I scanned the following from the April ’04 issue of National Geographic Adventure Magazine. It was written by Doug Lansky, a Rough Guide author. If you want the complete six-page guide, I suggest you go out and get this issue. It’s well worth it.

http://www.kahunna.n…
http://www.kahunna.n…

I agree with almost everything there, but I think a few small things should be modified for European travel:

* If you’re an American, leave your drivers license at home. You don’t need it and you don’t want to go through the hell of visiting the DMV when you come home if you lose it.

* He suggest "10 extra color passport photos". Unless you’re planning to travel around the world, you won’t need 10. Five color headshots printed on regular paper with an inkjet printer worked well for me.

* He also suggests that you bring $100 in local currency. Well, unless you’re going to Eastern Europe or the UK, "local currency" will be the Euro. $100 in Euro is most likely a good amount to have with you before you leave, but wait until you get to non-Euro countries before getting their local currency. And unless you plan on spending a week or more in any country east of Germany, you won’t need $100 worth of local currency with you. In Romania, $100 is the average salary for two weeks of work. If you do get that much, make sure not to keep it all in one place on your body.

* In the "Money Matters" sidebar, he talks about how to protect your valuables. Ironically though, he has a picture of a girl wearing a small backpack (probably her daypack). The problem with having a small backpack as a daypack is that your bag is susceptible to thieves unzipping or cutting open pockets and taking your stuff. If you want to protect your valuables, I reccommend getting a one-strap messenger bag. It hangs comfortably at your side under your arm, which is the best place to keep an eye on it and away from pickpocketers. I just picked up a medium[url=‘http://www.timbuk2.com/’]Timbuk2[/url] bag from REI for about $70 for my upcoming trip to Europe.

* On the "Macguyver Kit" list, he suggests a lighter. I’d take a few boxes of waterproof matches instead. Matches don’t leak and make your bag smell like lighter fluid.

Hope this advice helps,
Happy Travels!
~Kahunna