European vacation packing tips

Italian lemons!

Vacation packing tips for Europe

• Compare airfare on several sites for a while before purchasing tickets e.g. on cheaptickets.com

• Fly into one city and out of another to save yourself a train ride at the end of the trip   

• Make copies of all travel documents and store copies in at least two different places

• Buy local currency before departing or upon arrival for transportation, gratuities, meals, transfers

• Consider getting short term travel insurance

• Buy train tickets 2-3 days in advance of holiday weekends

• Pack extra camera memory cards and charger

• Upload complete itinerary in case baggage is lost

• Only pack comfortable shoes and lightweight clothing that will dry easily overnight

• Check local weather conditions and travel alerts for your destination(s)

• Purchase an international phone card before departing, store information/number in travel pouch

• Keep a journal of travel memories, favorite places visited and new friend contacts

• Buy postcards at grocery or discount stores instead of street vendors

• Bring a list of addresses and pre printed address labels for sending postcards

• Pack light, roll up clothes to take up less space, and prepare a carry on bag one week ahead (this size fits overhead bin  9" × 22" × 14")

• Bring an extra travel pouch or day pack for walking tours, hiking, outdoor activities

• Once you arrive locate a laundry mat or ask hotel about in house laundry service

• Hotels will usually store luggage and documents for you

• Other items to pack: insect repellent, small flashlight, toiletries, dry shampoo, laundry detergent,   luggage lock, earplugs, eye mask, stain remover wipes, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, medicines, vitamins, plastic bags, travel pillow, sewing kit, mini pack of tissues, glasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, travel alarm clock, day pack, note paper and pens, travel size air freshener for linens/pillows, jacket, scarf, hat, sun visor, sunscreen, flip flops, small towel/washcloth, poncho or small umbrella

• If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, report it immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A consul can issue a replacement passport, often within 24 hours. Links to contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates may be found at http://usembassy.state.gov.  More information is available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1197.html.  

 Visit our Youtube channel for upcoming tours and promos Travel - 2013 Tours of Europe

Italy for the love of summer frills

Italian market - tomato varieties

There are places in Italy that have small town charm ever inviting travelers back with memorable warm hospitality. This is a guaranteed travel frill that can not be found in a brochure or redesigned any time of year. And then there are the tomatoes that have been the thread of Italian culture and cuisine forever. Once when travel was less cumbersome you could bring back a tomato with the vine attached. You could even pick a token of fennel growing wild on the side of the road where the cows wandered outside of their pasture. The Mama Leone Italian tomato is as authentic as it gets. A great tomato used mostly for fresh summer sauces and making paste for the rest of the year. It is an heirloom tomato that was brought from Italy to New York. With this recipe below you can create a popular Tuscan salad known for its use of tomatoes.  

Panzanella*, is a Tuscan salad combining oil, basil, vinegar, tomatoes, cucumber, minced onion, and stale Italian bread soaked in water, then squeezed dry. Mamma mia!

*Italian, from pane ‘bread’ + zanella ‘small basket’

www.hitherandthitheradventures.com