do laundry. If you will be staying in hotels where the bathroom and shower may be down the hall, pack shower thongs.
3. YentaKvetch just wears what feels comfortable. She has never been--and has no aspirations to be--a fashion plate. For people who agonize about "fitting in" and looking like the locals, wear black. There is no doubt about it: Europeans wear more subdued clothing than Americans. Leave your Panama shirts and Hawaiian mumus at home if you don't want to stand out.
4. Invest in two pair of comfortable shoes and break them in before you go. People will wax eloquent about the value of Mephistos--and YentaKvetch does own three pair of them and LOVES them--but they cost so much they are more in the nature of an investment than shoes. If you are not up for investing in Mephistos, New Balance makes a line of walking shoe that runs about $50. In YentaKvetch's opinion (and she hates having to say this after springing for Mephistos), they are almost as comfortable as Mephistos. The bottom line for you, however, is buy whatever is comfortable for you and ignore what all the other yentas say.
5. Invest in a heavy duty suitcase. It is not enough that the suitcase has wheels. Cheap suitcases do not do well on cobblestones. YentaKvetch does remember one vacation in Germany where the wheel on SonKvetch's suitcase broke as soon as it hit the first cobblestone. We had three weeks of the broken wheel. Don't let it happen to you or you will be kvetching.
After extensive research--and some money spent on suitcases that did not measure up--YentaKvetch sprung for Eagle Creek luggage. She loves this luggage and, in fact, has resolved to write an epinion about it. Briefly, what makes Eagle Creek so wonderful is that the wheels are heavy duty and the suitcases can be converted into backpacks if you have to march up stairs to your room in some cheap hotel in Paris. Some Eagle Creek models have detachable backpacks that can be used during day trips.
The only problem with Eagle Creek is that ChildKvetchers spending their junior year abroad in Europe have been known to steal them--necessitating the purchase of more Eagle Creek luggage. YentaKvetch now owns two suitcases with detachable backpacks (one set presently resident in Montpellier, France, with DaughterKvetch) as well as a suitcase that can expand to accommodate your silly souvenirs. One of the suitcases with the detachable backpack costs about $250.
Do not bring more than one suitcase and one tote bag with you. If you have taken YentaKvetch's advice about packing light, you should not need more luggage anyway. Remember the enjoyment of your trip will be in direct proportion to how little schlepping you need to do.
6. Bring a large bottle of Woolite for laundering underwear. This can save trips to the laundromat YentaKvetch assures you that Europe is full of laundromats and you will have no trouble doing laundry; you just won't want to waste a lot of time doing it. Some laundromats let you leave your stuff and pick them up later--a great convenience (for a price, of course) when you are touring. If you have trouble locating a laundromat, check around the local train station. There is almost certain to be one there.
7. If you must have a hairdryer, invest in a small dual voltage one. Remember to pack the correct plugs and adjust it for proper voltage. YentaKvetch has been known to ruin an occasional hairdryer because she didn't check to be sure. Please remember the plugs in England (3 flat prongs) are different from the continental ones (2 round prongs). If you will be going to both England and the Continent, you will need both of them. If you do burn out your hairdryer, please remember you are not in Outer Mongolia. You can buy one in any department store--you just won't be able to use it when you get home because it will have the wrong voltage and plug.
8. Assuming you are not schlepping in winter--or visiting Lapland--a waterproof jacket with a zip in/out lining should be all that you need. Bringing Goretex is not required. You will get more upset if you lose it. YentaKvetch left a jacket on the train last summer. Since it cost only $21 she shrugged it off. Had it been a Goretex one, she would have been very upset.
9. There is no prize for the person who puts the most miles on a Eurail pass in a given amount of time. You do want to see more than the interiors of train stations and sleeping on trains at night to save money just leaves you exhausted in the morning.
Decide where you are going in advance, and, if purchasing a rail pass, buy the one that fits your itinerary for the least amount of money. The preeminent web site for rail passes is www.raileurope.com. Please note that their prices for individual European rail tickets and reservations are high. You can often get special train fares in Europe that RailEurope does not offer. If you have friends in Europe, ask them to inquire about it. In addition to Eurail and Europass, which cover more than one country, individual countries usually have passes for North Americans.
Part 2 can be found at
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-61F7-3966B08-38B47A09-prod1
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YentaKvetch
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Member: Lauren Kahn
Location: McLean, Virginia
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