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So I am heading to Europe for a week.
Wondering if anyone has suggestions for appropriate clothing for one week of travel and any suggestions of other things I would want to bring with. Destination is Brussels. Think I will choose to fly economy because the difference is several thousand dollars and/or equivalent air Miles and the plane ticket is a gift. May upgrade with Delta miles depending on the amount needed.

Also wondered if anyone has experience with flying and layover in Dubai?

I’m heading to Paris shortly for 5 days.
Pack less than you think and focus on comfy shoes. Europeans are not quite as casual as we are, but by no means do you have to be dressy. Bring one nice outfit for dinners out (big fan of modular dressing and using accessories). It rains a lot, so bring umbrella. Cobblestones and all are uneven, so no heels or wobbly shoes. Also if you don’t do "tap to pay", that’s really common in Europe, much more so than the US. So look into that for credit and debit cards. (I have a separate bank account with a debit card just for travel. it is not connected to any other accounts, so if I get hacked it is isolated. Something to consider).
And have a good bag - must zip on the top and be able to wear on your front (like a crossbody). Pick pockets are really good in Europe, and I’ve had friends who live in Europe get hacked by the RF readers, so I advise those RF sleeves or wallet to protect your cards.

I also looked at upgrading and it was $9000. not doing that.

Have fun!

Europe is generally more moderate temp wise. Brussels 10 day forecast runs between mid 50 & mid 70 degrees. Bring light jacket. I always tell the wife that they have stores there so don't stress about being perfect in what you pack.

I always bring one pair of comfy walking shoes (usually all black simple sneakers with black laces, so they don't look completely like athletic shoes), and one pair of cuter shoes (but still comfy, think sandals, loafers, ballet flats).

I also always bring a waterproof shell and something warm to layer underneath like a zip up fleece or packable down jacket. I didn't use them on my last trip to the UK, but on a trip to Ireland years ago, the weather turned unseasonably cool and rainy and I was grateful to have both. I wore them everyday, and it was summer. It was also super windy, not practical for an umbrella.

Good advice given in the responses above, I do all of that, separate debit card, travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees! RF protective pocket etc.

I also use WhatsApp while traveling. Perfect phone and video calls all around the globe, FREE! Go to your local bank and order some cash in the local currency, just in case you have trouble with your cards. Enough to get you over a night or two while they send you new cards if necessary.

I've mastered the art of packing only a carry-on, and small personal item. Great way to save money on airfare, get through customs more quickly, and ensure that your bags don't get lost.

[This message edited by WhoTheBleep at 5:42 PM, Wednesday, September 7th]

What to pack depends on when you're going, check the weather forecast. In general, pack less than you think you need. And ditto on the pickpockets.

I don't understand why you have a layover in Dubai though, surely there is a better route??

Zen
Dubai is one of the options strangely and I have wanted to see it for awhile. I wondered if anyone has used a layover there to sightsee.

A friend has been there before but mainly the airport passing through on the way to a war zone.

Someone else I know recently spent the day in Iceland sightseeing on their way to E. Europe. They had an amazing time on their layover.

Packing light is probably smart. I appreciate the ideas. I am even open to hearing people's brand preferences for travel clothing. Or even wardrobe basics.

When I left wh I had basically the clothes on my back and a very few other items. friends took me to yard sales and the goodwill so I would have something to wear. Then covid happened. So I don't have much in my closet to choose from and want to buy and pack wisely.

It's good advice to consider the weather where I plan to be. I was also thinking of style, business dining attire, accessories (rfd makes sense) and other considerations.

It's been a hard road back for me to some semblance of normalcy in my life.

I will be on a budget to buy clothes. I do have a decent pair of black pants.

I am thinking for now that packing an umbrella which I have, a packable down jacket (which I have), a lighter weight fleece jacket, black flat athletic walking shoes (which I will need to shop for), a sweater for the plane, maybe a blazer of some kind (will need to buy), maybe something like Chicos or travellers brand dressier black slacks, a pair of black heels (mules) and a couple of nice blouses and maybe a packable wool and a cotton decent quality t shirt and maybe a decent tank top for layering and a cardigan?
Maybe a pretty scarf? And a neutral cross body purse?

That sounds like an awful lot to pack for a week, but maybe that's just me.

To see anything in Dubai, you will need to have a layover of AT LEAST 6-8 hours and take taxis from place to place. I know that sounds like a lot, but you have to factor in the time for immigration leaving the airport and then the time passing through security and going to your gate coming back in. This time alone you should allow 3 hours for, so if your layover is not more than 6 hours your schedule will be very tight.

You might have heard we are in a heat wave here, so unless you are coming late autumn or later, you probably won't need a down jacket.

Also bring a US -> rest of world adapter for your electronics, and a transformer for any electronic item that isn't dual voltage (most are, but check yours just to make sure).

Thanks Zen :)

Great advice!

(I always get great advice on here! Thanks!)

Paring down in my mind..

Mid to late October. Maybe I will go with down vest that can turn into a pillow on the plane :) maybe just one wool travel t shirt :) maybe off of Mercari so not so $$$ but that will dry easier. Maybe just one blouse and one pair of black pants lol. I tended to be a light packer in the past but there will be nice dining and stay in nicer hotel.

You are so right about the converter. The person I know who travelled recently could not charge their phone on the plane because they went with all USB C and no converter.

And Bearly so true about the $$ to upgrade. It was more than 20 times the cost of a ticket.

Anyone have favorite airlines to Europe?
Any ideas about food on the plane. One person who travelled recent told me they about starved to death coming back from E Europe.

Don't depend on the airline for food (in economy that is) - they might give you some but it only comes at certain times and that might not be the time(s) you want.......

I always order a special meal but also never count on (a) getting it and (b) it being palatable or enough!!

So I also bring foods with me. I'm lacto-ovo vegetarian but also keto and sadly most vegetarian airline food is pasta (so that's out). I bring nuts and hard-boiled eggs with me, plus whatever looks appealing at the grocery store on my way to the flight.

If I'm flying EU <-> US or Asia, I try to fly Air France, they have good service and good food, even in economy, or Swiss. If I'm flying EU <-> South Asia / SE Asia / Singapour / Australia, I like Singapour (sp?) Airlines, Thai is good, Swiss I think is in an alliance with Singapour. I have also flown Emirates to Australia, they have good service and not terrible food, and IIRC have a screen showing the direction to Mecca

If I'm flying only within Europe I usually try for EasyJet, it's a 'low cost carrier' so you have to buy their food or bring your own but if the flight is only within Europe it's not very long anyway.

I hate United, American, British Airways (always late / on strike / terrible food and service), Lufthansa. Not sure if that's the complete shit list of airlines.

All of this is IMHO, YMMV.....

And I really hope you enjoy your trip, the weather should be pretty good then and you should be able to get by with just a carry on.

If you’re staying in Brussels then pack for autumnal outfits, rainy days although you may be lucky and have some nice sunny days too. Comfy shoes and a thin jacket, layers is the key as you may go out in the rain and the sun may come out a couple of hours later. So tops, cardigans, jacket.

Now if you don’t stay put it depends where you’re going, South of Spain is roasting, South of France pretty hot, Italy is also still experiencing summer, Greece is hot. The Nordic countries are already during their cold season. Here in the UK I took my winter jacket out yesterday but today is back to autumnal thin jackets. So if you’re more specific than you may get better advice, Europe is a big place with different climates depending where you are.

Thanks Zen! Avoiding American and others on the list if I can.

and Yes Luna, you are right about how big it is. It will be a week in Brussels give or take. Maybe a weekend of travel somewhere reasonably close by train just to see a little more of the world.

The person giving me the trip/ticket found some old air Miles they had forgotten about that are still very useable :) and they have a work related reason to travel so I figured why not :)

I would highly recommend utilizing the travel forums on Trip Advisor. We've used their website many times when planning a trip. You can ask all sorts of specific questions about the area you're traveling to.

Have a translation app if you don't speak French, even though a lot of people in Brussels will speak English they can get snooty if you don't even look like you are trying.

Belgium is a small country, it might interest you to visit the Flemish/Dutch part while you are there, you can easily get to Antwerpen by train, for example. And the people in urban areas of that part tend to be offended if you ask them if they speak English, they're like 'duh, I went to school'

Whereas in the French part you get the snooty if you don't at least try. No one expects people to speak Flemish/Dutch, and in school they all have to learn English and German.

Thanks for the tip about the travel forum Number 4 and also thanks for the language tip Zen. I don't speak French..and all of this is good to know :)

Best translation app is DeepL you can also translate menus with it.

If you have time Bruges is gorgeous, well worth a visit. Have fun!

I would make sure your shoes are waterproof as apparently October has an average of 19 rainy days.

For me, as someone with curly hair this usually means trying to find some way to keep it from going frizzy without carrying a ton of products.

I'm so happy you're getting to do this! Wish I was going with you.

You've gotten great tips. I went to Europe for 17 days with a carryon bag only. I don't know how I managed it but it was GREAT.

The only 2 things I'd add are:

Take underwear made of quick drying fabric. You'll only need 2 pair that way cuz you can wear a pair and wash them in the sink that night and they'll be dry by the day after next.

Rick Steves has a lot of great travel tips. One of my favorite is to put 2 strips of duct tape on the outside of your suitcase. For 2 reasons: makes it really easy to identify your suitcase and if you need a piece of duct tape for a broken luggage wheel or something, you'll have some. I had fun picking out a fun pattern of duct tape.

Oh heck, you know I can't stop at 2......

If you're a coffee drinker, beware, the serving cups over there are tiny and they don't offer free refills. I carry chocolate covered coffee beans and eat one of those when I need my caffeine. Or, take a caffeine capsule.

2 pair shoes. Walking shoes that'll handle uneven places and the ballet style shoes.
One pair of black slacks for evenings.

An assortment of lightweight tops, a couple tank style, so you can layer during day and pair with a nice scarf for evening. Color coordinate them so they all mix and match. I think you can google travel clothing ideas or maybe on pinterest or somewhere.

I always kept my money in various places, never all in one spot. Thieves have been known to cut the straps on the shoulder bags so be aware. I prefer to carry a shoulder bag of some size cuz it's really hard for a thief to run off with a Betty Boop hot pink bag. I prefer thick straps on the bag so they don't dig my shoulder. I always get one that zips shut. I put my money in something that doesn't look like it holds money (e.g., Tylenol bottle) and I only put a few dollars in my "wallet" (in case they do grab my bag and look inside for my wallet, they can take it but won't get much). All that said, if you're going to be staying in one hotel, you only need to take a few dollars with you when you go out in which case you can carry whatever kind of handbag you want. I still like a tote bag because it holds the jacket/umbrella/impulse shopping finds. I walk with a firm grip on the straps over my shoulder and have never been approached.

Oh, and my credit card is in a thing attached to my mobile phone. You're going at the perfect time of year to get one of those scarves with a zippered slot that holds a few small items, like a phone and passport and a few dollars. If you don't find one, message me and I'll send you one of mine cuz I bought 2 when I got mine (2nd one was nearly free).

I've had good service from Delta. But IMHO, it's more important which airport you go out of. Avoid the New York airports if you can. Baltimore was nice to go out of. Chicago was good but makes for a longer flight, although that's not necessarily bad if you're able to fall asleep. We connected in Montreal one time which was OK but the language barrier was a hassle. And if you can go via Iceland, I vote for that option 1000% no matter what airline or airport you have to use.

I am so excited for you and so glad you're getting to go!

I wouldn't pack an umbrella, but I'm really not an umbrella guy so take that for what it is. Definitely a water proof jacket that's breathable. You can layer this over sweater or sweatshirts for colder nights. Make sure you have a USB-A to your phone cable. Worst case you can pick up a $5-10 plug to USB-A that matches their outlets. I use a block that works 50-60hz 110-240 volts so all I need is a simple plug adapter.
Day of travel I wear my bigger shoes (less space in luggage) as long as they are comfortable to walk or god forbid run in. If it's not too hot on departure, I wear any jacket I'm taking. (luggage space again). I went with Neon green Luggage straps this time. My bad had popped open in transit (did outbound this time also) before so it was a two-fer. Identify the bags and help keep them secure. Don't have to do much. We have one handle cover (kids school) and one with multicolor ribbon. Really anything to get your bag to stand out from the masses.
Careful with your phone in public. Theft of phones can be a real issue in places. UK they will run in teams of two with one person driving the motorcycle up to you on the sidewalks and the other snatching the phones.