Clothing

Being Confortable
﻿ Northern European weather is usually cooler, wetter, and more variable than in the United States. South of the __Alps and Pyrenees__ it can be warm and stuffy usually about any time of the year. Walking in and out of museums, restaurants, and stores may force you to off and on your coat. In stores the heat from those little halogen lamps can be very uncomfortable. Be ready for rain or shine, morning chill or the usual afternoon heat. In addition to your umbrella carry a light weight windbreaker at all times. 

Dressing Sharp
Pack everything, put on your hat and coat, open your umbrella, (raining or not), check the time, and walk one mile away from home with everything you have. Then, pretending you are trying to catch a train or trying to get to the tourist office before it closes, run or walk home. If you can make the round trip comfortably within 45 minutes, you have packed light. It is best if your test course includes a short, steep hill or several flights of stairs, upwards on the return leg.

Also make sure that all of your traveling companions can pass the pack light field test. If not, old friends may become lifetime enemies. Failure to obey the pack light rule will doom you in so many ways that you will be better off to stay home and water your tomatoes. Those taking a cruise or tour may think that they can escape this rule, but be aware that porters and taxis are usually scarce and-or expensive. Picture: polyvore.com