What to Pack for a Summer Vacation in Europe

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All recommendations are my own.

I’ve enjoyed many summer holidays in Europe, so I wanted to share with you my list of essential items to pack. Continental Europe gets really hot during the summer months. However, if you are travelling to the northern parts of Europe, it can get cool if the weather turns, so I’ve added some suggestions on how to manage potentially variable weather. This isn’t a fashion blog post selling you new outfits to buy, but more of a practical guide on what to pack. If you are on a budget, hopefully you will be able to find these items in your cupboards.

To save money on airfares, I travel with hand luggage only (10kg), so I’ll also share some tips about how I achieve this if you are planning on travelling light as well. Along with being cheaper, the advantages of travelling with hand luggage only includes not having to line up to check in luggage and then waiting at the baggage claim to collect it, and there is no risk of losing your bag. However, the down side is not being able to travel with liquids i.e. bottles of wine (sad if you are visiting a wine region!) and it also limits your wardrobe options. For a longer holiday, it also means you will need to repeat outfits and do some laundry. Here are my top tips for How to Deal with Laundry While on Holiday.

GADGETS

Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you need to take a long flight to get to Europe, then noise cancelling headphones, or at the very least some earplugs, will make your trip much more comfortable. If you find it difficult to get the ear plugs to stay in your ears, you may prefer using the silicone earplugs. I never realised just how loud the plane engines and passengers were, and its effect on me until my husband lent me his noise cancelling headphones. Firstly, they make it so much easier to hear the movies. With the usual crappy headset that you’re given on the plane, I usually have to crank the sound all the way up to be able to hear what the characters are saying over the drone of the engines (and I have perfect hearing!). But with the noise cancelling headphones I can listen to the movie at a normal volume. It also significantly improves the movie experience because I can hear the conversations and the sound effects much more clearly.

Secondly, even when you’re not watching movies, these are perfect to wear throughout your flight with the noise cancelling function turned on to cancel out the surrounding sounds. When I take them off to go to the bathroom, I am always surprised at just how loud it is inside the plane and how much noise the headphones are blocking. I find that it helps me to feel much more relaxed on the plane and I’m even able to get some sleep (and I can’t usually sleep on planes), and I don’t feel as tired when I step off the plane.

Bose noise cancelling headphones are considered the best and their user reviews support this, however, they are very expensive. If you’re looking for something more affordable, then try the Sony noise cancelling headphones. They also get excellent reviews but are much cheaper. Both models feature active noise cancelling and the necessary airplane connections.

Maps

If you are planning on renting a car, don’t waste money hiring a GPS from the car rental company. You can use your phone or tablet to navigate by using Google Online Maps or Google’s free Offline Maps. Google Offline Maps allow you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WiFi, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Use this detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps.

Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so make sure you travel with a portable charger so you don’t get stranded. For easy navigating I also recommend you purchase a car phone mount holder.

Adaptor Plug

In Europe the standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. They use a European two round prong plug. If you don’t already live in a country that uses this plug type, then you are better off purchasing a worldwide adaptor that can be used in Ireland as well other countries. At least this way you can potentially get some further use out of it on future vacations as it can be used in over 150 countries and also comes with two USB ports. If you’re taking a number of electronics with you, then I would recommend purchasing a couple of these adaptors.

Portable Battery Charger

A portable battery charger is an essential item when you’re travelling, because using roaming and navigation can really run your phone down. This handy portable external battery charger can charge your phone, tablet, and any other USB chargeable device.

Compact Camera

A small, light camera that enables you to take high quality photos and videos of your fantastic vacation is a must. This Canon compact camera features 20.3 MP, 40x zoom with image stabilizer, wide angle lens and 4K video. It even includes built in Wifi that allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to remotely control the camera. Don’t forget to purchase a quality SD card that has the capacity for all your photos and videos as well as being fast enough capture full 4K video.

CLOTHING

Cardigan/Light Sweater

Depending on what part of Europe you are visiting, it’s good to take a cardigan/sweater in case it gets cool, particularly in the evenings and the northern areas.

Light Jacket

As I noted above, if you are planning on visiting the more northern regions of Europe, it can at times get cool, especially if it starts raining. I like the Helly Hansen Womens Kirkwall hooded raincoat because its lightweight, waterproof and windproof. I love that it comes in a range of colours and that it looks stylish for wearing out in the city.

Sundresses

I love to pack multiple knee length sundresses (I find long ones too hot). I typically take three dresses. They are great at rolling up small and are so versatile and cool to wear in hot weather. A sundress is also easy to wear over my bikini, especially if I’m doing a mix of sightseeing and beach time. Wearing a skirt makes it easy to change in and out of your bikini bottoms too if you don’t have access to changing rooms.

Bottoms and T-Shirts

I usually take two pairs of shorts with me and several t-shirts that are colour coordinated so I can wear any combination. I usually wear a pair of 3/4 or 7/8 crop pants on the plane as I usually find airports quite cool. They also come in handy if the weather turns cool.

Socks

I pack pairs of little ankle socks with me to wear with my comfortable walking shoes.

Underwear

I try not to take any heavy satin underwear with me as it doesn’t breath well. I take lighter materials such as lace, sheer, and cotton. I love wearing singlet tops with those built in shelf bras (I know not all ladies can wear these due to chest size) as they are comfy, cool, and cut down on the amount of bras I have to take with me.

Pashmina/Shawl

I always travel with a pashmina because they are just so versatile. Consequently, I have heaps of them in a range of colours. I use them as a scarf, as a shoulder wrap to keep me warm, or when I’m sitting up in bed, and as a blanket, especially when I’m travelling on the plane, bus or train or waiting in the departure lounge. I prefer a I prefer a wool and cashmere pashmina like this one, but for those you that don’t wear wool, then try this synthetic pashmina that has the soft feel of cashmere but is vegan friendly.

I also use mine in a rather odd way – I use it to cover my head when I’m trying to sleep on the plane. Yes, it looks a tad weird, but I prefer it to sleep masks. It makes me feel like I’m in my own little private room/space, and it doesn’t matter how weird my sleeping facial expressions become, or how much I drool, because no one can see me. When I first did this, my husband pretended not to know me, but 15 hours into our flight he was getting really tired and succumbed to my strange ways and ended up with the other end of the pashmina over his head. Needless to say, he’s now a convert.

FOOTWEAR

I save on weight and room by only taking these three items of footwear with me.

Tips

Make sure you break your sandals in before departing! Especially if your feet have just come out of winter, they haven’t ‘hardened’ for sandals and you’ll end up with blisters. Even if they are old sandals I wore last summer, I still wear them a few times to get my feet used to them again.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

The cobbled streets of historic European cities are really hard on your feet so you want comfortable shoes. It’s also going to be hot, so you want shoes that are made out of a lightweight, breathable material like the Superga womens Cotu Sneaker (worn by Kate Middleton). They come in a range of colours. I wear these shoes on my flight to save on luggage space.

Dressy Sandals

I love a pair of comfortable leather sandals in gold because they are so versatile and go with both a casual and dressy look. I also ensure they are comfortable so I can happily spend a day in them.

Flip Flops/Jandals

I like to take my Havaianas with me on holiday to wear on the beach as I don’t want to get my leather sandals wet and sandy as it can damage them. They are also handy to have if you are staying in accommodation with a shared bathroom to protect you from fungal foot infections.

BEACH ESSENTIALS

Water Shoes

Before heading off on holiday, check what kind of beach you are visiting. Most beaches in Europe are not the typical sandy ones I grew up with in New Zealand and Australia. Most of them are stoney. The stones can vary in size to quite large (like Nice beach in France) to little stones (like many of the Croatian beaches). I actually prefer the small stony beaches over sandy ones because I find it much easier to shake off all of the stones before leaving the beach. Sand really does get everywhere and follows you home. It always makes me laugh when I leave a sandy beach thinking I’ve managed to get most of it off, but then I pull off my bikini to get changed and inevitably end up with a little pile of sand at my feet.

The down side to the rocky beaches, particularly the larger stone ones, is that it is very painful to walk on, especially when you are in the water and your feet are wet and soft. When I was on the beach in Nice, France, I even struggled to get in and out of the water because there was a slope and it hurt my feet so bad to walk on the stones. I even left my jandals at the waters edge, but I still struggled to walk the two steps to get to them. This is why you will see everyone wearing water shoes in Europe. The good news is they are cheap and light, and pack down small.

Swimwear

If you have a beach/pool holiday planned, don’t forget your swimwear. I usually take two bikinis with me since I spend most of day in my bikini. That way I can wear one while the other is drying.

Travel Towel

A good travel towel is essential on a beach holiday. I love this travel towel because it packs up nice and small in my bag and dries quickly. It also doesn’t get smelly as it is antibacterial (if these microfibre towels aren’t antibacterial they get a real funky smell after a couple of uses. I ended up cutting my old one up to use as cleaning rags because it wasn’t antibacterial).

Sunhat

I’m constantly surprised to see how many people don’t wear a sunhat in summer, especially on the beach. I grew up in New Zealand and Australia, so we have sun safety drummed into us from a young age. Also, it really ages the skin which is not reversible! So go for a wide brim.

Sunglasses

Don’t forget to pack your sunnies and make sure they are sunsafe. When choosing your sunglasses, shop in a reputable store (knock-off’s are not to be trusted to provide UV protection) and look for those that provide 100% UV protection, or UV 400 protection. That means that the glasses protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB radiation. Check the laws for your country, for example, in Australia and New Zealand all sunglasses sold must be tested and clearly labelled according to the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles AS/NZS 1067.

Beach Bag

A beach bag is essential for lugging around beach gear. It’s also handy if you are going out shopping. I like this washable and waterproof beach bag that comes in a range of funky styles, has a zip closure, and some drink holders on the side.

ACCESSORIES

Sandwich Bags and Clips

I like to save money by packing a picnic lunch. If you are going on a beach holiday, then there are often remote beaches that may not have any services. So I take a few sandwich bags with me and some package clips for closing bags of crisps/nuts etc.

Stainless Steel Drink Bottle

Make sure you pack a water bottle to stay hydrated. I love this stainless steel drink bottle as I am trying to cut down on my use of plastics. This bottle is leak proof and insulated so keeps hot water hot and cold water cold.

Day Pack

A good quality, comfortable bag is handy to keep the things in that you want to access throughout the day. Especially if you are on a tour and your main bag is in the hold of the bus. I keep my water, snacks, sunscreen, camera, jacket and umbrella (if needed) in there. I love this Travelon day bag because not only is it stylish, it also has anti-theft features.

Compact Travel Umbrella

Europe generally has nice suny summers, but there’s always the chance it will rain. You want something light and compact, so this Kolumbo travel umbrella fits the bill.

Packing Cubes and Travel Laundry Bag

I don’t know about you, but if I don’t use these packing cubes, my suitcase becomes a jumbled mess. When I’m trying to find a particular item (which is always at the bottom of the bag), I’m like a dog digging for a bone and my bag ends up in utter chaos. These packing cubes are a great way to keep your suitcase organised and tidy, and they really do make it so much easier to find exactly what you need and fast.

I also use a travel laundry bag to keep my dirty clothes separate from the clean ones. I like this laundry bag because its not bulky. Also, it’s not transparent, so not embarrassing to carry to the launderette if you need to do some washing whilst on holiday.

Portable Pegless Travel Clothes Line

This portable, pegless clothes line will come in handy if you get caught out in the rain or if you need to do some washing during your trip. The fun part is figuring out where to attach it in your room!

Travel Sized Washing Detergent

Some hotels and hostels have washing machines available use. These travel laundry sheets make it easy to do a load of washing during your holiday. They take up very little room in your bag.

Inflatable Neck Pillow with Soft Cover

I never used to travel with a neck pillow because I hated the bulkiness of them and always thought that the inflatable ones looked uncomfortable. However, my Mother in law insisted that I borrow hers for a trip abroad. It was then I realised just how much comfort the right kind of neck pillow can provide, and I even managed to get some sleep on my flight. I was won over by how comfortable it was and ended up purchasing myself this inflatable neck pillow with soft outer cover. Being inflatable, you can inflate it as much or as little as you want, and the big valve on it makes this super easy (I can inflate it using only a few breaths). I particularly love the fluffy, soft cover, which not only makes it much more comfortable, but also more hygienic because I can easily remove it and throw it in the wash. Although it comes with its own carry case, I actually use the little side pocket to fold it up into itself.

Reusable Bag

Much of Europe is moving to ban or at least charge for plastic bags, so bring your own reusable one. I love this Baggu reusable shopping bag because it’s super lightweight, comes in a range of colours and cute prints, folds away into its own little compact bag, and can easily be thrown in the wash.

Cable Luggage Padlock

This padlock will not only keep your luggage secure, but is also handy if you’re planning on staying in a hostel (you usually need to provide your own padlock for the lockers that store your personal belongings). What I like about this cable luggage padlock is that it’s nice and light and the combination means you don’t have to scramble around looking for the key or risk losing it.

TOILETRIES

Sunscreen

Don’t forget some sunscreen as this can be surprisingly expensive in some parts of Europe. Check out my post on My Favourite Sunscreens for Face and Body This Summer. This Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch is a really good high protection sunscreen for both face and body. Its available in a range of strengths from 30+. I love that it dries matte and doesn’t leave a white cast. This one is great for those with oily skin.

Don’t forget your lips! When it comes to sun protection, most people forget about their lovely lips. I like this Banana Boat chapstick because it provides moisture as well as good broad spectrum sun coverage and is water resistant. It’s small size means it sits comfortably in my pocket for easy access throughout the day.

Mosquito Repellant

Most areas of Europe experience mosquitos during summer, so make sure you take some repellant with you. Go for a good quality bug spray like Avons SSS Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray. If you are trying to save on luggage space, then buy their popular combined insect repellent and sunscreen Avons Skin So Soft combined 30+ sunscreen with bug guard. It is Deet and PABA-Free and has moisturizing protection with aloe vera and vitamin E.

Pocket Tissues

I can’t write a post about what toiletries to pack without mentioning pocket tissues. Even when I’m not travelling, I never leave home without these pocket tissue packs stashed into the pockets of my bags and coats. As well as using them to blow your nose, they have multiple other uses when travelling, including as a napkin, for make-up emergencies, and those many situations where you find yourself in a loo with no toilet paper!

Face Wipes

I always travel with a pack of wipes. Not only do they remove the daily grime and makeup from my face, but I also use them to clean my hands and nails when I don’t have access to good facilities to wash my hands (one of the challenges when travelling). They are also a great way to ‘freshen up’ when you are doing long haul travel and don’t have access to a shower. I love using RAWGANIC wipes as they are 99% natural and 100% biodegradable. Check out my post where I Review the Best Biodegradable Eco Friendly Face Wipes on the Market.

Travel Containers

These GoToobs might be on the slightly pricier side, but they are definitely worth it as you will get years of use out of them. These GoToobs meet airline carry on regulations for liquids and are food-safe (FDA) and 100% BPA and PC-free. The no-drip valve stops them from getting messy and the squeezy tube design makes it easy to get the product out.

The makers of GoToob also make really clever little storage containers called GoTubbs which can be opened one-handed. GoTubbs are great for storing jewellery, pills, and thick ointment. However, for liquids use the GoToobs as these containers aren’t very leak proof.

Further Travel Tips

Check out my other travel tip posts:

• If you are aiming to travel light, especially if you are travelling with hand luggage only or are backpacking, then check out my post on How to Pack an Extra Light Toiletry Bag.
• Whether you are trying to sleep on the plane, bus, train or an uncomfortable hotel room, read my Secrets to Sleeping Well Whilst Travelling.
• Here are my top tips for How to Deal with Laundry While on Holiday.
• If you have IBS, then read about My Tips for Travelling with IBS.
• If you are on a long haul flight, read my post What I Pack in My Hand Luggage for a Comfortable Long Haul Flight.