Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 24, 2014 14:29:00 GMT -5
Lunch is over, I'll respond to more when I can
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 14:31:29 GMT -5
Apple, depending on where you're sight-seeing, some places like churches may require you to cover your head or your shoulders (if applicable). A lightweight scarf can be a great way to be ready to do either. And they help dress up a plain shirt that's been worn a lot on one trip.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 24, 2014 23:47:38 GMT -5
I usually have two pairs of shoes. One good, supportive, comfortable walking shoe for most of the trip (which I wear on the plane), and a lighter shoe that can be worn with a skirt or in warmer or beachy weather. It'd depend on the weather, of course, but I never bring more than 2-3 pairs on any trip anywhere. so you don't work out on vacation? you wouldn't wear winter boots on a plane would you? Just packing for a week-long business trip I need heels for work day, flats for going to dinner, sneakers for working out and then slipper for the hotel room. the flats I would wear for flying but the rest have to be packed. I don't "work out" on vacation. I spend 90% of the day on my feet, I can eat anything and at most, I'll gain two pounds, most times I lose weight. If I feel like I can't move, I had a good day Hotel room, I wear socks, no slippers. I'll wear the heavier pair of shoes on the flight, and stuff the packed shoes with anything semi-breakable to take up less space and add extra protection for the item. I've taken a bag and filled it with socks/underwear and then crammed it into the shoes as well. DS has HUGE feet, so lots of room would be wasted if I didn't do that.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 25, 2014 0:31:03 GMT -5
tskeeter -- I love buying clothes on vacation. I have an awesome Peacoat from London and a gorgeous wool sweater from Ireland. And, of course, some souvenir shirts--Guinness, "I survived the Underground", etc. Favorite wearable souvenir so far is the "medallion" necklace I got after going to Gladiator School. It's probably 90% lead, but it looks cool. Malarky (malarky) -- I am SOOOO envious! That would be an awesome trip. The clothing Milee mentioned was Exofficio, and, while I didn't find that brand on ebay, I was able to find a cute dress on ebay that is made for travel. I never would have thought to look there. I also found Exofficio underwear on amazon discounted because they are the ugly colors. I won't be trying to look sexy for anyone on this trip, so ugly color is fine, it just has to fit right. And, yes, I'm the one doing the "no shampoo thing". It's been over two years now and I can't see myself ever going back. I've hated my hair for so many years, and it's finally soft (and I can run my fingers through it!) It's also super easy to take care of. I'll probably make a little baking soda paste and put it in a tiny jar--just loose powder in a baggy might look funny. I'll put some vinegar in a hotel shampoo bottle and call it good. I can dilute everything in a cup when I go to use it. Blonde Granny (blonde granny)-- I'm going for the "hot mess" rather than bag lady look Rocky Mtn Saver (rocky) -- no mall here, but a "test drive" will be done. I'll probably pick a trail and make sure I can hike around with the bag for a few hours, IN an outfit and shoes I'm going to wear as well. Even though it will cut into some of the packing room, I want to use a convertible "rolling backpack" for one of the bags. Last time we traveled, we each had a rolling bag and I was able to strap the extra bag to the top so we didn't have to lug it on our backs. This time, I'll have the rolling bag and I can put the other carryon bag on top when that is an option, then neither of us has to pack one on our back. Also, I had not thought of the church aspect of a scarf. I always have sleeves (haven't worn a tank top in a long time), but if my head needs covered... Maybe I'll find one early in the trip. I know in Rome, there were all kinds of street vendors selling them everywhere. cael -- "my razor with solid shave soap built into it"... Where did you find this? Razors are one thing I'm wondering if it would just be better to buy a pack of disposables there. I really need to find out if they are allowed in carry-on. Toiletries will also be light for me, a small bar of soap (in case a hotel doesn't have any) and deodorant are the only things I 100% require. The Walk of the Penguin Mich -- seriously keep mentioning brands for footwear! I really like a couple of the Mephisto shoes, but SO expensive. Are they worth it? Do they last? I also refuse to take any footwear I couldn't walk in all day. If I could find a super comfy pair of "granny boots" with good tread, I'd be set, they'd look good with the dress. Lizard Queen -- I like the detachable part of that bag, but am looking at this one travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=507 It's a wheeled backpack, but about 2 lbs lighter. I think every ounce is going to count on this trip. A coworker got one and really liked it.
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 25, 2014 7:36:14 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2014 8:17:05 GMT -5
You'll be in Europe! No need to shave!!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 25, 2014 8:18:30 GMT -5
I'm a little surprised Rick Steves sells a wheeled backpack, because he used to be really against them due to their added weight. But FWIW, I do prefer having the alternatives to use it either as a backpack or a wheelie. I get tired of carrying it on my back, especially toward the end of my trips. But, it's really nice when you're staring at a hilltop town in Italy, being able to wear it as a backpack up the many, many stairs is a lifesaver!
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 25, 2014 11:11:22 GMT -5
We're going to be hitting the beach at least one day in Ghana.... so I will need to shave. LOL.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 25, 2014 11:32:06 GMT -5
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 25, 2014 11:32:36 GMT -5
We're going to be hitting the beach at least one day in Ghana.... so I will need to shave. LOL. cael: this is a service trip to Ghana, correct?
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 25, 2014 11:34:16 GMT -5
Yup it's a volunteer trip! We'll be spending about a week in a village then doing touristy things the last few days. It's not through MIT, but our trip leader runs this lab and works on projects over there (and elsewhere) all the time: d-lab.mit.edu/
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 25, 2014 11:38:32 GMT -5
I care more about bags, and clothes, than a normal straight man should. I'm not sure I would want to fit 5 weeks worth of whatnot into a carry on unless I was certain that laundry facilities were up to snuff.
Also, "carry on" has a much broader meaning depending on the permissiveness of the airline. I thought that regulation size for European airlines was 21". Your packing potential for that kind of bag, vs. one of those enormous backpacks is quite different.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 25, 2014 11:41:25 GMT -5
Okay, true confessions time: I am GRG and I am a "bring all the comforts from home" kind of traveller. I'm not necessarily high maintenance -- I just like to try and make hotel rooms feel a little more like no one else has ever slept there (and sprayed bodily fluids around the room). BUUUUTTTT, that said, I have been on enough road trips in recent years that I am getting MUCH better. I just did a 10 day road trip during an arctic vortex (think: snow boots, heavier clothes, and many necessary layers) with EVERYTHING fitting in one large suitcase. I can also do a 3 day road trip to a lacrosse tournament with just a rolling carry-on size bag. This all means that I have had to teach myself to leave my own pillow and a favorite, comforting, twin-sized comforter at home. I learned how to do it and I have survived!!! So, this "5 weeks with just a carry-on" idea is both really intriguing and seemingly utterly impossible at the same time. I'm going to want pictures next year when you finally have it all sorted out and packed.
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justme
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Post by justme on Mar 25, 2014 11:59:07 GMT -5
You'd most likely need a Windows tablet. Some Android tablets let you use an SD card (either through a slot or a USB port that you can attach a reader too) but most don't have any more storage than an SD card so you'd need an external HD to put your photos on and the only tablets that support that are Windows.
Your other option is to just buy several large capacity SD cards and deal with the photos when you get home.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 25, 2014 12:01:18 GMT -5
I care more about bags, and clothes, than a normal straight man should. I'm not sure I would want to fit 5 weeks worth of whatnot into a carry on unless I was certain that laundry facilities were up to snuff. Also, "carry on" has a much broader meaning depending on the permissiveness of the airline. I thought that regulation size for European airlines was 21". Your packing potential for that kind of bag, vs. one of those enormous backpacks is quite different. Nah, you can get around that problem with expandable bags and empty duffels in the bottom of your carry-on!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 25, 2014 12:02:10 GMT -5
You'd most likely need a Windows tablet. Some Android tablets let you use an SD card (either through a slot or a USB port that you can attach a reader too) but most don't have any more storage than an SD card so you'd need an external HD to put your photos on and the only tablets that support that are Windows. Your other option is to just buy several large capacity SD cards and deal with the photos when you get home. My brother-in-law uploaded his vacation pics to the cloud while on a cruise ship, then re-used his card.
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justme
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Post by justme on Mar 25, 2014 12:05:08 GMT -5
You'd most likely need a Windows tablet. Some Android tablets let you use an SD card (either through a slot or a USB port that you can attach a reader too) but most don't have any more storage than an SD card so you'd need an external HD to put your photos on and the only tablets that support that are Windows. Your other option is to just buy several large capacity SD cards and deal with the photos when you get home. My brother-in-law uploaded his vacation pics to the cloud while on a cruise ship, then re-used his card. Ah yes, that's the other option. I'm guessing finding wifi in Europe would be easy enough. Though with the few cloud services I have I'd have to pay extra money for more storage since for free I only have ~4GB on Dropbox and ~8GB on SkyDrive. Maybe there's another that has more space for free or I suppose uploaded to something like Flickr.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Mar 25, 2014 13:11:39 GMT -5
I'm a little surprised Rick Steves sells a wheeled backpack, because he used to be really against them due to their added weight. But FWIW, I do prefer having the alternatives to use it either as a backpack or a wheelie. I get tired of carrying it on my back, especially toward the end of my trips. But, it's really nice when you're staring at a hilltop town in Italy, being able to wear it as a backpack up the many, many stairs is a lifesaver! Yeah, Rick's perspective on things has changed a bit as he's gotten older. He is more wlling to recognize the value of some of the creature comforts of things like the wheeled convertable suitcase/backpack he's been selling for the past few years. Some of his perspective shift might also reflect that many places in Europe have gotten more friendly to those of us that don't have the mobility of a 20 year old any more. More ramps, fewer steps, fewer really rough streets make roll aboard styles of luggage more suitable, even when they weigh a bit more. Even so, I remember son Andy observing in some of his writings a few years ago,that as the years have gone by, his Dad seemed to be upgrading his travel style. Fewer very economical hostels and more comfortable, but still budget, hotel rooms. Fewer picnic meals and the addition of some fine dining to his travel experiences. Less emphasis on simply cheap and an increased focus on deriving value from your travel dollar expenditure, such as increased use of knowledgable local guides to enrich your learning and travel experience.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 25, 2014 14:24:26 GMT -5
If I were young, I'd travel like he does just for the sake of traveling. At my age and the money DF is spending on us to go to Italy, I'm not traveling like a hostel college kid. As it is I'm unhappy about the flights and seats.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Mar 25, 2014 14:58:07 GMT -5
I think the point is the size of the bag so even if it was carry-on sized you could still check it due to the toiletries which is what I do (free on international flights). I could easily do 5 weeks in a carry-on bag. Once you learn how to pack efficiently (think rolling instead of folding) you can really squeeze a lot in a smaller bag. Make sure to bring well coordinated clothes, wear your bulkiest stuff on the plane and plan to have laundry done. Good reminder about wearing bulky stuff on the plane. I usually make sure to wear my jacket on the plane (for warmth too!) and my biggest sneakers/shoes. But as for rolling... I haven't found rolling to be all that great. I've tried it in various ways based on how-to stuff on the internet, but it's never made my clothes smaller or pack better. I must still be doing it wrong, but I don't know how. Sigh. I saw a packing method that involved laying each item in the bag on top of each other and then folding it over on top of itself. I know I'm not explaining it right but googling how to pack efficiently might come up with some ideas.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Mar 25, 2014 15:00:40 GMT -5
If I were young, I'd travel like he does just for the sake of traveling. At my age and the money DF is spending on us to go to Italy, I'm not traveling like a hostel college kid. As it is I'm unhappy about the flights and seats. We sprung for first/business class to go to Rome last year. Our flight was cancelled on the way back and they tried to stick me in coach and told me I could get a refund. I told them to forget it....find me a first class seat. I have back issues. I wasn't sitting in coach for 9+ hours.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 25, 2014 15:42:07 GMT -5
I'm a little surprised Rick Steves sells a wheeled backpack, because he used to be really against them due to their added weight. But FWIW, I do prefer having the alternatives to use it either as a backpack or a wheelie. I get tired of carrying it on my back, especially toward the end of my trips. But, it's really nice when you're staring at a hilltop town in Italy, being able to wear it as a backpack up the many, many stairs is a lifesaver! Yeah, Rick's perspective on things has changed a bit as he's gotten older. He is more wlling to recognize the value of some of the creature comforts of things like the wheeled convertable suitcase/backpack he's been selling for the past few years. Some of his perspective shift might also reflect that many places in Europe have gotten more friendly to those of us that don't have the mobility of a 20 year old any more. More ramps, fewer steps, fewer really rough streets make roll aboard styles of luggage more suitable, even when they weigh a bit more. Even so, I remember son Andy observing in some of his writings a few years ago,that as the years have gone by, his Dad seemed to be upgrading his travel style. Fewer very economical hostels and more comfortable, but still budget, hotel rooms. Fewer picnic meals and the addition of some fine dining to his travel experiences. Less emphasis on simply cheap and an increased focus on deriving value from your travel dollar expenditure, such as increased use of knowledgable local guides to enrich your learning and travel experience. I've also noticed (to my amusement) that Rick's perspective on travel has changed. While his books still list the economical hostels, he lists more upscale places to stay. At one of his travel seminars in 2012, he was talking about Venice and said, "You really should take a canal ride. Yes, it's expensive, but it's like your high school prom. Everyone should do it once"... I think it's a factor that his audience is aging with him. Middle aged people have more money to spend on travel and can afford more creature comforts. I've told DH that I am done flying coach on flights more than 6 hrs long. So I'll fly coach domestically, but when it comes to 10 hr flights (or longer) we are flying business class or premium economy. I'm too old and get too stiff and it takes me longer to recover.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 25, 2014 15:42:37 GMT -5
That was just an example, since it looks like Columbia doesn't make the same one I got anymore. Really liked the detachable day pack. The link you have didn't work for me, but it sounds like you have a good option.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 25, 2014 15:46:03 GMT -5
No, just a vacation with a xBF who, despite making 6 figures at the time, prided himself on travelling as cheaply as possible. Very memorable taxi rides--10 people squeezed into a small sedan, for example.
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Lizard King
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Post by Lizard King on Mar 25, 2014 15:49:43 GMT -5
My uncle did fifteen years with just a fetching orange jumpsuit.
You probably don't want to emulate him, though.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 25, 2014 16:24:49 GMT -5
The price for business class was obscene and he wouldn't do it. $800 vs 4 k
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Mar 25, 2014 16:29:47 GMT -5
Yeah, Rick's perspective on things has changed a bit as he's gotten older. He is more wlling to recognize the value of some of the creature comforts of things like the wheeled convertable suitcase/backpack he's been selling for the past few years. Some of his perspective shift might also reflect that many places in Europe have gotten more friendly to those of us that don't have the mobility of a 20 year old any more. More ramps, fewer steps, fewer really rough streets make roll aboard styles of luggage more suitable, even when they weigh a bit more. Even so, I remember son Andy observing in some of his writings a few years ago,that as the years have gone by, his Dad seemed to be upgrading his travel style. Fewer very economical hostels and more comfortable, but still budget, hotel rooms. Fewer picnic meals and the addition of some fine dining to his travel experiences. Less emphasis on simply cheap and an increased focus on deriving value from your travel dollar expenditure, such as increased use of knowledgable local guides to enrich your learning and travel experience. I've also noticed (to my amusement) that Rick's perspective on travel has changed. While his books still list the economical hostels, he lists more upscale places to stay. At one of his travel seminars in 2012, he was talking about Venice and said, "You really should take a canal ride. Yes, it's expensive, but it's like your high school prom. Everyone should do it once"... I think it's a factor that his audience is aging with him. Middle aged people have more money to spend on travel and can afford more creature comforts. I've told DH that I am done flying coach on flights more than 6 hrs long. So I'll fly coach domestically, but when it comes to 10 hr flights (or longer) we are flying business class or premium economy. I'm too old and get too stiff and it takes me longer to recover. We did the Rick Steves Rome tour. I think the tour was about $4400 of the close to $15K the trip cost. Granted, the airfare was a big chunk of that, but we still spent a lot for things not covered by the tour that were not particularly extravagant.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 25, 2014 16:31:09 GMT -5
...:::"Your other option is to just buy several large capacity SD cards and deal with the photos when you get home.":::...
I vote for this. The cloud option is attractive too, although whether or not you'll have WiFi (or WLAN as it seems to be called over there) is another matter.
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aprilleigh
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Post by aprilleigh on Mar 25, 2014 16:59:15 GMT -5
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 25, 2014 18:16:31 GMT -5
We did the Rick Steves Rome tour. I think the tour was about $4400 of the close to $15K the trip cost. Granted, the airfare was a big chunk of that, but we still spent a lot for things not covered by the tour that were not particularly extravagant. What did you think of the tour? Good value? We are looking at the Talln, Helsinki, St Petersburg tour in 2015 and combining that with a river cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow at the end of the RS tour.
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