Packing Hacks & Tips for Traveling in France/Europe

⭐ Salut! This video is dedicated to helping you pack your best when traveling to Europe or to France! Ditch the stuff that's weighing you down, take the stuff you're really going to need. Lots of packing tips and tricks to come for Europe so that you aren't dealing with a suitcase you can't carry yourself or one that won't fit into European sized trunks :) Don't forget to add your favorite international packing hacks and trips in the comments!! ⭐
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❤ Hop on board to the hot mess express that is Kate! I’m a pizza loving, wine guzzling American thriving in Paris. Eh… scratch the thriving part and put surviving. I’ve got an endless love/hate relationship with France, that drives me to do unexplainable things. If you like pizza recommendations and some expat excitement, you’re in the right place. ✌Subscribe for new videos every week!
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[@cneesen3]

One thing I always bring is a reusable grocery bag or tote bag, especially if I’ll be buying groceries because every store charges to use one of their bags, even places like H&M. I just find it to be more efficient if I already have a bag handy.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

That's a great tip. Tote bags are so easy to fold up and stuff in a backpack or a purse and they are always so useful!

[@sarahlee449]

I do this as well, but I also like to buy one from the local grocery store and then bring it home as a souvenir. NJ just banned all plastic bags, so when I do my weekly shopping it’s nice to use bags from all my travels:)

[@amyspeers8012]

I just got back from Italy on our anniversary trip. We did bring and check a big suitcase each so we could bring back wine. I brought some special bags that you pump up with air to cushion the bottles. We came home with 6 bottles of wine and no breakages! I also carry a mini pharmacy with me as when I would need something would be at night/Sunday afternoon. I’ve never used packing cubes and I love your idea with helping NOT to overpack. Much love from Gensac!

[@turtlescanfly7]

My cheap $20 curling iron totally started melting when I tried to use it w the converter. I ended up buying one in France and selling it when I got back home to other students planning to travel. Now I have a much nicer straightener that cost about $120 and I verified on their website I could use it in the UK. I took it with me and no melting or burning so now that’s my go-to travel straightener

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Perfect! If you do your homework, you might be fine with your straightener, but it's never good to assume with a converter it will work. And great idea selling the French one to other people that want to travel later!

[@pathallam986]

I am a great fan of rolling clothes (size 46/48 in France, 18/20 in UK). They reduce creasing as well as saving space. *Don't* like packing cubes: they take up precious millimetres and don't fit snugly into curved-cornered cases (which is most suitcases). So you either waste the space or push small clothes & accessories into the corners, which seems a bit self-defeating. If anyone is not familiar with carryon liquid limits: it's a max of 100ml per container and the containers have to fit into a regulation-sized plastic self-seal bag. Keep sample-size bottles + jars (for moisturising cream). Backpacks *are* really practical but I'd say try not to bring one that makes you look like you're hiking up a mountain. A more 'urban' style like the one shown will be stylish as well as useful. I think a small bag for evening (for women) is actually quite useful. What the French call a 'banane'- an updated fannypack that you wear across the chest - is good & safe for your phone and bank card & you can wear it during the day as well, instead of constantly taking the backpack on & off to get to your most-used items.

[@ameliecarre4783]

I like a backpack, not necessarily as luggage but to walk around definitely, mostly because on vacation I tend to be a bit of a compulsive souvenir buyer, there's no place I visit that I leave empty handed if they have a shop. A handbag can do with postcards and magnets, but let's be real, there will be books.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Completely agree! It's also super handy for the heavier souvenirs or the books!

[@michaelwhite2600]

I plan on returning to France next year. ❤️ with that said, I tell everyone to get a backpack. I’ve tried the messenger bag as a personal item and it sucked! Backpacks are the best! I only travel with a carryon and backpack when I come to France. I love all your videos! This one is very. Informative and spot on! Thank you!

[@bge1234]

+1 for rolling clothes. It's amazing!

[@Sandy-bi3jf]

Thank you for your great (and sensible) advice. Much appreciated. 🐨🐨🇦🇺🦘

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Your welcome! thanks for watching! :)

[@iamwindchakra]

Tip from me: Rolling your clothes as a plus-size person does not really save space. There's just more fabric so it does not work. I use compression packing cubes or vacuumed seal space savers where you vacuum out the air. Most hotels are happy to let you use the vacuum from housekeeping for this when you are leaving but you should ask the night before as housekeeping works in the morning and afternoon. (I work for an international hotel chain.) I've loved travelling with a backpack (Timbuk 2 bags) but it has buckles instead of zippers and a pick pocketer would really have to YOINK you to undo the straps.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Good to know rolling doesn't work for plus sized clothes, but using a vacuum at the hotel is genuis for vacuum ! I wish I had thought of that before. One of the positives of working for a hotel chain! I don't know the Timbuk 2 brand but i'll check it out.

[@ChatonQuiMiaule]

I'm unsure what you refer to as a "converter". There are several kinds of devices that can be used to connect a US device (normally, 110V 60Hz AC) to a French power outet (220V 50Hz AC). In the simplest case, the device is just an adapter between socket and plug, and then you need a device that can actually use 220V 50Hz. Many electronics such as laptop computers come with universal power supplies which accept 110-240V 50-60Hz and you'll then be ok with an adapter. Such things are written on the device. Perhaps you refer to as a transformer, which can turn 220V AC into 110V AC… but this will not change the frequency, which will stay 50Hz. If your device accepts 110V 50Hz or 60Hz, that's ok, but if it does not, you may fry it. Again, such things are written on the device. To summarize, it boils down to reading what kind of electricity the device accepts and what the "converter" provides.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Was just thinking of you and hoping to see your next video pop up soon! I'm in Paris staying in the 9th right now, wondering if I'll run into you some day in the street. Good tips. Agree about the soft backpack. That's been helpful for airlines with slightly different carry-on measurements because it compresses just enough. I bought a travel straightener a long time ago that works on both currents and came with an insulated carrying case so you can pack it up when it's still warm. Was a great investment. That being said, I think it's even easier to just embrace "French hair" when you're here. The French have messy hair and make it work so why not just go with it. I always also bring a little travel size deodorant because I find I need it here and there throughout the day when I'm walking around heh heh. I also heard a good piece of advice once to bring books you don't plan to keep once you've read them, because you can just leave them in your hotel room or one of those leave-a-book-take-a-book little libraries that have cropped up when you're done. Lightens your load as you go.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

You're in the 9th! We really could cross paths :) I love the idea of a curling iron or straightener that has a insulated carrying case. I'm always waiting for mine to cool down even at home before i can put it away. And Yes to the travel size deo you can take on the go! So worth it when there isn't air conditioning anywhere hahaha.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified I'm not in Paris for too much longer, but I'll warn you that if I see you (and you don't look too stressée) I am definitely going to say hi. 😜

[@marcuslebeau]

Ça faisait longtemps! Ravi de te revoir sur KZbin et bon voyage 🧳

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Merci Oumar! Bon voyage a vous aussi ;)

[@marcuslebeau]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Ah désolé alors je vous ai tutoyé! Pardon. J’avais oublié que les Français ils n’aiment pas ça.

[@alexwyler4570]

i was thinking of getting the Osprey travelling backpack. It is a backpack that converts to a suitcase with a handle that can be an American carryon.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

I have an old Osprey that's probably similar to what you're describing. If it's the same one, I actually don't think it's great as a backpack because the wheels add weight and dig into your back. It's good if you only need it as a backpack here and there. I do love their products overall.

[@hankandgreta]

I have this bag and I use it when traveling to Paris from the US. It even has a small backpack the straps on to the front that I remove on the plane and store under the seat in front of me. The main backpack/suitcase part easily fits in the over head bin on 787 as well as some of the smaller US domestic planes like 737. I like that it has the wheels for rolling in the airport or on the street, but that I can quickly through it over my back for stairs when in the train/metro stations. When I travel abroad, I usually only fill it about halfway, so it is rather light for departure, but I leave that room so I can transport anything I buy while abroad. For that reason I will sometimes check the main part of the bag on my return flight, as it can get quite heavy. I am a small person, under 5 feet, and while the bag fits my body well enough for a light load, if I fill it completely it get become overwhelming.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I've never used it so Rachel is probably the best to answer this one. But the idea sounds great!

[@redyogi3953]

As the driest person on the planet, I will ABSOLUTELY use 8-12 oz of lotion on a 2 week trip. But I can fit everything else in 3 oz bottles. I carry on everywhere, so I pack everything but my lotion and then buy lotion in the airport after I’m through security. That saves me having to find a drug store once I arrive so I can spend all my time vacationing on my vacation and still allows me to carry on.

[@g.970]

I don’t travel with backpacks because you can’t tell if someone is getting into your bag. I never put my money or cards in my bag. I use anti theft cross body bag but valuables go under my jacket

[@jodi1979]

If you put that backpack under the seat as a personal item what size is it? I'm going to France in August or September

[@alexwyler4570]

Going to Italy July 5th. What shampoo/conditioner in Italy would be similar to Redken? Thanks.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Redken is sold in sephora so you could either pick some up when you arrive, or buy a small little travel container and put Redken at home in there so you have it!

[@alexwyler4570]

How do you dress for 100-degree Florence or Rome? Would Birkenstock sandals be appropriate on those days? Thanks!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Yes! I wear birkenstocks all the time in the summer and i usually go for long flowly dresses that don't hug me anymore for the really hot days!

[@sarahmacrae8277]

In many Italian churches even tourist ones you need to be modest no bare shoulders or tiny shorts I think log flowing skirts or dresses are much cooler than cutoff shorts anyway

[@alexwyler4570]

What about an electric toothbrush and converter? i am addicted to my Sonicare.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Honestly, no idea for the sonicare. I would really check it out before bringing it over because you would be so disappointed if it blows up on you here!

[@eprohoda]

What'up, ou made epic masterpiece!catch you later. Unintentionally,👏

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thanks!

[@ZacharyVannett]

Aimes tu le parfum? Quand tu parlais du déodorant ça m’a fait penser que les déodorants en France sont plutôt comme des parfums que des anti-transpirants. Le parfum est évidement partout en France donc je me demande si ton temps là a changé ton attitude envers la senteur.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Bonne question, j'adore le parfum et j'en mets tous les jours! Je ne sais pas si les déodorants en France sont plutôt comme le parfum ou pas, mais je sais juste qu'il ne marche pas du tout sur moi. J'ai entendu plusieurs fois maintenant que les ingrédients aux états unis sont interdit en France... peut être pour une bonne raison :/

[@anisaromano5352]

Pssst: The word "especially" does NOT have a hard K sound in it.

[@susannorman8549]

This is driving me crazy too! She's said it at least 4 times so far and I'm not even done. I hear it and I completely lose my concentration on what she is saying. Kate, I love your videos and you do a splendid job, but please work on proper pronunciation of this word!

[@NicoleneOReilly]

She says is like that in every video. And she says that word a lot, so it's super noticeable.

[@proximstenvaag1072]

Remontada de la France: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ-2fJZ_i6msqpY

[@shaylafrahm961]

Not trying to be mean, it drives me nuts when people say EX-specially instead of es-pecially. I normally wouldn't comment on it but you said it 10+ times in the video. Love the content :)

[@miaul2134]

Yes but I used to say EXpresso instead of ESPRESSO I know:ughhh

[@proximostenvaag2165]

Bonjour, Vous devriez parler des élections en France, être français ce n'est pas parler que du politiquement correct. N'oubliez pas de parler du combat de Montebourg svp, celui de Mélenchon avec l'article 20 de la Constitution crée par de Gaulle qui permet de sauver la République quand un dictateur est élu par les urnes, le blocage législatif de Macron par le peuple, et bien sûr les 600 milliards de dettes qu'a crée Macron, la vente de tous les fleurons industriels français, la destruction du corps diplomatique français et l'affaire Mc Kinsey, le fait qu'il ne veut pas que les communistes aillent vérifier les finances publiques au point qu' il préfère s'allier avec l'extrême droite. Cordialement