medieval watch tower in Bagno a Ripoli, Tuscany built in the 1600’s

One of my unexpected challenges has been staying warm in our accommodations in Europe during springtime. If you travel where there is no central heating or modified fixes to provide heat consider these tips:

1. consider wearing ALL your lightweight (easy to dry) layers; we decided we wouldn’t need bulky warm layers or heavy jackets; but I would have appreciated a toque

2. despite what we do in Canada, wear your shoes indoors….the stone, marble and tile floors are chilly

3. congregate with everyone in one room, preferably with a door and enclosed ceiling, bring in extra chairs from other rooms, play cards, read, snuggle, watch a movie or ensure everyone has a device and a recent shower

4. inspired to shop for warmer clothes….only spring fashion available, settle for hauling the bedding to the designated hangout  (we did see toques for sale in Amsterdam in mid-May: a stylish shop with very nice toques—-we didn’t go in)

5. open the curtains, let the sun warm the room then remember to close them when the sun goes down  — unless you are in Holland, where curtains are not typically closed because they have nothing to hide and also have seriously stylish homes (on one occasion I was surprised by seeing someone clearly comfortable and warm preparing super in considerably less clothing)

6. discover the purpose of shutters beyond looking nice: reach out and close them at night and conserve heat (close by Venetian neighbours, the ones we could reach out the window and shake hands with, also appreciated when we closed the shutters to reduce glaring light and noise)

7. light a fire in the fireplace: and if the owner of the medieval castle hides all the wood…perhaps you continue to huddle in the kitchen, burning down a 400+ year old historical building could be embarrassing  —- we also appreciated that the watch tower slits for shooting arrows had been filled in

enclosed patio outside the dining room of the watch tower

8. wear a scarf; not only fashionable but provides extra warmth, women, children and men all wear scarves in Europe

9. hang out outside on the patio….it is often warmer there in the day than inside the house as houses are designed (likely by default) to stay cool

10. hit a cafe, bar, tapas place, brassiere: enjoy the sunshine on the patio, sitting in close proximity to other patrons —  isn’t only because the places are smaller—it seems it’s also to stay warm