OK - leaving on Friday (yippee!) Going to Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terra for 10 days. I have my packing list arranged, tours booked, hotels confirmed, train list printed, copies of passports, money belt, international drivers license, maps, guidebooks, converter. Here is my packing list:

What else am I forgetting to do or pack? Anyone have any last minute advise for a first time traveler to Italy?


1 pair Jeans
1 pair capris
1 Skirt
2 pairs of shorts
5-8 shirts
dark sweater
8 pairs of socks
8 pairs of underwear/bras
1 pair flip flops
1 pair sneakers
1 pair sandals

lightweight duffel (for bringing home souvenirs)
alarm clock
wine opener?
compass
sewing kit/safety pins
Woolite tablets/wrinkle releaser
raincoat/umbrella
Flashlight
Nail File

toothbrush/paste/floss
razor (buy there)
hairbrushes
shampoo/conditioner
travel hairdryer
deodorant
bar soap/case
hand cream
nail clippers/tweezers
lip balm
Perscription Medicine
Tylenol
Ambien (sleep aid/plane)
Antibacterial gel
Febreeze?

Sunglasses
Eyeglasses/Contact Stuff
Pens/small notebook
Maps/guidebook
Phrasebook
Calling card (buy there?)
Book/magazine
Passports (plus photocopies and additional photos)
Driver?s license
Health insurance card
Plane tickets
Hotel confirmation print outs
Credit card/ATM card (phone numbers)
Cash
Camera/batteries/charger
converter/adaptor
binoculars

oh and by the way, Thank you to everyone who helped me plan this trip. Practically everything I have learned about Italy has been from this board.

Sunscreen? If you have been stuck in an office all winter and then are going to be out in the sun all day you might want to include a travel size. Address list of anyone you want to send a postcard. Washcloths - I like to take baby washcloths because they dry fast.

You seem to be very well prepared. My only suggestion would be if you are bringing a calling card from the US (like I did, don't forget to call them before you go to get the access numbers so that you can use it in Italy, and you might as well ask them how much it is going to cost you. Have a wonderful trip.

I pack all my clothes in the extra large zip lock bags (sometimes they are hard to find, I think they are called jumbo), sit on them and then zip it up. It basically takes all the air out of the bag and flattens the clothes as much as possible.

An open mind and a ready smile !

Hi kell,
You might want to ask your doctor for a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic, just in case. Get it filled before you go.

If you use a washcloth, bring your own in a ziplock bag.

Better recheck weather.com, according to them it is from 63 to 49 degrees in Rome and Florence with showers and light rain.

Also be sure you notify your credit card companies that you will be in Europe and give them the dates or they might block them up.

1 pair Jeans (maybe bring along a second pair, of a pair of khakis? what if you spill coffee on it and can't find a laundromat)

1 pair capris
1 Skirt
2 pairs of shorts

(definitely bring along at least one more pair of some kind of trousers. maybe even VERY lightweight PJ type bottoms too)

5-8 shirts (what sorts? blouses, Ts?)
dark sweater
8 pairs of socks
8 pairs of underwear/bras (sounds good, although you can likely wash these the easiest so to save room.. I tend to go overboard on underwear myself though)

1 pair flip flops
1 pair sneakers
1 pair sandals (make sure you can walk walk walk in these)

lightweight duffel (for bringing home souvenirs). (I tend to like the kind which fold up COMPLETELY flat.)


alarm clock (eh, waste of weight. waking up will NOT be an issue. you will either have church bells every morning at 7 AM, or, you will still be slightly on your own time zone which automatically helps you get up a little earlier)

wine opener? (A MUST HAVE. OH DON'T GO TO ITALY WITHOUT A MEANS TO OPEN THE WINE BOTTLES!! make sure it's small and light. I prefer screw-pull)

compass (why? waste of weight)

sewing kit/safety pins
Woolite tablets/wrinkle releaser
raincoat/umbrella
Flashlight
Nail File

toothbrush/paste/floss
razor (buy there)
hairbrushes
shampoo/conditioner
travel hairdryer (make sure this is the kind you can flick the switch to convert)

deodorant
bar soap/case (I find the squeeze kind is less messy. it stays in its container, etc.)

hand cream
nail clippers/tweezers
lip balm
Perscription Medicine
Tylenol
Ambien (sleep aid/plane)
Antibacterial gel
Febreeze?

Sunglasses
Eyeglasses/Contact Stuff (v. expensive overseas, take lots. also backups. make sure the eyeglasses are in a crush proof case, take them carry on. take maybe 3 pairs of contact lenses and lotsa water/cleaner)
Pens/small notebook
Maps/guidebook
Phrasebook
Calling card (buy there?)
Book/magazine

Passports (plus photocopies and additional photos) (MY TRICK: make several copies of your passport. on each copy, write ALL of your information. your home phone, cell phone, a contact at home, address of your hotels, rough itinerary - if you are apprehensive about weirdos finding it/you, you can just give basics) etc. PUT ONE COPY IN EACH PIECE OF LUGGAGE. even in your carryons. that way they have all the info they need if they lose your luggage, including your pic, and, you have several copies of your passport in case it gets lost.


Driver?s license - (definitely, especially if you are going to rent.)
Health insurance card
Plane tickets
Hotel confirmation print outs
Credit card/ATM card (phone numbers)
Cash
Camera/batteries/charger
converter/adaptor
binoculars

you sound very well prepped. now, just sit back and relax and have a FABULOUS time!! take pics and post em on ofoto when you get back. do you have a digicam??

I forgot to add - I LOVE the little disposable washcloths they sell now - you know, the ponds/oil of olay face cloths etc.

Where you in the scouts, by chance?

Looks good, but I'd also bring a light jacket and a second credit card. Do you have a money belt? And do you have the phone numbers to report stolen credit/ATM cards?

flygirl - I haven't tried the disposable washcloths. Have you had a problem with them drying out? Do you just wet them if they do?

I think with disp. washclothes you use them and toss them.
Don't take the corkscrew in your carryon, mine was confiscated at the airport.

kybourbon - I usually toss them, although, since they are clean/sterile, if you want to hang them to dry, and use them the next morning for say wiping down something else, or something to place your contacts stuff on (I am a nut, I do NOT like putting my eye stuff on plain old counters/sinks, you never know how well they clean). or, you can fold em up and carry them with you on a picnic.

I usually toss them though. they are small and light, 30 in a pack, and for a ten day trip you have plenty.

I packed a couple of laundry detergent in tablet form (no spills) plus anti-static wipes for doing laundry. I was always able to find self-service laundromats. Check out Rick Steeves books for locations or ask at your hotels.

Wine opener: if you are checking your bags, then OK. If you are doing carry-on, security will take it away from you, so purchase once you get there. Same goes with the nail file - if it's one of the metal kind.

I travel light and wash my undies and socks along the way, so I only bring 4 pairs of everything. I also bring a few small plastic hangers to dry my undies and bras. They're light and I get rid of them at the end of the trip.

Bring bubble wrap for those wonder ceramics!

Bring a few extra rolls of film. Film protection bag.

Have a great time!

Monica

Hi Monica! see you soon...

kellib: You sound as if you are very well prepared. The only addition I might make is a journal of some sort. Something to make notes in as you make observations or wish to record something you want to remember.

I must admit I have been given travel journals by friends, take them with me and fail to even open them. I have been doing better the last few trips we have taken. As a matter of fact, I have a brand new one I was given at Christmas and will take it with me when we go to Washington, D.C. next month.

Have a wonderful time and be prepared to be overwhelmed by all the beauty, great food, etc.

Awesome ideas everyone! I will definetly do squeeze soap instead of the bar kind..and disposable face cloths (love that one).


SeaUrchin - great idea about notifying credit card companies.

Ira - I will call my doctor this week and get an antibiotic. That is a good idea too.

I am carrying on everything so I guess I will have to buy the corkscrew there.

I have tried to be prepared but I have to credit someone else on the board with the excellent packing list. Of course, I cant remeber her name now but "Thank You".

I will definetly do a trip report when I get back. Thanks again all!

Kelli: Great list compiled so far! I added a few things to my "must take" list. Lists are terrific, particularly if you get frazzled the night before you leave for a long trip with house preparations, cat good-bye's etc. Here is the addendum to my "usual" list, in no particular order (keep in mind this is for a long, European trip) Enjoy your trip! Jane
SCUBA card, phone card
Ziplock baggies, and flattened, folded sheets of foil for food and restaurant leftovers
1 large, 1 small knife- sharpen before leaving, small cutting board
Water bottle
Printed sheet of addresses for post cards, phone numbers
Calculator
Flat rubber thing to block sink drain, for washing underwear and swimsuits
Clothesline w/ clips
Mosquito repellant
Sunscreen
Flashlight
Snorkel, mask, little fins
Rx meds: Diflucan, Lomotil etc.
A game
Pens, notepads
Little binoculars
Canvas bags for toting things
Books to read and leave behind or trade
Printed out advice from Fodors boards!

Several tips that have worked on our trips. One- take and write in a journal! Otherwise, on a long trip, you forget the beginning by the end.

Also, even if you're an accomplished photographer, buy lots of postcards (got this from the Fodors post). They always have the perfect lighting, no tourists standing in front of what you want to photograph, etc. Or, if you have your bag stolen (us in Barcelona) and hence you lose all pics prior to that date. And I save everything from Tube passes to musical tickets to restaurant napkins to make a scrapbook. I'm not into the new trend of "scrapbooking-" I do it my way. This year, I even collected a bit of the Arborio rice (what else would you throw in Italy?) thrown at a bride and bridegroom as we passed across a church playground. I put everything collected from each spot we visit in a separate ziplock baggie to make scrapbooking more organized.

Also this, from my firefighter husband, who always has to carry many days of clothing at any time because he could get called to a fire out of county, or out of state. Go to a large chain grocery store, and look for the 2 gallon real Ziplock baggies. No store brands, no 1 gallon bags. They are NOT at all grocery stores. But you put all of your undies and sox in one, partly seal it, lay on it on the bed, squish the air out and seal it. Now it is ?shrink-wrapped.? We do this with most clothes, and of course they're now wrinkled, but I just take a little mister bottle, and mist the clothes with water, shake them out, smooth out the wrinkles and let it hang for a half hour, and now your outfit looks perfect! Even better to hang them in the shower to be ?steamed.?