Every piece of clothing you bring should complement every other item or have at least two uses (e.g., sandals double as slippers, a scarf as a shoulder wrap).

Tops: Bring two or three T-shirts (or buy overseas), one or two short-sleeved blouses, and one or two long-sleeved shirts. Long-sleeved shirts with sleeves that roll up can double as short-sleeved shirts.

Pants and shorts: Dark-colored pants don’t show dirt or wrinkles. If you bring shorts, one pair is probably enough, ideal for staying cool in a resort town or your hotel room. Few European women wear shorts. To avoid stares, consider bringing a pair of Capri pants instead.

Shoes: Bring one pair of comfortable walking shoes. European women don’t wear a lot of sneakers so if you want to fit in, consider another type of shoe. For a second pair, consider sandals or dark leather flats. Before you leave home, walk several miles in any footwear you’ll be taking to be sure they’re broken in.

Socks, underwear, pajamas, and swimsuit: Fast drying is the key because wash and wear makes for less packing. Cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100-percent cotton, which loses its softness when air-dried. Try silk, microfiber, or stretch lace underwear, which breathe more than nylon. Bring at least two bras (what if you leave one hanging over your shower rail by accident?). A sports bra can double as a hiking/sunning top. Shorts or lightweight pajama bottoms with a T-shirt will get you modestly to the bathroom down the hall. You don’t need a bikini to try sunbathing topless on European beaches — local women with one-piece bathing suits just roll down the top.

Jacket: Neutral colors (black, beige, navy) look more European than bright colors.

Accessories: Scarves give your limited wardrobe just the color it needs. They dress up your outfit, are lightweight and easy to pack, and, if purchased in Europe, make a great souvenir. Sleeveless vests and button-up cardigans can be worn alone or mixed-and-matched with other clothes to give you several different looks as well as layers for cold weather. Most women feel safe wearing engagement/wedding rings while traveling, but leave other valuable or flashy jewelry at home. A few pairs of inexpensive earrings are fun to bring.

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Many of the most successful scams require a naive and trusting tourist. Be wary of any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public (especially touristy) places. If you’re alert and aren’t overly trusting, you should have no problem. Here are some clever ways European thieves bolster their cash flow.

Cashiers who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the “slow count.” Even in banks, they’ll count your change back with odd pauses in hopes the rushed tourist will gather up the money early and say “Grazie.” Also be careful when you pay with too large a bill. Waiters seem to be arithmetically challenged. If giving a large bill for a small payment, clearly state the value of the bill as you hand it over. Some cabbies or waiters will pretend to drop a large bill and pick up a hidden small one in order to shortchange a tourist.

Thieves posing as concerned locals will warn you to store your wallet safely — and then steal it after they see where you stash it. If someone wants to help you use an ATM, politely refuse (they’re just after your PIN code). If a bank machine eats your ATM card, see if there’s a thin plastic insert with a tongue hanging out that crooks use to extract it. (A similar scam is to put something sticky in the slot.) Some thieves put out tacks and ambush drivers with their “assistance” in changing the tire. Others hang out at subway ticket machines eager to “help” you, the bewildered tourist, buy tickets with a pile of your quickly disappearing foreign cash. If using a station locker, beware of the “hood samaritan” who may have his own key to a locker he’d like you to use.

Two thieves in uniform — posing as “Tourist Police” — stop you on the street, flash their bogus badges, and ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills or “drug money.” You will not even notice some bills are missing until they leave. Never give your wallet to anyone.

Young gang thieves are common all over urban southern Europe, especially in the touristy areas of Milan, Florence, and Rome. Groups of boys or girls with big eyes, troubled expressions, and colorful raggedy clothes play a game where they politely mob the unsuspecting tourist, beggar-style. As their pleading eyes grab yours and they hold up their pathetic message scrawled on cardboard, you’re fooled into thinking that they’re beggars. All the while, your purse, fanny pack, or backpack is being expertly rifled. If you’re wearing a money belt and you understand what’s going on here, there’s nothing to fear. In fact, having a street thief’s hand slip slowly into your pocket becomes just one more interesting cultural experience.

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The U.S. State Department Bureau of Administration Office of Allowances, Foreign Per Diem Rates web page. These per diem rates are the per day maximum amounts the U.S. Government would reimburse it’s employees or contractors during travel. These amounts will help give you an idea on the amount that you’ll need to budget for your trip. The site lists maximum rates for many foreign cities, in addition to, some cities in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other possessions of the U.S. The rates are divided into sections for lodgings, meals and incidentals, and total amount. The amounts aren’t meant to cover luxury travel, but they should cover a comfortable mid-range stay. You can select a month and year for which to search for foreign per diem rates. You should consult the most recent months and the last figures stated for the time of year you will be visiting to account for high and low season price variations.

Foreign Per Diems

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Passports are now required for every US citizen. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.

Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.

Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.

Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.

Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates and checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.

Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.

Build some basic language skills in the local language.

Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.

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Check out the roads before you go. This page contains links to the Departments of Transportation for all 50 States. Each state’s site is different, but most sites contained detailed information on highway construction, road closings, rest areas and maps. Many of the sites also contain links to major cities within their own state.

Department of Transportation Links

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