Travel Tips

Michelle’s Europe Packing Guide

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acking t-shirts in blue and gray for trip
 
I always get so excited when we’re planning a trip. After we’ve bought our flights, created an itinerary, booked our hotels, and reserved our car, I’m eager to get going and counting down the days. But first I have to get through the chore of packing, and I’ll admit that when I first started traveling, packing would stress me out. What will the weather be? Will I need both a light jacket and a winter coat? Can I fit both in my bag? Do I need a dress in case of a fancy dinner? Can I make room for one more pair of shoes to go with the dress? Should I take this sweater that I bought years ago and have only worn once?
Take a breath, and repeat after me: I only need my passport and my credit card — everything else I can buy there if I have to. Now we can relax and start packing without the worry of feeling like we need to pack everything. In fact, forgetting something can be fun because then you have to go shopping.
I’ve kept a packing list over the years, and my travel experience has given me some tips I’ll share with you.
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Travel Planning Basics

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How to get there, Where to stay, How to get around

Europe map destination planning with pins
 
Let’s talk about some travel basics and how to plan a trip that works best for you. Every traveler is unique and wants to get different experiences from their travels, but there are some basics to help make the travel planning easier and the journey more enjoyable. This first post in the Travel Basics series will start with airfare, accommodations, and rental cars. I know this information might be rote for the more experienced travelers, but we were all a new international traveler at some point, and I hope these planning tips help you plan your trip with confidence.
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Yes, you can visit again (and again, and again)

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James and I enjoy traveling to Germany, and sitting with a maß of Helles beer in hand in a Munich Biergarten underneath blooming chestnut trees is our idea of perfection. We’ve returned many times and continue to enjoy each time we visit, but I started thinking that maybe we should leave Germany off of our destination list because there are so many other places to see. But I’m already planning our next Germany trip, so that thought didn’t last long. And that’s okay. Let me tell you why.

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The One Travel Requirement

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Second to the requirement of a passport (apply for or renew your passport here), if I have one word that sums up how we view traveling, it’s flexibility. Be flexible with your dates of travel and your destination to save money. Be flexible with your accommodation location to get the amenities you need, or be flexible with the amenities to get the best location. Be flexible with the attractions you want to see because you might not know of unpredicted closings or renovations. Be flexible when issues pop up, and patiently make changes as necessary. The unexpected is part of the experience, so prepare yourself to roll with it.
Let’s cover some ways travel flexibility can help you.

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