Embarking on your first trip to Europe? Congratulations are in order! That’s exciting & a huge accomplishment! But you may be wondering what to expect… or what to pack… or what things you NEED to know before you head to the airport.

As an experienced traveler- I’m here to tell you a few things you probably won’t read elsewhere.

1. You don’t need to pack nearly as much as you think you do. There. I said it. What you DO need to pack are comfortable walking shoes, versatile pieces, and things that can be mix & matched. No one will know if you’ve re-worn those jeans.
   And if you’re traveling during the Summer, you need to pack clothing that will cover your shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites.
   
2. Take a photo of your passport & identification before you set off. Why? Well… it happens. Passports get lost. If this happens to you, having a photo of your passport can sometimes expedite a new one at your destination’s embassy office.
   
3. Call your cell phone provider. Inquire if your current plan will provide international coverage. International plans are essential for traveling abroad. You don’t want to get stuck not being able to contact your transfer company if required. Ensure your plan will be activate as soon as you step off the plane.
   Note: recently there have been lots of questions about eSims. As someone who has personally tried the eSim situation multiple times, I have found them to be inconvenient and sometimes difficult.
   
4. Call your bank. Let them know you will be traveling internationally. If they need to place a flag on your account, a note, whatever- have them do it!
   
5. Look at the electrical items you are planning on taking. Adapters & converters are 2 very different items but the terms are thrown about and used interchangeable (and incorrectly).
   An adapter literally adapts the plug to fit into the socker.
   A converter literally converts the electricity.
   Europe uses a higher voltage. So, if your American hair tools are not equipped to handle the higher voltage current, they will break as soon as you plug them in and turn them on. You will not want to carry around a converter (they are expensive and can be super heavy), so if it isn’t build for the higher voltage, leave it at home!
   Typically, laptops and cell phones are totally fine. It’s the hair tools, hair dryers, etc. that really need to be checked out.