Based on 8 months of European travel, I want to offer my suggestions for the top 5 items you should bring when traveling through Europe. No shout stick included.

1. crocs

These things have proved to be way more useful than I ever could have imagined. I bring them most everywhere when I travel, you can shower in them, wear them, and use them as “house” shoes. Thanks to Jenny for this suggestion.

2. pashmina

I’ve literally used this as a scarf, a towel, and a shawl. You can’t go wrong with this thing. And it’s Europe so it’s easy to buy them almost anywhere.

3. and 4. are part of my hostel travel kit. Earplugs and a facemask.

Mainly, because you have no idea who you’ll be staying with, who will snore, and when the lights will ever go out when you need to sleeping. These have also proved useful for train and airplane travel. (sorry about the non-scaledness of the earplugs to the facemask, it’s too humorous to re-do)

5. lock and key

Most hostels offer a place to lock up your valuables, if you are traveling with a computer, ipod, or other item that you’d rather not have stolen, I recommend you getting a lock, the investment is worth it.

So there you go, my top 5 european travel items.