Estonia and Sweden

[elainegrey]

I spent too much time yesterday working out travel plans for my trip to Europe this summer, but -- as someone whose travel has been limited in the past decades to family, familiar conference destinations, and road trips with everything one could need -- eek, i feel daunted.

I want to travel as light as possible. I decided my feet are the most daunting concern, so i'm going to wear walking boots with my dresses and get some practice in them over the next months so the blister horrors are avoided and i minimize the risk of spraining my ankle on cobblestones.

I'm pondering buying light luggage specifically for the trip. I'm thinking about the day in Stockholm between landing in the early morning and taking the overnight ferry to Tallinn, Estonia at dinner time, and the day in Tallinn before taking the overnight ferry back to Stockholm. I hate thinking about "disposable" cheap luggage, but i don't know that i need to invest. I am going to check with my traveling local family members to see what they have to suggest or loan.

Recommendations about really light travel accessories like rain ponchos and wraps and totes as well as European SIM cards are currently welcome. I will be using my iPad as my guidebook and notebook so the walk around bag needs to hold that as well.

Christine is very anxious about my travel so i need to find ways to help ease her worries.

Comments

[gurdonark]

That is great that you are going to Europe. I think that light luggage is a good way to go.

If I wanted to reduce my footprint here on cheap luggage, I'd pick some bags up at our local Goodwill. But we have a really surprisingly shop-pable Goodwill.

My light jacket and my rain jacket is a Columbia rain jacket. There are lots of models, but many, like mine, would work for Summer rain and Summer chill. A search engine search for Columbia and raincoat turns up lots of similar choices to my own.

I think it's smart to get used to sensible footwear. Also, though I love to walk, I think it's good to preplan as much public transport as possible in terms of routes. I cannot speak for where you are going, but our trip to Scotland was lightened by use of Google Maps to help us navigate Edinburgh's "which of ten private buses to take" issues.

[elainegrey]

Oh, thrift store luggage - that's a good idea. Our county has school thrift stores that i've been using with success for linens and other housewares. The local one doesn't have luggage but the one towards Chapel Hill might. Christine has a Columbia jacket she likes as well. My rain layer is a vinyl REI rain coat that is not particularly light or warm, so i may be stuck in my mind on rain jacket performance.

I looked at Stockholm where i need to get from airport to terminal and the public transit mapping seemed quite successfully done. The walking is more that there's days to spend and i have enjoyed walking around cities compared to many "attractions."

Thanks!

[warriorsavant]

Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Good plan to try them out/break them in before you go.

Power converter!

Minimal clothes possible. Check what the weather is generally like. Better to have lighter items you can layer if gets colder, then one very heavy item.

Not sure how long you are going, but consider washing out underwear in the sink. (Alternative is wear underwear you were going to get rid of anyhow, and throw out after use.)

[elainegrey]

The "disposable" idea struck me with respect to socks; sink laundry for other items is on the list. I've been buying dresses for years that are designed for travel and sink washing. Admittedly, they're essentially plastic and don't have the pleasure of natural fibers. But they are efficient!

Layering definitely a plan, and a habit from California.

I've ordered the converter -- it will double as the USB wall charger, so it's not going to be extra baggage and maybe i can get use out of it at home.

Thanks!

[egret]

Maybe buy one of those raincoats that can also double as a light jacket in case it is chilly?
Worst case scenario you can just buy a cheap rain poncho thing when you are there. Stockholm and Talinn are both cities that will have all mod conveniences.
I haven't been but my brother has and LOVED them, especially Talinn. He was there for the heavy metal music scene.
There are lots of travel totes at ebags.com, which is where I usually get that sort of thing if you don't find one at the thrift store. It might be worthwhile to get one with RFID blocking pockets for your credit cards etc. (They have luggage too.) I usually just buy a sim card at the airport.
Your trip sounds exciting!

[elainegrey]

I ended up using ebags and finding a backpack that just matched the carry on limit. I'll get usage out of it beyond this trip, i'm sure. I'm pondering finding a very light used duffel that i could pack and use to check as baggage on my way back.

[egret]

You could also buy a touristy tote bag while you’re there, as a souvenir.