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General Travel Tips and Advice Have you traveled before?- Please share your tips and advice with fellow Tpunks!

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Old 01-16-2004, 01:09 PM   #1
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ok so i just joined the travelpunk crew and i am leaving in 4 days to study in italy for five months and i have no flipping clue on what in the hell i need to pack. i got hiking boots and my camera! what are some other good packing hints? like cold weather gear? what to i wear to go out drinking and not look like a slob while getting sloppy?

oh yeah i have like ten days before classes where can i travel to dive right into the culture

thanks
CT
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Old 01-16-2004, 06:01 PM   #2
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Where in Italy are you staying???

I have checked the weather in a few Italian cities and it look like the nights are very cool, some cities ( Venice) are as low as 4C right now. So I would bring some gear to keep you warm in the evenings. WHen the warmer weather somes, you can mail some of your cloths home regular post, that saves you from having to lug them with you, or carry them back with you.

Don't forget to get any perscriptions you might need at home, it just saves you some hastle of having to go to an Italian Dr. to get new ones. Same with glasses perscription, keep a copy of that with you if it applies.

To go out drinking and not look like a travel bum ( like I always do), bring kakies and a dress shirt, that should tide you over for a couple nights out, you might have to spring for a new shirt or 2 while your there. I am more of a cargo/t-shirt kinda guy.

Earplugs for the plane ride, aswell as nights where you might be sleeping in hostels or with a flat mate. Travel sewing kit, I did not think I was going to need one of these either, until I ripped a pair of pants and had to use it ( thanks mom)

Your normal clths and stuf of course, socks underwear and what not.

Condoms, I think your a guy, but even if your not, you do not want any unsuspection proplems after a night of drinking that leads into a torid night..(wink, wink, nudge nudge)

hmmm, some of my favs...baby wipes and hand sanitizer, just hand to have.

Thats what I can think of now anyway, I am sure others will add stuff as well...

Oh Ya, to the boards, glad to have you along for da ride!!!
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Old 01-17-2004, 07:31 AM   #3
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Hey CT, welcome to the boards! Wow, you're leaving in 4 days, that's great! (w/ a hint of jealously... ) Hmmm... since you're going to Italy to study and live, instead of backpacking the whole time, I think your preparations would be a bit different than that of a regular backpacker. If you have time, you may want to get an Italy guidebook (let's go or lonely planet), especially if this will be your first time traveling there. Of course, you'll meet a lot of people who will give you info., but the guidebook is a safe backdrop sometimes when you're trying to figure out where to go, how to get there, and where to stay, last minute! Also, you may want to get a single country Europass or Italy Interrail pass for your traveling during the 10 days before your program starts or for inbetween travels. You can get this at a local STA Council travel agency, plus don't forget your student card for discount in all major entrance locations. Finally, my experience is that Italy is fairly developed, so you don't need really, really heavy duty hiking shoes, especially if you won't be camping. Just a sturdy pair of comfortable walking shoes, maybe one that can take you day into evening should suffice, if you have the room, take a pair of sneakers. Hope this helps, have a great time, and keep in touch!
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Old 01-18-2004, 02:51 AM   #4
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CT, WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!

I can't really add much to what our comrades have already mentioned, other than they're right on track.
here was my list of things that I packed on my month long trip to Western Europe a couple of summers ago- packing list.

The khakis are a good addition to your list as was the tip on a dress/casual shirt. There will be times where you'll want to do some fine dining, just for the experience. These clothes will also give you a little more style when hitting up night clubs, as for the most part, Europeans are pretty fashionable. The grunge look isn't as common there as it is here. In fact, I was surprised to see so many people in France and Spain wearing IZOD (with the little alligator on their shirts) and tight jeans, as opposed to the baggy jeans, t shirt, and untucked flannel/casual/denim shirt hanging out look that's so common in the US.

You can always buy what you need there. Then you can come home and say that you got those clothes in Europe . I bought a nice pair of black, square toe, dress shoes in Amsterdam three years ago, that I still wear 4-5 days a week now!

Bring a warm jacket or, again, buy one there. Other than that, just make sure that you have enough underwear and socks to last you so you won't have to do laundry more than once a week. Your pant's and shirts should be okay for a couple of wears before you need to wash them. However, they do smoke heavily in European countries so maybe you're clothes are only good for one outing before you'd have to throw them in the spin cycle .

Make sure you talk with other backpackers to get the skinny on each city, first hand. They're your best source B)

Have a great time and, trust your insticts, and use the force...you'll feel it when your mind is open to it

Arrivaderci!
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