If you are travelling as a family or planning a solo getaway to Europe, here are few tips and tricks to help make your travel smooth and enjoyable. With the right planning, and a travel checklist you can avoid unnecessary problems and help reduce the costly mistakes. Over the years we have learned that smart planning and clever packing makes all the difference. We couldn’t spend two weeks packed into a VW T5 without a checklist, planning and thoughtful packing.
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Travel Documents
Probably the most important thing to remember. Everything else you can pretty much purchase abroad if you forget.
Pack your passport, and make sure the dates meet the requirements of the country you are heading.Make sure your passport and travel documents are easily accessible.
Remember travel insurance and ensure you are covered for any pre existing medical problems and also you are covered for any activities whilst you are away. If you are planning on hiring a car or driving abroad, ensure you have the necessary insurance, breakdown cover etc.
Ensure you have downloaded the necessary apps beforehand including flight apps, hotel apps and reservations, google Maps for getting out and about etc.
eSIM for Connectivity
Make sure that you stay connected without costly roaming charges. If you are travelling to the Uk, purchase a United Kingdom eSIM
Whilst some prefer to head off on holiday and unplug and disconnect, for many that is not an option. An eSIM can mean that you stay connected with family, friends, or can work remotely wherever you are heading.
Stay connected with this Europe eSIM and enjoy high-speed 4G/5G data as you explore your favourite cities like Paris or Rome. This particular prepaid Europe eSIM includes taxes upfront, so you avoid unexpected roaming charges.
Simply purchase a plan for your desired region/country. Choose a plan based on where you need data how much data you need and how long you need it for.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are incredible for both our Europe trips and our campervan trips. Packing cubes (sometimes referred to as packing pods) are small fabric containers used to organise clothing. The have a zip fasten and come in a variety of colours and sizes, some have a small carry handle too.
They are basically used to organise clothes for travel, a simple concept but they really do make life easier, and particularly work in a suitcase. You can also purchase compression bags that can help when space is tight.
Clothing
The clothing you choose really depends on the time of year and destination the you are travelling to. The weather in Europe can vary significantly, so do your research before you travel.
For instance, if you’re travelling to a cold destination at Christmas, pack plenty of clothes that you can layer, thermals, warm fleeces and hat, scarf and gloves.
If you are heading to Italy mid Summer, pack breathable lightweight fabrics, sunglasses, a hat, cover ups and mosquito repellant and suncream!
Choose clothes that you can mix and match for ease, and similar colours that can be worn with your staple shoes. Careful planning will ensure your outfits work together and you are not needing to pack multiple accessories and twenty pairs of shoes or trainers!
Electronics
As much as we would all love to ditch the electronics, they are a huge part of our lives. Your smartphone will be essential for keeping in touch, storing information, taking photographs and planning your routes.
You may need an iPad or kindle for reading, and additional photography equipment to capture those memories.
When you are packing, make sure you remember adapters, charging cables for all your devices and headphones if needed. We also pack a spare power bank for battery back up when travelling.
Careful planning before you leave and organisation will help to ensure a successful Europe getaway with minimal unwanted surprises
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, and I receive a small commission. I have or may be compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post.