Here is part of my pack list and some tips from my trip through Central/Eastern 
Europe.


Invaluable items:

Snowboarding jacket - My trip took me to balmy waters and tropical waters, but I 
also endured snowy weather in high mountains and frigid mornings.  My 
snowboarding jacket saved me - ventilated (good for when my body warmed up to 
the hiking), waterproof (doubled as a rain jacket), and rolls into a compact 
size.  A good Goretex jacket would be perfect as it's lighter and more 
breathable.

Thermal fleece jacket - Super warm and light to carry, but takes up space.  I'd 
probably use a stuff sack to compress it next time, or a good Goretex jacket 
could probably make this item unnecessary.  

Fleece sleeping bag - doubles as a sleep sack.  Light to carry and made the 
night trains so much more bearable.  I also used it one night sleeping on the 
train platform waiting for a 5a.m. train in Ljubljana.

Swim goggles - for swimming in the Adriatic Sea.  Next time, I'd definitely 
bring along a snorkel.

Regular sport goggles - for the snowy trek into the Tatra mountains.

Money belt - Always! And I'm talking about the one that fits underneath your 
pants, not the one that sits outside your pants and makes you a target for 
thieves.

Tripod for my camera - really good for keeping the camera still when I'm 
shooting pictures in dark, creepy places.

Shoes - a rugged, worn-in pair.  New ones will cause blisters.  I wish my shoes 
were waterproof though.




"Combo" items - here's how I saved space in my backpack.  Don't worry, I don't 
do live life like this when I'm back home:

Liquid soap - used it as soap, as shampoo, and as laundry detergent.  Could 
have used it as shaving gel too.

Axe deodorant - worked as dedorant, cologne, and later in the trip as a Febreeze 
substitute for my clothing.  I did carry a few sheets of Bounce just to make 
sure my backpack never smelled bad.

Swim trunks - doubled as my PJ's.



Items I didn't use: 

Hostel sheet - I tossed it away early on after seeing how easy the trek was 
going to be.  That is, there wasn't going to be many situations where I would 
take a night train or where the hostels were as dirty as the ones in Paris.

Chess set - no time to play.

Watercolour set - no time to paint.  Next time, I'll stick to a light sketchbook 
and do line drawings.

Extra short sleeve shirts - the weather didn't really permit it, unless I stayed 
in Croatia longer.

Also, don't get a rail pass.  Train fare is so cheap.

Eurail timetable - The website Bahn.de is more accurate, so you can avoid 
headaches carrying the timetable.