Packing List
Trip Start
May 04, 2008
1
2
18
Trip End
May 28, 2008
Dayton,
Ohio,
United States
Sunday, May 4, 2008
European Contiki tours restrict bag weights at the beginning of the tour to 20kg (44lbs).
This is absolute and you will be required to take things out if yours
is over. For most tours you're allowed one stored bag and 1 small day
bag for the bus. This is based on strict regulations for tour buses in
the European Union and cannot be overdone. Of course, once you're on
tour, if you go over the weight limit, its ok, but just starting out is
the large restriction. Contiki also has a general dimension requirement
of 59 linear inches. For concept and camping tours, you will also need
a sleeping bag. If you are coming from the United States, Contiki will
provide you with a sleeping bag.
The bag you choose is relatively up to you. A bag with wheels is good so you don't have to
carry it all the time, while a backpack is good to just pick up and go.
It is really up to you on the type you want. I purchased the High
Sierra A.T. Gear Access 30" Duffel because it has wheels and backpack
straps. (Note: the wheeled bottom is not padded and cannot stand up).
http://www.ebags.com/high_sierra/a_t_gear_access_30_wheeled_duffel/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=17597
This bag is huge, and after I fit everything I needed I still have slightly
less than a quarter of the space free and it only weighs 35lbs. After
buying a bunch of things and cramming my sleeping bag in to bring home,
I was at about 48lbs with no room left, so it worked out great.
The one thing I cannot stress enough when packing and planning: European
countries use a different electrical current and outlet configuration
than other countries in the world. Depending on where you come from you
will need an adapter set AND possibly a power converter in order to use
your electronic devices. Please be sure to check into this before you
leave. I purchased the 5 piece eagle creek adapter set since all my
electronics run the electrical current that Europe uses:
http://www.ebags.com/eagle_creek/5_piece_adapter_set/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=50657
Here is my packing list on everything I decided to take, and the pictures
above include a visual representation of everything I took (note I may
have added or removed a shirt or two from what the picture shows, but
this list is accurate).
Clothes:
The two things I have heard time and time again in Europe is to try and dress that you
fit in, and to be conservative. The second holds especially true if you
want to go into churches. Vatican City will not let you in without long
pants (jeans are ok), decent shoes, and at least a t-shirt. Again, be
respectful. My list is tailored to that since I want to visit many of
the old churches in the European countries. A money belt is also a good
investment to hold your passport, credit cards, and larger sums of
money underneath your clothes so that pickpocketing doesn't occur.
Again, dress smart and be aware of your surroundings and you should be
ok, but the money belt is added protection.
This list is tailored for my needs, but the goal is to travel as light as possible
to have room for the inevitable souvenir mass that will be gained on
tour.
Carry-On:
Digital Camera w/charger
Ipod w/charger
Power Adapters
Tripod
1 copy of information
Moneybelt
Passport
Travel Pillow
Memory Cards
Extra Camera Battery
Kleenex Tissue
Film Camera
Extra Batteries
Extra Film (4)
Waterproof Camera (1)
Tour Journal
Extra Pens
Sudoku Book or other Entertainment
Carry-on sized toiletries in-case of lost luggage
Glasses w/Case
Sunglasses
Maps w/Marked Sights
Umbrella
Camera Cord USB/TV
In Moneybelt:
Passport
Luggage Keys (on set here, one set in wallet)
Memory Cards
Extra Battery
Credit Cards
Checked Duffel:
Smaller Luggage (for a larger carry-on for return)
Boxer Shorts (4)
Socks (7)
T-Shirts (3)
Polo Shirts (3)
Long Sleve Shirt (Hoodie) (1)
Shorts (2)
Long Pants (3)
Swimsuit (1)
Night Pants (1)
Dressy Shoes (1)
Water Sandals (1)
1 copy of information/emergency contact
Toiletries
Extra Debit Card (put in upon arrival)
Sink Stopper & Line
Alarm Clock
Travel Towel
Toiletries:
Toothbrush & Paste
Deodorant
Comb
Face & Body Soap
Shaving Cream & Razor
Shampoo
Q-Tips
Nail Clippers
Tweezers
Daily Vitamin
Claritin
Sunscreen
Travel Tums
Laundry Soap Packets
Lip Balm
Bandaids
Cough/Cold Strips
Hand Sanitizer
This list turned out to work really well. I would only have changed a few
things for a following trip. The first thing is to not take full sized
containers of any bathroom products. 2 or 3 small shampoo bottles is
enough to last the whole trip, same with toothpaste, and frees up
valuable space and weight requirements. For clothes I think this list
worked out very well. I rewore pants for a few days, however wore
shirts mainly one time each. Doing laundry is very easy, and will even
be done for you in rome for 2 euro/kg. The only other thing that may be
necessary is more socks, they get very gross by the end and had to all
be thrown away. Nothing beats a fresh pair of socks in the morning.
