I heading to Germany in a few months with my daughter and a friend. Having been to Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, I know that there are a few things I need for my trip overseas. 

I am so excited to visit my German friends and tour the castles and cathedrals close to their home. Did I mention German food? I'm so excited! 

So, here is my shopping list of things I have purchased for our trip. 

I had to get a new book bag because they are such sticklers for carry-on size now and my other roll book bag is too big, though I love all the room it has. 

I also needed practical things like outlet adapters and luggage tags. In addition, I always need clothes for any trip anywhere. 

I have spend hours reading my DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Germany. I love the bright photos and details. 

I decided to update my Kindle Fire and get a new tablet for the trip. I added a travel pillow and I think that's it. 

Just in case you are curious, I'll show you what I purchased.  

This lightweight backpack is waterproof and only 19 inches high so it easily fits the size requirements. Thankfully, my laptop fits perfectly. I tested it out on a quick trip to visit my sister. The backpack was easy to wheel through the airport and slid right under the seat in front of me. Check it out here. 

We had an amazing time in Italy.

Since you couldn't come with us, I want to share my trip with you with a few favorite photos. 

We arrived in Venice, taking a water taxi to our hotel which was on the Grand Canal. We visited Doge's Palace and Cathedrals, as well as a glass factory. 

We traveled by bus to Florence. On the way, we stopped to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, we stopped to have lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse restaurant. 

Florence was filled with beautiful artwork and Cathedrals. Amazing! 

We traveled by bus to Rome, stopping to see Assisi, home of St. Frances, one of my all time heroes. 

Rome was amazing. So many churches, so many cathedrals, and the largest church in the world: St. Peter's. The Vatican museum was filled with treasures--gorgeous maps, paintings, tapestries. The churches were brimming over with beauty for our King of Kings. Old Rome was full of history with the Colosseum and ruins. As a history buff, I was in Heaven. 

Everywhere we went the food was delicious. Everything was beautiful and there was so much art! We are so grateful that God allowed us to go and will treasure the memories forever. 

God bless you. 

Love, 
​Meredith Curtis

Get in Shape

Often on vacation, you do a lot of walking and climbing that uses muscles that aren't used to working very hard. Take walks, climb stairs, and get those muscles working. If you only walk from your car to the office, you might need to consider walking during your lunch hour. A two mile daily walk will get you in shape quickly. And take the stairs for a month before you travel.

Break Your Shoes In at Home

Don't take a brand new pair of shoes that you've never worn. You are asking for blisters. Try out all your shoes by walking around the block in them. Are they comfortable?

Think Comfort and Layers

Forget the jeans you have to lay on the bed to zip up. Pull out the clothes that move and bend in cheery colors that look good on you. Layers work best for a place you have never visited. You can always peel off or put on a layer as needed. I brought a light weight hoodie to wear under a rain coat with a pair of gloves to the Netherlands. When the weather cooled off, I pulled on the rain coat and gloves. When it got warmer, I simply put my gloves and coat in the back pack.

I wanted to look nice for pictures so I brought pretty shirts and sweaters to wear with my comfy jeans. Wearing light make-up and no jewelry except earrings, I still managed to look nice.

Make a Detailed Itinerary