Necessities For Backpacking Through Europe
A couple summers ago I went backpacking through Europe with my cousins. I had never done anything of the sort and was incredibly excited. After lots of research, I found that a few items would be a great help to have in order to have a successful trip: one where I am having a great time and not stressing out about my things. I have made a list of four things that I found were necessary to make the trip easier, and to make the trip memorable. Here is my list of necessities for backpacking through Europe.
1. Osprey Backpack
If you are backpacking through Europe, it only makes sense that you use a backpack instead of a suitcase. A good backpack is essential for your trip. You can’t use just any old backpack either. It has to be sturdy, has good padding, and be large enough to fit all of your belongings. I found, after much research, that the Osprey brand has the perfect backpacks for the job. Now, depending on how many things you will be taking with you, as well as other factors, there are different backpacks for you to choose from. I recommend going to your local outdoors store and being fitted. By fitting you, you will know exactly what size, height, and style of backpack fit your body so as to keep from hurting your back.
2. Shampoo Bar
Traveling can be a pain. Your things aren’t in their specific spots, you have to pack and unpack constantly, but worst of all, your liquids go everywhere. To keep from having your shampoo spilling all over your clothes, or even to keep from getting it taken up by customs if it is over the approved amount for a liquid, I recommend a shampoo bar. They are like a bar of soap. You rub it over your wet hair when you are showering, it will lather, and then wash like usual. Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has them with multiple combinations of natural ingredients. You will both have the ease of traveling without liquids, and you will know that you are putting good products into your hair! They also have solid conditioners.
3. Packing Cubes
Without packing cubes, backpacking through Europe will be impossible. Packing cubes are soft cubes that you fill up with your clothes, allowing you to properly organize your clothes while also easily fitting them into your backpack. You can put your shirts in one, your pants in another, and your dresses in another, and then when it’s time to wear your clothes, you can take out the packing cube that you need, without messing up the rest of your clothes. With packing cubes, you also have an easier way of fitting everything that you want in your backpack. You can’t throw everything in your backpack. Without organization, nothing will fit. With packing cubes, you can easily make everything fit the way it did the first time.
4. Travel Towel
Regular towels are big and take up a lot of space. This is not ideal for backpacking through Europe. You want to take things with you that will be practical and will still be functional. Travel towels are the perfect alternative, and honestly, I use my travel towel more often than regular towels now. Travel towels are very thin, allowing you to easily fold it up and it won’t take up a lot of room. But the best part is that it dries very quickly. Regular towels hold moisture, but travel towels are meant to quickly dry, this way you can use your towel multiple times in the day, if you go to the beach more than once, if you have to leave for your next city soon. A travel towel will be one of the best investments that you will make.
