GypsyGurl

All the tips have been super helpful in planning our trip to Italy, I am so glad the car rental ordeal is taken care of! So I thought I would venture a new one on packing. We (15 year old daughter, husband who is ancient but still cute, and me) will be in Italy for three weeks. We are limiting ourselves to only carry on luggage. The reason for this is because I hate lugging suitcases around. I would prefer just packing one or two pairs of jeans and buying t-shirts as we move from town to town. However, that is not practical according to my sweet husband. So, I need ideas on what to pack for three weeks. We will have access to laundry facilities and I am using the tip of one other poster and purchasing Purex washer/dryer sheets to save space and money.
Oh, we also will be taking one messenger bag per person to carry as we tour Italy. Hints on what to put in those, (including the best camera to purcase,) would be great to.
Thanks so much for all your help!!
GG

Zerlina

When are you going? Jeans are not very comfortable in high summer (although you'll see many Italians wearing them). Besides, they weigh a ton and take an age to dry. Think light cotton pants instead. Seven T-shirts don't take up much space or weigh much.

HappyTrvlr

There have been tons of helpful posts about "packing light."
Put those words into the Search the Forum box above. You'll find them good resources. We always carry on whether for a weekend or six weeks abroad. Shoes and books are always the problems.Cut needed sections out of guide books, or have Kinkos cut the binding off and rebind the book with the sections you want to pack. I take two pairs of shoes: a pair of walking shoes and aonther pair for evening.
You mentioned jeans. When are you going to Italy? I never take them as they get so hot and take a long time to dry but then I usually travel to Europe from May through October.

amamax2

When we (family of four) went to Europe for 3 weeks in 2007, we wanted to do carry-on only, too. I read this tip and have traveled this way ever since:

Pack using the rule of three. Pick three complementary colors and have everything you pack mix and match. So for instance, I chose black, brown, and burgundy. I brought black jeans, brown jeans, black capris, brown capris, then bought three black shirts (one long-sleeved, one short sleeved, one V-neck), a brown shirt, a thin burgundy hoodie. My kids were black, grey, and blue - same deal with clothes. Can't remember what my DH was, lol. We also each had really comfy clothes (in black) for the loooong plane rides that could be used as back ups or to wear while we did laundry, if needed.

We packed basically 4 - 5 outfits, and then wore the pants twice before washing, shirts could be layered so also could be worn several times before washing by switching around what was closest to the body, and therefore got sweaty. Six pairs of undies and socks, just in case. And raincoats for all that we wore on the plane rather than packed.

We brought the packets of detergent and did laundry as needed, very fond memories of the laundromat in Lucca and doing wash in the sink of our hotel room in Sorrento (that had a clothesline on the balcony).

In our messenger-type bags we put snacks!, cheap paperback books we could leave behind as we went, all important papers, maps etc, cameras, ziplock bag of liquids to easily pull out during security, plastic folder to put momentos collected as we go, can't think of what else now.

HTH!

GypsyGurl

Sorry, I forgot to put in that we are traveling in October.
Thanks!

GypsyGurl

Thanks for your tips. Amamax2, your hints were good.
Thanks again!

azzure

I agree with the suggestion to choose basic complementary colors, but for photography purposes I like to have a bright color among them; I chose black pants, shoes and windbreaker but packed a variety of bright colored tops and sweaters that coordinated with the black basics.

Another suggestion I have is to buy large zip-lock bags to pack with. Put your clothing in them, zip up the bags leaving a small air escape hole, then sit on them! You'll be surprised how much stuff you can pack by compressing it like this.

ekc

GG congrats on your trip! I love the washing sheets and used all that I brought with me! I know it has been said before, but it is true. Pack the same whether you are going for a week or 6. I choose basic black for my pants (never jeans - too heavy even for October and take forever to dry) and skirts and leggings (worn under the skirts if it is a little chilly) and then have different colored sweaters and t-shirts (but no more than 4-5 tops) and then a couple of stretchy dresses. I am "bad" and bring 2 pair of shoes in addition to what I wear on the plane. And it still fits in a carry-on. Great job for teaching your kids to pack light from an early age!!
Ziplock bags are key.

amamax2

I forgot to mention the clothes in the ziplocks - yes, that helps a lot!

BTW, we were in France and Italy in late Sept- mid Oct. Guess it depends on your cold/heat tolerance. Started the trip in Paris - it was freezing so jeans and multiple layers of tops were a must, middle of the trip was pleasantly warm so my lightweight capris and my kids in shorts were perfect, ended in Rome where we had sun some days and pouring rain others. Jeans dried fine in a dryer, I wouldn't hand wash them and expect them to dry.

GypsyGurl

Thanks to everyone for posting such helpful tips. I also wanted to ask if my daughter and I should pack scarves. I heard from someone that we would need to cover our heads and arms when visiting Assisi and some of the other cathedrals. Also, it just sounds very Italian to have a scarf draped around my neck

CYESQ

The problem with taking books is that they can be bulky and heavy. I just got a Kindle and am loving it. It's about 5x7" and very thin, even slips into my purse. Try it as an alternative for carrying books.

di2315

GypsyGurl

Scarves are great for travel - and very 'in' for Europe, even for the men!

I use them to add colour variety to my basic outfits, and also for extra warmth on cooler days. Mostly I take silk; it feels so beautiful in warm or cool weather, and I twist and roll mine for easier packing and the crushed look. Di

jetsetguy

There was a good feature on how to pack for "10 Days in a Carry-On" on the New York Times website. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...6-pack-ss.html

I found the tips handy for getting more into the same space

bamburak

Adding to what azzure says above, we use of those shrink wrap food gadgets when we pack. They use specific bags, but with a small battery operated device, you can really shrink a number of items and pack very tightly...watch the weight though.

colduphere

Five of our six member family only bring the shoes we wear. And a big container of foot powder. I'm betting you won't do this.

spaarne

Here is a handy packing list, http://tinyurl.com/29elmem. Do not put any valuables in your messenger bag. Use a money belt. Keep your camera on a strap around your neck.

GreenDragon

I usually only have black pants (I have lots in the 'slinky' knit fabric, which you can ball up for two weeks and still be wrinkle free, dry quickly). I have several shirts in different colors, but a few black as well. A couple scarves for color and variety. I roll each item up very tightly so they pack easily and compactly. I wear my bulkiest shoes (hiking/walking shoes) and put my other shoes (croc's sandals) in the carryon, with socks inside them. Underwear as needed. We're going for 2.5 weeks to Ireland in May, I'll have 5 full outfits, and laundry as necessary. I'll wear my jacket on the plane, use as a pillow or blanket as necessary. Drape it over my purse if not needed. Camera, meds and other valuables are in my purse.

wanttogo

I am taking black washable pants (2 prs.), expensive rinse out underclothing and blouses, small bags of woolite and two plasice pant hangers from my grandaughter's closet. We will still have to send out my husband's clothes or bring them to a laundromat though. I keep most of the above in my carryon in the storage closet all year-they are dedicated travel clothes. I have learned over the years not to check baggage.

Pat

GreenDragon

This is actually my first Europe trip with carryon only. The last one (Scotland, 2008, three weeks) I didn't get my checked luggage until day 5, and only then after calling four times a day (not exaggerated) and finally finding one lovely lady willing to GET UP and go LOOK for my bag in the warehouse. The computer had the account closed out, as they had delivered my dad's bag already, and didn't care that mine was still missing. The bag was right there, complete with my name and phone number, itinerary inside, easily placed for anyone who LOOKED.

fmpden

Since packing lite is the mantra of Rick Steves, his web site is loaded with information and packing lists for single carryon. In fact, if you even dream of taking a bag larger than a carryon size you will be ban from the site. We have been gone as long as 33 days on one carryon bag. IMO, two keys -- you have to pack on paper first and then stick to the list. Second, the clothing selection is critical -- we normally wear one and pack two changes of clothing with careful cross coordination. We avoid any all cotton just because of maintenance problems -- jeans are out for that reason. We use synthetic blends. It is learned behavior and you will do better the next time.