Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

Nothing beats backpacking in Europe if you get the opportunity. So, you probably want to know what to pack for Europe.

Packing Your Backpack for Europe

Millions of people head off to Europe on a backpacking trip each year. Having done it five times, I can tell you that it will be one of the best times of your life. That being said, you must take some things with you. On the positive side, you don’t need that much.

Europe is not another planet. I mention this because you should keep in mind you can buy everything there if you forget it here. The first time people go backpacking in Europe, they tend to completely overdue it on the packing front. You are not climbing Mount Everest, so don’t overdue it!

The first things to pack are clothes. Depending on where you are going, you may need clothes for warm weather or cold. Assuming it is warm, you need a couple of shirts that are wrinkle resistant. You will buy others there, so don’t pack ten. You also will need a pair of shorts and a bathing suit. If you plan on visiting museums and churches, you will need a pair of long pants to get into many of them. Pack something light that is wrinkle resistant.

For your feet, you can load up on socks because they do not take much space. You will need some sandals and then a pair of something comfortable. Some prefer hiking boots, but I usually went with cross trainers. Whatever you do, make sure you get used to the shoes before heading off. You are going to walk a lot, so blisters from new shoes can be a killer.

On the personal front, you need a brush, toothpaste and any medicinal needs. That is it. You can buy anything else you need as you need it. There is zero point to lugging around shampoo all over Europe. Murphy’s law says it will open in your backpack! Keep it super simple.
Read the rest of this entry »

So you’ve booked that perfect villa or apartment, you’ve got your airline tickets to Europe, and there’s an empty suitcase sitting on your bed… Now what?

A thousand different items could go into that open bag– but don’t get bogged down in “what-ifs,” or you’ll end up lugging around the kitchen sink! Don’t procrastinate, either… Good packing can make the difference between a brisk walk to another terminal and a missed-plane disaster; between exploring all day and “sitting this one out” to nurse swollen blisters; between sleeping soundly and staying up all night to a symphony of barking dogs. So pack light– and smart! Here’s how.

Clothes: The secret is layers. I usually take a few light, short-sleeved shirts that can be washed in the sink, a few pairs of underwear, and two good pairs of pants. After that, pack one or two long-sleeved shirts that can be worn over the t-shirts, a sweater, a canvas hat, and a waterproof windbreaker with a hood. If you have clothes that layer well, topped off with the windbreaker, you won’t need a jacket. You’ll be tromping around more than you think, and in the course of even the coldest day you’ll start stripping off those layers one by one. For the ladies, bring one wrinkle-free black dress– this can be accessorized for any occasion.

Shoes and socks: People are often under the impression that you’ve got to “dress up” in Europe. While this isn’t always true, the Italian, French, and Spanish appreciate fine style (you won’t see shorts in the evening). So if you want to bring your nicest clothes (in layers), that’s dandy. But when it comes to shoes, comfort comes first. This is not the time to break in a new pair or suffer for the sake of fashion: After a day traipsing through ancient ruins, up and down city blocks, or around an alpine lake, those frumpy old tennis shoes are going to be your new best friends. Another way to keep your feet happy is to carry an extra pair of (new) socks. Changing into a clean pair at noon is an easy way to refresh your tired toes! Also bring a pair of flip flops or sandals. These will come in handy at the beach, or just bumming around your villa or apartment.
Read the rest of this entry »

There’s a funny scene in Romancing the Stone when Michael Douglas’ character meets Kathleen Turner’s character and agrees to take her to a phone booth hundreds of miles away. He simply refuses to help her carry her completely impractical luggage and a few scenes later goes even further by chopping the heels off her shoes so she can actually walk in them. This little fiasco encompasses the essence of packing for adventure travel. Less is most definitely more!

When in a foreign country it is usually pretty easy to spot the experienced traveler from the novice. The novice is usually dragging a giant suitcase or trying to lug a brightly coloured backpack that is even bigger than they are. They are dressed in the latest “must have” adventure gear from the most expensive adventure stores and have “trekking” shoes worth hundreds of dollars. This is not the way to do it for several reasons. The first is comfort. You will usually be doing a lot of walking whenever you go on a vacation and walking with 50 kg of luggage is both tiring and difficult. You will also, most likely, be getting extremely dirty and ruining whatever clothing you take (even if it’s expensive “adventure clothing”) and don’t forget that some of your gear may even be stolen (sometimes by other travelers). If you show up with all the best and most expensive gear you are also a walking target for hustlers and thieves. With all of this in mind here are a few tips:

Luggage – If you are going to be doing anything even remotely physical and walking any further than a few hundred meters, then a backpack is definitely the way to go. But not all packs are created equal! Think small and inconspicuous. Dark colours like brown and black will attract less attention than a bright purple or red pack. Make sure it is the type of pack that has a flap on the top that closes over the pack’s opening to keep out water (the types that zip up WILL get your stuff wet). You will also want to put your clothing in waterproof stuff bags – I use standard plastic shopping bags, but there are tougher ones that you can buy from disposals and camping stores. You also want your pack to be as small as possible. Especially if you are only touring (mountaineers may need something bigger). I use a 30 liter pack but would say 45 liters is an absolute maximum for general purpose use. You will be carrying it around a lot and if you cannot fit something in then you probably don’t really need it.
Read the rest of this entry »

Air travel is the most luxurious form of traveling that most people love. To have a convenient journey it is necessary that you are well prepared in advance. You should always book your seat in a good airline that provides satisfactory arrangements for your journey.

Packing and travel tips

1. While you arrange your suitcase and travel bags you should put your name and address both inside and outside it. If you already have this information, you should check whether it is the current one.

2. Leave all medicines, jewelry, eyeglasses, airplane tickets, money, passports, camera or other valuable out of the checked luggage. You should carry these items with you. Many airlines such as the southwest and other carriers don’t reimburse you for any loss of such items.

3. You should take a statement from your physician with details of nay particular problems like allergies and a copy of medication and eyeglass prescriptions. You should anticipate any medication you would require and carry it with you.
Read the rest of this entry »