Help with packing........need specifics
 

Leaving in 7 days, 1st time to Italy.I know,I know...pack light but need specifics. <BR>Using a 30" upright piece. I always over pack but want to get all in this one piece. <BR>Please give me a ball park list of what I would need for 12 days in the 3 main cities plus Amalfi. <BR> <BR>Example: <BR>__ pairs of underware <BR>__ bras <BR>__ p.j's <BR>__ t-shirts <BR>__ shorts <BR>__ skirts or dresses <BR>__ capri pants <BR>__ bathing suits <BR>__ sweaters <BR>__ shoes <BR> <BR>Will mix and match but like to change for casual dinners. Husband is not taking jacket or tie. <BR> <BR>I am not the carry on type but want to reduce the amount that I would normally take on a cruise, for example. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance.

Hi Margo, <BR> <BR>OK.. I pack REALLY lightly, with only a single roll on piece of luggage. I pack half as many underwear as days I will be there and roll everything to prevent wrinkles. If this were me: <BR>6 Undies <BR>2 bras <BR>No PJ's I sleep in Shorts and T-Shirt <BR>Shorts to sleep in <BR>1 T shirt to sleep in <BR>1 Skirt <BR>2 Dresses (1) that can be formal and does not wrinkle (2) 1 summer lightweight dress <BR>2 capri pants <BR>2 lightweight knit summer shirts that can go with either capris or skirt <BR>1 bathing suit <BR>1 sweater/sweatshirt medium weight (likely to be hot in Italy in July, you may only need this for dining out doors at night) <BR>1 pair great walking shoes..(we travel in winter and I always bring my sturdy black hiking/ankle length lace up boots, but that's too much for summer. <BR>I would consider some terrific walking sandels that you can wear with both skirt and capris.. I always bring running shoes as I run in the AM... and 3 prs socks to go with them <BR>and maybe a pair of casual flats.. if you need a formal dress and you bring one, then maybe some sandels that match it that can double with your skirt if you need them to. <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage! <BR>

Margo: Take two bathing suits! It's bad to keep the wet one on!

I just went through the same thing a month ago and I was impressed with myself for packing so light. What really helped me was I bought some medium-sized ziploc bags at the grocery store and that's where I put all my underwear/toiletries. I rolled every piece of clothing. Tucked socks into the shoes. All clothing was neutral in color so I could mix-n-match. Best thing I brought was a black cardigan sweater which I kept with me at all times (either tied around shoulders or waist) that way I never had to worry about getting into any of the religious attractions, plus I did get chilly at night several times.

I heartily second the ziploc bag trick, which I'd never heard of before fodor's. Haven't used it for a trip yet, but when I was loking for them in walgreens as someone suggested, I saw a large size, bought it for a king size quilted bedspread that was taking up an entire clost shelf, it reduced it to under 2 " and I have tons of room now, came with a free travel bag and just to try it packed 6 sets of mens underwear, could not believe how small it was when air was removed. <BR>Back to original subject, <BR>3 extra pr undies , 1 extra bra, wash them nightly, no big deal, <BR>1 quick dry nightdress or whatever you sleep in. <BR>2 skirts, full silk or cotton knit can be worn casually or for dinner,. <BR>3 tee shirts to wear with skirts or capris, 2 silk knit sweaters to make the skirts look dressy for dinners, 1 sweater or I prefer a shawl(pashmina for cool nights or a/c) , 2 pr capris and definitely 2 bathing suits.. nothing worse than a wet suit..yuck.. also as someone pointed out a great invitation to unwanted problems!! I also would include a beach coverup or sarong to go with suits. with the ziplocs you should have extra space for 1 pr good walking sandals and 1 pr of dressy flats. You could throw in a pair or 2 of shorts for the beach areas, but I would avoid them in the cities, first of all they are not that cool when the sun is beating down on you sunburn is a definite possibility and if you sit in a metal chair for lunch or whatever ...watch out!!

A 30 incher is huge - you won't need that big a bag. <BR> <BR>Thyra and JOdy's lists are pretty comprehensive -- and all of that would easily fit in a 21 or 22 inch rollaboard. Even if you check it, a small case is much easier to handle so definitely think about buying or borrowing one.

But remember if you pack too tightly, you won't have room if you buy some things.

Bathing suit(s) should double as body suits to wear under a skirt or pants (not when wet eeeyyuuu); no flounces or poofy stuff. <BR> <BR>Socks - as many pairs as you can tuck into the suitcase. Inevitably, at least one pair rides down into your shoes, so those get pitched. And your feet get wet; you want dry socks. <BR> <BR>Zoris/flipflops - beach shoes, shower shoes, changeintoforairingoutfeet shoes, walkdownthehall shoes - they have many lives. <BR> <BR>If you bring a long tshirt to sleep in, it doubles as a beach coverup. <BR> <BR>If you have a squishable dufflebag or the ilk, pack it. You can throw your dirty laundry, receipts, unbreakable souvenirs into it, packing your good stuff in the suitcase for the trip home. Or buy one on your trip (I have two that I bought over the years for a few dollars in Paris Monoprix). <BR> <BR>No pj's for me - I use the tshirt method. <BR> <BR>One pair of serious walking shoes, and one pair of notsoserious for strolling and changing into when the real ones get wet. Both should have rubber soles. <BR> <BR>We subscribe to the disposable clothing theory - anything that's not quite up to snuff, not ratty, but maybe the tshirt that doesn't really go with anything or the gold silk shirt that always makes you look peaked. Wear it, throw it away. Leaves room for souvenirs, and no guilt.

Margo: <BR> <BR>Wish I could help. I don't "do" Pack Light. Yet, I am fascinated by all that some Fodor travelers do to get "Pack Light" down to a science...really. <BR> <BR>You don't have much time but can you tell me why YOU (Margo only ok?) are committed to Pack Light? <BR> <BR>The way you referenced it...like a foregone prerequisite to travel, caught my attention. <BR> <BR>I still don't get it so I would appreciate the thought process of one who really does have a choice right as we post, in the matter. <BR> <BR>My days in Italy was with two large bags and one small bag(22 inches)all on wheels.. and I returned with an additional large duffle of goodies! <BR> <BR>My cruis packing is another funny travel tale altogether...can you say Steamliner Trunk??? <BR> <BR>Happy Packing! <BR>Oaktown

You all are much better packers than me. The only two ways that I've managed to lighten my load is to sleep naked (doesn't work well for a bathing suit cover-up though) and put all the heavy and bulky stuff in my husbands's luggage.

OAKTOWN_ How do you pull 3 wheeled bags?I ahve enough trouble with 1 and the stuff I carry in my other hand

I'm picturing Oaktown with all the bags hooked together like a train, her shuffling her feet and making WHOO! WHOO! chugga chugga chugga chugga WHOO! WHOO! noises. Excuse me, conductor, is this the train to Fromage? <BR>

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!! <BR> <BR>You "girls" are toooo funny. <BR> <BR>I have the DH (Darling husband) help and I tell ya we have never had an issue with getting Porters, Bell Hops and strange men (really) lend a hand when THEY felt we needed one. <BR> <BR>Once, when I was solo, I tied my t-shirt around my size 22 waist(at that time...looooong ago), sucked in my stomach, I now know what a stomach is, pushed my tush out slightly, it sticks out on its own now and started tapping my 5 inch high Bandolindo heel on the pavement...No problem with the bags at all(wink) <BR>That was years ago...oh, the memories... <BR> <BR>My Very Best <BR>Oaktown

Dear Oaktown, the reason I wrote" I know,I know pack light" is because practically every fodorite suggested it. I took 11 pairs of shoes on our last cruise.This trip is Venice,train,Florence,train,Rome,train, <BR>Naples,car,Amalfi. Can't drag too much with this kind of schedule.Thanks for those who sent suggested packing list.Maybe I will go down to a 26",who knows?

Very impressive minimalist packing lists! Don't think I could possibly manage with only 2 shirts. Just came <BR>back from a 10-day pack-light trip and <BR>am ready to throw away every item I took with me. I am so sick of everything! <BR>Have fun.

Great tips so far....margo, go to "the complete carry on traveler" www.oratory.com/travel/ and download their two page list of everything essential. <BR>Try to eliminate as much as you can from the list that you feel isn't essential for YOu -and that should do it. <BR>There are some really essential items here which you wouldn't normally think of. I've found it very useful. <BR>Take care

Hi Margo! <BR> <BR>Try packing everything you were planning on taking into that 30inch case and then spend a few days toting it around, up stairs, down stairs and then try lifting it up over your head because that is where the storage racks are in trains. I guarantee you will lighten your load by half, begin bribing your husband/boyfriend/significant other to carry the stuff or pack a few shorter skirts to get those strange men to help!! <BR> <BR>Good luck! BTW, I use Oaktowns method....I have a big, strong, DH!

This concerns shoes and sandals. <BR> <BR>Have just returned from 2 weeks in Southern Spain (Marbella as base) with side trips around the area including Tangiers. <BR> <BR>Packed my most comfortable travel sandals, shoes, etc., along with "foot care" items---powder, blister protectors, etc. However, even frequently changing shoes, socks, etc.--w/in 48 hours it seemed every shoe/sandal was too small <BR>and each had an individualized "blister map" for my feet! <BR> <BR>Friend from Malaga told me this is common in the summer climate even for the natives. Shoe size INCREASES 1.5 to 2 sizes due to climate, heat, activity, etc. in the summer months! Her daughter had a "new" pair of sandals and they were beginning to redden the skin in areas. <BR> <BR>So I ended up purchased a pair of sandals in Spain (I think they're about 2 sizes larger than I normally wear)and <BR>then I was O.K. and on the mend. <BR> <BR>I've traveled world-wide and never had this problem. My feet were always sturdy and without problems. <BR> <BR>In the future, keep in mind climactic changes, water retention, heat, etc. and the changes it may have on your most important traveling duo.

I don't work for Scholl's or any other such company but I wouldn't travel without some sort of moleskin or other such product...it's indispensable for curing those problems quickly

Definitely go with more than 2 shirts! They don't take up *that* much room. One of the things I did last time when packing for Europe: I poured some Febreze into a small spray bottle (like a purse-size hairspray bottle) and then sprayed my clothes once I was done wearing them. Makes everything a bit fresher.

My two daughters and I trained it through Italy 2 years ago and I learned then the importance of packing light. Two months ago, we went back accompanied this time by my husband who because of some macho thing (?) refused to use a bag with rollers and insisted on carrying a huge overstuffed suit bag. <BR>The girls teased him and called it the "zsa zsa" bag. Well, by the time we got to Venice our last stop, and he had to lug that thing onto the water taxi, down the streets of Venice to the hotel and then up two flights of stairs, he finally gave in and admitted that we were right!

We spent 3 weeks with just small rolling carry-ons--I took very few clothes and was sick of them by the end, but so what? It beats lugging heavy bags. I took some silk scarves to vary the look of my outfits and that made it more bearable. One thing I learned-take things that dry fast--all- cotton things can take days to dry in a hotel bathroom but cool-max and other fast dry fabrics saved me. The only thing I didn't take that I would take next time is a dress-just because it would have been cooler in the heat some days. A long-sleeve black tunic top and pants with a silk scarf made a dressy enough evening outfit for almost anywhere. And do take good walking sandals for summer-my closed walking shoes with socks got too hot and I ended up wearing my sandals almost all the time.

I only travel with a 22-inch rolling carryon and one smaller bag that goes under the seat in front of me -- even for two-week trips. I'll be in Italy in August for ten days and can tell you what I'm bringing, because it's the same as I'd bring for 12 days: <BR>4 undies <BR>4 bras <BR>1 t-shirt & shorts for sleeping in <BR>2 sleeveless (tank-style) cotton t-shirts (Ann Taylor has my favorite ones on sale right now BTW, $14.95 @ anntaylor.com -- great for travel) <BR>1 pair shorts for beach or pool <BR>4 short sleeved cotton knit t-shirts/tops (wear 1, pack 3) <BR>1 long-sleeved knit top/lightweight sweater (usually wear on plane, tied around shoulders or waist) <BR>1 black skirt <BR>4 pairs capri pants (wear 1, pack 3) <BR>2 bathing suits <BR>2 pairs shoes/sandals (wear 1, pack 1 -- deciding which ones is always the hardest part of my packing) <BR> <BR>Everything mixes and matches. Bottoms are black and khaki; tops are black, white, and colors. <BR> <BR>

nANCY--- Just because I pack light doesn't mean I try to stuff it into a rolling carryon! I have a hard sided HEAD suitcase, 24x15x8, with the best set of wheeels I have found on any bag I've tried. I just fill up the empty space with bubble wrap so I have it handy for my purchases, I buy a lot of majolica, silver and pictures and wouldn't trust them in a soft sided bag. In fact my hard case is lighter than MDH's soft side! You can usually find an elevator or escalotor to avoid stairs, and since we take a taxi or shuttle from and to airport there really is no lugging it all over. Only when we are using the train do I have to have help if theres a gap between platform and step, then we leave the bags at the end of the car in the bagge space. It even has a snap thing to attach my small carryon , which contains 1 extra set of clothes and toiletries. I have never lost a beg in 40 years of flying, KNOCK WOOD!!!Another trick we use is I pack 1/2 of my stuff in my husbands bag and half of his in mine and if one is lost we are not totally without.

I ALWAYS pack too much and I ALWAYS say "next time....". For the ladies (or guys if you wish) I like ro take one "broomstick" skirt. They are called that because they are of gausy/gauzy(?) fabric which looks as if it is in tiny pleats which were created by tying wet fabric around a broobstick and letting it dry.They start out wrinkled and are light weight. They can be slighlty dressy or casual.Once I took 2-one black and one patterened.I also wear a lot of black (makes you look more Italian) with various colored tank tops which work well under a jacket ot sweater. Scarves are great wardrobe extenders.

forgot to mention.Shampoo can be an emergency soap for laundry esp. lingerie

30 inch upright! Leaving in winter and taking capris and bathing suits AND sweaters. You have definitely forgotten your trolling gear--a really long line that will fit in the outside zipper compartment.

I've opted for quality over quantity - 2 skirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 jumper, and 5 cashmere turtlenecks! (I travel in cold weather) A little packet of jewelry, 3 or 4 silk scarves, 2 pair of shoes, 4 bras, 4 pairs of tights, I'm done, in a rolling backpack. Sure, by the time you get home you hate everything...

Wonderful suggestions for women. What do your husbands do? The cotton undershorts and t shirts (in winter for warmth) will not dry overnight.

For get cotton, it really isn't the most effective extra layer for warmth. Invest in one or two pieces of high-tech synthetic stuff. It's warmer, and dries quickly so you can rinse it out and wear again.

Have recently discovered cotton/poly underwear for men at Penney's (their Towncraft brand). Very soft and dries quickly. Also, coolmax undershirts dry within a couple of hours.

Thanks Joanne and Betty!

I take baby shampoo to wash clothes, take those wonderful plastic bags (I bought mine in a travel magazine, but will try zip lock this time.) I put all my dirty clothes in them and roll them up to nothing. <BR><BR>I travel for 3-4 weeks with 2, 22" carryons and 1 17" under the seat. I had a little trouble with this 17" because it kept falling off of the 22" (not meant to stack,) but this trip I have bought a luggage strap to solve that problem (I hope.) I had room to spare and bring back purchases and only carted the 2 small cases (with 17" on back of one.) I like the 22" because it fits easily on the train racks and I can handle them myself. Mine are also expandable, so I make sure that are not expanded when I leave so I can put plenty more in on the way home! I thought I packed light, but I take 6-8 pair of pants/probably 15 shirts, one or two dressy things and about 4 pair of shoes/sandles, 2 pair of shorts, 2 bathing suits, a sweater or jacket and lots of undies. I don't like to wash much when I am on vacation and usually have laundry service twice during a trip.

I travel with one carry on size case and a backpack. In the backpack is a pair of shorts and T and other esentials so when we arrive in hotland I can change on the road or airport.<BR>My main piece of lugguge is rolled up skirts, tops, usually cttonknits and silk dresses, good silk doesn't wrinkle much and linens that dry fast and only Americans have the hangup about wrinkes. The secret to drying them is to fold them neatly on seams, also in packing. Rolling your garments also saves you on space. tuck underwear, jewelry(why bring it?) belts, soxs into<BR>shoes. I hope these tips help.

A lot of great suggestions already posted here, but here's an interesting one. When you pack your undies, bring the older stuff. Wear it, and then THROW IT AWAY! (but please use common sense and be discreet, nobody really wants to see them!) One of my travel buddies went to the dollar store before we went to Paris, she bought 6 pairs of undies, washed them, packed them, wore them once and threw them away. You're traveling - who wants to wash out stuff in the hotel sink at midnight after a jammed-packed day of sight seeing etc.? And what if the stuff doesn't dry in time - like Men's stuff that can take for ever? He can toss his stuff too. And let's face it, NOBODY want to carry dirty undies back home. Funny idea, but it works great.

Next month's trip for 15 days<BR>Italy/Paris:<BR><BR>1 20" roll-on<BR><BR>3 bras, 6 pairs undies, 1 black dress, 1 pair black plants, 1 skirt, 2 tops, 1 sweater, 1 scarf, 1 pair of shoes. Oh, sleep naked.<BR><BR>I figure I'm going to buy an article of clothing or shoes there anyway.

Annie, I loved the "throw away" advice. I don't care to wash clothes much on vacation and your suggestion is great! I am going to try it in May.

The throw away advice is the best ever!!! I love it and I will be doing it!

This is just a thought - but I really like to wash my face with a washcloth - so on my last trip to Paris - I purchased a dozen really thin washcloths at the dollar store - washed them - used them and then what I didn't use as packing breakables on the way home I just left in the bathroom. Worked for me. jean

I have to boast that last summer I packed for our family of four for three weeks and got everything into a 30" rolling bag. It took a great deal of planning but it was soooo worth it! I rolled everything and stuffed as much as I could into large ziplocks, kneeled on them to get all the air out and it worked great to reduce space and keep outfits, etc. organized. Of course, I was washing clothes in the bidet a few times and we were all incredibly sick of those clothes by the end of the trip. <BR><BR>I made a rule and stuck to it firmly that each person could only bring the shoes on their feet. I did end up buying my daughter sandals in Scotland but otherwise we got by. <BR><BR>Also, bring a pashimina-type wrap. It serves many functions, blanket on the airplane, bathing suit coverup, extra layer on cool evenings, and to cover shoulders for churches on days too warm to wear sleeves.