You should definitely take two pairs of shoes, I find it ends up hurting my feet to walk miles in the same pair every day for weeks. I wouldn’t take hiking boots (unless you are really hiking) but comfortable walking shoes and a pair of all-around sneakers.

I’d also like to point out that they sell clothes in Europe. Rather than shop for everything beforehand, maybe you’d like to buy a shirt in France or Italy to take back as a souvenir.

And alas, it’s not sandal weather in Paris anymore. Not sure where you’re going but if you’re going south you probably will want sandals or athletic sandals.

For footwear, personally I would go the route of good running shoes (or cross trainers) and a comfortable pair of black loafers that you can walk several miles in. My Danskos got me all around Copenhagen, including on bikes but still look more formal. If you’re doing a lot of walking, being able to switch shoes every other day really helps.

Have fun! Always enjoy reading the blog and happy you’re getting a chance to enjoy life.

And I’ve heard varying suggestions on allowing them to run the sales conversion in your home currency. I tend to skip that, trusting my bank to give me the best deal on the conversion.

shoes: keens. super comfy and nice looking. but I don’t think you want more than two pairs of shoes if you can help it!

Except in airports. The soles have a big piece of metal embedded, which makes for springiness, but also means you’ll have to take them off and put them on the belt every time. But they’re totally worth it.

I would take my netbook.

Don’t bring your laptop–you’ll just worry about it getting stolen it all the time, and you’ll have enough trouble getting through airports with your ipad. You probably shouldn’t leave anything valuable in your hotel rooms, you know. Do you really want to cart your laptop everywhere?

On shoes, I second those that say not to wear hiking boots. A comfy walking shoe that looks nice is best. Too bad you’re thinking of this just now, a couple days before you leave! The brands mentioned would work, and you could always buy shoes there if need be. Isn’t Italy known for some fabulous shoes?

Other commentors have brought up the Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I’ve recently started a running program and have been *loving* the Five Fingers shoes. They are incredibly lightweight and packable, but I wouldn’t walk around town in them. (Mine are light colored and look like “American running shoes” so that’s manily why.) If you’re not used to running in Five Fingers shoes, I wouldn’t recommend switching to them at the last minute, either. Vibram recommends that you get used to running in them slowly if you’ve been wearing traditional running shoes for a while. Also, if you have any foot problems like flat feet you likely can’t wear them.

On the laptop: don’t bring it. The iPad will be enough and if you want to do some blogging, why can’t you do it with your portable keyboard attached? What functionality would you gain with a laptop there? Internet cafes that have desktops could work in a pinch, too, and you can save your writing online with Google Docs and access from anywhere.

Have fun!

RE: laptop. Buy yourself a cheap used netbook instead of taking the ipad. I sold one to a friend who went to Guatemala for the summer and didn’t want her main laptop to be destroyed while traveling. She was able to email, etc., with little risk. The full keyboard, while tiny, is convenient for writing.

E.g.: http://cgi.ebay.com/Acer-Aspire-ONE-/150494479264?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item230a2b83a0#ht_500wt_1154

going for $100 right now.

And leave the laptop. Two devices (iPad and phone) are enough.

I can’t recommend the Rockport World Tour shoes enough. They aren’t the perfect running shoe, but they’re comfortable enough to run in, sturdy enough to take camping and hiking, and nice enough to wear to churches and nice dinners.

http://www.rockport.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=world%20tour&origkw=prowalker&sr=1

I had a pair that lasted 11 years and I used them for everything, including hiking and touring across Europe. I’ll be buying another pair soon — as soon as the I’m-not-paying-$85-for-shoes shoes I’m wearing for just a year wear out.

We had to buy new clothes, or suffer from the heat – interiors were worse than outside, because the buildings were constructed to conserve heat, not to cool down. Buying the clothes was annoying at the time, but it turned out great: not only did we end up with an appropriate wardrobe for the weather, but we wore the items for several years each, which made them better souvenirs than the usual stuff we end up buying that clutter up the house and end up being boxed up or thrown away. I still have one of the shirts, which has now graduated to being a nightshirt because it’s so old and worn, but I think of the trip every time I put it on.

So I’d advise tossing out as many extra clothes as you can, with the mantra “I can always get another if I need to.” You may find that you don’t need to get anything else and you do perfectly fine with three pairs of pants and three shirts, or whatever you bring, but if you don’t and have to purchase something, you end up with a nifty, long-lasting, useful souvenir.

My boyfriend and I are traveling to the UK for a couple of weeks in October, and we’re not even bringing toiletries like shampoo, because one of the things we like to do is wander around basic stores in other countries, to get a feel for how the locals live. It’ll give us something to do the day we arrive as we’re staggering around trying to stay awake long enough to adjust our internal clocks to local time.

That said, I’m not opposed to picking up something else for this trip. I just regret that I only have 48 hours to break them in!

As for running shoes, you’ll probably be walking alot, so you won’t need that extra exercise from running. Also, they have shoe stores in Europe. If you really miss your running shoes, buy a pair over there.

As far as electronics, don’t bring both laptop and iPad. If you must, choose one or the other. Internet cafes are common in Europe, I personally wouldn’t bring either.

I was also going to suggest that WSJ that Jeff suggests (I assume that’s Walter Mossberg’s about leaving your laptop behind and relying on the Ipad. It almost makes me want to break down and get one (still using the Kindle).

Have fun! (love your blog by the way)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703860104575507892265552372.html

Here’s my prediction: You’ll get more important work done if you elect to go without any electronic equipment.

I love the electronic stuff. It is of great value. But it is addictive and over time it pulls your attention away from long-term thinking.

Vacations are about recharging your batteries. Leave the stuff you do at home entirely behind and you will make HUGE advances because your mind will be freed up in a way that it is never free up when you have easy access to lots of electronic equipment.

We all need to learn how to use these tools to our best advantage.

Rob