Shoes

A blister the size of a pencil eraser can make you absolutely miserable on vacation. Larger ones can make you wish you’d stayed home. Wearing a pair of cheap, too-old, too-new, or poorly fitting shoes to Europe is a recipe for a horrendous trip. You will be walking a long way no matter how you travel, so come prepared. Whatever you choose to wear - Birkenstocks, running shoes, stiletto heels, whatever - make sure that they will last at least another few months and are properly broken in. Take at least one five-mile walk in them and see how they feel at the end of it. Put new laces on them before you go. Yes, I know it’s obvious, but it still bears repeating. The largest blister I’ve ever seen was on an American traveler in Munich who came to Europe wearing a brand new pair of shoes.