geiffel

<BR>Maybe in western europe, they have plenty of tp, but in Russia, it is well known to bring some tp. Not all the public restrooms have some, like your hotel will. <BR>My husband and are leaving for there next week, and already set out the tp to pack. Now what do the russians do--drip dry?<BR>

elvira

No matter where I travel (even just going shopping at the mall), I carry a packet of kleenex. Nothing worse than wiggling into a toilet only to find the roll empty (I can ask in English "hey you in the next booth, can you pass me some toilet paper?" but that phrase stumps me in other languages).<BR><BR>Towels are a bit thinner in 2* hotels, but are certainly usable. 3*+ hotels have thicker ones.<BR><BR>I found a great washcloth substitute: the facial cleansing cloths (Olay and Dove make them). They are imbedded with soap, enough to do a pretty good washup in the sink or shower, and durable enough to use for a full shower wash with additional soap. After one use, throw 'em away - no mildewy washcloths in the luggage.<BR><BR>If you really REALLY think you'll need more towels, there are deflated ones (like the sponges that are little crackers that plump up when wet) available at camping stores and places like Ultra Cosmetics.<BR><BR>Don't waste luggage space with TP and towels. Oh yeah sometimes there aren't any bath mats, so I use a tshirt that's do for the laundry or trash bin.

fiona

aren't there any shops where you are going???? <BR>you would only need kleenex travel packs for the times on tour when you might find that there is no toilet paper. And for goodness sake, stop worrying over this issue and start looking forward to your holiday!!!I'm going to Rome next week and the only thing I'm worrying about is being able to see as much as possible!!

toptop

ttt

sylvia

You know, I discovered to my amazement that they actually have shops in Italy. There are even shops where they sell soft loo paper and kleenex.

Hakle is best

Quite right, Sylvia. There are shops that sell TP not only in Italy, but anywhere in Europe. )<BR><BR>If ever you should travel to Turkey, India, China, etc. I definitely recommend to bring/buy kleenex tissues, yes, or take the one from your hotel. ;-), especially when you daytrip outside the cities and tourist sites.

Arthur

I am sorry, but in Italy you have better living condition that in the United States.<BR>Bring toilet paper and towels to Italy only if you want to be part of the «american tourist invasion label» not very smart but with dollars to spend buying the «Coliseum».<BR>Imagine if I asked this: do I need a weapon our drugs to go to teh US ?<BR>Of course not, you will say...<BR>Italy is part of the UE ( European Union), which is the biggest free democratic market in the world.<BR>No, you don't need to bring toliet paper and towels to Italy...

Arthur

I am sorry, but in Italy you have better living condition that in the United States.<BR>Bring toilet paper and towels to Italy only if you want to be part of the «american tourist invasion label» not very smart but with dollars to spend buying the «Coliseum».<BR>Imagine if I asked this: do I need a weapon our drugs to go to the US ?<BR>Of course not, you will say...<BR>Italy is part of the UE ( European Union), which is the biggest free democratic market in the world.<BR>No, you don't need to bring toliet paper and towels to Italy...

amy

The Kleenix packs are a must wherever you're going--as soon as you travel by air you're exposed to every virus of every passenger, so be prepared for sniffles if nothing else. And then if there's no toilet paper, you're fine.<BR><BR>However, why take up luggage space with a roll of toilet paper when there's a delightful experience waiting for you--shopping at a local Italian supermarket. The one we hit in Rome was tiny but efficient; the one we visited in Pisa was quite large and even sold underwear.

aj

This is reply is not about toilet paper but Italy has the most beautiful linens I have evern seen. I wish that I had some in my home now. The towels and table cloths were all so beautiful! I loved to visit the linen shops in Rome they felt so luxurious!

Love

I love this tread!!!

go-go-go

-<BR>This may be more of a girl thing than guy. And of course, hotels have toilet paper !!! Hello --- wake up & smell the capuccino. Without stating so, Lyn's friend is likely referring to occasions when you have to make a pitshop at a bar or in museum. Often the TP is gone. THAT's why many folks dash into a McDonald's to use their facilities. See those golden arches and I know THEY GOT TP and clean bathrooms.<BR><BR>Bring several small Kleenex packages. Actually I always have one in my purse, even when at home in the states.

Sue

Call me strange, but I rather enjoyed the coarse toilet paper.....<BR><BR>I did bring my own wash cloths as I've found them unavailable. Bought cheap ones and threw them in the laundry for the hotel to keep.

Sue

Ditto the MacDonald's bathroom experience. The only way to travel, even in the USA. If I feel guilty I buy some fries.

Joanne

We seem to be obsessed with European "toilet" facilities recently. First the thread on two feet and the hole in the ground and now this!<BR><BR>My takes on both the subjects of TP and towels: First TP rolls in Italy (and most European countries we have visited) are smaller than in the US, in both number of sheets and size of sheets. However, I don't find the texture to be inferior to US TP. Notwithstanding Mr. Whipple and his Charmin!<BR><BR>That said, I too always have tissue packets in my purse both here and overseas~works for both ends you know.<BR><BR>Now to the towels. AJ is absolutely correct, linens in Italy are exquisite. We are used to terry cloth towels, the thicker the better, but sometimes the towels in Italy are not made of terry cloth. Agree with the poster above, who stated some towels in Italy made of different fabrics do absorb very well and sometimes better, and I feel much better than a very thin terry cloth towel.<BR><BR>Years ago, horror stories about the TP in Europe were rampant--texture of sandpaper, etc. and everyone was advised to take their own, which we did on our first trip and never used. I personally don't feel that is any longer the case.<BR><BR>In any case Lynn, I'm sure you will be properly dried and wiped in Italy, and that both subjects should be dismissed from your mind, and instead you should concentrate on all the wonderful things you will see and experience. Have a wonderful trip!<BR><BR>j

Sue

You can always rip a few pages from your Fodor's guide.....

fiona

aren't there any shops where you are going???? <BR>you would only need kleenex travel packs for the times on tour when you might find that there is no toilet paper. And for goodness sake, stop worrying over this issue and start looking forward to your holiday!!!I'm going to Rome next week and the only thing I'm worrying about is being able to see as much as possible!!

Pamela

John G., yes true, but did you notice that all the statues of the Roman emperiors are standing? Maybe the rough T.P. or maybe they used the tips of their togas instead?

John G

Oh, Pamela, darling, everyone knows that most of the Roman emporers were sodomites--that's why they are standing. <BR><BR>Ditto for Mickey D's. In Avignon, friends saw me rushing towards a McD's and exclaimed, "John G., you aren't going to eat at McDonald's with all these beautiful cafes around, are you?" To which I replied, "Of course not, Im only going to use the loo. That's all McDonald's is good for. Well, that and heartburn."<BR><BR>I have another solution to the TP problem. Just have your stomach stapled like Carnie Wilson. You will then only have to contend with a rabbit-like pellet everyother day.

Fazzoletto

Yes, of course we know you can buy tissues in Italy. But really, packing a few from home is hardly a major inconvenience, and then I've got them when I get there.<BR><BR>I always wonder how far this thing about "Why don't you just buy them when you get there?" thing is supposed to go. Maybe next time I won't bother packing anything at all. I'll just spend my whole vacation buying socks, underwear, shoes, shirts, pajama, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, pen, etc. All readily available in Europe, and it makes so much more sense to spend my time shopping for them than to just throw them in my suitcase and spend my time in Europe in museums or hiking in the coutryside. For that matter, maybe I'll stop carrying kleenex, aspirin, etc., in my bag at home. I'll just stop into a shop when I need them.