The summer is approaching and now is the time to plan your holidays. Europe offers amazing weather, various cultures, splendid landscapes, historical architecture and diverse cuisine to try. Traveling on this versatile continent requires some special items to pack. Here are 9 things you must not leave out for your trip!
1. One and only backpack
The top hack for a successful Europe trip is to bring only one light backpack. You will not need more than this. Many cities in Europe have cobblestones or uneven sidewalks making walking with a wheeled suitcase challenging. When packing, put out all of your favourite clothes, prepare to roll them and then only bring half of them! You won’t need the rest! It’s possible to use a washing machine at your accommodation when you run out of clean clothes.
2. Sim card
The first thing to do when you land is to get a sim card. Most Europeans use whatsapp to stay in touch with each other. It’s free to call on whatsapp only if you are connected to Wi-Fi. Otherwise, save your budget for phone calls by buying a local sim card. A regular one in any country should cost no more than 10 EUR for a package, which includes lots of minutes and SMS messages. If you happen to be in Germany without a sim card, purchase one from Ortel. They offers a great package deals including 750 Mb of internet data and 300 minutes of calls with free incoming calls from the European Union. Once you have used up all the minutes and data, you can replenish 500 MB for just 9 EUR (roughly 10 USD) and pay 9 cents per min onwards.
3. Power Bank
Always bring a power bank with you in case of emergency. When traveling alone or in a pair, it’s important to keep your phone working. I prefer using offline google maps to paper maps, so as to save paper and not carry too many printed items (e.g., boarding pass, business cards, flyers, notes, etc.) with me. In some cities (e.g., Venice), the electricity may not be the best. This causes slow charging and battery damage.
4. Memory stick or extra memory card
As you might not have a laptop with you for short-term traveling, you’ll probably need extra memory if you are taking lots of photos. A memory stick is also useful for sharing photos with friends you make on the road. You can find a cheap memory sticks with decent speed and good quality from SanDisk at almost any electronic store around Europe.
5. Plug in your electronics with an adapter
The European electrical sockets (outlet) may not fit your plug if it was purchased from outside of the continent. In this case, an adapter is a must-have item for charging any of your electronics.
6. Umbrella
Rain often comes unexpectedly in Europe and can last for a long time depending on the season. Hence, keep a pocket umbrella in your bag, so you can still enjoy the landscape without getting soaking wet and cold.
7. Flip flops
Another item I always bring with me when traveling Europe is a pair of flip flops. You’ll want a pair when walking around hostels or taking showers. Some European families even prefer using their shoes inside their home. An extra pair of shoes is also necessary for long-term travellers and travelers who love to hike.
8. First aid necessities
A knowledge of basic first aid is important not only for adventurous travelers but all kinds of visitors. If you fly to Europe from another continent, especially during cold winter or rainy seasons, you may catch a cold. Bring items from home, such as band-aids (plasters), ointment and cold medicine, or stock up at a local drugstore.
9. Swimsuit
Southern Europe is full of beautiful seaside destinations with dream coastlines such as Santorini (Greece), Genoa (Italy), Malaga (Spain), Porto (Portugal) and so on. Even if you do not plan to visit these countries, bring a bikini or swimsuit with you. You may always end up enjoying a sauna in Lapland or thermal bath in Budapest. Get a waterproof cover for your phone or gopro if you’d like to get capture some shots underwater.
Spirit!
Traveling Europe is not difficult, as many countries have great infrastructure. In northern and western Europe, language is not a problem, because almost every young person speaks English and are willing to help you. Stay open to the differences and you will find yourself experiencing things and sharing great memories with people from all around the world.
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