Packing for your European Vacation

Ever try to carry a forty-pound bag around Paris all day? Packing for a European vacation is fun, but it’s easy to go overboard and pack too much. You don’t want to spend your valuable vacation time lugging around a bag that’s got every piece of clothing you ever owned in it, so follow our three simple packing tips and pack like a pro!

1. Figure out your essentials Make a pile of things you absolutely need and can’t buy at your destination. This pile generally includes medication, glasses/a spare pair of contacts, your passport, and other irreplaceable items.

2. Use a small bag for toiletries Makeup, razors, and whatever else you need to stay fresh and beautiful should fit in a small bag. Don’t bring shampoo, conditioner, or other easily found items. Remember, Europe has shampoo!

3. Carefully pick out your clothes The first thing to pack is comfortable shoes. Next, pick out three pairs of pants or skirts, four shirts, and two sets of pajamas. Pack one nice outfit for going out. Pack socks and underthings for five days (Europe also has Laundromats)! If visiting a warm destination, pack a bathing suit. Think about the weather and pack one coat or jacket, if needed.

After all of this, put everything in your bag and see how much room everything takes. If you have extra room, pat yourself on the back, but don’t add anything else—you’ll need room for souvenirs! The everyday items you buy in Europe and bring back with you will be happy reminders of your European vacation every time you use them.

Bon 14 Juillet!

Bastille Day is the French equivalent of Independence Day. It is traditionally celebrated with a large military parade down the Champs Elysees; evening streets dancing often organized by the firehouses in towns and villages all around France and splashy fireworks. There is no special food traditions on this special day unlike America where hot dogs, corn on the cobb and apple pie figure in many Independence Day celebrations. Here is a list of essential French words to help you in the celebration:

• 14 Juillet ( Bastille Day)


• Fete Nationale (National Holiday)


• Feux D'artifice (Fireworks)


• Firemen ball (Bal des Pompiers)


• Hymne National (National Anthem)


• Bleu, blanc, rouge (blue, white, red)


• Defile (parade)

Storming of the Bastille

This year is the 222 year anniversary celebration of France's national Holiday- Bastille Day. In 1789 a mob of Parisians stormed a medieval fortress-jail in the middle of the city in search of gunpowder and that was the beginning of the French Revolution. This prison was however more a symbol of the absolute power of the Royalty than the awful prison it was made out to be. At the time of the storming it was nearly empty housing only seven old men, four forgers, two mentally ill residents and a gambling aristocrat. The fortress was destroyed bit by bit on July 15 and its stones carted away and sold as souvenirs and for building material. In fact, Paris Pont de la Concorde was built with stones from the Bastille. Le Marquis de Lafayette sent one of the keys of the Bastille to General Washington and today it is now on exhibit at the museum in Mont Vernon. Today you can view a bit of remains of the Bastille in the Metro Station Bastille (line 5).