What To Pack for a Spring Vacation In Europe
We are at the tail end of winter which means many of us are thinking about our
next vacation. With little to no travel for most of the world over the last
three years, it's understandable to want to get out of your house, hop on a
plane, and land in a foreign destination.
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Packing List For Europe In Spring
We have a European vacation coming up very soon and I was surprised at how
rusty I was at vacation planning. The way we travel has changed so much in
just the last few years. Gone are the days of packing multiple suitcases and
checking in your bags. You're packing lighter and more efficiently, with
outfits you can mix and match and just the essentials in your carry-on bag or
travel backpack. You're also no longer bringing printed maps or the bulky DSLR
camera - your smartphone and a good roaming plan are an easy substitution for
both.
Europe is the perfect destination for a spring vacation, with plenty of
attractions, fewer crowds at this time of year, and a mix of climates. If
you're planning a trip to any European cities in the next few months - or a
trip to any cooler destination - here’s a travel packing list for a spring
vacation.
Shop all of these travel ideas in my LTK shop.
Must-Have Clothing Items
For any spring vacation, one of the most important considerations is the
weather. You'll want to be prepared so taking a look at the upcoming weather
forecast is a good place to start when planning out your vacation wardrobe.
Spring in the northern hemisphere will be cool to cold, so having options for
layers of clothes will cover you for all sorts of situations without
compromising your travel style.
My general approach to packing for Europe is "dressed up casual wear" or being
slightly more stylish than you normally would be at home. I find that in North
America we tend to dress for comfort over style and Europeans do the
opposite. As you get ready for your trip, it's important to pack smart to
make sure you're both comfortable and stylish.
Sightseeing Outfits
For sightseeing and outdoor activities, dress in layers that you can add or
remove as you go. A
light sweater
is always a good choice, as are t-shirts and a
lined rain jacket
or lighter winter coat. Choose one that is water repellant so that you'll be
ready for the brisk wind or rain that comes with the season. Any lightweight
windproof and waterproof jacket will work well for travel.
My choice for jackets are
ultra light down puffy jackets. They're easy to pack, comfortable to wear, and keep you warm without
added bulk. The newer silhouettes are more tailored so you'll still look
stylish while keeping warm on colder days.
When you're out and about exploring, you want to be comfy. A
pair of sneakers
or comfortable shoes are a must for days when you'll be doing a lot of
walking. You'll want to pack footwear that can handle a variety of terrain.
Many European countries have cobblestone streets so consider leaving the
heels at home and opt for
comfortable sneakers, flats, or
ankle boots. The weather can be unpredictable and you might be walking outdoors all
day so waterproof footwear is a good choice too.
Dining Out
When it comes to dining out at night, the dress code can be a bit more
formal depending on the location and type of restaurant. You don't need to
dress formal, but do dress 'smart'. Skirts with a
sweater, a
sweater dress
with tights, or a
nice top
with dark denim jeans will all work.
You can even dress up your outfit with a
pretty scarf
or
fabulous earrings
- I always pack a pair or two to make whatever I'm wearing feel a bit more
special. For footwear, try out low heels or loafers for comfort and
style.
Travel Accessories
Aside from clothes, there are a few essential travel accessories you'll want
to bring with you. Here's the items I always take on vacation:
- A crossbody bag, belt bag, or small day pack that keeps your arms free for photo taking and keeps your valuables and travel documents secure
- A packable small backpack or tote bag that you can easily take out for carrying your sweater if gets too hot or purchases while you're out exploring.
- A small wallet to hold just a few credit cards or debit card and local currency
- A lightweight scarf that can be used as a blanket, head covering, or fashion accessory
- A good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright spring sun
- A compact umbrella to protect you from occasional showers
- A sleeping mask and travel pillow
Electronics and Tech
Do you remember when you'd go to the bookstore and pick up the Fodor's or
Lonely Planet travel guides for your next destination vacation? Now we have so
much information on the internet and our electronic devices to guide us that
planning on paper is no longer necessary.
What is necessary is making sure you have all of your tech (and the
right adapters!) for
your journey. I like to keep my cords and accessories in a
travel organizer case.
No more searching for the cell phone charger or the headphones; you can keep
them all in one accessible spot.
And call me basic, but I do carry a
selfie-stick with a built in tripod and remote
with me. It's compact enough to carry in your purse and makes it easy to get
everyone in the travel photos.
Another must-have item is a portable power bank for your smartphone.
This one has a built-in
lightening connection, has a display screen which how much power is left, and
has a large charge capacity (it can charge my iPhone 11 Pro three times before
its drained). This keeps your phone charged and ready for all of those travel
photos, videos and map directions.
If you'll be checking your luggage, you might consider placing an
Apple AirTag inside. We've all heard the horror stories of airlines losing luggage
for days and weeks. Being able to track your bags with the AirTag can give you
peace of mind.
Makeup and Toiletries
Apart from shoes, the toiletry and makeup bag always seems to be the
heaviest thing on my travel packing list. It goes without saying that you
should bring only what you absolutely need and switch to the small travel
size containers for toiletries. I also minimize my skincare and makeup
routine for a one-week trip and stick to a basic serum and moisturizer daily
plus multi-use makeup palettes.
Here's what you'll find in my toiletry kit:
- travel size shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel
- round hair brush (so I can style my hair without having to bring a curling iron)
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- hand cream and hand sanitizer
- deodorant
- lip balm and lipstick
- face moisturizer and serum
- compact makeup brushes
- foundation
- single eyeliner, lipliner, mascara and eyebrow liner
- eyeshadow and cheek palette
- Tylenol and Pepto Bismol or Imodium
- Melatonin gummies for jet lag
- prescription medication
- copies of important documents (e.g. passport and credit card), just in case they get lost
Note that some of these items will be considered "liquids" and are subject
to certain limits as determined by the transportation authority so be
aware of the quantities you're traveling with.
With the right planning, a spring vacation in Europe can be a magical
experience. Remember to bring the essential clothing, toiletries and
electronics but otherwise pack light and leave room for souvenirs. With
these items in tow, you'll be all set to take on any adventure that comes
your way.
Are you planning any upcoming vacations? Tell me where you're headed!
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