My husband and I are getting ready to leave for our trip- had planned on each taking a small suitcase with wheels and one carry-on bag. However, we plan to buy a leather coat, shoes, and other items along the way... so take larger suitcases and pack them half full- or take the small suitcases with expandable duffel bag inside one of them, and start filling up the bag along the way (bag doesn't have wheels so that seems awkward too)? Any advice? Does anyone recommend shipping purchases home instead?<BR>Thanks!

Shipping is fairly exspensive from Italy. I always take 2 large bags, although I only need one to go. I fill it with bubbble rap as I tend to buy ceramics and food stuffs in jars, not to mention the occasional bottle of vino or olive oil. Even though I have the maximum sizes I always would like to purchase a few more items then I know I can fit. If your going to err, err on the side of having more then you need. Who knows what items you'll see on the trip.

Thanks- that's what I was thinking but everyone has scared me about taking more than one suitcase (plus a small carry-on shoulder bag). Anyone else? We're going for 16 days.

I always have purchases mailed if the price is right. Be careful about receipts, though. You might want to mail them to yourself in an envelope. Once, in Houston, the customs man searched my luggage & was certain I was smuggling a silver tea service, (easy to smuggle, right?) because he found the receipt in my wallet & the store had failed to write "sent" on it. We were detained for over an hour & a half & missed our connection.

i posted this on the other thread, but in case you didn't get it and it might prove helpful, here it is again -<BR>In Florence we boxed up a purchase and had our hotel mail it to us. Left money to cover shipping etc. It arrived, but a little worse for the wear. I did notice that across the Arno in Florence there was a Mailboxes, Etc or some such outfit. It was on a street facing the river. That might be a good option.<BR>