JessBT

Ive bought cheap eBay and ikea ones and they’ve all lasted several overseas trips that involve moving from place to place and therefore a lot more packing and unpacking than a cruise. Depends on how much you’re willing to spend but I’ve had no problem with those cheapies. They’ve done 3 Europe trips of about a month each

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I chaperone school groups from Australia to Europe and our students wear their passport in money belts for the flight, on trains, on tour and any time they’re not in host families. Too inconvenient to replace especially when travelling in a big group scenario.

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We’ve used the travel cash cards so that you get 2 cards in case one is lost or stolen. You can load your home currency into multiple currencies if needed. Last time we had euros and pounds. Most of these are visa or MasterCard and accepted everywhere we went.

I also chaperone school trips and this is a great option for the students so there is no problem with a lost card.

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An excellent resource for common scams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_dG5k2UsUBrUI35dddmYhA

Created by a former Parisian policeman but in English

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Passports, most cash and cards in money belts hidden under clothes. Admittedly I’m usually in Europe in winter when it’s easier under winter clothes.

I lead groups of Australian teenagers who can be terrible at putting items down. They carry those valuables in the way mentioned. Phones, travel card and small amount of cash in cross body bag under coat. Non-valuables in a bigger daybag.

My crossbody bag and backpack are travelon and pacsafe brands respectively as I’d be in a real problem if I lost my belongings or my students’ paperwork that I must carry at all times. It’s on thing losing items or having them stolen when you’re on your own trip and can take the time to file police reports, go to embassy etc. But when it’s going to hold the whole group up or mean that our teacher to student ratio is higher while one of us does that messy run-around with a student it’s best to be over prepared.

Despite all this we *almost* lost 3 phones last trip. One taken by gypsies which luckily we got back as a passerby helped students, another was put down in Dubai airport and a third was put down in McDonald’s at Versailles! Luckily in the last 2 cases they were handed in!

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I used this pacsafe one on 2 Europe trips to France, UK & Ireland. Lots of museums, never had to check it. Held so much. Pale colour lining is a bonus as contents of bag is easy to see.

Pacsafe Luggage Citysafe 200 Gii Handbag, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QN2VKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e7S7Ab08WDMTK

I will take it this coming trip to France too but depends on how much paperwork I have to carry on a daily basis. I’m school tour leader for 17 teens and have to carry paperwork for them everywhere I go which adds up to quite a lot. My partner has a pacsafe backpack and that might be what I take this time if all the paperwork doesn’t fit in the messenger. I do prefer handbags to backpacks though.

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Ghost tour is excellent. Very creepy but great history tour even if you don’t believe in ghosts!

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Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, set in Iceland, historical fiction about the last person to be executed in Iceland.

Ken Follett trilogy about WW1, WW2 & Cold War - Fall of Giants, Winter of the World & Edge of Eternity. Follows different characters in different countries whose lives cross at different points, follows their offspring in subsequent books. Russian link for your cruise

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We used the London pass the last time we were there. You do need to schedule in quite a few sites per day to make it worth it. Organising a few sites that are geographically close to one another makes this possible but it may not be to everyone’s taste or liking. We didn’t combine the Oyster card with it as we were staying in London longer than the 3 days we had the pass.

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Brain usually really only enjoys first 3 mouthfuls of a new food then we finish the rest out of habit. Stick to first 3 mouthfuls and you'll still try lots but not overeat but savour instead.

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