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One suitcase or two for two weeks in Italy

One suitcase or two for two weeks in Italy

Old May 4th, 2016, 12:00 PM
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One suitcase or two for two weeks in Italy

I am going to Italy for two weeks and have been hesitant about taking my 26" hard sided case because I'm going to have to get it on and off trains and possibly up and down stairs. I'm heading in the direction of a Briggs and Riley expandable carryon that I can check and topping it with a B&R tote that fits over the handle. B&R has a nice connector on the back of the carry on that will take the tote. Has anyone tried this combo?
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Old May 4th, 2016, 12:07 PM
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No, but I wouldn't ever even consider it. Two weeks is no time at all. You don't need much stuff. And I don't even know why you'd need a combo. For two weeks take a 22" rollaboard and pack wisely. No one there knows you and is going to be scoping out what you're wearing. I do weeks after weeks in Europe with a 19" rollaboard.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 12:49 PM
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Even when staying six weeks in Italy, I have never taken more than a 22" rollaboard plus small carry on type bag that attachs and sits on top when moving about. I don't have a Briigs and Riley but they are an excellent high quality brand although pricey.
I put what ever I would have in a purse in the smaller bag plus electronics and toiletry/RX bag. I pack a smaller empty purse in the larger bag and carry all of it on.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 12:55 PM
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StCirq is absolutely right. I'll be traveling for a month in Warsaw and in Germany in June, and I'll be carrying a 21" suitcase and a shoulder bag.

I check my suitcase and use the shoulder bag for my book, my medication, my neck pillow, and odds and ends, but I could do without it.

If you wear the same outfit for multiple days, nobody is going to know.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 12:59 PM
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I am into cheaper luggage that is super, super light weight. No point thinking about looks. It all gets dirty anyway and the airlines can rip the wheels off even the best. I go the easy way and check it. I pack a small carryon with meds and change of clothes. It is soft and fits into the larger suitcase or a tote that attaches to the larger suitcase. For me, a 24" is perfect with the carryon that can attach. Certainly do not need or want two suitcases to lug around myself.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 01:37 PM
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I've found that expandable luggage is a recipe for disaster. Over the years I've gone with 26"/28" expandable Hartman along with a duffle bag. Now, having traveled a great dea and becoming a lot more savvy, I take a 22 1/2 " Rimowa. All I need for as long as I'm gone. As StCirq said no one know you or gives a hoot about what you're wearing.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 01:44 PM
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I use either a 19 in or 21 inch rollaboard for just about ant trip. Never bigger. Once in a blue moon I also take a tote-type carry on too. But 90% of the time it is just my rollaboard an a handbag -- which would be plenty for two weeks.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 01:50 PM
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huh, I could never travel for two weeks with a 21 inch suitcase. Shoes are the big issue, my feet being comfortable is very important and I do dress up some for going to the theater, and to dinner. If I never did and only took casual clothes, I probably could. Also, outer wear, it depends on potential weather.

Anyway, I don't even have a 26 incher, though, I think a 24 inch is a good compromise, also, that's what I like. I never have a problem taking care of it myself, including trains, but maybe I am stronger. I don't mean that to be snarky, but it is possible, I'm sure I won't be able to handle it when I'm 90, for example.

I don't own any hard-sided luggage, don't get them or why people like them so much. Seems like it would add weight, but also they can't adjust size that well. Mine can be squished down more, for example, when it isn't as full. I do have lightweight suitcases, also, you can get 25" ones about 8 lbs. It makes a difference if the bag alone adds on about 4 extra pounds, for example.

If this is the bag you are talking about, it weighs about 11 pounds http://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/col...dium-spinner-4

I do agree that is too big, not only height but all directions, it is 19 inches wide and 12 inches deep. (27x19x12)

Compare it to this hardside, if that's what you like -- a Samsonite 25 incher which weighs only 8 lbs. and is 25x17x11.
http://luggagebase.com/product/11620...d-Spinner.html

or this hardsided one at only 8 lbs which is 23x18.5x11.4
http://luggagebase.com/product/10534...r-Trolley.html

I've been eyeing a Ricardo spinner at TJMaxxs which is 24x16x7.5 and weighs 8.5 pounds for my next 2 week trip as I need a new one. Less than $100, but fabric.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 01:57 PM
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Only you know what size suitcase you need, but two suitcases is probably too much.

I have a few pieces of Briggs and Riley, they stand up really well over time.

For my last trip to Italy in March I checked a 24inch bag and took onboard a 16in Knomo roll aboard and a small handbag. I had no trouble managing this on the train to Milan but I am strong and have done it all before.

I pack very carefully but love clothes, dress up for dinner and always shop, so a small bag isn't always good for me. The nobody knows you thing doesn't work for me, I know me! (Plus I have friends there). My clothes matter to me whether they matter to anyone else or not.
This last trip I did too much shopping and bought a small bag for the overflow, no big deal in the taxi to the airport.
So we are all different in how we pack, you just have to decide what you can manage.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 02:12 PM
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<My clothes matter to me whether they matter to anyone else or not.>
Exactly.

My expandable 21" might be enough for me for two weeks in Europe, but I wouldn't want to work that hard, or wear the same clothes that many times. Also, I would want to buy something and not have to fret about mailing it back, or buying something to then carry it in.

However, if I could add a tote to the suitcase easily, as the OP describes, it would work perfectly well, as the tote could hold a pair of shoes, toiletries, whatever I couldn't squash into the 21". And I could easily handle those two items myself on stairs and trains.

Expandable is even better, because if the worst happens and I buy more than one or two things, I can expand the suitcase and stuff them in.

So I endorse the OP's plan.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 02:18 PM
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>>huh, I could never travel for two weeks with a 21 inch suitcase. Shoes are the big issue, my feet being comfortable is very important and I do dress up some for going to the theater, and to dinner. If I never did and only took casual clothes, I probably could. Also, outer wear, it depends on potential weather.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 02:23 PM
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I had one 22" suitcase with a collapsible duffel bag in the bottom so I had something for purchases, last Paris trip. I shop and proud of it.

I had more than enough clothes.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 02:39 PM
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Yeah, another vote for taking one 21" suitcase plus a large handbag/small tote (e.g. the "personal item that fits under the seat in front of you"). That's for 5 week trips. Wear anything bulky, including your bulkiest footwear and a jacket or coat, on the plane. Bring an empty fold-able (really thin) tote if you buy too much stuff - use that to bring home the dirty laundry and put your purchases in the suitcase. Or you can always buy a cheap suitcase in just about any European city to check on the flight home with your dirty laundry.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 03:44 PM
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My wife and I travel in Europe for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. We take 1 backpack each, 1 large purse, 1 computer carrier, and my drug cooler (Insulin). We wash clothes, usually at a local laundromat every 4 or 5 days. We usually buy at least one suitcase to bring goodies bought in Europe home. Clothes taken including wearing on the plane. 3 pair of pants, 4 or 5 shirts, 5 changes of undies, 5 pair of socks, 1 hat, one plastic rain coat (small, in plastic bag and good luck putting it back) and one dress jacket for me. Wife, about the same. She might bring 1 extra pair of shoes, and no socks. A few pieces of costume jewelry. (She wil1 buy more) A small laptop and assorted power adapters, 2 folding totes for groceries and shopping, 1 portable fan, and spare glasses. We also take two rolls of toilet paper, the no core kind, and 4 washcloths. I also take 2,000 Euro in a under the shirt carrier. I buy umbrellas, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, perfume(In Paris, go figure), etc. there.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 03:51 PM
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Listen to Janis. I think she used to teach people how to pack. I took her advice and started travelling with carry on only, often going for a month at a time. It has changed my life, no waiting for luggage and just doing a bit of laundry every now and then. Liberating.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 04:52 PM
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Janis

Im a fairly light packer, but if I put 4 pairs of shoes ( even if 1 of them were sandals) in my 21" it wouldnt hold anything else! I only wear a size 6.5.....HOW do you do it?

Anyway I only take 2 pairs and wear the heavier pair on the plane.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 05:05 PM
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Another vote for less - the more luggage you have, the more vigilant you will have to be to be sure it stays with you.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 05:59 PM
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oceanroad, for several years, I have used a 22" Briggs & Riley suitcase with a small "cabin bag" that fits over the suitcase handle, and we usually travel for 2+ weeks. Neither bag is full when we leave, and I've never expanded it even after packing gifts and souvenirs.

But my 22" case is now considered slightly over-size by some airlines' carry-on rules. OK on United but not OK on their code-share Lufthansa if they decide to be German-precise. I'm considering buying the B&R International Carry-on suitcase that satisfies Lufthansa and eliminates any surprise luggage check-ins. It's one inch shorter but one inch wider and has the same capacity as my old 22" case. FYI, the B&R 4-wheel "spinner" cases have a smaller capacity than the 2-wheelers, and they cost more.

So, if you intend to carry on only, make sure you know the luggage limits of your airline and class of service.

One advantage to the B&R brand is their lifetime repair guarantee which we have used twice over the years.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 06:34 PM
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I should clarify... I'm considering the B&R International case for foreign travel which we do mostly on Lufthansa. The International is too wide for United domestic flights, but then my old 22" would be OK.
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Old May 4th, 2016, 06:54 PM
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The correct answer is FOUR suitcases for two weeks in Italy. Each will carry enough clean clothes to get you through 3 or 4 days. When you've exhausted one suitcase just throw it into the river and rip into a new suitcase.
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