Today I started packing for Europe: specifically England, Italy and Switzerland. Although packing is no big deal for me, many women asked for my ‘system’. There are no fancy gadgets, no newly acquired clothes. There is no $1,000 cashmere scarf, which travel magazine writers tout as an airplane coverup.
Here goes THE SYSTEM.
Start at the bottom of your body, literally.
- Shoes: 2 pairs only, sneakers with which your feet are old friends AND one pair of light weight flats. Mine are black Allbirds.
- Socks: 3 pairs golf type and 3 pairs regular. My choice of the latter is GoldToe cotton socks. If you live in NY, I already bought the entire Macy’s inventory of black Gold Toe socks. Not really, but I worry Macy’s will discontinue mundane items. They do not dry well but are comfortable.
- For a 10 day trip, 3 super light weight tees: all white. 3 cotton tees, all white. All from Uniqlo.
- 3 pairs of washable loose pants from Uniqlo: grey, navy, khaki. One worn on the plane. One pair should have room in the waist, so you can slip your valuables/ money belt inside if going to crowded markets or even on the plane.
- 1 extra bra, optional, bras dry overnight. but straps also break.
- 1 neutral Puffer, mine is beige. Don’t wear it if eating spaghetti while in Italy.
- 2 long sleeved tees: one black and one white.
- One old black cotton cardigan, buttoned up it can serve as a long sleeved shirt.
- For dress up, one pair black leggings not capris.
- For dress up, one scarf and one long linen shirt
- One baseball hat, bring extra shower caps to wear under if pouring. Hotels still neglect women’s amenities. You can always request extra amenities; Housekeeping might be hoarding them.
- One pillow for an old lady’s lower back. Not inflatable, but a mini pillow. Don’t forget to take it when you disembark.
- Cotton pj bottoms and a men’s cotton tee top. The tee can also be worn in a fitness center.
Miscellaneous:
Liquid detergent (triple wrapped). Do NOT bring a pod. I pierced a pod in a hotel bathroom; the dense soap flew jet speed all over the bathroom.
Magazines on line. Take the time to fill out magazine apps to avoid weight. Get reading materials and guidebooks from the library on line. No book in mind,? I usually type in the search line: award winners, Pulitzer Price winners or Classics, these are bound to be available.
Electronics: adapters which are up to date. Example: some Italian outlets are now 3 prong not 2. I like adapters which have a chunky end; they withstand power surges better. Note: in old hotels, I do not charge anything during a bad thunderstorm.I bring one adapter to match connecting airport outlets. (Most now have USB ports also).
Emergency snacks: granola bars, dried fruit, peanut butter bars. Go for the ones that don’t crumble with crumbs all over your lap.
Wash cloth if doing a dusty/dirty adventure. Extra roll of toilet paper if traveling to exotic places (my own neurosis), personal checks for a merchant who wants his brother in law in New Jersey to receive the funds (yes it happens in countries with exchange controls), and my own hair conditioner. Finally a parachute material schlep bag; it weighs nothing and always comes in handy.
Not including personal medicine and such.
Bon Voyage, from a veteran packer who will invariably forget one thing. Don’t panic, there are stores everywhere, even in Central Asia. Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group.
