Packing

On a commercial aircraft, you are allowed one carry-on and one personal item.  For this trip, you are allowed to check only one bag weighing less than 50 lbs.  One regular sized and lockable suitcase should suffice for 8 days.

The dress in the UK and Eastern Europe is noticeably different from our American, college-esque ways.  Neutral colors, conservative and non-revealing, and more or less dressy-casual is the majority of what you will see. Versatility will be your friend when packing. What I am going to explain below is by no means a tactic to disguise yourself from being an American, but to blend in smoothly, present yourself respectfully, and abide by their cultural norms.  These are solely suggestions.

• DARK DENIM JEANS
• You will definitely see denim.  However, light-colored, bleached, and "distressed" jeans are not common and are seen as lazy.  Dark Denim is popular everyday casual attire.  Definitely pack your favorite pair to re-wear if desired.
• BLACK/COLORED DENIM
• Black and other "dyed" denim is popular, both here and there, but remember that it will be May.  Ireland will be anywhere from 35º F in the evening to 60º F with some sun.  Italy will be warmer, with 50º F in evenings, and as high 75º F in the day.
• SHORTS
• Comfortable, neutral, and re-wearable
• Nothing very short. Ladies, see note below about "short dresses"- think back to middle school/high school days. 
• Distress and cut offs are not recommended.
• Guys: cargo shorts are absolutely fine.  Camo printed, maybe not.
• SHOES
• Comfortable shoes for walking - LOTS of cobble stones, you'll get tired and sore quickly.
• Sperry's
• Flats
• SANDALS for outings - not flip flops! These are looked at as shower shoes or beach wear (almost like waring your bikini around.  Also not recommended.)
• Heels are HARD to walk in when you're on cobble stones - take my word ladies... and you gents out there.
• SHIRTS
• Keep it classy.  To us, their regular day is our "dressy-casual". 
• Ladies - tank tops are alright, but very thin straps are risky.  Remember that it will be warm, but not sweltering hot.
• Conservative/non-revealing/short DRESSES
• As mentioned above about weather, shorts and capris might be more appropriate.  
• Ladies: dresses, skirts, and shorts shouldn't be short or  cut up.  You will be seen as... um... easy.  Think back to middle school and high school - bermuda shorts are a great investment ;-)
• If we visit a religious place, KNEES AND SHOULDERS MUST BE COVERED OR YOU MAY NOT ENTER CERTAIN PARTS.  This happened to me in Barcelona:  I wore a dress but I was not wearing tights that covered my knees and I was turned away from a certain part of a famous Basilica called La Sagrada Familia.  All my friends went ahead, and I had to stay back.  Plan ahead with a light jacked or capris instead for the day that we visit the Vatican.  
• JACKETS
• Choose something rather versatile that can be worn at night, on a chilly day, possibly rainy day, and the plane ride.  
• Avoid hoodies, as they are not very common (especially ones that say something on it).
• NEUTRAL COLORS
• These can be paired together and you'll pack less in your suitcase.  They re-wear outfits there so if you wear the same shirt/polo twice on the trip, no one will criticize you.
• A warm sweatshirt with a hood for the plane ride
• Comfortable sleep wear
• UMBRELLA
• Rain is just as predictable in Ireland just as it is here in Ohio.  Pack a small, skinny umbrella or rain coat. An umbrella will take up less space.
• TOILETRIES
• Don't plan to buy your liquids over seas to avoid heavy luggage - they will be more expensive, especially in touristy places. And you can plan on leaving some of those items there to accommodate more space and less weight.
• Pack anything that could explode in high pressure or spill in a ziplock bag.  Should it explode or spill, your belongings are dry and untouched.
• If you need to take these on a plane, it has to be in a quart-sized bag in a 3 oz. container.  Click here for more information for those first-time air travelers.
• HEAT PRODUCING ITEMS
• Ladies, curling irons and flat irons do not do well with the electricity conversion.  If you plug in a straightener or curling iron, changes are it start to smoke and heat up rapidly and melt either the item or your hair. It has happened.  It can even blow the fuse.  Recommendations:  don't bring them, 8 days will go by in no time.  I didn't use a single flat iron or hair drier for 3 months in Spain.  It can be done!
• Hair driers may be available at the hotels.
• "AMERICAN CLOTHING"
• Sport/athletic shirts, large commercial writing, billed hats, cut offs, ragged jeans or short shorts/skirts will make you stand out. I've been gawked at on the street for wearing a shorter dress one day and let me tell you, it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.  My friend's entire wallet was stolen the day he wore an "Under Armor" hoodie to a shop - in broad daylight, it isn't just during the night.

To maximize space and avoid wrinkling your clothes, fold them in half once and roll it tightly.  You'd be surprised.