AAF

Our luggage is probably just not acceptable for travel to Europe. We have the kind on rollers...which I think is a plus. It's the sizes that are a problem. We have small and large. UGH! My husband and I are going to three cities in Italy for ten days. We think taking one large suitcase will be too awkward. (It's very large!) But two small ones will not be enough. I guess we should purchase two medium size suitcases. (This sounds like Goldilocks and the three Bears!) LOL! Do most people take two medium size suitcases? What clothing items are general recommended? How many pairs of shoes in particular? We were thinking of taking a carry-on piece on the plane. All total...three pieces. Is this too much? Please give me as much info. as possible with reference to luggage and packing.
Thank you.

jules4je7

Two medium roller bags along with a daypack/bag of some kind is quite sufficient. Pack light (see www.ricksteves.com and see his packing tips), or buy one of his books -- Rick Steves Italy 2005 would work nicely for you.

I'll never forget the gal I saw in London schlepping the LARGEST suitcase on wheels I've ever seen. I wasn't sure who was pulling what...she looked absolutely out of control. Better to do laundry once in 10 days than have to go through that, I think.

Don't take anything you won't use at least 3 times, buy REALLY good walking shoes, and only take one other pair for dress-up if you can stand it. I liked having two pairs of comfy shoes and skip the dressy part. Makes it so I can switch off.

Good luck.

Jules

CarolA

I am heading to Europe for almost three weeks with a group of 12. They are each limited to a 22" and a carryon.

Unless you are on the luxury tour where you never touch your luggage PACK LIGHT!

kayd

Two 21 or 22-inch roll-aboards (the size that is just barely able to fit in an overhead bin as long as it isn't doesn't have an expanzion zipper deployed).
Larger sizes are very challenging in the small rooms and miniscule elevators typical of Itlaian hotels.

indiboo

My husband and I only travel with carry-on bags (each carrying one 21" bag and one small personal bag) no matter where we go - that includes two weeks in Paris last March. For that trip, we each wore one pair of shoes and packed another. You need less of everything than you think you do. We are out of the airport and on our way while others are still waiting for their luggage to arrive. Do check out Rick Steve's web site for packing tips - very helpful. Have a great trip!

gomiki

AAF: If you do a search on this site for luggage or packing tips, you will find lots of threads with very good suggestions. Less is truly more!! I recently did ten days in Berlin and Venice with a 22" roll-aboard and small carry on. If TJMaxx is near you, they have a great luggage selection for low prices.

Have a great trip.

marshacarlin

Recently returned from 3 weeks in Ireland and Scotland. My husband always hates that I over pack and I really tried, but I FILLED a mediam sized pull type suitcase (I also paint so there were small canvases, brushes, paints, etc--in my defense). Traveling in April and May meant not knowing what the weather would be so I packed layers, rainjacket (I noticed that only the tourists wore these) light jacket to go under rain jacket, black Ecco walking shoes, hiking boots (which I wore on the plane cause they wouldn't fit in the suitcase and then changed into Chinese slippers for the flight). Multiple pants, tops, sweaters. In short, I didn't use the stuff in the bottom 1/3 of the suitcase, but would suggest the following: The best thing I had was a nice pair of black jeans. They went everywhere including out to dinner in a nice restaurant, with a change of top and a scarf. Sounds like your trip is more city oriented than ourw was but I still think you can't beat black pants. The scarf (pashmina stole type) was the next best thing. I brought two different colors and they either kept me warm when I need an extra layer (could also stuff it into the backpack when the day warmed up), or tied chicly (sp?) around my neck and made we feel comfortable in a nice restaurant at night. I'd suggest more tops than bottoms, and something collapsible (like a nylon or cloth bag)that you can bring with you to stuff all your goodies in on the way home. I found that a backpack and a cloth sack for purchases made they way onto the plane (+ my purse) without anyone giving it a second ("that's too many carryons&quot look.
The rooms are small and large suitcases take up too much room.
Have fun and enjoy.

suze

I recommend one 22" suitcase with rollers (24" maximum if you must) with a smaller carry-on which can piggy back on the top of the roller when you are in transit, for each person.

Yes, three pieces per person is way too much to comfortably manage IMO.

suze

I take 3 pair of shoes total, 2 in the suitcase and 1 on my feet this includes a pair of sneakers and sandals.

Is your trip this summer? I'm happy to post my general packing list but need to know the weather you will be traveling in.

suze

Oops, or maybe you meant 3 pieces shared by 2 people? Sorry.

china_cat

I simply can't pack as light as most people on the forum recommend. I commend them, but one 21" piece of luggage isn't big enough for me or my husband. When we travel for a week I carry a 24" expandable rolling bag. Plus I have a matching square bag which fits on the handle when its extended, so that I can either carry it over my shoulder, or slide it onto the handle of my regular luggage.

I can maneuver this bag up stairs when necessary, and lift it onto a luggage rack on a train, so I think its okay. My husband packs a similar sized bag, and usually a backpack (daypack type) for a carryon.

I think its better to have 2 suitcases for 2 people, so you are sharing the load. However SPLIT UP YOUR CLOTHES. So if one bag gets lost, one of you isn't completely without anything. Also, I always take prescriptions, toothbrush, change of underwear, clean shirt in my carry on, so if luggage is delayed, I at least can last a day.

madameX

So much depends on what you plan to do, your travel arrangements, time of year, etc., e.g. it is one thing to stay at one location and take taxis or easy shuttles to/from the airport, and entirely another if you are doing trains and hauling your own luggage frequently, and up and down stairs where there are no elevators (can we say "charming inns?".) The more you have to haul your own luggage, and more frequenctly, the smaller the suitcase should be.

I also recommend packing lightly, but making yourself comfortable, i.e. if you are miserable without a robe and not staying in the types of hotels that have them, find a good lightweight travel option, or use your cardigan or pashmina shawl. (As any number of posts indicate, layers are a key!) 'Also agree with the person who recommends trying to get 3 uses out of most pieces. You may not want to spend your precious vacation time at a laundromat, so know that we've had great luck in most cities with the local cleaners when we've needed to do the basics, e.g. clean 2 weeks worth of underwear when we face another 2 weeks.

At a certain point: each to his/her own in terms of the wardrobe that you feel comfortable in, as long as it is reasonably appropriate to the circumstance.

I have to admit that I COULD pack in a duffel with lots of black and a few tops and accessories, but feel less wonderful when I do. What really helps: when you have that one outfit that packs into nothing (matte jersey, silk knit, knits i general, crinkles like Miyake, etc.), with small shoes and accessories. While most of my city days in summer are separates of skirts/tops/a dress, it feels good to change out of the daywear in the evening. At dinner, I exchange the "workhorse" daybag for a small evening purse, some slides NOT meant for all-day walking, and feel great. For me, this extra outfit or two keeps me from going nuts, but it has to be packable and small.

As for shoes: again, it really depends on what you see yourself doing. Of course, bring a comfortable pair for your sightseeing. But do you plan to do any swimming, hiking, etc? Any plans for "nicer" dinner options? Plan accordingly. Personally, I still like to change into a different pair of shoes for dinnertime. Some flat sandals, ballet flats, or low-heeled shoes still let you walk a fair distance, and don't take up much room.

But yes: there are times when it is difficult to get around a larger suitcase. My upcoming trip sees me in both professional and leisure activities over 5 weeks, from Tuscany to the Isle of Skye, i.e. all kinds of temperatures, weather, events, and appropriate clothing needs. It will be one larger suitcase and a moderate carry-on, i.e. NOT a suitcase-size, largely because I hate to feel like a packhorse in airports. I COULD do it in the smaller suitcase, but would be pretty miserable during my stay, aesthetically. 'Sort of like whether people would rather truly go the cheapest route on on food and lodging, but be able to travel longer --- we all find our own balance in how we want to travel. But this trip, I don't have to deal with trains or subways! I'd be back to a smaller suitcase if I did.

I'd also ask: how big is that suitcase? My largest is 26", i.e. what I use for the 5-week, multiple purpose stints. I've easily done London or Paris with the 22" suitcase and a small carryon. In part, I ask because my friends with families in Asia have truly enormous suitcases to bring things back and forth for family and their own purposes. I can't even think about that size rationally, but they have their reasons.

And yes, there are other threads that provide more speicifics on wardrobe. As mentioned, there are basics of any trip, but A LOT has to do with location and season.