Chinos4sons

My husband and I and our four boys ages 9 - 17 are taking our first overseas trip to Italy leaving Feb. 22 and returning Mar. 4.

Between the weather forecast and the other forums on Italy's weather in Feb, I'm not exactly sure what we should be packing for outerwear or outdoor gear (umbrellas, hats, etc).

We live in Fargo - so we are used to the cold. Any suggestions on what to take would be so appreciated.

Another thing - I'd really like us to get by on carry-ons only. Do you think this is reasonable?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Peter_S_Aus

Take coats and hats, but you can buy umbrellas for about 5 euro as soon as it starts to rain. Hats and gloves are good.

With a group of six, try and minimise the luggage. Carry on may be doable - and certainly you don't want to be travelling with six suitcases. Experiment with packing now - maybe you need just a single suitcase plus carry on bags. Certainly if you are taking trains, less luggage is good.

If you are going to Venice, your kids might enjoy this:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-teenagers.cfm

Jean

Carry-on only is possible. It just requires careful clothing selection. Things need to mix and match and work well in layers, probably exactly the way you dress at home. I wouldn't take jeans because they're not warm and take forever to dry.

You can always buy cheap umbrellas if you need them, but I would pack hats, gloves, waterproof shoes and versatile jackets/coats for all. You don't say where you're going or what you'll be doing, but it's not likely you'll need expedition wear. Just a waterproof coat with insulation (either removeable or as a separate layer). Check the forecast before you go, and if it looks like it will be really cold throw some thermal underwear into your luggage. I would concentrate on comfort over style.

Chinos4sons

Thanks! We are going to Florence for 4 days then Rome for six. So, rather than six small wheeled carry-ons (one for each), the suggestion is to check in a bag or two?

adrienne

You're probably taking a train between Florence and Rome. If so, it's easier to deal with 3 or 4 suitcases than with 6. I don't think it's realistic to expect to pack everything into 1 or 2 bags. If you have bags no larger than 24" you will be able to put them on the overhead racks on the train and keep them near your seats.

Jean

For a relatively short trip, I prefer not to check bags. If a good portion of everyone's stuff is in a checked bag (or two) that doesn't arrive on time, then you're all in a pickle. I would have each person be responsible for at least a small bag (or backpack for the 9 y.o.) holding some of their stuff. Mom and dad can take larger bags (still carry-on size) to handle the overflow.

If you decide to check one or two bags, make sure you divvy up everyone's stuff so that everyone will have some clothes if a bag is delayed or lost.

amer_can

Mom..You carry the passports, itin. erc., Dad, you carry the copies of pp, itin and cc. Boys, you carry your own stuff in a soft backpack that you can shove into small places. Carry ons will work. They did for self, 2 daughters and 2 teen granddaughters for 4 weeks in the summer. You just can't have a different outfit every day.Underwear and sox yes but not jeans. Practise rolling you items, fit everthing into something else(sox, underwear into the shoes) It is surprising what you can fit into a small carryon bag and backpack. Keep you IPAD or whatever electronics you may have in your possession (hands on) at all times. Don't take earphones but buds. You will have such a good time.. Happy trails..as in contrails!!!

Chinos4sons

Thanks amer_can! We are really excited. The boys are certainly capable of carrying their own stuff.

nytraveler

Italy is most likely going to be significantly warmer than where you live, although snow is possible as far south as Naples.

I would check the weather a couple of days in advance and then decide to take a mid weight preferably waterproof jacket. I think real winter coats would be overkill (what do you do with them if it's 55?). But be sure you each have 2 pairs of waterproofed comfy walking shoes ( may not dry out overnight). And I prefer a hooded rain jacket (but not heavy - or even lined).

Chinos4sons

Thank you nytraveler! Does anyone know about the rain showers in Italy during this time of year? I mean, are they downpours or like light showers? Just trying to get a better feel for things.

amer_can

They can be either or!! I took a plastic poncho from a dollar store that folded up and fit in my back pocket. DD thought I looked terrible but I was dry. In C.Terre on my first trip (I had 2 in 2011&12)I had to beg a plastic bag from a shop as it felt like a deluge..SO-o-o-o the poncho for trip 2. When you need protection you really need it, in my experience!! ND weather will not be experienced at all but the cold (if there is any) will be a different kind and can be miserable. I have always felt 40 below F (Alberta) with no wind is lots easier to handle than 0 to 10F in MI. Florence in April was bitter but there was a damp wind..so there you go.. Layers for you all.

dreamon

I think a small light bag each far easier to deal with than fewer bigger heavier bags. Each person takes responsibility for their own bag. Manhandling large heavy bags is just no fun at all. And backpacks definitely easiest for kids - much kinder on their backs and easier to carry.

annw

When we've traveled that time of year (Italy) we've worn jeans and boots or heavy shoes, had a shirt, sweater, and worn a windbreaker for him (Scottevest) and a short black trench coat for me, also Scottevest, with a ton of pockets. (Never wear jeans there in summer, too hot, but perfect for winter-to-spring.) Anyway I would go with layers of shirt sweater jacket. Agree gloves and hats take up little room and can be quite good to have. I personally bring a small travel umbrella but have also bought them there especially in the cities like Florence.

I too would have each lad bring backpack or roller bag -- I would go all carry on at least going over. Wearing heavier clothing and packing the second pair of pants, alternate shoes, and socks etc.

Packing options include the tight rolling method mentioned above--personally I think you get the most packed in this way--or a nice organization method is the very light mesh cubes (Rick Steves and other places sell them).

Whatever you do have a wonderful travel adventure!

Smodaig

As a, Scot used to travelling to Europe with kids. Wear layers: an undershirt (what we call a vest!), shirt, woollen pullover and good quality waterproof wind breaker (cagoule). Jeans are fine, but suggest thin waterproof trousers to pull on. We have light-weight down gilets ( your vests) which roll into nothing and fit under a cagoule. One pair of sneakers will be fine. If it gets very wet, buy cheap one in a large supermarket that you can leave behind.
I suggest the kids each take a rucksack with things they'll need for the journey - so they don't get bored on the train. But leave room for their own cagoule, waterproof trousers, hat and gloves and wash kit. Get them to leave space for water bottles and souvenirs.
Thieving on trains and pick-pocketing is rife in Italy, because of an influx of Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants who are not entitled to any state unemployment aid.
I suggest you keep luggage pieces to a minimum, (as managing kids, luggage and foreign trains will keep you on your tos!)
Keep rucksacks well closed. Wear money belts under your clothes and keep copies of everyone's passports and insurance, both in case they get stolen and if one of you needs medical attention (God forbid!) or needs to make a report at the police station for theft.
Don't take expensive iPads or electronic games and cameras etc, you'll invite trouble. I suggest you go back to old fashioned games like ludo, cards, battleships, hangman, puzzle books, colouring, sewing, toy cars, reading books (comic books even) and disposable cameras. We've discovered backgammon and have competitions. Depending on the age of your kids, you could give them little presents (mini packet of candy, cards, crayons, car, etc) every 3-6 hrs. Get them each to keep a diary with pictures and postcards and tickets so that they can show school back home.
Plan your day round the kids not YOUR to-do list! Find local play parks, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum and the Il Museo dei Ragazzi in Piazza della Signoria is a kids delight, in Florence.
Always ask about a “sconto bambino” (child’s discount) before purchasing tickets. Kids under 3 ft. 3 in. (1 m) tall travel free on public transportation.
For your time in Rome, google Villa Borgese where you can hire bikes, do pony rides, hire boats etc and Time Elevator.

isabel

You can (and should) do carry on only. Six tickets entitle you to six 21" rolling bags (and six 'personal items', eg. computer, pocketbook, small day packs). The people who say six bags are hard to travel with are not thinking of the fact that there are six people. Everyone is responsible for their own bag - on trains, in airports, getting to the hotels, etc. Might not be true of a four year old, but 9-17 year olds are able tobe responsible for their own stuff.

If you wear jeans at home most certainly bring them. They should be plenty warm for that time of year in Italy. You can always bring thin long underwear for underneath if the event of exceptionally cold. And layers for the tops - thin top, medium sweater, jacket. I have a very thin, but down filled jacket that fits nicely over a sweater, it also fits under my rain coat so I layer and mix and match outer wear too. But not everyone has a combo that works like that. If you have a medium weight jacket that is waterproof that should do. I do agree that you need two pairs of footwear.

You could get sunny and 50s or 60s every day. Or you could get pouring down rain every single day. Not an easy time of year to pack for. But worth it!

Chinos4sons

Oh my gosh! Thank you all so much for the specifics - this is just what I needed. Fodorites always pull through!

Chinos4sons

I will offer a report upon our return.