enjoy — europe.com
Travel with John Bermont
The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe ℠


Last Call

Travel Prep and Pack Lists for Europe. Print version.

Get it all together with this total punch list.

Carpe diem. Vivere bene! Gratia Deo.
Appendix to

HOW TO EUROPE: The Complete Travelers Handbook
John Bermont

John Bermont — Chef du Site

This entire book is published totally free on-line by the author and photographer, yours truly, with help from my daughter Stephanie. Yes, you can copy — if you ask first. Please read my copyright and permissions statements. Visit my home page at enjoy-europe for truck loads of more helpful illustrated travel information sans pareil. If you have questions or comments after reading this chapter please see NOTE TO READERS.
Updated 26 July 2015.


Check now or regret later.

Hey! The taxi is waiting! What did you forget?

Here is a last-minute set of checklists to help ease you into your tiny seat on that big silver bird. I can hear the engines revving up already. Oh, what a thrilling sound. Then we bounce down the runway, the power of those engines throwing us back in our seats. Then it's up and up and up. The earth drops away. The loud clank of the wheel assemblies being retracted into the belly of the bird gives us a short shudder. She smoothes out as we rise into the Luft above the clouds, to arrive tomorrow at a distant place on our third sphere. Ah, the genius of the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur.

Oops, I got carried away there. Let's get back to Earth for a minute and look at what you need to do and pack to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in distant lands.

Not all of this is last minute stuff. You will want to do some of these things at least a day, or maybe months, in advance. Remove the N/A stuff as you see fit. E.g., if you don't have a dog scratch out the kennel line item.

+ For your records . . . . . . . . .
Keep your essential logistics data handy.

  • Trip Dates:

  • Itinerary:

  • Flights, times, confirmation number:

  • Hotel reservations, confirmation number:

  • Auto rental or rail pass:

+ Checklist . . . . . . . . .
If it was not for the last minute a lot of things would not get done. anon.

  • Your ride to the airport —> did you call the taxi, shuttle, or best friend you are leaving behind?
    • Company
    • Phone number
    • Date/Time
    • Pick-up confirmed by
    • People forget. Call and verify a few hours before pick-up time.
  • Is your passport valid for 3 months beyond your intended return date?
  • Make three copies of the mug page of your passport.
  • Make sure you have your address book, in your travel journal or in your electronic device with a back-up on a flash drive.
  • Mail. Stop delivery. Give vacation hold or forwarding instructions to the Post Office, or have a friend or neighbor save it for you.
  • Phone. Change to vacation hold.
  • Stop newspaper delivery.
  • Ask a friend or neighbor to pick up advert flyers which get thrown on your doorstep.
  • Unplug unnecessary electrical appliances, e.g. toaster, microwave, computer, iron, washer, dryer, etc.
  • Turn on your bathroom light.
  • Put several other lamps on automatic on-off timers.
  • Shut off main water valve. Open a low faucet to drain pipes.
  • Set thermostat to 40oF heat (winter) or 100oF cool (summer).
  • Set hot water tank temperature to lowest allowable.
  • Secure house plants.
  • Kennel or loan pets.
  • Arrange for snow shoveling, leaf raking, or lawn mowing, depending on the season.
  • Do NOT blab on Facebook or anywhere that you will be out of town for weeks or months. Nobody but your momma needs to know where you are. Save your bragging for your return.
  • Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home and to call police if men start moving furniture. I know two people who have had their houses totally cleaned out by unknown "movers" while they were overseas.
  • Lock up windows and doors, including second floor. Put jammer bars in sliding glass doors and windows. Remove hidden door keys. Use door stops/alarms on side and rear doors.
  • Haircut, hairdo, manicure, beard trim.
  • Travel food and beverages. Pack a snack.
  • Wash your car. Change oil, change coolant, and disconnect battery. Put it up on blocks if you will be gone for more than a month.
  • Make arrangements to keep current on your rent or mortgage, phone bills, utility bills, insurances, ISP, etc.
  • Make a paper copy of the front and back of your credit cards, ATM cards, insurance cards, drivers license, and airline frequent flyer cards. Also scan these cards and keep the images on a flash drive. Write the non-800 contact number and user ID next to each. Keep passwords and PINs separate.
  • Call your credit card companies and banks to let them know that you will be using their rip-off services while you are gallivanting around Europe.
  • Clean out your wallet or purse. Leave unnecessary cards home.
  • If you are traveling with a friend bring PoP --> Plenty of Patience.
  • Review the next batch of lists. These lists are designed for the long term independent traveler. Most people will not need everything listed. The lists look to be very long, but it is all small stuff. Once you get it all assembled you can leave much of it in your suitcase for a quick departure the next time.
  • Do not forget to lock the front door on your way out.
Give my regards to Boulevard Saint Germain!

Have a good trip, and a good trip in life!

+ Budgeted Expenses . . . . . . . . .
You'll need plenty of cash or credit to cover all of this.
Reference: Chapter 2, part 1 and Chapter 2, part 2.

Basic Biggies

  • lodging
  • food
  • air transportation
  • inter-city ground transportation

Thirty Miscellaneous Cost Items

  • passport
  • luggage
  • guidebooks
  • maps
  • souvenirs
  • gifts
  • toilet charges
  • luggage locker fees
  • guitar case donations
  • laundry
  • money changing
  • camera memory chips or film
  • city open-top bus tours
  • museum and castle admissions
  • cinema, theater, jazz clubs
  • city bus, tram, and metro tickets
  • taxis
  • bike rental
  • telephone calls
  • internet time
  • café beverages
  • smokes
  • postage
  • postcards
  • toothpaste
  • soap
  • medicine
  • taxes
  • new walking shoes
  • new travel clothes
  • casino losses
  • pickpocket losses
  • ____________________
  • ____________________

+ Packing Lists . . . . . . . . .
What to pack and what to pack it in.

Luggage
Don't be a burro. Let it roll.
Reference: Chapter 7

  • soft-side bag, max 22"x14"x9" with wheels
  • shoulder tote
  • two gallon ZipLoc® bags
  • wire ties
  • Optional
    • packing cubes
    • backpack (for burro wannabees)
  • ___________________
  • ___________________

Clothes
Key words —> layers, layers, layers, and scarf.
Season, gender, and locale dependent, including what you are wearing.
References: Chapter 5, Chapter 29, and Weather 5.

  • umbrella
  • raincoat/windbreaker/overcoat
  • jacket or suit
  • two shirts or blouses
  • two slacks or skirts
  • four sets underwear
  • shoes
  • extra pair of casual shoes, sandals, or walkers
  • belt
  • turtle neck shirt/sweater
  • scarf
  • gloves
  • Optional
    • walking shorts, cargo style
    • collared t-shirt
    • swimsuit
    • sun glasses
  • _______________
  • _______________

Personal Care Items
Look your best.
Reference: Chapter 6

  • safety razor
  • wash cloth
  • nail clippers
  • emery boards
  • toothbrush
  • toothpaste
  • dental floss
  • comb or brush
  • toilet paper or pack of tissues
  • vinegar
  • baking soda
  • vodka
  • Optional
    • shoe horn
    • dual voltage electric razor
    • dual voltage hair blower
    • dual voltage hair straightener
    • dual voltage curler
    • dual voltage iron
    • cosmetics
    • shave cream
    • after shave
    • shampoo
    • conditioner
  • _______________
  • _______________
  • _______________
  • _______________

Laundry Supplies
Scrub-a-dub, or stink, or send it out.
Reference: Chapter 6

  • Optional
    • Woolite®
    • clothes line
    • clothes pins
    • latex gloves
    • shoe polish
    • shoe brush
  • _______________
  • _______________

Traveler's Supplies
Hardware for the road.
Reference: Chapter 6

  • alarm chronograph
  • calculator
  • can opener
  • coin purse
  • compass
  • condoms
  • earplugs
  • envelopes
  • flashlight
  • GPS device
  • mirror
  • money belt
  • pen & spare refill
  • plastic bags
  • plastic utensils
  • portable radio
  • Swiss Army Knife
  • tape measure
  • telescope or binoculars
  • toothpicks
  • water cup immersion heater
  • wire ties, small black
  • _______________
  • _______________
  • _______________
  • _______________

Repair Kit
For when your stuff breaks down.
Reference: Chapter 6

  • glue
  • needles and threads
  • safety pins
  • latex gloves
  • oil
  • scissors
  • string, nylon
  • strapping tape, NOT duct tape!
  • tweezers
  • Optional
    • Leatherman tool
    • screwdrivers
    • pliers
    • wrench
  • _______________
  • _______________
  • _______________

Guidebooks, Maps, Dictionaries
Know where you are going. When you get there know how to say:
"Good day"
"Please"
"Thank you"
"See you later."
Practice them constantly.
Reference: Chapter 10

  • guidebook(s)
  • maps
  • pocket dictionaries
  • Optional
    • rail timetable
    • pocket phrase books
    • GPS device
  • _______________
  • _______________

Electrical Hardware
Plugging in is not easy to do. In fact it is a continuing pain in the neck.
Reference: Chapter 11.

  • plug adapter(s)
  • Optional
    • power surge strip, 250 volt
    • transformer
    • rechargeable batteries
    • battery charger
    • _______________
    • _______________
  • NEVER use a "converter" for anything — NEVER, EVER, NEVER!!.

Photographic Equipment
Bring back the memories.
Reference: Chapter 12.

  • point and shoot digital camera
  • P&S camera pouch
  • lens cleaning cloth
  • bean bag
  • batteries a/o battery charger
  • plug adapter
  • extra memory chips
  • mini tripod and/or C-clamp
  • camera instruction manual
  • Optional
    • digital SLR camera
    • ~20 to ~200 mm zoom lens
    • lens cover
    • polarizing filter
    • remote shutter release
    • selfie stick
  • _______________
  • _______________

Health and First Aid
Fixing up the body when it is feeling bad.
Reference: Chapter 6 and Chapter 20.

  • general pain relief — aspirin, Ibuprofen®, Tylenol®
  • adhesive bandages — Band-Aid®
  • antiseptic cream — Neosporin®
  • lip balm
  • skin pain relief — vinegar, IPA, Oragel®, Lanacane®
  • antihistamine — Fexofenadine
  • stomach pain relief — Lomotil®, Pepto-Bismol®
  • stress — valerian (NOT Valium!)
  • vitamins and supplements
  • vodka
  • Dr. Hennessy
  • _______________
  • _______________

+ In Your Pockets . . . . . . . . .
NEVER put these items in your luggage, tote, or purse.

Wallet
Stash your cash and passport.
Reference: Chapter 3 and Chapter 8.

  • money belt
  • RFID blocking wallet

Money
Can't live without it.
Reference: Chapter 8 and Euro and Other Currencies.

  • cash
  • credit cards
  • ATM cards
  • Optional
    • travelers cheques
    • personal checks
  • _______________
  • _______________

Identification
If you can not prove who you are you are nobody.
Reference: Chapter 3, Chapter 18, and Chapter 20.

  • passport and three copies
  • driver's license
  • school I.D. card
  • AYH card (for HI hostels)
  • insurance card(s)
  • business cards
  • frequent flyer cards
  • Optional
    • international driving permit (IDP)
    • international certificates of vaccination
    • visas
    • corporate or institutional I.D. badge
    • AAA Card
    • family photos
  • _______________
  • _______________

Tickets
No ticket = no ride.
Reference: Chapter 4, Chapter 14, Chapter 17, and Chapter 18.

  • boarding pass or confirmation number
  • hotel confirmation fax or email
  • rail pass
  • car rental reservation confirmation
  • _______________
  • _______________

+ Travel Records . . . . . . . . .
Write it down for your posterity.
Reference: Chapter 9.

  • travel record book
  • receipts envelopes
  • Optional
    • audio tape recorder
    • digital video recorder
    • blog or FaceBook
    • netbook or laptop computer
    • LAN cable
    • Skype
    • flash drive
    • tablet
    • cell phone
  • _______________
  • _______________

Now it's time for High Flight.

 
Have a good trip!

NOTE TO READERS

I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to Europe that have not been covered well enough on my web site please do not hesitate to write and ask. When you write please include relevant details.

I do not open attachments. I do not click links to web pages of any kind. Please include all of your data in the body of your email. I will reply in a day or two.

My email address is [email protected].

Do not forget to smell the hyacinths. Scroll through the entire Table of Contents of How To Europe: The Complete Travelers Handbook and read all 30 chapters, FREE on line. Good deal! You'll probably find the answers you seek, and some you didn't know you needed.

FREE

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Please visit my on-line store at Euro-Shoppe is your go-to Internet source for travel supplies.. Your support is most gratefuly appreciated. TIA.

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