Holiday Road: Your Guide to Summer European Travel

Summer is almost here and that means summer travel. One of the most popular destinations this time of year is Europe, and it’s no question why. With all its culture, cuisine, and beaches it is the summer hot spot. Once your trip is booked it’s a good idea to come up with a packing list. Besides the need to keep your valuables (such as your electronics) safe, what else will I need to take with me? Below are some tips for easy packing.

Safety First

Going to Europe can be a lot of fun and for the most part very safe. However, theft can be an issue in some parts of Europe. For all the attention that electronic theft has been getting in the media (see this previous blog post for more about RFID) the most common issue is still good old-fashioned pick pocketing. Having your passport stolen and can quickly turn you dream trip into a nightmare. The best way to protect yourself from pick pocketing is to keep your passport, extra cash, and credit cards in a money belt under your clothes. When worn properly, the thieves will never know that you have one on. My advice is to keep only a few essentials in a backpack or purse and everything else should go in the money belt.

Light and Flexible

For traveling around Europe the best advice is to pack light. If a carry-on doesn’t have enough room then take one medium (24”-26”) case and either a backpack or a wheeled tote. Having a small item like that is especially great if you’ll be doing lots of walking and sightseeing. Also, European cars tend to be smaller so you will be thankful for the extra room there. If organization is not your strong suit then packing cubes are a life saver!

Other Necessities

Adapters and converters will be needed for your electronic appliances. If you are not sure what you need check out this guide. Another great item to have is a daypack for short trips. This a great place to keep a sweater, water bottle, and anything else you might need for the day. If you plan to shop on your trip remember that stores in Europe often don’t have bags, so a foldable shopping tote is a great item to throw in your purse or daypack.

Have fun

Once you have your trip booked and you are all packed up, then it’s time to relax. Studies show that the less stress you have during the trip, the more beneficial you time away from work will be. Make sure to give yourself “off” days on your trip so you can just sit back, relax, and take in an unique culture and just have fun. Bon Voyage.

Travel Gift Guide: Our 5 Best Necessities

‘Tis the season to shop, and our Gift Center has a number of gift ideas perfect for the traveler in your family.  Get a head start on your shopping list for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or stocking stuffers for the holiday shopping season.

 

1. Pacsafe 

Prosafe 1000 TSA Approved Combination Locks can protect your things while still allowing TSA to check your bags as needed.  Very important as you travel during the holidays, especially at the airport.

 

2.  Victorinox Digital Luggage Scale

Don’t get caught checking your bag and THEN an overweight charge on top of it.  Lighten the load (and not your wallet) by ensuring you’re within the weight restriction of your airline with this luggage scale.

 

3. The Mighty Purse by Handbag Butler – Leather iPhone Smartphone Charger Wristlet (Poppy Pink shown)

Don’t get caught with your phone’s battery running out again, whether you’re in the airport terminal or out to dinner.  Hold all your essentials and be ready to recharge at a moment’s notice where ever you are.

 

4.   World Time Alarm with LED Flashlight

A number of features for numerous time zones, whether you’re camping or in a hotel this gadget can prove invaluable keeping time or as a flashlight.  AAA batteries means no outlet needed when you’re on  the go, and it is conveniently pocket-sized to make it easy to take along.

 

5. Toiletry Kits

With a wide selection of Dopp, Ricardo, Travelon, and PackSmart, toiletry kits are the unsung heroes of travel. Holding together all the amenities you might forget otherwise, and keeping them safe, secure, and most importantly, together.  Why rely on hotel shampoo and soap when you can bring your own?

About Packing Cubes (Athalon, Eagle Creek)

I recently traveled on business to Philadelphia, PA for Irv’s Luggage.  The City of Brotherly Love, the birth place of the nation, all sorts of history just permeating the 5th largest city in the United States (who knew?)  Not known for the biggest population or overwhelming skyline, Philadelphia is however a city of firsts.  Rather appropriate, as this was my first true business trip.

But before I even got on the plane, I had to pack.  I needed to plan for casual, business casual, extra shoes, toiletries, business collateral, and anything else I might pick up along the way.  I needed a plan.

In recent history, I’ve become a big fan of packing cubes.  They fit together nicely in my luggage, keep my personal effects (from clothes to electronics) sorted, and overall just make keeping track of everything so much easier.  I find myself worrying less about if I packed all the socks I brought with me or that all my shirts are together.  I know, because using the packing cubes (in my case I use the Athalon variety pack) helps me eyeball everything instead of having to dig for what I have left.  Irv’s Luggage carries other styles from Travelon and Eagle Creek, so count on a variety of options to choose from, and each one worth it.

The key to the packing cubes (as any seasoned traveler might tell you) is rolling your clothes properly and tightly (refer to the video).  You can fit plenty of shirts and pants as opposed to bundling all your clothes loose and hoping they stay in one place.  Shoes can go inside your bag and a packing cube will make sure nothing gets on your other clothes (and that everything easily slides together.)  A carry on bag or an expandable luggage case all of a sudden has a lot more capacity than you originally thought.  You do it right, you just might save $25 on a checked bag fee.

The best part about having all your belongings organized?  Less time worrying about your stuff and more time spent on taking in the local sights –

 

 

 

Leather Backpacks and Leather Messenger Bags

Irv’s Luggage carries not just suitcases, but a variety of luxury leather products as well.  Some of our more popular luxury items are our leather backpacks and leather messenger bags. We have a vast array of cowhide, Napa, and  full grain Colombian leather accessories to fit your preference and style, in a variety of capacities and functions.  Regardless of being on safari or going to a board meeting, you’ll find something distinguished, durable, and useful where ever your travels take you.

 

LeDonne Leather is one of our signature brands at Irv’s Luggage, and the Le Donne Distressed Leather Multi Pocket Backpack is a full grain leather backpack, has a multitude of pockets, and outfitted with straps built for comfort.  You would be hard pressed to find anything of similar capacity and utility that looks as unique as this bag.  Well-received by other customers, and you can have it too.

Le Donne Leather Backpack

If a backpack is not your style, we have a vast selection of Leather Messenger Bags – and David King carries one of our best.  The David King Vaquetta Leather Flapover Messenger is a leather messenger bag that will hold a 15″ laptop securely as well as other important documents.  The Vaquetta Leather has a stylish look but also a plush  feel to complement the comfortable adjustable shoulder strap.  A magnetic clasp assures access to your personal items while still keeping them in place.   An additional pocket on the back of the bag also helps for any additional items you may pick up.

David King Leather Messenger Bag

Piel Leather is one of our best selling brands, and with good reason.  A number of their products have great ratings, paired with the wide variety of styles they have available, from laptop messenger bags and laptop backpacks, to stylish handbags.

Piel Leather Handbag

Whatever your choice and style, you have options upon options from some of the best designer brands out there.  Combined with our guaranteed low prices, be confident that when you shop with Irv’s Luggage, you’re getting the best brands at the best prices.

Week 3 of our Hobo Lauren Wallet-a-Week Giveaway!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE:  2nd winner of the Irv’s Luggage Hobo Lauren Wallet-a-Week Giveaway is ……………………………………………………………….JANET!  We’ll be contacting you through email, congratulations!  Thank you to all participants, but this time it was her number that came up!

It’s ok though, because our new contest starts… NOW!

Irv’s Luggage – Week 3 of our Giveaway All through October!

THE PRIZE:

Enter to win this Hobo Lauren Glamour Exotic Clutch!

 

 

HOW TO ENTER:

STEP 1:

• Scroll to the bottom of this entry and look for the comment box. If you don’t see it, click on “Leave a Comment”.
• Fill in your Name and Email (how we’ll notify winners; make sure to check your email next Monday to see if you won!)
• Tell us about your IDEAL handbag/wallet.  What kind of features would it have?  What color/material would it be made of?  You are the designer, make it work! 

Winner will again be randomly selected, but make your entry a fashionable one!  Tell your friends and let them join in the fun!

Winner will be announced NEXT MONDAY, OCTOBER 22nd and notified via email, so make sure to check your inbox that morning!  Then it will be a new week, with a new wallet, and a new way to win!  Make sure to come back and keep coming back all through October so you too can Give a Hobo a Home!

Thanks again for playing, the entries make for fun reading!  See you next week!

Hobo Wallet-a-Week Giveaway! Every Monday in October!

 

 

HOW TO ENTER:

STEP 1:

• Scroll to the bottom of this entry and look for the comment box.  If you don’t see it, click on “Leave a Comment”.

• Fill in your Name and Email (how we’ll notify winners; make sure to check your email next Monday to see if you won!)

• Click on the “Browse” button on the form, so you can upload a photo of your current wallet, or at the very least tell us about it:  Why you use it, what occasions, what you keep in it, etc.  We’ll randomly select a winner from the entries, but make your entry a memorable one!

• Cross your fingers;  good luck!

Winner will be announced NEXT MONDAY, OCTOBER 8^th and notified via email, so make sure to check your inbox that morning!  Then it will be a new week, with a new wallet, and a new way to win!  So make sure to come back and keep coming back all through October so you too can Give a Hobo a Home!  Thank you to Hobo for allowing us to run this contest, to pass something on to our readers!