Most of the hotels had hair dryers. If not, it's not a big deal to towel dry your hair.

Some hotels have laundry service, the place we had problems finding a laundrymat was near Rothenburg Germany. I went in to ask at a gas station, with my translation book and the guy there acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. Went back to my car and some other guy had overheard me and come to my car to help. He told us where one was.

The electronics have to have dual voltage and then you have to bring the adapter plugs to fit European outlets. I think most newer electronic devices are dual voltage there should be a sticker on the bottom. I wouldn't bring them myself. You're going to be seeing Europe, why would you want to have a computer and Kindle?

ATM cards/credit cards. Make sure you tell your bank that you will be out of the country and what countries so they don't put a hold on your account. Don't buy money before you go, it's more expensive that way.

Cell phones, I hardly ever used a cell phone before when I went to Europe but I took one anyway to call my dad and so the kids could call theirs. It came in handy when we missed getting to one of our hotels in France. I used it in other instances too. I bought a Mobel phone which can only be used in Europe. It was pretty expensive too so I used it sparingly.

Purse: I've heard pick-pockets are rampant, so was thinking of getting a sling purse with a small padlock? Is there a better way?

Slings can be cut and snatched easily.

Backpacks should be worn on the front and arms securing.

Best are those belts that can be worn under your clothes.

AND don't wear good jewelry, on the streets. Preferably no earrings, necklaces.

Phone: I rented a simple flip phone through Verizon because mine wasn't global. They mailed it to my home. If you rent just make sure you tell them exactly which countries you'll be visiting. It wasn't expensive.

Purse - cross body is best but many sites will advise you to carry your money and cards on your person and not in a rear pocket. The pick pockets are very clever, some are children and often distract you while their partner lifts your money.

My Kindle is global - check with Amazon to see if yours is.

The laptop might be handy for checking train schedules and making hotel reservations. However I wouldn't want to lug one around - I hope yours is small. Just remember that many people return from trips and are shocked at their bills when they discover how much data they used. Check with your service provider.

My son took his Mac with us but discovered that he needed a special 'Apple' adapter so we bought one at a computer store in Dublin. So if you have Apple check with them.

I also checked with my bank before I left and switched my checking to an account that gave me a Visa debit/credit card that I could use without any service fees. I used the debit card when I wanted cash from the ATM. But I used my American Express to make purchases since my card didn't add on a transaction fee. If you use a credit card find out if they tack on a transaction fee and what % it is.

My AM EX card also didn't

I've only been to England and Germany out of your list, so I'll only comment on those. If you don't get answers to your other questions here, you could try TripAdvisor- do read through the forums first and even use the search box at the top of the thread listing as you may well find these questions have been asked and answered.

You don't _need_ a cell phone but they're awfully handy, especially if someone from home is trying to get hold of you. If you have an unlocked phone you can buy cheap sims locally which make it cheaper to use. Can't say if hotels have cell phones available (we stayed in apartments) but would expect them to have land line phones available if not in the actual rooms.

No idea about hair dryers in hotels (see above).

We found self-serve laundries easy to find and use in London, but very hard to find in Berlin.

A sling purse is not a great idea as there are also thieves who swish by on a motorcycle and grab the strap as they go past, or other thieves who slit the strap or the bottom of the purse. That said, we had no problems with pickpockets in six weeks in Europe (London, Berlin, Krakow, Czech Republic and Croatia). Not saying they don't exist, but except perhaps on the Paris Metro, you're unlikely to encounter one if you take normal precautions. I had a PacSafe handbag which has steel threads in the bottom and the strap so it's cut-proof. Also the strap unclips so you can wind it around a table leg or similar and re-clip it so it can't be idly picked up in passing. And the zipper opening has a clip so it can't be stealthily slid open. For a man I would say don't put your wallet in your back pocket, that's really asking to lose it. DH keeps his in a buttoned breast pocket on his shirt with some loose spending money in the pocket as well so he doesn't have to openly riffle through wads of cash in his wallet. Don't walk near the edge of the sidewalk so as not to present a target for the motorcycle thieves.

Can't help with the visa for Turkey, but once you get into England you can enter other Schengen agreement countries more easily.

Voltage in Europe is 230V so your electronics will need to be able to run on this- it will be marked on the item. If your item is marked 110V and not 110V-240V, you will fry its little insides trying to plug it in in Europe. You will also need a pin adaptor- you should be able to get a universal adaptor fairly cheaply in travel and electronic shops.

A credit card is handy as a back up but in Germany for instance, cash is preferred. If you have a debit card with low foreign exchange fees ATMs are certainly the easiest to use.

Take one, maybe two credit cards, and you can get money at ATM machines. Years ago DH carried only AMEX card and either charged everything or got cash. Not sure how it is now. Make sure DH carries his wallet in a front pocket on his pants, Some even put a snap/safety pin to close it. DH never had problems years ago, but again times have changed. Are you going on your own? No agent planning anything? Be sure you have some sort of medical insurance and trip insurance. Print out the suggestions here, and keep in touch when you think of something. Most travel agencies have check lists. Don't forget some medical stuff--if flying, find out what you can take and what is restricted. As to visas, etc, a travel agent should help you out. If you are not a member of AAA, you might look into it.

Purse: I always carry a small leather backpack type purse that can be worn in front, on the back, or on the side as the situation dictates. Make sure it is large enough for an umbrella, etc. The key is to be street-smart, but you don't need to overdo it.

ATM: I exchange about $100.00 here in the states so that I have ready money when I land for a cab, etc. There are ATMS everywhere but sometimes you will find the airport ones crowded or not working, so while expensive to exchange money in the U.S. it gives me security. As mentioned, make sure to tell your bank where and when you are going. You can also shop around for credit cards that don't charge international fees (I have Capital One) and banks that don't have ATM charges on their cards (I use a credit union card). Otherwise these charges can be hefty.

Hair Appliances: are best bought in Europe, but if you bring your own make sure it is a good quality dual voltage and bring a multi-country plug adaptor. I would think that hotels have them, but you can always ask in advance.

Computer: again, make sure it is dual voltage (all of them are these days) and it will work fine with the plug adaptor. I agree that you should invest in a very lightweight laptop--a cheap netbook, for example--or you will regret it.

I just came back from 4 months in Europe with one suitcase! So it can be done. Black or gray clothes (ie. two pants/a skirt/a few tops) work everywhere and don't show dirt. A week of underwear to hand wash. Two pair serviceable walking shoes. Lower your standards and have fun doing so! No doubt some hotels can arrange laundry for you.