Took the bus to Hurley from LGW to mail my dress and shoes for the Gala to Scotland. Then I don’t have to drag them with me on the Danube cruise and around Germany, Prague and the Netherlands.
Packing (in a backpack) for a 6 week trip to Europe – video included
Next Tuesday, I’m heading off to Europe for 6 weeks. (It started as a long weekend, but I kept saying “As long as I’m over there…”) And I have decided I’m going to use a backpack this time. I got a Eurail pass and plan on taking the train as much as possible so I…
Passports
To apply for a passport, see this link: apply-in-person To Renew your passport, see this link: renew-by-mail Different countries have different rules about the expiration date of your passport and whether they’ll let you into their country or not. So it is always good to check the specific country’s rules. Search on “passport expiration date rules…
Tips for Booking Flights
Layovers One of the things that can really get your trip off to a bad start is missing a flight or having your luggage miss a flight. I recommend a minimum of 2 hours for a layover and if you are connecting to a smaller airline or going through a large airport (like London Heathrow…
Packing Light
Above – the back of the van used for Outlander Immersion tours. If you don’t already pack light, I highly encourage it. Here is a picture of my suitcase (right->) for a 4 week trip to Ireland and Scotland. One 22″ suitcase (purple), a day pack and a small purse. Seriously! That’s all! (See below…
Be Prepared
Be prepared for it to rain all day every day – not that it will – but if you’re prepared for that, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t. 1) Water proof your shoes. If you’re going to wear tennis shoes, you could buy a can of water proofing and spray them. You’ll want…
Money & Credit Cards
Euros and Pounds The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. Northern Ireland uses GBP (Great British Pound) and also some banks there print their own bank notes. They are supposed to be valid in England (or Scotland or Wales) but they can be refused so you’re better to use UK pounds. Scotland has it’s own bills that…
Appliances For Travel
In the picture above – my husband brought a full size tube of tooth paste. As you can see, it takes up almost the entire side of the sink. It’s a good idea to buy or use small bottles for all of your supplies like toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, foundation. Guys, same goes for…
That darn VAT
In Europe, including Scotland and Ireland they have a Value Added Tax which is called VAT. It is a tax that is added to most goods in Europe. And even though non-Europeans have to pay it when they purchase goods, they are entitled to a refund. It is worth the time and effort to get the…