How much luggage?
 

My husband and I will be traveling to Italy for 14 days. We are having a dilema on how much luggage to take. In doing research most of everything says pack light. I am not sure I can pack 14 days in one carry on bag. Some friends have told me to take a carry on and a checked bag. What do most people take?

Hi Confused -

You've posted this on the Australia and Pacific forum, but packing is packing, so here goes.

I pack for a week, regardless of where I'm going or for how long.

I'm personally incapable of packing carry on only, and frankly I don't see the attraction, but to each his own.

Only pack what you'll be comfortably toting around for two weeks. Less is definitely more.

As Melnq8 says, packing is packing, so I'll give my 2 cents worth even though you are on the Australia forum.

We were in Italy and Greece last summer. Most people, like us, do quite a bit of travel in these countries via public transportation such as trains and subways and walk from stations to accommodations. Therefore, you have to be able to handle whatever luggage you are bringing. For me, that meant bringing no more than a 22-inch carry-on bag. Because it's so hot in Italy in summer, you'll be bringing a lot of lightweight clothing and you should be able to bring a week's worth of clothing in a carry-on bag. Your hotel should be able to arrange laundry halfway through your trip.

Now, if you are doing a driving trip for the entire 2 weeks, you could bring a larger suitcase, but I agree with Melnq8 that you should only bring what you can comfortably tote for 2 weeks. And, yes, less is definitely more.

As with Melnq8 we pack for a week, but we also pack for both hot and cold. That is, if it is winter we will still take shorts and short sleeve tops. I get hot in the plane to start with, but also some centrally heated places are too hot for me.

Plus take all the things you don't want to buy when you get there. People who use carry on buy shampoo etc when they get to their destination. We don't. We carry any drugs etc. we may need, first aid kit, boots, small plates and a thermos etc.

We went to Darwin recently and only used one case between us, but didn't take boots or any winter clothes, just a jeans and a light jacket.

Just make sure you can carry your cases for short distances eg to from a taxi and up stairs in some places that don't have lifts.

If you have wheels make sure you pack heavy things at the bottom. We forgot this, last time and the case would fall over every time we stood it up, until we had time to rearrange.

I'm also a packer for a week (or less). Even if you don't do carry on only, taker a small a bag as possible. I take a carry on size bag, but usually check it as it weighs more than 7kg.

You'd be surprised how little you need.

I'd stress being able to carry it. We met the acqua alta in Venice and needed to carry, not wheel, luggage, through ankle deep or higher water. The person with the 20kg of luggage had a bag full of wet clothes to continue the trip. My 12kg was bad enough.

Sorry for putting this on the wrong forum!! Thanks for all the advice!!!

>>People who use carry on buy shampoo etc when they get to their destination. <<

Not true IME. For the typical trip you can get more than enough liquid toiletries in 3 oz/100ml or smaller bottles, quart/liter ziplok baggie.

Plus, if one doesn't need a specific brand, almost all hotels, flats, villas provide shampoo.

I almost exclusively do carry-on only, and have never once bought shampoo on vacation.