What I Packed

UPDATE: Now that I've returned, I'm going to go back through the list and cross off the things I ended up sending home to lighten the load.

Let's face it, I will never be one of those adventure backpackers who is content to travel with only an extra pair of underwear and a toothbrush. But by following these tried and true tips, I ended up with a manageable 25-30lb pack -- one of my proudest accomplishments to date.

Here is my essentials packing list (catered to women, of course)

Clothes & Shoes
2 1 pairs pants (jeans and one convertible)
1 pair capris (unlike shorts, they're acceptable in most churches)
5 shirts (of various colors and arm lengths for layering)
2 lightweight cardigans
1 fleece
1 rain jacket
5 pairs socks
7 pairs underwear
2 sports bras
1 bra (get the kind with removable straps for more wardrobe options)
1 pair pajamas (opt for yoga pants, which double as a second layer on cold days)
1 dress
1 bikini
1 scarf
1 pair walking shoes (check out The Walking Company for great European-looking options)
1 pair Tevas (double as a shower shoe)
1 pair strappy sandals (my one wardrobe extravagance)


Toiletries
Shampoo & Conditioner (airline-sized; buy these as you go)
Face Wash
Razor with Extra Blades
Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss
Deoderant
Contacts/Solution/Case
Moisturizer
Comb
Hair Ties
Feminine hygiene products (Yes, they have these in Europe, but if you're particular about yours, bring your own)

Make-Up
Just because you're backpacking doesn't mean you have to look like a ragamuffin. I don't wear much make-up, so I took a slightly pared down version of my everyday makeup bag (eliminating eye shadows I rarely wear etc). At the very least, take some tinted moisturizer (don't forget the SPF), lipstick that can double as blush, eye shadow, and mascara.
Nail Kit (bring along nail files and clippers, but be sure they're in your checked baggage)

First Aid
Blister Kit (Bring Gel Band-Aids/Moleskin/Glide to keep blisters at bay)
Extra-Strength, Rapid-Release Advil (for when those red wine hangovers and early morning trains collide)
Hand Sanitizer (public transportation = plenty of germs to go around)
Tweezers

Electronics
Camera/Extra battery/Memory Card (I adore my Canon s95)
Shuffle  (For those long train rides and extra motivation on long hikes)
Converter & Adapter Set
Alarm Clock (look for the Shake Awake version to avoid waking up other hostelers)
Cell Phone (do yourself a favor and call it a mobile)

Extra Gear
Sleep Sack (only necessary for those who plan on staying in numerous hostels. Get the silk version)
Travel Towel (lightweight and quick-drying)
Small Flashlight
Umbrella
Earplugs and Sleep Mask (perhaps the single most important item you'll bring besides your passport)
Sewing Kit
Guidebooks/Maps/Phrase Books
Day Pack (or in my case, a Vera Bradley hipster bag with matching wallet)
Sealable plastic baggies
Small pad of paper & pen (use to write down addresses, directions, phone numbers or have merchants write down prices)

Cash & Documents
Passport
Credit Cards
Cash
Extra copies of Passport and credit card information (stashed in the bottom of your backpack)
Insurance details
Eurail Pass
Money belt (to protect against theft)

{Images via Elizabeth Farrar for Bella Vita}

Lighten Up!

Most women and stylish men won't be surprised when I tell you the most difficult part about planning this trip has been figuring out what to wear. I've been a 'just in case' packer all my life. I like options. I frequently travel with two, filled-to-the-brim, hope-they-don't-charge-me-extra suitcases for trips lasting not much longer than a week. So you can imagine my horror in discovering that my airline (who shall remain nameless) has a strict policy of 1 bag weighing no more than 50lbs.

'Sacreblue!' you say? I did too. Don't even get me started on the budget airline from Brussels to Dublin with it's paltry 44lb limit.

But, as it turns out, when you strap that weight onto your back and haul it through a public transportation system for an afternoon, your perception about options and just in case items shifts dramatically. Case in point: By the end of my shopping spree, I found myself in REI comparing the weight of sleep sacks (go with the silk and you'll save about half a pound over cotton, folks).

Here are my top 5 tips to help lighten things up:

• Pick a color scheme & layer -- Your goal is to produce as many outfit options with as few items of clothing as possible. The easiest way to do that is to pick a single color (blue for me) and pair it with neutral layers (black, gray, white). Use accessories (bright, lightweight scarves and jewelry) to spice things up.

• Buy as you go -- They wash their hair in Europe too. Rather than haul your industrial-sized toiletries across the Atlantic, bring just enough to get you through your first couple of stops. Create your own adventure by replenishing your supplies as you go. 

• Cut your guidebook down to size -- For my trip, I picked up Rick Steves' Best of Europe 2011, a thorough examination of everything you ever wanted to know about visiting Europe. The only problem? It was a 1300-page boulder in my backpack. The solution: Take it to Kinkos or a similar printing place and have them cut off the spine. Then take out only the sections you need and rebind them. For a few dollars, I easily cut the weight and size of my guidebook in half.

• Use these travel finds -- Check out these travel Space Saver bags from The Container Store to make the most of limited space and keep your clothes dry and organized. You can group by kinds of items or (if you're really ambitious) by outfits. Also, go out and buy yourself Apple's new Shuffle. It's practically microscopic (not only good for reducing weight, but also possible theft) and allows you to create playlists AND download free audio guides for the cities you visit.

• Do a test run -- Pain, especially of the lower back variety, is a good motivator for paring down your packing list. A week or so before your trip, pack up your backpack and take it with you for an afternoon. Navigate the Metro. Ride the bus. Explore your own city. Now imagine carrying it in the pouring rain in a strange city. If you're anything like me, you'll be able to decide pretty quickly what is and is not essential.   

Maiden Voyage

Welcome!

My name is Liz and I'll be your guide through this vicarious adventure -- a 10-week backpack-laden European tour. Over the next few months, I'll be chronicling my adventures, observing urban backpackers in their natural habitat, and offering up my trial-and-error tips for traveling light and independent.

But first, a little background and a few answers to the most frequently asked questions about the trip:

I'm not normally a nomad. I'm a 29-year-old professional woman who woke up one morning and realized her life had gone stale. Years of grueling political campaigns and incessant blackberry buzzing had steadily chipped away at my social life/balance/sanity and left me feeling exhausted and unhappy.

So, when the voters of Indiana gave me (and a lot of other good people) a pink slip in November, I briefly mourned their loss and booked a ticket to Europe. Now who's laughing, huh?

On Tuesday (March 1st), the journey begins. It will take me through the U.K, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland.

I am traveling all alone -- something that is equally empowering and terrifying to me -- but I wouldn't have it any other way. This journey is more than just seeing the sights and eating magnificent food, it's about reclaiming my life, restoring balance, and finding the next path. Kind of my own Eat, Pray, Love, but with less meditation and zero Balinese healers (though I am still holding out hope for a Brazilian lover).

And you get to come along.

For free.

Without the heavy backpack.

Lucky you!