Luggage And Bags: If you're not likely to travel with just a carry-on, then bring a suitcase with wheels...you'll need it--much easier to drag the bag with wheels than try to carry it. Also, packed in the bottom of your suitcase, stuff a collapsible duffel bag. You can check it on the way home (after stuffing it with some dirty laundry and such). Frees up more room for souvenirs.
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Try to blend in as much as possible. Opt for black as being your main wardrobe color. You can accessorize with accents of red, for example. Parisians do wear denim so feel free to bring your favorite pair along.
Bring the following, based on the length of your stay and whether or not you're doing laundry:
5 shirts, mix varies by season--include white T-shirt (for layering)
one pair of underwear and socks for each day (it may also be wise to bring at least one extra pair of each just in case your plane is delayed or anything like that)
2-3 sweaters for layering
3 pairs of pants...1 in black, 1 pair jeans, 1 in your own favorite fabric/color
dressy outfit for a nice dinner or outing to Moulin Rouge
shoes: bring 3--one dressy, two comfy for walking. Wear heaviest on plane.
black leather jacket
Pajamas
belt
tie or scarf
umbrella...as soon as the first rain drop falls from the sky, the umbrella vendors are out in full force.
Toiletries & Medical Supplies: Forget bringing sample sizes...if you have a lengthy stay, then you'll have to bring many samples or buy the products there.
Here goes:
Shampoo/Conditioner
Deodorant
Makeup
Hair accessories/brush/spray/gel
Toothpaste/brush
Feminine hygeine products
Razor, unless you want to go "natural"
First Aid Kit: Bandaids, antiseptic, Ibuprofen/Tylenol, Moleskin for blisters, Immodium AD, cold/allergy medication, tweezers.
Spare glasses, contacts
Any medication you need, put it in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
A loofah and soap: Many hotels don't have washcloths available.
Put your shampoo/conditioner/cleanser/any
thing spillable in zip-loc bags to prevent leakage.
Photo Equipment: Tons of film! You never run out of subjects to capture in Paris.
I bring a point-and-shoot camera and a small digital camera.
Bring a mix of color and black and white film. Always have the security guards in the airports and elsewhere hand inspect the film. Don't put the film in your checked luggage...the x-rays are 5 times as powerful for checked luggage.
Miscellaneous: Bring a journal, record your trip, jot down addresses, names of people you've met, that great wine you had at dinner, etc.
Zip-lock baggies: Great for food for picnics, containing wetness, bagging potential leaks before they happen. I put my toiletries that have the potential to leak in a zip-lock bag to prevent a big mess.
Address list for sending postcards.
Small flashlight, esp if you are going to the Catacombs.
Tiny locks...get the Travel Sentry locks (they have them at Target, for example). These locks allow the TSA to open your locks with a "special" key. It's also a good idea to lock your luggage in the hotel.
Bring Shout wipes to eliminate stains.
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on Aug 21, 2006
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