And while we wait for things to open up and get back to planning our next adventure- we are spending some time dreaming about where we will go, what we will do when able to get back on the road again.

But for now, of course, travel is on hold. And so, the dreaming continues- and today it is all about 24 hours in Rome, Italy.

Last fall we traveled to Europe in October. We were in France for a week where I had some work I was doing there- and after we wrapped up- it was over to Italy for a bit of R&R.

You might not know that we had just finished shooting all the photos for my new book – literally finished a late night location styling and photography the night before we left for Europe.

My husband knew how much I wanted to include a field styling in the book- and we just ran short on time to get it done. So, when we drove to Tahoe to drop Sweet Pea off with my daughter- on the way back we stopped and set up a farm table in a golden field surrounded by mountains. It was one of my favorite shoots actually- the sunset was perfect, the field was beautiful and no one was out wandering on the trails which was perfect.

Rome

I have shared what we were up to on our travels in Capri, Positano and France- and today it is all about a day in Rome. Literally. Just a day. We were there less than 24 hours- but we managed to see quite a bit just by wandering.

We left Positano in the morning and hopped on a train to Rome. It was several hours trip and we have found that we really enjoy the train travels in Europe. It is relaxing (mostly) and you get to see beautiful countryside along the way. When we got to the Rome station- we walked a mile or so to our hotel which was right in the heart of the section of the city where my husband wanted to stay. Have I mentioned before that my husband is half Sicilian? He loves all things Italian and all things full of history- and so-while all things French are my cup of tea- all things history filled like Rome- is his.

We dropped our bags at our hotel and ventured out to do a bit of exploring. Rome was actually not on our original travel agenda and was a last minute stop – we changed from leaving Positano earlier and stayed several extra days there. Rome just happened to be where we could get a flight to Paris easily- and so we decided to stay one night there on the way back. The goal was to see as many of the things within walking distance as we could before our flight back to Paris the next morning.

Where we went

Since we were just a block or so from the Coliseum – we started there. Side note – we did not pay to ‘formally’ tour or go inside anything. These are all just photos we took while wandering.

You can see that it was not too busy – there were tourists but in many of the areas it was not that crowded.

Though that said- the Trevi fountain- was insanely cram packed. I was actually a bit claustrophobic trying to grab a few photos. I am already a big germaphobe and don’t like crowded situations- and I had gotten a cold the week earlier while in Capri and was already sucking on cough drops like they were going out of style- so I was trying to be extra cautious of being exposed to anything else. So, at the fountain- we wandered in- snapped a few photos above all the tourists heads and left pretty quickly.

We wandered to most of the historic spots that were in walking distance- the Roman Forum was quite beautiful and interesting to explore on several side.

Wandering & then stopping to explore is kind of how we do things wherever we are- so basically- that was just what we did. My husband knew what many of the buildings were from history books-and we pretty excited to see them in person.

We did wander off the beaten path a few times and found hidden gems tucked away.

And we continued to explore until evening and the sun was beginning to set.

Random note: The sky and clouds above the architecture kind of reminded of those skies that are painted inside the shopping and casinos in Las Vegas. haha. So, I guess they replicated the look pretty well.

It was such a beautiful evening- and wandering the side streets not far from our hotel was so fun.

We enjoyed a traditional Italian dinner in a restaurant and sat outside to soak up the ambiance and beauty.

And then headed back to our hotel to relax. We did do a little more exploring of some of the areas the next morning before our flight left- and then it was back to Paris for one night before heading home.

Tips

Stay Close –The best tips I have for a quick stop in Rome- is to stay right in the area you are trying to see. It makes it much easier to not have to get a taxi or uber.

Grab the map and wander – most of what we saw was right in that central area- and we didn’t really need the map to figure out where to go- you can kind of get a sense from just walking where the paths and crowds are. But the map does help you plan which direction and how to avoid dead end paths or streets that you think might go through but don’t.

Ask for dinner recommendations. There were a lot of little bistro and deli type restaurants right along the main areas. Usually we like to stay where we can cook our own food- but this was a quick stop and we didn’t want to buy a bunch of fresh produce etc to cook anything when we were leaving the next day. So, a dinner out. Being vegetarian -we asked our hotel concierge for recommendations as to where we would find the best vegetarian options.

I hope this helps inspire a few day dreams about your next travels – I know I am itching like crazy to get back over to Europe- and I have some big ideas and plans I am working on.

Side note: Today is the last day to enter this weeks New Book Celebration Giveaway– a set of 4 Arte Italica Finezza chargers- click on over to enter in this post here.

Happy travel daydreaming all.

The post When in Rome appeared first on French Country Cottage.

It is all about wine country fun today.

If you are looking for a few things to do that are free or inexpensive on your next trip 

I’ve got you covered.

The wine country is always a beautiful spot to get away- whether it is a staycation or a destination

and there are so many things to do here.

Of course the usual wine tasting and tourist things are fun- and today it is all about simple. 

You can read more about 7 Things to Do in the Wine Country in my post here. Happy Friday all.

Edith and Evelyn Vintage |How To Create A French Trumeau Mirror

French Country Cottage | 7 Things to Do in the Wine Country

Maison de Cinq |Romantic Spring Table Setting in Purple & White

Shabbyfufu |Parisian Style Table Setting Ideas

Cedar Hill Farmhouse |My Favorite Daily Routine

Designthusiasm |7 Simple Tips for Styling a Spring Vignette

The post 7 things to do in the Wine Country appeared first on French Country Cottage.

The post Travel Diaries- Positano, Italy appeared first on French Country Cottage.

The post A charming place to stay & shop antiques in France appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Yes, please.

I have been in Europe for a bit of work – and slotted in a little extra time for relaxing.
And one of the spots we landed for a few days was Capri, Italy.

We rented a historic villa that overlooked the sea- and had the dreamiest outdoor veranda area where we enjoyed breakfast and dinner everyday- and one of the days there my husband made his famous harvest lentil soup and sandwiches for dinner.

 I will share much more of the villa and our stay there soon- but today it is all about all of these delicious soups my friends are sharing- thanks to Kristen from Ella Claire Inspired for hosting!

Lentil soup is a favorite in our house- especially when it is chock full of garlic and chunky vegetables. Served with a warm bit of bread – it is a  hearty meal that is perfect for those chilly autumn and winter days.

Easy Slow Cooker White Bean and Ham Soup by Ella Claire & Co. | Creamy Cauliflower Soup by Tidbits | Butternut Squash Minestrone by Nest of Posies | Light Creamy Mushroom Soup by The Chronicles of Home | Corn Chowder by On Sutton Place

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup by Live Laugh Rowe | Apple and Celeriac Soup by Inspired by Charm | Chicken and Dumplings by House 214 | Chicken Gnocchi Soup by Tidy Mom | French Onion Soup Bowls by ShabbyFuFu

Sausage Tortellini Soup by My 100 Year Old Home | White Chicken Chili by Rooms For Rent | Roasted Pumpkin & Garlic Soup by Home Made Lovely | Healthy Halibut Chowder by Town and Country Living | Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup by Happy Happy Nester

Creamy Low-Carb Roasted Cauliflower Soup by Summer Adams | Dairy Free Cream of Broccoli Soup by Zevy Joy | Butternut Squash and Pear Soup by Nick + Alicia | Harvest Lentil Soup by French Country Cottage

The post A table in Capri & Vegetarian Harvest Lentil Soup appeared first on French Country Cottage.

There were twinkling trees, piles of ‘presents’ and stockings hung by the chimney with care…
and a whole lot of movie making magic.

I shared a few sneak peeks on IG while there- and here are a few more- along with the details about the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas Special which is airing TODAY October 19th- starting  at 10pm/9c.

If you have never been on a movie set- this is what it looks like.

 Lots of cameras and hands running the show- with lots of takes and lots of secrets.

Here are a few peeks:

And stay tuned for some more Christmas fun coming your way- along with a fun in store event with Balsam Hill in Maryland on November 2nd- where I will be sharing a few tips on decorating a tree along with doing a book signing.

And yes, I know it is only October- and we have Halloween and Thanksgiving yet… but I am already about thinking twinkling trees and mistletoe too… so- happy Halloween, Thanksgiving and almost Christmas all.

The post Balsam Hill & Hallmark Channel- Countdown To Christmas behind the scenes appeared first on French Country Cottage.

The post French Country Fridays- All about London and where to stay appeared first on French Country Cottage.

It was amazing- and one that we dreamed about and thought about for quite awhile and I promised to share a few tips on where we saved quite a bit.

Crazy Fact: We spent about the same on travel expenses for 2 of us to go to Europe for 2 weeks- that we spent for the 5 days- week we spent in Southern California for a book signing & media appearance in September last year.

How is that for a crazy comparison? There were some extra travel expenses with both- and we did a bit more indulging in Southern California on some things and dining out- but we did spend about the same for those trips.

So where did we save the most? First up- I am no expert!  Just sharing what we did and what we learned- this was a first trip for us and we are already using some of what we learned for the next trip. I would love your tips as well if you would like to share in the comments. As I mentioned before, I did work while in Europe and one of the ways we saved was by working with some of the companies and there were quite a few ways that we were able to travel and enjoy ourselves and not feel like we spent a fortune for 2 weeks in Europe-even with local travel expenses, food and lodging costs and visiting 3 different countries.

Probably the biggest savings was on where we stayed and how we stayed.

#1. Airbnb / HomeAway

We stayed in apartments or houses instead of a hotel everywhere we went. We only spent 1 night in a hotel in the 2 weeks we were there- and that was only because normally airbnb require 2-3 nights and we had just 1 before we were moving along.

In Paris and London- we stayed with Paris Perfect/ London Perfect and I did work with them on this trip while doing several photo shoots and social media as well. And both of their apartments were right in the heart of wonderful areas of Paris and London and made walking everywhere -and saving on uber or bus tickets or train tickets -very easy.

In Cinque Terre- we found a 4 level home overlooking the sea right in the heart of Riomaggiore. It was a wonderful apartment that was absolutely perfect for relaxing in, cooking in and for soaking up the sea and flavor of Italy.

In Roquebrune-my husband found a 4 level home overlooking the sea that was absolutely wonderful. Roquebrune is a medieval village and we were so enchanted with it.  We also stayed in a lovely apartment in Avignon.

All of those places were averaging about $100 -120 a night and had kitchens and several floors to enjoy.  In contrast- the hotel we stayed in for 1 night in Paris was over $300. (I am certain there were less expensive ones though this was a weekend night and a room with a balcony and view)

#2. Food

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner…. all on the go or in a restaurant for 2 for 2 weeks?
 Just figure about $20-30 each meal if not going to a fancy place, adding wine, bottled water, Gelato or anything else… x 3  per day x14 days…
Well, that can definitely add up.

Here is a fun fact for my husband and I personally with restaurants: We are not big ‘going out to dinner’ type of people.
It probably goes back to when we were first married: we were young and we struggled down to the dollar sometimes to make it each month.  We never went out to eat- because buying ingredients went far further than paying for a dinner. And even when we could afford to go out for a nice dinner later on- for vegetarians at that time before they had a ton of vegetarian options on a menu like they do now- it was a salad or plain pasta or with marinara sauce if they didn’t use a chicken or beef stock in it. 
So, we tend to prefer places we know are vegan restaurants or cooking ourselves.
We do eat out when traveling or date night in the city-  but generally- we just are more ‘cook our own food rather than eat out’ type of folks.

So, we knew we were not going to be dining out all 3 breakfast, lunch or dinner while traveling.
And that goes back to the Airbnb places  where we stayed.

After we got settled into our apt in each area- we shopped the local markets daily for breakfast and dinner. My husband loves to cook and he made us breakfast and dinner almost everyday.

We did enjoy a few bites of local cuisine – (because- when it France… )  at restaurants for lunch daily &  dinner and dessert in Paris- we did want part of that experience of local foods and restaurants  as well- just not 3x a day- and we brought  protein bars for snacks- which we always travel with.

So each day at the market for the days meals- fresh fruit & veggies, breads, eggs, cheese, coffee, pasta, etc – was about $20 total.   In contrast- when we enjoyed lunch in Manorola, Italy at a cafe and people watched- that by itself was $25.

#3. Coffee 

This is such a random thing…  but I am a huge morning coffee person. And a pretty particular morning coffee person.  When I am traveling- I almost always get up early and jog to the nearest Starbucks to grab coffee and bring it back to my hotel.
But we knew in several places we were staying that there would not be Starbucks or Peets and the local cafe shops were not usually open until 7:00am or later. We we were up at about 4:00am with the time change- and pretty much watched the villages and cities we were staying in slowly wake up each day.  And to make sure we had coffee while doing so-  we ordered foldable coffee pour overs that are for camping- but that work like a charm anywhere.

They packed up easily in our bags – and with just a bit of ground coffee and hot water- we made good strong coffee every morning, and sipped it while enjoying the view from our apartments. We are completely sold on them. They are about $10- (saved a couple in my travel section in my Amazon store- affiliate links) We will be packing these again and again.
Side note: Our apartments did have those pod coffee makers which we could have used- we are just strong cup of coffee types and haven’t really found that with pod coffee- so these pour overs were perfection.

#4. Walking everywhere

We didn’t grab a car, cab, Uber etc. unless it was going to/from the airport or further than it made sense to walk. We walked about 15 miles a day in Paris and London and when in Italy and Roquebrune, France- it was even more miles (remember all those stairs and that walk to Monaco?)

Walking is a great way to see everything from a different perspective. You hear people talking, feel the cobblestones under your feet- plus with all the fresh bread, wine and cheese you might be enjoying- it definitely helps keep those vacation pounds at bay.  We both lost weight even with eating a higher carb diet.

#4. Train Tickets

You can’t walk everywhere as I mentioned- we went from Paris to London for example- that might take a bit longer than 2 hours to walk.   So we took the train.
The train in Paris was easy- most everyone spoke english and so we navigated that system without an issue.
A tip- purchase your ticket ahead of time for the best rate. We waited not knowing what time we wanted to leave Paris and head to London- and the price of the ticket more than doubled overnight.

But we found a very inexpensive ticket leaving from Disneyland Paris going to London at the perfect time. So, we grabbed an uber to Disneyland, Paris (just outside of Paris) and hopped on that train for about 1/2 the cost of leaving from the main Paris train station- even factoring in the Uber ride.
And we got to see a bit more of the outer Paris area while traveling to that station.

#5. Tourist attractions

I think I mentioned before- my husband is Clark Griswold. He plans travel, how you can see as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.
BUT- we are not huge tourist type tourists. That doesn’t make sense I suppose- what I mean is-
We are tourists- but we don’t like to follow tour guides, or stop at every tourist attraction and take a selfie. So we talked about what we wanted to see in Europe ahead of time.

Him- the historic castles
Me- off the beaten path villages

So while we ran around and saw those landmarks- we also wandered.  And we only paid to go into one tourist attraction in Paris- the Arc d Triomphe.
And something to note there:
We had no idea 2 things… that the view from there was INCREDIBLE. And that you had to climb 284 steps up the spiral staircases and again down those 284 steps and spiral staircases.
I honestly felt like I was dizzy by the time I was halfway down. But that stop was a suggestion of several folks on IG who said it was a must – because not that many people do it- and the view is spectacular.

#6. Tour bus & boat

Now that I just talked about how we didn’t do tourist attractions- we DID do 2 things that are touristy that we both recommend. We rode a boat to get from point A to point B in Paris a couple of times when we were running low on energy and were down by Notre Dame and needing to get back to the Eiffel Tower.
It was relaxing and fun really- you still felt like you were in the middle of everything and could sit and chill for 10 minutes.

And in London, at the suggestion of my stepdad- we hopped on the hop on/ hop off bus for a tour of the city one morning we were there. A GREAT suggestion actually- because you can see everything, save your tired feet a bit and learn so much from the guides who talk about everything. We didn’t really get off the bus, we just simply rode it for about 2 hours and saw the top 10 things to see.

The rest of the time we wandered through neighborhoods, through Kensington park and in search of Sherlock Holmes areas to send to  my daughter. And we enjoyed meandering over & exploring several  place- snapping wisteria and doors everywhere- and stopping for a bit in Notting Hill where we found a wonderful vegan restaurant and grabbed take away for a late lunch.

#7. Pack just a Carry On- and keep it light

Each checked bag was an extra $100- unless you bought a ticket that included 1 checked bag.
We happened to do so- as we wanted to choose seats on the plane- but if we hadn’t that would have added another $400 total ($200 there and $200 back) to include those checked bags.

We ended up deciding to bring just 2 carry ons- which I highly recommend.
Though watch the weight limits- because we did have to check our carry ons in Paris when they weighed too much.
Tip there- either upgrade or keep your bags on the light side.
(easier said that done for sure)






#8. Cell Phone plan

When you travel- you are racking up roaming charges on your cell phone- even if you think you might not.  Instant email loading, text messages, that quick post on instagram or facebook- they all add up.
We checked into the options for our cell phones knowing we would be using them for navigating, checking in with the kids and house & dog sitter- and that I would also be using mine for work.
 We decided to get a per day plan- which was free to add through ATT – and the charges only kick in you are traveling abroad.

I think it cost us about $10 per day per line ($20 per day total)  but it was unlimited and is much less than International roaming charges. It meant my daughter could face time us everyday and that we didn’t worry about staying in good contact with everyone over in the states-  or how much we were using our hotspot for wifi when we didn’t have a good signal and I needed to work on the computer a bit.

#9. Time of year

Of course, planning for the least tourist filled, least busy time of year to visit will save on expenses. We went the first couple of weeks of May and we probably could have saved some going in April. We thought the weather might be better in May and we were celebrating our anniversary in country as well.
The first part of May was not super busy-so it worked great and it was a little less than it would have been mid-May to June. In Cinque Terre- we were there right before the tourist season arrived- literally the day before we left.   We got off the train that day because we were packed in like sardines – I kid you not-  standing room only and no room to breathe. Kind of brings on the anxiety I tell you.
We were glad we had already enjoyed several quiet days in Riomaggiore and were heading to Roquebrune the next morning.
So plan accordingly for those less busy times and you can find deals and more options on hotels or apartments.

Next trip- I believe we will rent a car and drive through the countryside areas so we can see more off the beaten path. My husband has the international driver license and we found the rental cars are very inexpensive- if you are good with driving a stick shift.  If you would like an automatic- which is probably what most of us would prefer here in the States – the price jumps quite a bit.
Note: In Cinque Terre-  there is no parking and it is very expensive if you do find parking. The trains are the way to go other than when they are packed- but just wait for the next one.

#10. ENJOY

Probably the top tip of alllll the tips. Just enjoy yourself and don’t focus only on how to save every single penny or cut your experience down too much. Just simply soak up all of the experience.

I think if you plan ahead and plan for doing what works with your budget- you will have the time of your life.
For us- it was easy to set aside some of the expenses because of the type of experience we were looking for in Europe. For others- it might look different.  We didn’t do fine dining everyday, no cooking all vacation long or going on all the tourist attractions – which was what we wanted but on the contrast – was also a lot more work than just going out to eat and staying somewhere that has more amenities and might be more relaxing for sure.
I say there is no wrong way- pick and choose what works for you.

Plan ahead and decide what you are comfortable with and what experience you would like to have. And then get some comfy shoes and GO and enjoy yourself.

Up next- one more day in Paris- and where and what we ate, did and recommend there
and the doors of Europe- because, something we are working on currently was inspired by some of those doors.

Sharing more soon.

Happy Monday everyone!!

The post 10 simple tips for saving money while traveling in Europe appeared first on French Country Cottage.

The post French Country Fridays- The most charming place to stay in Paris appeared first on French Country Cottage.

So when thinking about packing for Europe for 2 weeks… well, I was sure I would need a checked bag and a carry on.

But, I also knew we would be moving quite a bit to new areas, riding trains and planes and going up and down A LOT of stairs where we were staying.
(remember the 850 stairs to the village in Roquebrune? )
So the week before we left- I decided to forget the checked bag and go with just a carry on.

My husbands friends at work laughed at him when he told them what we were doing- and one of them said that I would need a carry on for just my shoes.
 Yeah, I proved him wrong.

I got everything for 2 weeks in the carry on size luggage- with 3 pairs of shoes and with extra room.

And today, I am sharing what I packed and why I knew that the small luggage would work, what shoes I knew would be good for walking miles every day.

Number one


If I was to be honest with myself- I really wear the same things all.the.time. I don’t have a huge wardrobe full of pretty clothes- I have a curated selection of clothes that I love and wear.
I am not a huge clotheshorse. I am most definitely an antique chair and fresh flower horse though.
The jeans in my closet?
I have several pairs of the same size and brand jeans- and I wear them all.
The dresses for date night and the opera?
Just a few select options.
Colors?
I have a basic capsule wardrobe of classics- denim, black, white, blush and a few wild hairs that I love like cobalt blue, coral and lime green. I know- so random.
Shoes?
I do have a few that I wear so little they stay mostly because I just like to look at them- I will be honest- but the others- I rotate and wear all the time unless they are glittery heels for a formal occasion.

So, when I thought about what I usually bring- to NYC or High Point for example-where I go wrong when packing light is that I bring a lot of options. That suitcase is chock full with jackets, blazers, shirts, etc. And I literally usually wear just 3 different shirts, pants and 2 pairs of shoes for the 3 days I am there.  So right there, I could whittle down my selections knowing what I usually wear.

Number 2


We were staying in apartments all except one night in a hotel in Europe.
We wanted to be in a home like locals would be – rather than a room- and more space than just a hotel. Plus we wanted in room amenities- like a kitchen for cooking and a washing machine for doing laundry.

So, though I packed enough unmentionables and socks just in case we ran into a washing machine issue- we did laundry every couple of days in our apartments to keep things clean and ready to wear again.

So What did I pack?

Believe it or not- even with all the thought and curating ahead of time,  I actually packed things I didn’t wear. haha.  Seriously!  But- it wasn’t my fault.
The weather was unseasonably cold and rainy in Paris- we even had hail one day while out wandering. So, those cute sundresses and denim jacket pairings stayed in the suitcase and I wore my jeans and winter coat (that I literally brought at the last minute) more often.

Here is what I brought:

Tops

4 tank tops (I wear them to bed and under everything)
2 dressy casual shirts
2 denim button shirts
1 sweater
Light rain parka
Denim jacket
Winter jacket

Bottoms

1 pair of jeans
1 pair of black pants
1 pair of capris
1 pair of shorts
2 sundresses
Underwear/socks


Shoes


1 pair of tennis shoes
1 pair of comfort boots
1 pair of flip flops

Side note: I wear flip flops while inside the apartments/hotels and while taking a shower when traveling, etc. Call me crazy,  but growing up – I was on a swim team and I learned a long time ago about walking bare foot where a lot of people are walking and the reasons you should not to do it.
So they are always in my suitcase.

I wore some of the heavier items like my jeans, boots and my winter coat on the plane.
I am always chilled it seems- so the winter coat was a no brainer- but I originally didn’t plan to bring it. I was told I wouldn’t  need it in May- but the more I looked at the weather, the more I decided to leave the lighter coat at home and bring it just.in.case.

AND- I wore it at least half of the time we were in Europe.  It is also a coat that could be dressed up if we decided to go to a nice restaurant.

All of the things I brought were interchangeable. The shirts went with each pair of pants, the denim coat with dresses, pants, shorts – and my 2 pairs of shoes worked with everything as well.
And guess what- my suitcase had extra room even with all of those things in it. Which is crazy. No sitting on it to get it to close over here.

Shoes

This was a big one. My husband would tell you that I tend to wear pretty shoes that hurt my feet- because they look good. I would agree I am guilty of that.
But I also knew we planned to walk and explore every day- and there was going to be a lot of stairs in two of the villages we were staying in.

and so I researched a few good looking and good functioning options and came up with running shoes

and a pair of comfort boots. 
I used to wear Teva Sandals when I was in high school- we wore them in the river or when camping -hiking rocks, etc.  but I haven’t worn them in years. 
But when I saw these Teva Foxy booties – I decided to give them a try. 
And let me tell you- these boots were a game changer. 





They actually were more comfortable to wear everywhere than my tennis shoes.
They have a 2″ heel which isn’t crazy but makes you feel a bit more put together- and they are perfect with shorts, jeans, black pants, dresses- you name it.
I wore them constantly – they were perfect for navigating all those charming cobblestones  I might have bought these as a second pair already.
haha.

Packing into a 20″ suitcase


My husband was in the military and showed me years ago about rolling clothes to have more room. So rolled up and tucked neatly to create as much room as possible.
Plus this is my Favorite suitcase. Aside from it being gorgeous gold metallic (it looks more pink here but it is the gold)  it has a TON of space and is sturdy- I take it everywhere.

I wore the heavier bulkier items on the plane and tucked anything extra in my carryall bag.

What else did I bring?
My curling iron
1 small bag of makeup (girly girl- but don’t use a ton of makeup)
and 1 small bag of liquids.
Sanitizer / wipes (germaphobe here)

Handbag


I brought my LV Neverfull GM– as my personal bag on the plane.
I have carried this for travel for work for several years now and it tucks right underneath the seat in front even if it is filled to the top.
It held my computer, cords, adapters and neck pillow etc.

The only places we ran into an issue at the airports 

London and Paris.

In London- it was actually hilarious. They were so nice and so funny – my husband and I were both pulled aside and our luggage searched- but not for doing anything wrong – other than having too many liquids.

 The TSA agent was so funny and I laughed and laughed when he looked at me and loudly asked ‘What have you done!?!’
I replied ‘uhhh, probably a whole lot of things! ‘

Thankfully, I did okay- it was just my baggie of liquids- when he picked it up he cringed and said
 ‘My God- this baggie is Massive!!’

I had no problem in the U.S with the liquids- but I had to whittle down what they let us have in the US to about 2/3rds-  and my husband had just 1 bottle of shampoo too much after they helped us to cram all the others into those tiny bags. So- lesson there- pack liquids even lighter in Europe as their  allowance is even smaller than here.

Read more about our stop and where to stay in London Here

In Paris- our bags were small enough- but they did weigh them on the way the back.
Oh yes… and heavy they were.

Thankfully, we had already paid for seating on the plane that included a checked bag at no charge- Which is another tip to do ahead of time- because otherwise it would have been an extra couple hundred dollars at the airport to check the bags.
Read more about Paris and where to stay for this view from your apartment Here 
And read about our travels in Cinque Terre, Italy,
Roquebrune, France and Avignon, France 

Honestly, after cutting my wardrobe back and being honest about what I do wear when traveling- I think my suitcase will be feeling a bit light again for my next trip.

Stay tuned for more about Paris, a recap of favorites and Must do, see, eat , etc. and the best tips for saving costs when traveling.

Happy July 1st everyone.

*some affiliate links

The post Tips for bringing just a carry on for 2 weeks in Europe appeared first on French Country Cottage.