Travel Tips—Packing, What to Wear, Laundry and Hygiene

Packing

• Pack light challenge.  Americans almost always bring TOO MUCH STUFF.  Limit each participant to one large suitcase for clothes and one backpack/carry-on for maps, reference books, research, film, etc.
• Pack smartly.  When selecting clothes, bring tops and pants that can be matched easily with each other.  Put your toiletries in little bottles—not 16 oz. Bottles.  Etc.
• Buy things you need in France, such as soap, shampoo, etc.

Packing—What not to Forget

• Tickets
• Passport
• Prescriptions
• Money, travelers checks, credit cards
• Maps, reference books, research
• Camera, film, spare batteries, etc.
• A Wash Cloth:  Europeans travel with their own washcloths.  Hotels do not supply washcloths.

Laundry and Hygiene

• This section is combined with the packing and clothing sections because Americans almost always bring TOO MUCH STUFF.
• Don’t bring a new shirt and pants for each day.  During the day you’re going to be in the French countryside hiking around the battlefields.  At night you’re going to be eating, not exerting yourself.  Plan to switch your battlefield clothes every 2-3 days, and only bring one or two outfits for evening-wear.  (Remember, you will be wearing one outfit on the plane.)
• Laundry:  If you really need laundry service, there is a Laundromat in Verdun located adjacent to the Coq Hardi hotel.
• Laundry:  If you’re staying outside of Verdun in small hotels, wash some clothes in the sink and let them dry in your room.

Outer Wear

• Read the weather section before considering outer-wear.
• Coat:  Because most of my travels are in the Spring or Fall, I find that the combination of a heavy Fall jacket AND a good wool sweater offers the most options for northern France, where the weather can range from beautiful, to bone-chilling cold and damp.
• Shoes:  I consider a good pair of hiking boots essential if you’re planning on exploring the battlefields.  Other people are fine with walking shoes.
• Shoes:  I generally pack only two pairs of shoes:  Hiking boots for the field and casual shoes for evening dining and hotel time.
• Umbrella:  It can rain every day in northeastern France.  I always carry a fold-up umbrella.

Clothing

• Shirts:  Except in July/August, I would encourage you to pack long sleeve shirts.  Even in summer, it can get fairly cool in the evening.
• Pants:  I prefer jeans, because I am eager to get off the beaten path.  Others, who are less adventuresome, might prefer khakis.
• Pants:  I pack jeans for the battlefields and khakis for evening dinner and hotel time.
• Sports Coat/Sweater/Dress:  Consider volume versus need.  I typically bring only a good sweater for evening-wear, but ONE sport coat is not a bad option.

Weather

• Northern Europe is COOLER and DAMPER than most of the U.S.  The chart below shows the average daily low and high temperatures as well as the number of days without rain.
• The weather can change frequently, especially in the Spring.  On one Easter Sunday I experienced two rain storms, one hail storm and cool, windy weather, mixed with periods of sun.
• Be prepared for cool, damp weather, and you'll be happy when, in late March, it's sunny and 60 degrees outside.

Return to Travel Tips

[ index.html ] [ features.htm ] [ gallery.htm ] [ map case.htm ] [ bibliography.htm ] [ links.htm ] [ travel.htm ] [ news & events.htm ] [ author.htm ] [ grahams page.htm ]