TuscanTraveler

Would someone mind providing a list of what a female should pack for a 17-day trip to Italy (from Rome northward) in early April? I'd like to keep it as light as possible. Please be specific (e.g., not just "shoes"; exactly how many pair & what kind?) One thing I can't live without is my backpack with travel guides, maps, water bottles, camera gear, etc. Thank you!

Anonymous

Somebody should volunteer to send this gal that ridiculous "How to Pack" book that we got as our reward for early registration!

kaudrey

Hi,<BR><BR>Avg. temp in Rome in April is mid-50s to 60s. Dress for spring-like weather. Pack clothes that you can mix and match, and that won't wrinkle. I try to go with one color scheme - use either brown or black as the base, (don't want to bring different colored shoes). I usually assume I can wear things 2 or 3 times on vacation (washing them in between!). So, bring a few skirts for dinner/nights out, a few pairs of casual pants, and a few pairs of jeans. A variety of shirts (maybe 6 or 7) that I could wear with either pants or skirts, and mix and match them. One dress for nice dinners (in same color scheme). I'd also bring a blazer OR sweater (OR light coat) for nighttime. <BR><BR>I'd bring 1 pair of dark comfortable shoes for walking (NOT sneakers), and 1 pair of slightly dressier shoes for nights out (not high heels - as you may well be walking to restaurants or taking strolls after dinner). That's it. <BR><BR>Underwear and socks for 1/2 the days you will be there, your usual toiletries, passport (with a copy to keep with you), and your backpack of essentials. <BR><BR>This amount stuff would easily fit in a big suitcase and a carry-on bag, I believe. Have fun!

Lesli

If you type &quot;pack AND italy&quot; in the text search box, you will get many threads, providing more information (and opinions) on this subject than you know what to do with. One recent thread with many replies is:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34403278

mauld

In brief, I'd still go with a carry on---keeping colours to 3 basics that can be matched up. 2 pair of shoes (both comfortable!!--one that you wear &amp; one packed). One skirt, 2 pants, one jacket, one sweater, a couple of tops etc. I'm the type that will wash out clothes in the hotel sink or find a laundry. You don't mention if you will be doing a lot of travelling around or will you be in one spot for a couple of nights? The weather will be cool, most likely, not cold so a couple of nice scarves could serve for warmth as well as to dress up an outfit.

KathyNZ

Without looking in your wardrobe this question is difficult to answer. Remembering the wonderful bargains at the local tuesday market alongside the River Arno where all the locals shop in Florence, my suggestion is take very little and leave room in your suitcase for the bargains you should find there.

jenviolin

Including what you are wearing on the plane:<BR>2x slacks/pants<BR>2x skirt or 1 skirt/1 dress<BR>3 tops<BR>1 sweater or blazer<BR>2 pair of shoes (both suitable for walking but one dressier than the other: think walking in the dust and dining out)<BR>1 pair of gel insoles<BR>1 lovely scarf that pulls it all together<BR>4 pr. socks, underwear, stockings, etc.<BR>1 bathing suit<BR>1 light bathrobe (I take a japanese yukata) and/or oversize sleep shirt<BR><BR>Make sure everything goes with everything else! The above will give you at least 12 outfits.<BR>Anything else you can buy in Italy if you need it - what a treat!

bobthenavigator

Go to www.slowtrav.com and find the section on &quot;planning&quot;. You will find my article on &quot; 22 Terrific Travel Tips&quot; that includes a full packing list for his and hers.

cmt

You're the person who wanted to walk from one town to another, or take some long walks on fairly steep uphill paths? If so, your needs are a little different from the typical tourist's. I have taken hiking tours, and I have also taken non-hiking solo trips with lots of walking but no real &quot;hiking.&quot; I pack differently for each. If you're hiking a bit, I strongly suggest that you take hiking boots with ankle support and enough appropriate socks so that you do not need to wash the hiking socks. (I generally wash and re-wear everything except hiking socks, which take way too long to dry.) Light or medium hikers are adequate--no need for mountain climbing boots. Also if you are doing that kind of walking, you'll need HOT weather clothes, because you'll feel MUCH hotter than if you were just strolling casually in a town. If I were NOT hiking, I'd take a long all-weather coat with hood as an everyday coat/raincoat. However, if I were planning to hike, I would not take such a coat. Instead I'd take a Gortex or similar rain jacket that can pack up mall for storage in day pack. For outerwear on a non-hiking day or for dinner, maybe I'd take a sweater or a light unlined soft blazer. <BR>I also feel very insecure if I don't have a little dictionary with me at all times. i may not get a chance to use it, and may babble along incorrectly without checking the voczabulary, but I do not like to be without it. i carry a very lightweight durable Collins gem, I think. It's not good enough for in-depth vocabulary, but it is helpful.<BR>Before I leave I make double-sided phoitocopies of relevant pages of several guide books and thake them with me. Then I sometimes disgrad th pages after I finish each phase of the trip.

GoTravel

Leave any logo'd items (hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets) at home.

ellenob

I must strongly respectfully disagree with Kaudrey's recommendations. Assuming that you will be carrying this suitcase as you move around, you won't want to take a &quot;big&quot; suitcase; you should take only a 22&quot; size suitcase, preferably on wheels. You thus need to bring far less than Kaudrey recommends. If you wear something only twice on a 17 day trip, then that is poor packing planning. I think you can fit in a few more things than Jenviolin recommends but generally, less is better. (Plus, you'll have more room in your suitcase to buy things when you're there.

TuscanTraveler

Thanks everyone. But one question for Kaudrey: WHAT'S WRONG WITH SNEAKERS?!?! Given the amount of walking I like to do, sneakers are the ONLY shoes sufficiently comfortable for me. I'm a blitzkrieg traveler. I don't dawdle (No time for shopping or sitting around sipping soda). My goal is see as many sights as possible every day, begin early, end late; I can rest or shop when I get home. I just can't imagine I'd survive in anything other than sneakers going nonstop from 8 to 8. Are sneakers really taboo?

cotes

<BR>Why no sneakers? If you really want to look like an American, I would recommend pink high top Nikies. <BR><BR>I would bring a hybrid shoe/cross trainer.

scigirl

I'm a super light packer so most of the earlier suggestions seem to me to be a huge amount of clothes. Here is what I'd suggest including the clothing you wear on the plane:<BR>3 pairs of pants: at least 2 of which should be lightweight travel pants (quick drying, no wrinkle). At least one pair should be black so that they can double as 'dressy'. Pants with zip-off legs (one pair) are also useful if you expect to encounter warm weather.<BR>2 long sleeved shirts (again, quick drying, machine washable, pullover type shirts) <BR>3 t-shirts (quick drying, etc., can be layered under long-sleeves if needed for the weather)<BR>1 pull-over sweater/Polartec/blazer etc. machine washable, lightweight, etc. <BR>1 all-weather jacket (rain, wind breaker, etc.)<BR>5 pairs of socks<BR>1 pair of shoes - a good suggestion are the newer shoes that are built like sneakers but look a bit like stylized bowling shoes- very comfortable but look slightly 'dressier.' Black or another dark color.<BR>3-4 pairs of undies - quick drying sort that can be handwashed and will dry overnight.<BR>2 bras - pullover type work well as they can easily be machine washed and dried (think 'sports bra' style rather than a delicate underwire)<BR>1 - very lightweight nylon bag that can be used to carry home purchases. Le Sport Sac makes some very good, durable options.<BR><BR>I tend to do a lot of walking when I travel - so I look for comfort, layering ability, and easy clean-ability. I have on occasion brought a dress (something very lightweight and crumplable) if I knew for sure that I'd do something dressy. Otherwise we tend to eat in not terribly fancy places and so I've never felt the need to bring dress shoes, skirts, etc. on my trips. All my clothing fits into a 14&quot; suitcase.

LJ

Three quickies...1)The single most useful packing tip I ever received, I got from this forum and I don't think it has come up on this thread yet: Ziplock bags. <BR><BR>2) If you are the hiking type, do bring light hiking boots, not sneakers as the hiking trails in the Abruzzo and Umbria that I know demand ankle support <BR><BR>3)I have a plain black mid-calf length Indian cotton skirt with an elastic waist that I couldn't live without when in Italy; city streets, good restaurants,the Opera, churches, trains and planes and all without a wrinkle, no matter how squashed it gets<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

suze

My advice is lay out any clothes you already own that you think would be right for the trip you are planning. Choose your outfit for the plane, then start packing. Stop when you have filled a 22&quot; or 24&quot; max. rolling suitcase. (I start hanging stuff up together &amp; separate from my closet months before packing to really consider each piece.)<BR><BR>I always take at least 2 pair of shoes. I know they take up room but I couldn't stand wearing the same ones for 17 days solid. And heaven forbid you get a blister with only 1 pair with you. Besides that I wash out undies and bras in the sink and just wear the same outer clothes over and over.<BR><BR>I have never traveled Italy in April so can't be more exact than these tips.<BR><BR>Sounds like you've got your 2nd piece - carryon/daypack well planned already.

suze

p.s. Take your sneakers!

PamSF

Pack everything you think you'll need then unpack half of it. I recommend only taking what you can fit in those basic black 21 inch rolling carry-ons. If you are travelling by train or vaporetto..you will be grateful you did not pack more. I would also try to pack leaving room for goods you wish to bring home. I was in Italy for three weeks...took 4 prs trousers,1 dress , 1 cashmere sweater, three knit tops and a rain coat(which worked with pants or dress)along with pjs and underwear. I washed clothes twice while travelling..and not in Venice.

EllenR

Just returned from Italy last week where we walked like maniacs. My feet were HAPPY the entire trip thanks to 1) a pair of black Merrell mocs that were as comfy as sneakers but looked better (black doesn't show so much street dirt), and 2) switching at night or for shorter walks with a pair of Clarks boots. I really believe that switching shoes once a day or so saves your feet. I also treated myself to some SmartWool socks that helped to keep my feet happy too. Have a great time!

robinphill

I take sneakers with me. <BR><BR>I always take two pair of shoes - a black sturdy mary jane type shoe, and my running shoes because I like to jog. When I wear them around (not running) I find they look all right with a pair of dark colored cargo pants and a black sweater or top -- not too too &quot;American.&quot; I've seen Europeans wearing them.<BR><BR>2) I can't live without my calf-length black skirt. I feel like I fit in much better and it can be casual or dressy. This with the Mary Janes of course!)<BR><BR>Other things I've found helpful. I bring along a couple of light undershirt-type shirts that are easy to wash, and then wear the same top, sweater, or jacket over them. A cotton scarf comes in handy for lots of things too.