One Hundred Dollars a Month

1. First off, pack light.  Unless you are going to a third world country, anything out of the ordinary you need, you can purchase.  Packing light will leave room for souvenirs, save you money checking your bag, and make it a heck of a lot easier schlepping your stuff from place to place.
2. I always bring $100 USD {in 20’s}, just to have in case of an emergency.
3. I get my local currency from the ATM machine at the airport.  I typically get around $500 USD.  If I need more, I just find an ATM machine while we are in town.  The exchange rate from an ATM is generally the lowest available and the minimal ATM fee {$3-$5} is totally worth it and a BIG time saver.
4. When my daughter and I travel we each bring 1 carry piece of luggage {with soft sides} and either a backpack or laptop bag each.
5. I ALWAYS wear a money belt.  I feel waaaay more secure carrying around so much cash when no one knows that I am actually carrying it, and it frees up my hands to take awesome pictures and shove my face with pastries.
6. In the money belt, I only carry my passport, driver’s license, ATM card, and 2 credit cards {in case one is lost or stolen}.
7. Download FREE apps on your smart phone, like Key Ring to store any other cards you might need {i.e. health insurance cards}.
8. Don’t use traveler’s check they are a pain and a lot of stores actually will not take them.
9. Pack snacks for the flight, but remember, you can’t pack any produce–no apple slices, carrots, etc.  Think: Lara Bars or Fruit Leathers.
10. Pack a refillable water bottle in your carry-on.  You will have to keep it empty when you pass through security, but as soon as you get into the terminal, you can fill it.  I have NEVER had a problem when I ask to fill it at one of the fast-food restaurants in the airports.
11. If you are bringing electronics {laptop, kindle, iPad, smartphone, etc.} remember to get an adapter so you will be able to charge your phone.
12. Opt for comfy footwear.  You will walk a ton {they walk more than we do, in general, in Europe}.  While shoes might make the outfit, they can also make your life miserable.
13. Pack all toiletries and liquids {check with your airline for allowed amounts} in a quart sized ziplock bag.  If you are carrying on all of your luggage, you will need to take it out and throw it in a bin at security–they usually want to see all liquids {including shampoo, gel, etc.}.  If you are checking your bag in, a ziploc bag can limit the mess if something spills.
14. If you are crossing into countries by train, make sure you familiarize yourself with each country’s entry rules and procedures.  Each country has different rules for foreigners.  In France and obviously England, they can/will speak English–so you can ask when you get on the train.  In Italy, it is not as common for people to speak English {at least when I was there, which was YEARS ago}, so make sure to familiarize yourself ahead of time.
15. When my daughter and I travel, we each bring 1 carry-on piece of luggage {with soft sides} and either a backpack or laptop bag each.  I like to carry-on everything rather than check it, because it saves time and money, and it completely eliminates the possibility of lost luggage.  {Make sure to check with your airline for size guidelines on carry-ons.}

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