Packing

Hi everyone,

I am foreign national and a US permanent resident. So I need a Schengen Visa for my 5 week backpacking trip this summer to Spain, France and Italy. I will be spending the maximum amount of time in Italy.

I post a lot on another travel forum that also covers money issues, and thought I’d pass along some of those tips to fellow Eurotrippers.

As more and more merchants in Europe adopt the pin+chip card technology, US cardholders with the older magnetic-strip debit and credit cards can face hassles trying to pay for things. Although merchants displaying Mastercard or Visa logos are, in theory, supposed to accept your card, in practice, they don’t always — because they don’t know how to handle it (improper training), don’t want to put forth the effort, or have been trained not to take them.

Does anyone know of a good online organizer?

Something I can use to make packing lists, a gear list, a budget organizer, things like that.

Hi Everyone,

Needing your advice as I’m a first timer!
I really like the look of using the packing cubes. Any input on those?

Also have any of you ever used the wire bag protecters to lock up your bags?
Here’s a link to a picture http://www.mec.ca/AS…
Is it worth carrying around, using, ect?
I’ll be travelling alone and wondering what you do with your pack while you go on day trips?

I had some general questions regarding buying a backpack to use during my 3 week backpacking trip through Europe.

To start off, I’m a 6“1 and 220 lbs guy. I can support a large pack for a formidable amount of time.

I’m not a heavy packer, but above average. I have a few questions about size/frame/detach-ability.

First, I will not be checking a bag so I will be using this pack as my carry-on. I know there are certain size restrictions with carry-ons, but I have seen some packs that detach in multiple spots to become smaller packs/ fanny-packs etc.

I’ve been using Skype on my Itouch and downloaded the app onto my Samsung Vibrant 2.1 Galaxy S android only to find my version of the phone is not compatible with it.

I don’t want to take my Itouch just to use for calls as I won’t be making too many and i’m afraid it may get stolen and I don’t want to waste money on buying multiple sims with minutes I won’t be able to use up.

Does anyone know which one of the other free calling services like Skype will work well if i’m moviing around Europe? Will apps like Fring work the same?

So, I’m going to be studying abroad in Rome, Italy this fall for college, and I’m already thinking about what to pack. Does anyone know if there is anything I can get cheaper in Rome than I can in the U.S.? If I know I can get something like cheaper toiletries, makeup, or basic cooking supplies or something I can leave them out of my luggage to pick up in Rome— and I’m hoping to squeeze everything I’ll need for 5 months into 2 suitcases and a carry-on, so every item counts!

I hope someone has some insight on this. Thanks for your help!