Simple Rules:

1. Look like you live there (don’t look like a tourist) – blend in. Wear black, grey, or dark colours. Dress up (not down) because Europeans do that, choose comfortable shoes carefully – dark with no coloured laces or colours and NOT white tennis shoes, or running shoes. Break in shoes before trip. Think cobble stones -high heels do not work. The “tourist” is spotted a block away as wearing track suits, sweat pants, fanny pack, camera around the neck, baseball cap, sports shoes, and usually only North American’s wear backpacks. Europeans would carry a larger purse, shopping bag, or shoulder bag. Consider bringing a suit, sports jacket or dressy jacket, for outings or to dress up jeans. Only bring jeans that are dressy (black jeans are popular right now). Classy and conservative will get you into events. Too casual will keep you out. No denim to concerts. No “bare shoulders” while in churches. Too tight of clothing is suggestive, also short skirts, shorts, tall boots will bring females the wrong kind of attention. So will a lot of smiling. Observe the culture and try to blend in.
2. Pack lightly so that you can manage on your own. If you are struggling with a bag and someone offers you “help” you may end up with the bag stolen as well as your purse – thieves work together. You do not want to look like a target. Some websites suggested taking your packed bag for a 1 hour walk before you leave, edit half the items, then re-pack. Coordinate your wardrobe around basic black and another neutral colour. Plan together with your room partner to share items (only 1 hairdryer to a room) so you make it lighter. Don’t bring more than 5 days worth of clothing -do laundry.
3. Essentials are: rain gear, walking shoes, warm layers (not bulky) and some dress clothes for evenings out. Choose your own essentials from the following lists:

Personal Kit – container for…

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Sunscreen, lotions, lip balm, deodorant, insect repellant (Italy)
• shampoo /conditioner, bar soap, container
• hairbrush, comb
• make up
• nail clippers, tweezers, small scissors, sewing emerg. kit
• hair dryer, curling iron, or straightener (must have capability to be 220 volts or dual voltage), travel iron
• razor, blades, shaving cream
• small towel, face cloth
• small container laundry powder (in small water bottle), lightweight duffel bag for laundry, or small bags for swimming gear (Italy), shoes, etc., spot remover
• Eyeglasses, sunglasses, or contact lens and solutions
• Medications – prescription, over the counter diarrhoea, infection, insect repellent, bandages, vitamins, stomach upset, lens cleaning cloth for eyeglasses or sunglasses, antibacterial wipes, or small antibacterial lotion. Small first aid kit.
• menstrual, contraceptive or prophylactic supplies
• earplugs, eye mask for airplane, inflatable pillow
• alarm clock, watch or camera batteries, small flashlight, adaptor kit for countries needed
• Swiss army knife (or multipurpose tool that has corkscrew, bottle opener – must go in checked bag)
• spoon, fork, chopsticks, plate – ice cream pail lids work great for a clean surface (picnics)
• universal sink stopper, small clothesline (rope), inflatable hangers for drying clothes

• Passport, tickets, vaccination certificates, Student ID, driver’s license
• Copy of passport (leave one copy at home, bring one with you)
• copies of Important documents, health insurance, credit card theft numbers
• A few credit cards, debit card linked to chequing account (not savings account), personal cheque (1) for banking info.
• Copies of prescriptions

Baggage

• One medium-sized checked bag, one small carry on (challenge!)
• Day bag for camera, sunscreen, water bottle, etc. Look more like the general population if you carry a large purse, or shoulder bag rather than a backpack.
• Camera, extra cards for images, cord for downloading photos, IPOD, or music and charging apparatus for any electronics
• Phone card
• Luggage lock or small compartment lock

Clothing

Try to bring clothes that “blend in” rather than stand out. Typically darker clothing is more often worn in Europe than brighter colours, except for brighter scarves and costume jewelry

• Raincoat, warm coat, small umbrella, hat, dressy scarves, gloves
• layers for warmth, merino wool is great for sweater, socks
• shirts/blouses that are non wrinkle, 4-5 tops- some short, some long-sleeved, t-shirts that are classy
• 2 pairs pants, 1 skirt or dress, dressy jacket
• 5 pair socks, underwear, bras
• pyjamas
• belt, tie
• dress shoes (not high heels), good walking shoes – break in if new
• flipflops for showers and bathrooms down the halls (the spa kind are disposable, light weight),
• sandals for hot weather – but not recommended for Paris – closed toes, support shoes for walking are best
• swimsuit, cover up such as long-t, or shawl (Italy)
• jewelry – costume, keep simple

Course materials

• Small notebook, pens, pencils. Consider unlined book if you like to draw, lines if you like words, journal.
• phrase book in language of country – esp. for Italy and France, guidebooks, post it notes, maps,
• reading material
• address book if you intend to mail postcards, telephone access numbers
• opera type glasses – for Galleries – can’t get close to paintings, or for cheaper seats for performances.