What to Pack for a Winter Week in Europe

It may be crazy, but for my six-day trip to Vienna and Paris, I decided to stick to carry-on luggage.

I kept my wardrobe simple and made sure to pack essentials that would be light and useful for the trip. I’m not even bothering to bring my laptop, which is just as well because it’s better to pay attention to focus on where to go and what to do instead of focusing on finding a WiFi connection at the hostel.

Clothing

You don’t have to be a fashion person to figure how what to wear for your European stay. If you want to avoid looking like a tourist, keep your wardrobe choices simple by opting for neutral or subdued colors (black, grey, white, camel, navy) and avoiding crazy colors.

• 1 cardigan sweater
• 2 pullover sweaters
• 2 flannel shirts
• 2 pairs of jeans
• 1 black dress
• 2 sweater dresses
• 2 long-sleeve cotton shirts

If you want to up your style game, find pieces that have interesting textures like fleece or velvet and layer thoughtfully.

Accessories

Remember how I suggested keeping the colors of your clothes muted? You’re more than welcome to throw that advice out of the window when it comes to accessorizing your look. Accessories can add a personal touch, but can also help identify yourself amongst a crowd if you’re traveling with friends!

• 1 pair of boots
• Blanket scarf
• Knit hat
• Gloves
• Medium-size crossbody bag with zipper closure
• Sneakers (if you plan on doing a physical activity)
• Jewelry (?)

Miscellaneous

There’s nothing more annoying that traveling abroad and forgetting a small thing at home that could really help make your trip more comfortable. If you’re an avid photo taker, local market shopper, techie or all of the above, you may want to consider packing these essentials:

• 1-2 electronic adapters for appropriate countries
• 1 portable battery for charging your smartphone on-the-go (unless you have a smart carry-on like this one)
• 1-2 photocopies of passport
• Empty reusable water bottle
• Dry snacks
• Reusable tote
• Makeup
• Toiletries
• Room in your suitcase for souvenirs to bring back home!

Worst case scenario, my return flight back to the States allows me to have two checked bags and a carry-on so I could buy a suitcase in Paris to bring back whatever I end up buying…

What’s your favorite travel essential for trips < 7 days in Europe?