Heading To Europe

[1whoscraps]

Well divas I am one very lucky girl. My mom is taking me to London/France next week for 15 days and I am about to burst at the seams as well as dive into a small panic attack.

Trying to get my 50th birthday done for this Sat and trying to make sure I have what I need packed and hopefully not left at home when I am high in the sky when I realize I needed something and left it.

So I am just wondering for any of you that have been/lived/dreamed of going to either London or France any must dos or even better yet places to eat.

Part of our time is with a tour and we extended our stay beyond that so the rest will be up to us.

Well let me know..I always love good advice on what to bring/wear/expect, etc.

TIA!

[Susan]

layers!!!!!

take more tank tops and light plain/neutral t-shirts, then a couple of blouses that will work over them and a cardigan or two, and one hard working, goes with everything denim jacket, or navy blazer, or light pea coat, etc.

tanks and tees pack well, blouses don't get as dirty when layered over tees, and cardigans can go from casual to nicer with just a change in a scarf or a necklace.

khakis and jeans for everything on the bottom...I lived in 2 nice dark jeans, and 1 pair of khakis...alternated between running shoes, Birkenstocks and one pair of ballet flats. I was there for 6 weeks!!!!

pack light - whatever you pack take out 25% of it before you zip up your suitcase! Remember your chargers {phone, camera, iPad, etc.} and maybe stick an extra one in someone else's suitcase if you have an extra. Leave a copy of your passport here at home, and give a copy to your mom also. Stay off the main drag when you're on your own time and ask the locals {police, waitresses, strore clerks, etc.} where to have lunch, gardens, parks, and what to do. One of our best days was spent walking the back streets and eating cucumber sandwiches for high tea and this AMAZING little spot that a bobby told us about. FABULOUS - I can still see all of the mismatched tea cups on the wall!

that being said, you have to eat at Harrods - it's an EXPERIENCE!!!!! and have fish and chips anywhere...and if the carts are already out for holiday tourists make sure you have an ice cream with a cadbury flake -
SO YUMMM! I love eating food from street vendors that are away from tourist spots...cheaper usually and better!!

Ride a bus, take your picture in a phone booth, tour the crown jewels, and go on the London Eye...you have to do some tourist stuff. DEFINITELY go into a green grocer and a chemist {grocery and drug store} SO FUN - and talk to the people!

you'll have a BLAST!!!! Take extra memory cards for your camera and take pictures of signs wherever you are, it helps SO MUCH keeping track of where you are, and what you did...

SAFE TRAVELS Leslie!!!!!

[Steeler Girl]

Dont forget to take your BFF! ;D

[tristanznina]

Have fun! What a wonderful way to spend time with your mom! Enjoy and Happy birthday!

[tristanznina]

PS - agree with Susan! Harrods is a great experience! Also, don't forget to experience a High Tea!

[1whoscraps]

Thanks ladies.

I hear you on the layering and since it's what I do hear at home, no problem. I have bought a few more pieces to pull outfits together so I don't have too much.

We do have London Eye, The Crown Jewels, High Tea (somewhere elegant), dinner at Chef Ramsey's and a theater play as part of the tour in London. My mother also booked something else (of course I forget what) but it's outside and it's a quaint on town wiht lots of antique type stores.

For Paris, there is a trip to the Louvre, dinner cruise on the Seine and a couple of other significant events that escape me for the moment. She also booked a trip to Monet's Garden and I think that was about it so far.

We spend 2 days extra in London and 5 days extra in Paris.

I will be sure to get that nostalgic photo of the phone booth and you know I have already stalked the Silhouette site for downloads..and definitely will mention Harrods.

I hadn't thought about a notebook, so that's a good idea to write down thoughts as I go..assuming I get some time..LOL

[Susan]

OH I FORGOT!!!!

now don't roll your eyes at me - promise! this sounds TOTALLY weird, but I learned it from a friend of mine who is a big-wig in the Friendship Force and travels all of the time, all over the world.

I tried it after he suggested it several times and I have loved it ever since!

CD cases!!!!! Not the little thin ones that we use in the office supply setting, but the big ones that music CDs come in. About 3/8" thick - you know?!? Take the paper liner and the CD snap out of the case so it's just the plastic case and stick one or two of those in your suitcase. Maybe label one PARIS and one LONDON.

I carry this with me in my purse/backpack when I'm traveling. It's where I put paper souvenirs so I can scrap or Smash book them when I get home. Ticket stubs, store receipts, business cards, subway cards, tokens, cards from restaurants, autographs, etc. Seriously - I do this all of the time and it's great for keeping things flat and dry and clean when traveling.

With the outside labeled you can come home and toss it in a pile of "to-scrap" stuff and everything STILL stays clean and smooth and flat!!!

the CD case holds a nice amount of "stuff", you'd be surprised how many receipts you can layer in one!!! and they won't clog up the bottom of your bag or wallet either!!!!

[1whoscraps]

Susan you are just full of good ideas. I like it. I believe I already have some laying around.

I normally use ziploc baggies but these would be so much easier to find when your fishing around in your purse.

[Deleted]

I think you should take extra money to buy stamps to put on those postcards that you are going to send to all of the Divas who are sitting here at home!

[cheerfulmom]

I hope you have a great trip Leslie; you lucky girl.

Phyllis