Need gift ideas for my dd travling to Europe

I went pre iphone (for me), but I don't think you need a converter for the phone. I'm not sure about the camera. I went with a DRebel and just charged extra batteries before I went, so I didn't have to worry about it.

I went in June/July another time for 17 days with four charged batteries, and never had an issue.

England and France are both 220-240v. So her electronics need to be able to accept that voltage or she will need a converter as well as the plug adaptors.

Shampoo in checked baggage is fine. Liquids and gels in carry on luggage is restricted, at least on the US portion of her flights. Her instructor will be a good resource for information on that.

We bought this for our trip to Italy. It was awesome. Charged our phones and tablets with it. portable universal adapter

I agree with others that it is likely to be damp. In fact, last year it was so damp it was called severe flooding!! The damp can make you feel so much colder. Make sure she has good footwear that blocks the cold coming up through her feet. Good socks too, worth their weight in gold.


As a fun, no expense gift you could make a list of British words/phrases and she can mark off those she hears. You could do the same for foods/drinks. She needs to have a bacon sandwich with brown sauce and a large mug of tea.

The crossover bags are the best because backpacks are a pickpocket's dream. In a crowded bus or subway car, you can't always tell if someone zipped open your backpack with everyone smushing you. 

When I went, I had a crossover bag and one of those one armed travel "backpacks" for my SLR camera--it could be flipped around so the strap was on the back and the pack part was in front of me. Zipped closures instead of snaps is a must--pickpockets are very good about slipping into bags. 

Also, pickpockets like to congregate where there are "Warning: Look out for pickpockets" signs because everyone double checks with their hands to ensure that their stuff is safe--so the pickpockets know which bag to hit. They also work in teams.

When I was in France at a train station, two guys picked a fight with each other near us, and then the third one was hanging around trying to grab our bags when we were distracted. Earlier I had seen all three together, so we weren't distracted. We did point them out to security. We found a wall to lean against and sat on our bags with our legs through the straps so no one could grab a bag and run off. 

Good shoes are a definite must. I'd get more than one pair--that way if one pair gets soaked, your dd has another pair. Plus, your feet get tired of the same pair. I had a great pair of closed toe and back walking shoes, but I also took a cute but comfortable pair of sandals--it was summer. We went to The Phantom of the Opera in London and a violin concert in La Petite Chapelle in Paris--breathtakingly gorgeous, especially at night. (those same day ticket places are great) Having dressier sandals was nice, plus they were comfortable enough to wear during the day.

I also say that using a debit or credit card is better than bank exchange rates. The cards give you the best rate that day, not whatever the rate is plus add ons at those exchange rate places--plus you're more vulnerable when you're carrying cash. We didn't need many traveler's cheques either, but there were some places in 1997 that still didn't take cards. 

I'm so glad your dd is getting to do this! I loved getting to go when I was in college. I love British Literature and would love to go all around at the different author's homes. I did see Churchill's home and his art studio.

If you go to www.ricksteves.com and read the travel forums, there's lots of great ideas and advice from well seasoned European travelers.

They don't use Euro's in the UK and after living there for 10 years.. pretty much everyone takes Visa and Mastercard.. debit or credit.

oppps I missed going to France.  I would say my experience is you get a terrible exchange rate in the US.  I always got money out of the ATM in the UK and found that to be the best exchange rate.  I would tell my friends and family who visited me to pull some out at the airport.   Tell her whatever she does DO NOT use the Bureau de Change.. they are a HUGE rip-off.

Voltage is different and can be a problem...... 

She can use her card, but you need to look into the costs for using it/exchange rate your bank charges etc and work out whether that is a cheaper option than others.

A raincoat (with a hood) is a great idea - makes moving around easier than with an umbrella!

As others have said, a good pair of shoes for walking about during the day is a must - and not trainers as they are not warm or waterproof if the weather is bad.

Plug adaptors are great - have travelled to the US for many years and never needed anything other than that with any of my appliances.

I don't know what your mobile phone contracts are like, but I NEVER use mine if I can help it - the first stop I always make is to Target for a AT&T or whatever card and use that with landline phones, so that may be a consideration.

'Emergency' credit card would be good - just in case.

No need for a separate kindle - download it to her phone if she hasn't already...and there are some good books for the countries she is visiting she may want to have on there!

Liquids are monitored here as well as in the US as far as taking on the plane. 

Don't let her pack to the max on the way out - she needs weight to bring back the rubbish she buys over here!! lol