All the Crap I Regretted Packing for my European Holiday (and a Few Things I Didn’t!)
Well, we did it! 13 days abroad and we didn’t completely lose our marbles!*
*Actually, the weekend in London when the tube wasn’t running was pretty rough, but I digress!
13 days may not seem like much, but for 2 people that never vacation, this was a big deal! Around the last 2-3 days we were really feeling the itch to get back into our routines and at home with our puppies, but I’m glad we took an extended break. I had my hesitations about taking this kind of a trip when I was out of a job, but ultimately, we’d spent years saving for it, and we both desperately needed it. I don’t know that we realized it until after we were away for a few days.
Reflecting back on our trip, I thought it might be helpful to tell you what worked for me in hopes that it might assist you in packing for your own adventure. So, here it is! All the things I wish I didn’t bring, wish I did bring, or am thanking God I had the good sense to toss in my suitcase.
Enjoy!
Items I wish I didn’t pack
The trench I wasn’t so sure about
I was apprehensive about the fit of this coat from the get-go, but I bought it specifically for this trip, so I felt obligated to pack it. Ultimately, I decided I wasn’t entirely committed to having it tailored and should probably just return it.
My purse
I purchased a belt bag to wear with the aforementioned trench but surprisingly ended up using it instead of my purse the entirety of the trip. My purse isn’t large, but it doesn’t zip shut, which isn’t the most safe. So I put the essentials in my belt bag and coat pockets, and my purse just ended up being one more thing to tote around from city to city.
Knee high riding boots
They took up valuable space, and with the amount of walking we did everyday (approx. 10 miles/day!), they weren’t the best option. Also, it rained the entire time, and the all leather sole soaked through to the insole. They didn’t have time to fully dry before I had to repack for our next destination, and I might’ve messed them up. Whoops!
A passport cover
Sure, it’s cute, but you have to take your passport out of the case every time you have to scan it or show it to someone, and it’s just a pain! But the case is pink, so I guess it’ll make it easier to locate when I’m preparing to travel? Which I hope to do more of…
Two carry on bags
You guys. WOOF. I didn’t pack until the day we left. It was still blistering hot in Nashville when we departed, and I had to drag all of my sweaters out from under the bed to have clothes to wear for the trip. Justin and I both wanted to have carry ons because, well, if you’re new here, I have pretty bad luck traveling. His carry on is a duffle that can be stacked on top of a larger luggage piece, but mine is a hardshell suitcase. Trying to navigate a very large airport and multiple subway stations that don’t often have elevators (many swear words were said) on the first day we landed was enough for me. When we packed to leave London, I downsized and packed my carry on inside of my larger suitcase and kept it that way the remainder of the trip. The next time we take a vacation, we are sharing a carry on and are just going to have to make it work!
Items I wish I’d packed
A full size tube of toothpaste
I’m not sure why I thought 2 travel size tubes would last us an entire 2 weeks? I was trying to wrap up a million things before we left, and I honestly didn’t think it through. Part of me was trying to wear myself out so I would sleep on the plane, and part of me was trying to not come home to full-blown chaos. I’d say it was a success on both fronts, but yeah, still ran out of toothpaste!
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Every single time I’m about to travel, I talk myself out of purchasing noise-cancelling headphones. And every *single* time I travel, I find myself wishing I had them. Screaming children, people talking way too loudly on their phones, the guy in the row behind you who’s in desperate need of a Breathe Right strip. I’m not trying to deal with all of that! Also, my recent productivity hack has been blasting white noise in my airpods (currently doing it!) so I can focus on writing despite my dogs going nuts over a squirrel or leaf blowing across the yard. Imagine if I could block their barking and whining all the way out? #heaven
A good sleep mask
My neighbor was very kind to let me borrow hers, but maybe I have an abnormally large head because it was way too tight on my peepers, and then I was scared to use it because WHAT IF I WENT BLIND? Full disclosure: I don’t know if that’s a thing. But I couldn’t get my wifi to work, and I wasn’t willing to risk it, so.
A Cordless Curling Iron
I didn’t even know this was a thing until this trip, but apparently they make styling tools with lithium ion batteries — just like cell phones! — that can hold a charge up to 45 minutes. We booked a photographer for our second to last day in Paris, and I wasn’t about to have photos taken with straight hair! I was informed by multiple people that I wouldn’t be able to bring my curling iron because voltage in American styling tools is significantly higher than in European countries, and I could short out a dryer, straightener, etc. It wasn’t until day 9 of our 13 day trip that I was able to track a curling iron down (at an appliance store??)! Something to keep in mind when you travel if you prefer to style your hair a certain way!
An actual raincoat
I have a windbreaker that an ill-informed Nordstrom associate positioned to me as a raincoat. In her defense, it looks like a raincoat. But you know what? It isn’t. And I knew that for a few years before taking this trip, but in my day to day life leading up to this trip, it has sufficed as a raincoat. I always knew it wouldn’t hold up in a torrential downpour, but it was typically fine otherwise. Well, it rains a lot in Europe, especially this time of year (I know that now!), and there were a few days I was soaked to my bottom layer. It was okay. I survived! But if I had it to do all over again, I would purchase an actual raincoat.
Items I’m super glad I packed
My new belt bag!
If you follow me on Instagram, you might have already seen my belt bag. I purchased it on a whim at Ross the day before we left for $8, and I’m so glad I did! I didn’t end up carrying my purse at all. Everything fit in that bag (which I wore as a crossbody) and in my coat pockets. It was light and pickpocket-proof (an issue we unfortunately encountered but successfully navigated #streetsmarts). I zipped my jacket over it and didn’t have to worry about it at all.
Medicine
This was a tip from my hairstylist! The recycled air on planes can be a beating on your immune system, and it seems like everyone is sick this time of year. I packed ibuprofen, cold medicine, a decongestant, nasal spray, and cough drops, and I used it all!
Mophi battery charger
We used our phones for navigation and photography purposes and we were away from the hotel for up to 14 hours at a time, which meant we had to recharge somehow! This allowed us to not be tethered to the hotel and use our devices stress-free.
Divider bags
I decided I had to have these at the last minute, but I wasn’t sure exactly where to get them on such short notice without spending a small fortune. My neighbor (who is chronically more organized and just together in general than I am) lent me hers, and they were really convenient for keeping things organized, especially for a trip of this length with the amount of items we had to pack! I likely won’t be taking a trip of this caliber for a while, but they were so helpful I think I’m going to buy some anyways.
Toothbrush cover
Maybe this seems like an odd one, but I don’t care. I’m not a total germophobe, but the thought of my toothbrush being all willy nilly in my bag kinda grosses me out! I keep it in my travel cosmetic case so I make sure I don’t forget it when I pack!
Face wipes
Not all hotels provide washcloths! The first two places we stayed at did, but the last one did not. These are also convenient if you don’t have time to shower, and just want to freshen up quickly or if there are several of you traveling together, and you’re last in line for the shower.
Power adapter
Every hotel we stayed in had USB outlets in addition to their standard outlets EXCEPT our hotel in Paris (which coincidentally was also the hotel without washcloths!). Also, I’m not sure if this is standard for Paris, but the appliances in our room were super dated (I.E. wall-mounted hair dryer that only worked on a low setting, an AC unit that was basically just a fan). Although, I will say — every place we stayed did provide a hairdryer! FYI — if your power adapter also converts the voltage, you could still short out a styling tool. You have been warned!
Hand sanitizer
The receptionist at my chiropractor was talking to me about her favorite kind because I will literally talk to anyone about anything, and she said it was non-drying and smelled amazing. I purchased it before leaving and kept it in my pocket at all times. It’s natural, didn’t dry out my hands, and smelled amazing! You never know what you’re going to encounter when you’re out and about, and it was super convenient to have on hand. It’s this brand if you’re curious!
Sneakers + Thick socks
Everyone wears sneakers in Europe, which was ideal since those were pretty much the only shoes I wore during the day time. I bought some Stan Smiths over the summer to wear with sundresses, and I love them so much, I packed them for the trip. The cloudfoam insoles are so unbelievably comfortable and paired with some thick socks, my feet never bothered me. Pro tip: if you get new sneakers, wear them prior to your trip so you aren’t trying to break them in on a 10 mile walking day!
An umbrella
The weather over there is so unpredictable, especially this time of year! We got this one that I ended up leaving on a train (insert more swear words), and finding a replacement was kind of a nightmare. It doesn’t take up much space in your luggage, and it’s easier to be prepared in case you need it instead of scrambling to find one when you really do.
