galelstorm: I wasn't suggesting that you ship the wine back, I was suggesting buying the shipping boxes and just checking the boxes as luggage. They end up weighing just under 50 lb, so are right under the limit. Be sure to double-check with the airline, though, as a few don't let you check boxes as luggage.

I also take bubble wrap sheets (small bubbles type) and a collapsible bag in my suitcase.

I bring my own packing materials as merchants tend to over-package items resulting in too much space taken out of my precious suitcase.

Since stores often use (too) large boxes, I bring a sheet of adhesive tape to modify boxes to be just large enough to put most fragile items - again to save space.

I learned to do this after encountering stores who would not ship items to the U.S.

Bubble wrap, extra suitcase and a variety of (2 gal down to a tsp.) zip lock baggies! They are so handy.
While we are at it, I will say that I am a forensic nurse and in our state the rape kits are provided for by the state. They have all the items we need, but may not use every time. In that kit is a huge paper towel for the victim to stand on and disrobe. We only use it if the victim of sexual assault has not changed her clothing &/or bathed. SO, it has served as a picnic blanket, towel at a unexpected beach, one never knows, I even carry a couple in my car in case I happen on an accident and need something. So now you know if you see a person picnicking on a huge paper towel, it is me!

If you plan to wrap delicate things, do not forget to bring tape, along with bubble wrap. (You can borrow a pair of scissors from the hotel)

Since I often bring food home with me, I also pack the zip loc bags and folded sheets of aluminum foil to wrap items such as cheese.

Another good item to pack in your suitcase is a mailing tube in case you want to buy any prints or other paper artwork. It doesn't take up much space and helps to avoid any damage to the prints.

Monica

I do the same as most people have posted - bubble wrap flat on the bottom of my suitcase and a duffle bag that collapses down to virtually nothing. I put my dirty clothes in the duffle bag and check it on the way home, leaving room in my suitcase for wine & souvenirs. I also bring some ziplock bags in various sizes, some tape and rubber bands. On my last trip I brought one of those neoprene wine totes and it worked really well to bring home extra bottles of wine.

I like eks's idea of bringing along some aluminum foil. I'll have to do that on my next trip! I never leave home without a corkscrew and paring knife (in a sheath). They are great to have for impromptu picnics!

suze-I think I agree with Monicapileggi on the ubble wrap vs the dirty clothes. If I'm going to Italy and bringing wine or pottery home, I really want to make sure they arrive in one piece.
travelgourmet-Obviously I didn't read your post correctly! I will check with the airline to see if they allow boxes. Just curious...with your screen name, are there special items you like to bring home from Italy?
eks-Tape is light and easy and it's going on my list now. I, too, bring zip locks in varying sizes. They always come in handy. Couldn't cheese go in one of these? I'm curious about the foil. What special delicacies do you like to bring home from Italy since I know you are a foodie?
sherhatfield-rubber bands are another good idea for my list!
monicapileggi-I didn't think of some type of picture tube. It also is going on my list!
Thanks again everyone!

Sorry. I don't travel to Italy much. Only been to Milan on business and also passed through the airport a couple of times. It is on my "to see" list.

Off the top of my head though, in addition to wine, I know that my wife has gotten some good deals on the Italian designers (i.e. Gucci, etc) there. For housewares, Allessi (sp?) has some really interesting things. Wine is always a good choice- Barolo is a favorite of mine.

I usually buy bubblewrap when I'm away, but it's not always easy to come by. I remember being in Rothenburg, Germany trying to ask the post office if they sold bubblewrap. I didn't know the word for it and all I could translate it to in German was "plastic with air in it".

Last trip I took some flat packed in my suitcase. I invariably buy stuff which really shouldn't be packed in a suitcase. And so far, I've managed to get it home safely.

No. The only things I bring back are beer coasters.

travelgourmet-thanks for your input. We have an Alessi store here in SF so I probably wouldn't buy anything in Italy considering the dollar vs euro.
I was thinking more along the line of delicacies! Mmmm!

<i>I was thinking more along the line of delicacies!</i>

Be careful. A lot of foodstuffs can't be brought back to the US. Plenty of people do it, but I have had enough stuff confiscated that I just don't see the point.

That being said, maybe some nice olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Really great parmesan is a revelation, and should pass muster with customs. So, too, should some charcuterie (though I have had proscuitto confiscated before). Proscuitto is pretty easy to find in the US, but maybe you could smuggle in some speck?

That being said, if you live in SF, I'd be surprised if you came across too much stuff that isn't available to you already - I find that folks in the Bay Area take food as seriously as anyone.

I've started finding clingfil useful, although so far I've bought it on hol rather than take it with me. With bottles of liquids / honey / etc we wrap them in clingfilm before rolling them up in laundry - used beach towels, t shirts, etc - before packing them in the centre of our bags. At least if they break (which they haven't yet) it will contain the broken glass. Also found it useful for getting a Felix Gonzalez Torres poster back intact (as hand luggage) - stopped it getting dogeared etc.

Galelstorm, among Mollie Stone's, Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and A.G. Ferrari (and that's only the big ones!), surely you can find almost anything you want in SF!

I have shipped pottery home (which cost a mint). I didn't have to worry about breakage as they would cover it. They used some kind of spray foam that really protected it but was &quot;interesting&quot; to remove. It showed up as basically a foam brick'o'pottery which I took apart on my deck...