I will be traveling to italy in september.First time and going on a escorted tour.You are limited to 1 piece of luggage and 1 small carry on the tour co. provides.Any tips on how to bring souvineers if I dont want to ship? Anyone been on a Globus Tour?

Ship your own stuff you no longer need as the tour winds up - dirty laundry, guide books, stuff like that. Makes room for souvenirs that you'll take with you.

WK

It's my understanding that extra luggage is allowed but there's a charge for that. If that's the case, you should determine which makes more sense--shipping fees or extra luggage fees.

Buy smaller souveniers!! Local calendars, scarves, key chains, hankies, lace, soap, all tuck easily into your suitcase.

Tours usually allow a pretty good sized suitcase--26". Just pack light in it.

What I did on a river cruise last December was take with a fold-up suitcase. At the end of the cruise I crammed all the clothes I could into it and then used the space freed up in my 26" suitcase for things I bought. Even then there wasn't really enough space.

As for the carry-on the tour will provide, it will probably be a smallish over-the-shoulder bag that's not really good for much. I left mine at home and took an 18-inch roll-on istead. Check with your tour company to see whether you can do the same thing (and if not, just do it!).

I wish all tour companies would provide shipping services at the end of the trip.

Thanks everone who responded to luggage question. That helps Gretchen you said pack light . Everbody been telling me that.Any clothing tips?thanks again

It's really easy to pack light if you're willing to:
1) Wear clothing several times,
2) Do a little hand laundry in the sink,
3) Bring less than three pairs of shoes (including what you wear on the plane).

Clothes that are lightweight and dry quickly without wrinkles are ideal. The less you pack, the more room you have for souvenirs.

However, there are other philosophies. Some people bring old clothing that they "accidentally" leave behind as the trip progresses. This is most often done with underwear, but can be done with other items. There are those who find this idea wasteful or unfashionable (because no one ever discards nice clothing), but it is one way to clear out the suitcase.

You may also want to think about the type of souvenirs you purchase. The first time one travels, there is a temptation to go a little overboard with the shopping. However, I like to buy fewer items of better quality. Suze has a great idea of choosing small souvenirs.

To pack light you can do any or all of these things:

Take clothes you like so you don't mind wearing the same thing often

Pick fabrics that pack well (I like knits)

Choose colors that go together so you can mix, and match, and layer

Wash out light items using hotel shampoo in the hotel sink

Visit a self-serve laundry half way thru the trip

Spring for a hotel laundry service

Downsize all toiletries and cosmetics into small containers so you carry only what you need for the length of your trip

Hi! I am going on a Globus tour to italy in april with a couple of friends. i can let you know about the carry on bag/tour after we get back. what tour are you going on?
p.s. anyone - we have a free day the day we arrive in rome. any ideas? the next day/day after we are going to vatican, basilica, st. peter's square, sistine chapel, colosseum, and roman forum.

I will be interested in seeing feedback on the Globus tours. I am doing a 10 day Rome/Florence/Venice tour with them in Oct. 06 - travelling between the cities on the train. I am travelling from Australia and this is my first time to Italy. This tour seemed to give a fair amount of time in each city, staying at good hotels, with some assistance, but not jumping on/off a tour coach all the time.

Hello vacaville, I do not mean to be intrusive, but do you live in Vacaville,Ca? I only ask as I do, and to my knowledge I have never seen anyone else here on Fodors from Vacaville.

good topic! I'm in Sacramento, myself, and had a slightly unscrupulous thought at Costco last weekend - they have Murano glass for sale... this kind of thinking comes from wondering how I'm gonna pack for New Orleans AND Italy in a 22" carryon! How DO people get their glassware home? We sent ceramics from Sevilla home by using the shop's shipping service, and they all arrived safe'n'sound.