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.

Anti Theft and RFID Blocking Wallets and More

 

RFID signals and RFID-Blocking wallets are relatively new compared to suitcase locks and spinner wheels, but in the realm of identity protection it is a very important concept to understand.  This video should help.

PacSafe and Travelon both offer a variety of RFID blocking wallets, travel handbags, passport wallets, backpacks, sling bags, and more in a variety of colors and styles, so you can have form as well as function.

 

Theft is a bit less techno savvy than RFID identity theft, but Pacsafe has a number of anti theft countermeasures (in addition to RFID blocking) to keep your personal belongings safe.

 

Luckily, the solutions are pretty simple as well with anti theft accessories.

PacSafe and Travelon offer anti theft bags, travel packs, and tablet cases to deter/hinder theft in a variety of ways.  While you should still be aware of your surroundings, these accessories can make things a little bit easier on you if that proves difficult.

 

 

But beyond the human factor, nature has a way of making a vacation go sideways.  Inclement weather, or in some cases, gravity takes over and your fabulous camera/electronic device goes into the water or something like it.  In such instances a waterproof pouch from Travelon is perfect to keep your devices protected from the elements!

As covered in a previous post, Packing Cubes and Packing Folders help keep your belongings and clothes orderly and clean.  With everything organized, it can also be a lot easier to fit more stuff into less luggage.

Travel Easier, Travel Organized.  But also travel safe and Travel Out Loud!