I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

we're going to be in Paris & Amsterdam during Christmas week, and I know the weather there is similar to NY.

aside from a coat, scarf, gloves, good walking shoes, please give me some tips and advice on what to bring/not bring.

I bought one of those square slim bags that goes across the torso, so I am all set there.

also, do you think I should buy one of those electricity converters? all the hotels seem to have hair dryers, but I always bring my own. should I bother?

Message edited 12/7/2008 12:50:38 PM.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

First of all, I am so jealous of your trip! i would love to do Paris and Amsterdam in the Winter. My sister did Amsterdam for New Year's Eve a few years ago and just loved it. they do go a little crazy with the fireworks though, from what she told me.

I generally use the hair dryer that the hotel provides. I figure it is one less thing to pack and my hair generally comes out fine...it's never the same on vacations anyway.

I would bring some cute hats and some stylish, but comfy walking shoes...personally, I don't like wearing gym-type sneakers in Europe...or even here for that matter...Converse or Pumas I would wear, though they aren't always the best for walking.

Have a great trip!!!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

we won't be there for NYE, but DH has been in Amsterdam for that and told me about the fireworks madness!

about the shoes, I have sketchers similar to these, but mine are grey



I am not concerned with style too much since it will be freezing cold anyway and I want to be as comfortable as I can, which I think is important. not having comfy shoes can ruin a trip like that since you do miles and miles of walking.

hat is a good idea. I have a few of those.

if you think of anything else, let me know thanks

Message edited 12/7/2008 1:46:43 PM.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

we got back from Europe about 3 weeks ago....

London was freezing (snow for the 1st time in 70 years in the month of October, while we were there)
Paris was NY weather
Rome was like 70
Florence was 60ish
Amsterdam was NY weather

*make sure you sneakers are VERY comfortable, walk around in them, break them in. Make sure rain doesn't soak through them, or else you'll be miserable. (I wish I had brought my uggs when I went) I went the "cute shoe" route and regretted it the second I got there.

*Highly recommend a hat and all the norm that goes with it...scarf,gloves.

*don't forget an umbrella and a rain jacket with a hood.

*It's nice to have the electric converters, we brought one with us.

*Some hotels don't have an iron, just beware of that or you have to call down to get one.

*layers are nice to have, so when you get indoors somewhere you are dying of heat exhaustion


ummmm what else.....

Message edited 12/7/2008 2:16:23 PM.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

oh about the hair dryer......I brought mine and never used it! Don't bring it, just an extra thing to carry.

Also....do you have Rick Steves book?

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

(I'm sorry I keep thinking of things)

Buy City maps before you go....we didn't and it was just annoying when we arrived in places and were like ummm
(even though you do get free maps from your hotel, it still would've been nice to have)


While in Paris----make sure you get a crepe from the stand outside the Eiffel tower. I highly recommend the bananna and chocolate one. The Louvre was amazing, go with a plan in mind & don't eat lunch in the food court there. I highly recommend going to the Eiffel tower at night, less crowded and just SO MUCH pretty when all lite up.

Amsterdam-- Anne Frank house was amazing. Heinken brewery was fun and just re-opened. Make sure you get one of the waffles from the stands......to die for!!! Also we went to an improv show called "boom chicago" it was really fun.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Everyone is wearing Uggs, bring your Uggs if you have them. Worry more about comfort that standing out. Bring hats and scarves, those are popular the world round.

The weather is probably going to be milder than it is in NY at Christmas, and remember, if you forget to bring something, you can always buy it!

Bon Voyage!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

definitely uggs - I wore them my entire HM in Italy last Nov. You may want to look into buying some Dr Scholls arch-support insoles from CVS. We did a LOT of walking and these definitely helped my feet/legs/knees feel better than without the insoles.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

-Downy Wrinkle Release - You probably won't be able to find an iron at your hotel. This stuff is the BEST! I used it on DH's suit this summer and my dresses. Everything comes out great! Just give yourself some time to let it dry.

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

-

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

-

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

Really? The adapaters worked with my flat iron when we were in Paris.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

thank you all for the rec's!!!

I am surprised so many of you said to bring UGGs. they are not water proof. I would be SO upset if we were out and it started raining

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

thank you all for the rec's!!!

I am surprised so many of you said to bring UGGs. they are not water proof. I would be SO upset if we were out and it started raining

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

We were just in London and Paris.

Hats, scarves and umbrellas did the trick for us. We didn't think to bring hats, so we bought them in London after being outside for five minutes!

Bon Voyage!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by Shorty

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

thank you all for the rec's!!!

I am surprised so many of you said to bring UGGs. they are not water proof. I would be SO upset if we were out and it started raining

spray them with waterproofing spray 2x before you go.

I spray all my Uggs 2x before I wear them the first time.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

-Downy Wrinkle Release - You probably won't be able to find an iron at your hotel. This stuff is the BEST! I used it on DH's suit this summer and my dresses. Everything comes out great! Just give yourself some time to let it dry.

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

Message edited 12/13/2008 11:55:03 AM.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

From my experiences, most hotels will have irons, but not always in every room. They might bring one to you. I find this a lot in Europe.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Big long Raincoat and umbrella.

Weather (temperature) in Paris is similar to NYC but it does not snow as much in Paris as NYC. It's more icy. Usually it's cold, rainy and windy. The worst!!!! Kind of the week we have had in the past few days.

This week it was very cold in Paris.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

-Downy Wrinkle Release - You probably won't be able to find an iron at your hotel. This stuff is the BEST! I used it on DH's suit this summer and my dresses. Everything comes out great! Just give yourself some time to let it dry.

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

I bought a small bottle of the Downey wrinkle release, thanks for the tip!

during the day I am planning on jeans, with my new boots or Sketchers and a casual top like a sweater (layered if it's cold out that day).

we're not bringing really dressy clothes like suits, etc. but I will bring a few nice outfits for dinner.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Posted by smdl

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

Posted by LaPetiteSirène

-Downy Wrinkle Release - You probably won't be able to find an iron at your hotel. This stuff is the BEST! I used it on DH's suit this summer and my dresses. Everything comes out great! Just give yourself some time to let it dry.

-Don't bring a hairdryer. Even if you have an adapter it won't work on your flat iron/hairdryer.

Have a great time!!!!!

I bought a small bottle of the Downey wrinkle release, thanks for the tip!

during the day I am planning on jeans, with my new boots or Sketchers and a casual top like a sweater (layered if it's cold out that day).

we're not bringing really dressy clothes like suits, etc. but I will bring a few nice outfits for dinner.

You are planning on bring a warm coat, are you? Along with hat, scarf and gloves.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

A converter is nice, I wouldn't bother bringing your hair dryer. A lot of hair dryers won't work with a converter. I had one blow up in my hand. Unless the tag says 120-240 v and 50-60 Hz then it will work. It probably doesn't.

An umbrella is handy. It rains at least once a day in Amsterdam, unless I was too busy enjoying local specialties, I remember rain .

I've been there at Xmas time and I don't think it was as cold as NY, but cold and wet, if that makes any sense.

Most of all have fun!

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Dh just got back from Amsterdam last week and he just wore a zip up sweater and skull cap the entire time. He brought his coat - but didn't wear it.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

My parents got here today and they said the weather in England is just as cold as it is in NY, so it might be pretty cold, not as mild as you might think.

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Re: I have some questions about traveling to Europe in Winter

Enjoy! Can't wait for your reivew of the trip and hopefully some pictures!