Prepping for European Travel

For me, the key to easy travel is packing light! We recently embarked upon a 12 day trip to Italy, France and Spain. We each packed a carry on and a backpack. That’s it, if it didn’t fit, it didn’t go! Below I will list everything in the gallery below and tell you how I used them.

First up- Our backpacks. Both were purchased from Amazon. Mine was the light blue one and Jack’s was the black one. We purposely wanted backpacks with a suitcase type area on the back and pockets for items needed on the plane to be easy to get to. Opening up completely was a big thing for me, I wanted to be able to pack it like I pack a suitcase. We will get to that in a bit.

Compression Roll up bags. These will save you TONS of space! I used the 2 smallest ones and Jack used the next size up. I placed all my undergarments, nightgowns, socks and bathing suit/cover up all in one and the other contained my dresses, t-shirts, and my pants. You place everything inside, zip across the top 2-3 times and the roll the air out of the other end. Shrinks everything down vey easily!

Kristin Ess working serum. I have very frizzy hair and running a couple of drops of this in my hair each day help to keep the frizzy at bay and it smells incredible also! I didn’t take the entire jar, I filled one of the small jars shown in the next photo. (also found on Amazon). Filling one of these small jars was plenty for our entire trip, it only takes a drop or two to control the frizz.

The small clear droppers. These were a lifesaver in terms of toiletries and a carry on. I was able to put all 5 of my The Ordinary skin system in the jars and label the outside with a sharpie so I was never without my retinol, Vit C, hydroiodic acid, or anything else~ I did take a travel size moisturizer separately but that is because it is what I use multiple times a day.

Another Amazon find was this nifty makeup brush travel sleeve. Keeps everything nice and organized while keeping your brushes separated from everything else.

The double laundry bags. I think these are a must have. At first I didn’t want to get them but threw them in the cart at the last minute. I am so glad I did. Much easier to keep laundry separated when running to the launderette and back! The folded up to nothing and were easy to pack!

When we got to Rome I purchased a curling iron from a local market. (it was behind the counter way up high, you have to hunt for it!) It was about 16 eros. You could purchase one like this before you go. It needs to be dual voltage or you run the risk of frying your hair, frying the circuit at your hotel or both. Trust me on this, even with an adaptor, get the curling iron, straightening iron, hairdryer, whatever!

I LOVE this hanging cosmetic bag! I can separate everything, hang it when I need to and in my luggage it folds out flat and it so much easier to pack!

Motion Lights. These are more for Jack than myself. I don’t tend to get out of bed once I am in it, but if you or someone you are with tends to get up in the middle of the night to move about the cabin, room, or bathroom these are great! They are motion sensor, quite bright, and can light your way in an unfamiliar situation!

The next item was a crap shot for us. Honestly we never used them but we did have them if we needed them. If I was traveling with kids I would 100% get! I never felt like someone was going to run up and grab my phone out of my hand.

Carabiner.-These were great for a bit of added security on our luggage, carry ons and backpacks/purses. They are not by any means a lock. But, they are enough to deter someone from getting into your bag without you knowing, feeling it or seeing them. They would have to mess with it before they could un-zip. I would think they would just see it and move onto an easier target. (don’t be that target- pay attention, be smart- don’t put your bag on the back of the chair, don’t wear a backpack, keep your hand on your bag as you walk through a crowd.)

Poo-pourri- just because small quarters and single bathrooms. Need I say more?

Travel adaptor- We have several kinds, we have found these are the smallest, easiest to pack and just work. Don’t need all the bells and whistles and you may not be like me but I don’t like ANY light when I sleep and most of the ones I found had some sort of light attached. NOPE, not for me!

Magnetic hooks for a cruise. We used these, we used them in the closet to hang the laundry bags, the wall to hang sunglasses, hats, etc and we used them to pull the curtains tight to not let the light in first thing in the am. Next time ,however, I will take some that are larger, these were not strong enough for some of the things I wanted to hang. (took 3 to hang the laundry bag)

Laundry bungee cord. I wanted something else to hang and where I could wash my clothes and then hang to dry (I don’t like to dry my clothes in a dryer for the most part) Worked like a charm. I will also add, this could be helpful all over Europe as most places have a washer and dryer in one but still the clothes do not come out as dry as we are used to in the states.

An all natural motion sickness patch. While the smell was strong, I did get used to it, I never once felt motion sickness. This was huge for me, I ALWAYS get sick! 100% worth it if you are the least bit prone to motion sickness. Wear it behind your ear and go about life:)

My go to travel cross body is the Ogio from Amazon. I loved it because there is a secret pocket for passport/money/id, zipper and button protected. Inside there are 2 large separate compartments with a thin zipper compartment in the middle. I could carry 4 bottles of water, a foldable rain jacket, & a small umbrella, and still had room for snacks, hand sanitizer, tissues (for toilet paper! important in Italy!), etc..

My Packing list:

I packed 4 dresses.

3 maxi.. one red, one black, one pink and red. 1 long sleeve shorter dress light blue and white. 

I packed 2 Lulu joggers (cream and navy) and 3 dry fit t-shirts. Grey, black and white. One linen Jean type jacket, 1 grey scarf, 2 pjs, bathing suit, 3/4 zip and 1 skort. (And underwear +I got 2 thigh society “cooling” tights for under dresses, no chaffing, and they really did help keep you cool!)Thigh Society Shorts

1 pair of Flip flops (Teaks), 1 pair of golden goose tennis shoes, 1 pair of sandals for dinners.

I will attach photos of all the clothing soon! (some was purchased locally and some from other trips, if I can link I will)

I wore on the plane and the first full day in Rome a pair of black lulu joggers, and a white shirt from Ministry of supply with pockets! Ministry of Supply tunic

(Both perfect for long travel days!) New Balance running shoes (largest shoes so they went in my feet) 

Second day: Vatican City and travel to the ship black maxi, GG shoes 

Third day: blue and white dress with NB shoes (Cinque Terre day) thigh society 

Fourth day: Florence Black maxi again with NB

Fifth day: Monaco white and blue dress and GG shoes 

Sixth day: Marseille France pink and orange maxi 

Seventh day: Sete France

Eighth Day: Barcelona Orange and White striped dress I purchased in Sete.

Ninth/Tenth Day: Home: same as the way here 

I did wash clothes 2 times, we got hot and sweaty a few times, but I could have gotten away with only washing once.