How much to pack for 2 weeks in Italy?
 

I have been reading that carry-ons are usually the norm, but then I cannot pack necessity items such as razors, clippers, and all other toiletries. What does everybody do, buy these items once you get to your destination and throw it away before you leave?

Also, are laundromats easily accessible and not too expensive in Italy? I am going the first 2 weeks in July, so I have a feeling I'm going to need to wash clothes quite frequently if I'm going to be sweating in them all day.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

*traveling to: Venice, Florence, Isle of Capri, Pompeii, Rome.

"<i>but then I cannot pack necessity items such as razors, clippers, and all other toiletries.</i>"

Why not? You can have things like safety razors, nail clippers (small scissors even), and enough toiletries for a couple of weeks in any carry on. Each bottle of liquid must be 3 oz or less, but 3oz is a lot of shampoo . . .

There are laundromats . . but for a lot of things like light tops, underwear, night clothes, you can wash them out in the bathroom sink if necessary

We didn't think it was possible, either, but we've done this twice now. In July, it is actually easier because the weather won't vary that much, so you don't need bulky clothes. We found we actually overpacked a bit both times. Have a layering piece in case you have a cool evening (you probably won't), don't have more than 3 pairs of shoes, wash out your underwear and socks every few days. If you take clothing items that wash and hang dry easily, the bathroom sink works very well. Laundromats are easy to find and easy to use in Italy.

I do checked bags because I hate bothering with luggage on the plane, so my carry on is nothing more than a very light weight small tote. However, my checked bag is on the small side and I leave room in the checked bag so I can put the tote in it when I arrive and never have to deal with more than one bag. It is going be super hot everywhere you are going, so you only need to take very thin, light weight clothing. You can pack a lot more pieces in summer than you can in winter, and they are easier to wash. If you think you might need something, pack a thin shawl for evening.

Pick a good basic color, then make sure everything you pack goes with the basic color and works together. You won't have to pack much. Plus, it's summer so you're clothes will be lightwieght and they will wash and dry quickly.

If you like skirts, pack a skirt. You won't have to wash them as much as pants. Depending upon how much you sweat, then you'll be wise to take 3 bottoms and wash one at night, let it dry the next day then you'll have your choice of 2 bottoms (pants or skirt) A few more tops and rotate them the same way.

"I have been reading that carry-ons are usually the norm"

Not really, I personally don't want to wash clothes at night while I am on vacation.

I saw some great advice recently, something along the lines of.... "bring twice as much money, and half as many clothes, as you'd intended"!

Mixing beach and city visits will add to what you're likely to need but, for the southern leg of your trip, you can expect conditions similar to those we get here on Ischia that month...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/recjul

Probably little help but this may give an idea of what people were dragging around last summer...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/133067494

Peter

Thanks everybody! I was a little nervous about only doing carry-ons, but now I am more hopeful! I really don't want to waste time in the airport at luggage claim, or worse - having lost luggage! That would be a nightmare!

janisj - I didn't realize that you could take some of those items. I'll have to look at the regulations more and find out exactly what I can & cannot bring.

It all depends on two things IMO:

How much, if any laundry do you want to do be it in the hotel room sink, in the shower, or at a laundromat (this is assuming you actually DO wash your clothes eventually or have them washed by somebody else)

How BIG you clothes are. I say that because I keep hearing how easy it is to pack shoes in a carry-on. Yeah, but what if you are like I am with SIZE 12 shoes? I know, take fewer pairs, etc.

We've done the carry-on thing to Europe for short trips but I'm sorry,I do not agree that it is "the usual thing" given all the luggage that appears on luggage carousels.

Ally3G,

I very often start out with a minimally packed carry-on, but when I get to my travel destination, I start buying cheap clothes to wear. This works really well when I travel to America, but it even works well when you travel to Italy. Lots of street markets and discount stores. Along the way, I also buy a cheap backpack or tote. For my return flight, I check my dirty laundry and take whatever I like best among my new purchases as carryon.

Also, I would rather pay to have laundry done than carry heavy luggage or go to a laundromat. Like taxi rides, a lot of people simply would rather spend that money on other things, but personally, I'd rather take a taxi and get my laundry done and eat a cup of yoghurt for lunch then sit down at a restaurant for lunch but have dragged my luggage halfway across town and stand over the sink washing my clothes at night. (I find sitting in a laundromat incredibly depressing when I travel, so that would be out for me.) It is not "cheap" to get a laundry done via your hotel, but it is worth it if you like to travel a certain way.

Dukey1,

If you want to check a bag, don't let me stop you, but I also wear large shoes and my solution has been to wear my biggest shoes/boots on the plane and pack ballet flats and/or sandals.

Laundromats are not as common as all that, especially in smaller towns. More common are service laundries that will do a wash for you. But I never trust them to heed the washing instructions for my more delicate items. Very few of my clothes can be washed in hot water. So I wash things out at night.

Tips: I like Biosuds, which comes in a tube. That way you just use as much as you need. Woolite packets require waiting until you have enough dirty clothes to justify opening a packet. And I have a generic sink stopper (like a rubber pancake). Often the sink in our hotel room doesn't hold water. I also have a couple of blow-up hangars; keeps apart the the 2 wet sides of a garment so they dry faster.

However, occasionally we seek out a laundromat. Rick Steves' guidebooks are a good source for laundromats. And it's kind of fun to be in there with the locals.

I use shampoo, and a quick wash in the sink. But then I'm not doing a lot of heavy exercise; walking and going to museums. My clothes are easy to clean.

I check my luggage, since I'm going to Europe it's free and I don't like to be saddled with a suitcase during a lay over.

I buy the Purell 3-in-1 laundry sheets and cut them into quarters and put them in a ziplock in my luggage (carryone only). One quarter square works great for a sink (or bidet) load.

Dukey - had to laugh, my husband is a size 12 also and his shoes take up half the carry on.

When traveling and minimizing colors, I opt for basic black, tan and white colors and throw in a solid bright color shirt or two. - easy to mix/ match and accesorize with jewelry.

Janisj - I still have to review our "allowed" list, but I thought razors, clippers,small scissors were not an option. Hope to find out I'm wrong.

Rather than laundromats in Italy, we have ususally found one that provides wash and fold service. Buy quick dry fabrics for hand washing many items yourself in the hotel sink. They'll dry overnight

"<i>How BIG you clothes are. I say that because I keep hearing how easy it is to pack shoes in a carry-on. Yeah, but what if you are like I am with SIZE 12 shoes? I know, take fewer pairs, etc.</i>"

I teach packing classes and do two demo wardrobes, one for me -- a petite woman w/ size 5 shoes and a man's extra large w/ size 12's (may be they are 11's --I'll have to check my 'prop' closet). Mainly do it for the shock factor - 21 inch roll aboards work for both giant man and tiny woman :) Just a slight variation in how the items are arranged.

"<i>Janisj - I still have to review our "allowed" list, but I thought razors, clippers,small scissors were not an option. Hope to find out I'm wrong.</i>"

razors, nail clippers, scissors have been allowed for several years. To be on the safe side take nail clippers that don't have a sharp file attachment. Per the TSA web site >><i>Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches</i><< are allowed in carry ons.

Whatever else my fellow-size-12-wearers do, be sure to bring adequate footwear as it's one heck of a job to find any here.

One local shop offered to help me, once I'd had my toes chopped off! About the only place I can buy any is at Timberland outlets, although even they stock very, very few...

Peter