Hello! We are getting closer and closer to our trip to Italy…I remember when our classroom countdown was over 200 days! Now we are approaching 20 days! Thanks to all of our choir families that submitted their best travel tips. Here is an edited version of what we received—
If you lose electronics on the plane, tell a flight attendant immediately. Someone might take your electronics and slip them in their bag. They are less likely to do so when a flight attendant specifically asks people to look under their seats for a lost item.
Though you want to look nice and fit in, consider bringing your oldest socks, underwear and t-shirts. After you wear them, throw them away. You can lighten your load as you travel and make room for souvenirs!
Roll your clothes in the suitcase instead of laying them flat. You’ll get a lot more clothes in your suitcase. But, be careful of the weight!
Bring a small travel pillow for the bus and plane. Get those extra naps in whenever you can!
Bring a travel umbrella and/or a coat with a hood.
It is possible to do laundry in the hotel room sink if you have just a little detergent. But, check the itinerary…we might not always be in the hotel long enough for something to dry!
Anything that requires extra batteries—buy them in the USA!
Most beverages will be served without ice. You might want to practice drinking warm soda.
Have a pen in your carry-on bag. You’ll have to fill out immigration/customs paperwork.
Consider a portable charging source for iPods, iPads, so on. This is especially important on a long flight!
A travel vest might be a good idea for the airport. All of your important things can be stashed carefully in the pockets. When you go through security, unzip the vest and place it in the bin. No need to empty all of your pockets!
Pack less rather than more. You’d be surprised what you can do without.
Bring layers of clothes. Replace your inner most layers. Rewear your outer most layers. Pack only clothes that match each other so you can keep creating new combinations.
Comfortable shoes are a must! Bring two pairs of shoes that you can rotate.
Watch out for pick-pockets. They work in teams—one distracts you (singing, sob story, so on) while the others skillfully get into your pocket!
Wear your purse/bag in a way so that it is in front of you…not behind you or on the side. Otherwise, it could easily be sliced open and pick-pocketed. Consider safety pinning the zipper to your purse. It might be a pain for you…but it will deter pick pockets.
Really make sure to ALWAYS have some Euros on hand, for whatever reason your credit card and/or debit card may not work or be accepted at places. Also, American Express was often NOT a card that was accepted, we had better luck with Visa or Master Card.
Do not use debit if you don't have to. The reason is that debit as you know comes
directly out of your checking/savings, and many banks can take weeks to months to
finalize and refund any fraudulent activity. As such, you could be out of money, while out
of the country.
I've seen people on international trips bring very comfortable clothes to change into after take-off and then change back to street clothes before landing.
Pack wipes and tooth brush to use before landing to freshen up.
Drink lots of water on the flight and avoid soda.
Bring soft jacket or item for head rest during flight.
Use different colored tags on luggage to pick out quickly. Too many pieces of black luggage out there! Sometime people use colored string or ties.
I've always found that knowing basic greetings in the country's language help locals warm up to us. Hello, Good Bye, Please, Thank You, Do you speak English? and Where is the bathroom? are good starts!
Nothing is given to you for free. If someone tries to hand you something (roses, woven bracelets, pictures, jewelry) give a polite but firm "no, thank you" and walk away.
Try to get on their time as soon as possible...resist the urge to get some sleep during daylight hours.
Carefully look at your money...get familiar with the Euro as soon as possible.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Stay in the main area.
