I always overpack when travelling in the US, but now going on my first overseas trip for 14 nights in Naples, Pompeii, Sorento, etc. and am being told only one suitcase under 50 lbs and one carry on under 11 lbs! I think it is 4 hotels in all and I'm sure I'll spend a little time finding a laundromat, but ... Please help with suggestions on what to pack and what to leave home. I'm leaving in 4 more days - woo hoo!

Man or woman?

It will be warm, so you don't need much in the way of heavier clothing. The man or woman question is good: how big are your shoes?

What sort of activities are you planning, and do you "dress" for dinner? How often each day do you imagine yourself changing outfits? How often would you be comfortable wearing the same clothing during that 14-day period?

My 1st rule of thumb: Pack whatever you think you'll need, then lay it all out and cut it in half.

Wait: I had to reread this. We are talking about maybe 55 pounds of luggage? That's a fair amount of weight. I don't think it should be too much of a problem.

Have you weighed your suitcase, empty? That's a good place to start. I hope it's not too heavy. I really think you'll be able to take what ever you want with those weight limits.

I assume you've got your wardrobe together. Linen and cotton shouldn't weigh too much.

Leave behind any heavy books. For rain, take a very lightweight rain jacket. Don't pack anything electronic; things like hair dryers may not work and take up extra weight and space.

Sandals and lightweight walking/running shoes, all cotton socks and underwear.

Don't take large bottles of liquids such as shampoo and conditioner. Take travel size, and then replace them while you are there. Actually, no big bottles of anything, because they weigh a lot and you can get all sorts of great personal products in Italy.

In your carry on, it's the same: just very small sizes of anything. First, it's the rule for liquids, and second, you don't want the bag to be overweight.

If your suitcase is too heavy empty, think about using something different. I have an Eagle Creek which is the lightest piece of luggage I've ever owned. Admittedly small, because I'm a light packer, but it comes in larger sizes, too, and it is a very lightweight line.

Your trip sounds great, by the way. Dress and pack for hot weather. You will be fine, I'm sure.

I've learned (thank you, Fodorites), that no matter where I go or how long I stay, I only need to pack for one week. If you're staying for 14 nights, pack for seven nights and wash half way through. Experiencing a laundromat in Italy is a cultural experience! Onda Blu is a chain of Italian laundromats. Here's a list of the locations and their addresses.

http://www.ondablu.com/Template/list...p?IDFolder=163

hi, coltsfan,

thre are lots of threads about packing on this board, but this is my two pen'th.

the max. you need is clothes for 7 days - you should easily be able to find some way of washing/laundering clothes after a week.

even if you are in posh hotels, you are only staying in each one for 4 days, so you don't need lots of evening wear -two smart outfits, max.

europeans are vey casual in dress, and will expect you to be so too, unless you are staying in very posh establishments -see above.

three pairs of shoes should be fine - one walking, one pair sandals, one smart pair. wear the heaviest ones to travel.

you do not need to bring lots of cosmetics and hair care products with you. all hotels will supply them free and all pharmacies and supermarkets stock them. your hotel will also have a hair-dryer and an iron, should you need them.

you do not need any heavy coats - a light waterproof [which you'll hopefully never use] and a jumper for cooler nights should be all you need.

try to bring clothes that co-ordinate with each other. some people just bring black, and use scarves to jazz them up.

do bring a light blouse or shawl that you can use when going into churches.

don't bring a separate outfit for each day. 4 day time outfits, and 2 evening, is all you'll need. promise. and if you did need anything else, we have shops. lots of them. some may even stock clothes that you like.

stop worrying and start packing.

have a great time,

regards, ann

Just noticed that the address links are live. Click and there's a lot info about each location, including a map.

Map: Come raggiungere il punto vendita

Just noticed that the Onda Blu address links are live. Click and there's a lot info about each location, including a map.

Map: Come raggiungere il punto vendita

You can do it!

I don't think I've <u>ever</u> needed/taken 61 lbs of luggage. Even in the old days when I overpacked a bit. I reformed my ways in about 1991 and since then the most I've taken, whether for a week or 4 weeks, is 25-26 lbs.

Take about half of what you are allowed. Remember that you will doing the carrying.

Get a 22&quot; soft case with wheels. Four days clothing is all you need or want.

Do a google search for packing list europe and you'll get plenty of helpful lists from plenty of different folks. Take your pick or mix and match. The basic rule of all of them is pack light.

coltsfan: Trust the good advice that has been offered. Take less than what you think you need. I take high school students every year (mostly female) and few listen to me when I tell them to pack light. But most tell me later that they wished they had listened.

Here are a couple links (one to one of my travel blogs and one to Rick Steves, who spends two months per year in Europe and lives very efficiently out of a small bag.

My packing list was made before I spent 30 days in Europe this summer. I can tell you that my strategy worked - the synthetic materials traveled well and drying time was overnight, if not sooner. I am one who traveled to Europe the first time with two suitcases. It took me about 5 years to start taking less. I'm a slow learner I guess.

http://tinyurl.com/3xt8fv
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm

Travelling to Europe at least once, often twice a year, I have it down to very light packing.
I sometimes cut out portions of large travel guides, so I only carry the chapters I need and throw them away and all my Fodor notes as I go along. I carry paperbacks to read, which can be given away if I need the room.
I purposely bought 2 pair of black pants at Talbot's that were very inexpensive polyester and they wash and dry in the sink without needing ironing. I only wear them to travel. I have many light blouses that dry in a few hours and don't require ironing. I carry a couple of clip hangers and a couple of plastic hangers to hand my clothes to dry in the tub. 2 Pair of shoes, one is a black pair of walking shoes the other the most comfortable black with brown trim loafers that look OK at a restaurant and can be used daytime as well. So 3 pair of pants, 5 blouses for 15 days because I get bored with same clothes, and 3 days underwear and one night gown. Small containers of all cosmetics, shampoo, hairspray, etc. One windbreaker or nice sweater (replaced by a black jacket if chillier). SO I carry on my bag even for 15 days in China or Spain. I stick my purse in a carry on so it qualifies as my personal item. I have a foldable shopping bag, and if I buy too much stuff, I check my bag on the return trip and carry the shopping bag.

I always use a 24&quot; roller for Europe, which packed weighs 27-35 lbs, it's 8 lbs. empty.

Downsize all cosmetics and toiletries to just the amount you need for 16 days. 1-3 oz plastic travel bottles that you transfer your own shampoo, etc. into. Put all into a large doubled ziplock, lay flat in the suitcase.

I don't take any electronics (hair dryer, curling iron, laptop, cell phone, etc.) but that's just me.

My one luxury is taking 3 pair of shoes. One on my feet, and two in the suitcase, plus flip flops or slippers. My thinking is you can wear the same outfit for a few days, who cares, but if your shoes go wrong on a trip, it ain't pretty.

With 4 days to go, I'd hang everything up I'm considering packing, somewhere separately, like on the back of a door. Really be careful and only take the pieces that you love, the ones you'd reach for first on a weekend at home. Plan to wear them often.

Don't clutter up the suitcase at the last minute with &quot;oh maybe I might need this&quot;. I don't pack guidebooks, just internet info printed and neatly organized in one small folder in my carry-on. One paperback novel for entertainment.

Great ideas everyone, thank you. I know I shouldn't worry. The one comment about don't clutter your bag after you've packed thinking maybe I'll use this, is definitely me if there is extra room! On this trip, I know there will be things I will want to bring home. Oh BTW, I am female, mid-40's. Getting way too excited and really need to start getting my things together .... thanks again!

You will have a great time! I just wanted to add my two cents. Don't take cotton underwear, buy some microfiber stuff. Probably true for socks as well, as they dry overnight ( cotton won't). I went two weeks with a carryon bag last winter and I absolutely loved it! Just love the clothes you are taking and wear them every day. Dark colors are more forgiving ( I also had two pr of black slacks and wore them the entire time )

Wearing things more than once (except for undies and socks of course) really is the single best trick to packing light. Some people are laundry fanatics imo, nothing wrong with wearing the same couple pair of pants for a two weeks trip. Just try not to spill wine on yourself!!

bookmarking... to refer my 22 students to for our upcoming trip to Russia!!

Katya- I was involved chaperoning a choir trip- a suggestion. We gave them a clothing list and max dementions for their suitcases. We had the kids bring in their packed suitcases a day before the trip. We checked them and had the kids carry them up 2 flights of stairs. If they couldn't the cases went back home for repacking. Worked like a charm.

50+ pounds?? Are you nuts?

Whether I'm going for 2 months or 10 days I take a 22&quot; suitcase that weighs in between 25 and 28 lbs. And that's 6 lbs. the suitcase alone.

OK, I'll admit I'm pretty tiny (5'3&quot;and 112 lbs) and that means my clothes don't weigh much and I can't do much heavy lifting, but honestly, you can do this. I pack, for this time of year, one pair of long pants, one pair of capris, two skirts, one dress, about 6 tops (some short-sleeved, some long-sleeved), one sweater, one jacket, two pairs of shoes (one strappy low-heeled sandal, one casual walking shoe like a slip-on), underwear, lightweight pajamas, a small bag of toiletries....and that's it. I buy whatever I didn't bring (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc) when I get there.
If I am suddenly struck by the fqact that I'm missing something, I go out and buy it. That's part of the fun, ya know?