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You need to leave space in your suitcase because you will inevitably buy things! I always stuff an empty duffle bag into my luggage so at the end of the trip I can throw my dirty laundry into it and use my hardside luggage to protect anything breakable that I might have bought. Wash things out as you wear them. As long as you're traveling in Spring, Summer or Fall you should be set because the clothing is fairly lightweight.
Have a great time! |
That's a good thought, travelbunny! I personally wouldn't be able to give up my suitcase that early- I am a habitual overpacker, I admit it. My kids are limited to one suitcase, 70 lbs (we are flying Finnair).
This is my 3rd time bringing kids to Russia, so I have some experience. Luckily, we are only really "traveling" 3 days- NY-Moscow (we will be in a hotel for 2 nights). Then we take the train to St.P, where we will be staying with host families for 10 days. Then we come home! So as far as constantly moving luggage, we don't need to- but we do have to bring gifts, etc.- so there is some extra weight involved. I'm really going to try to keep it down this trip, though! I want to lead by example... %%- |
Returned last week, my husband & 16 yr old son 2 weeks in Tuscany, also going to Venice, Florence, Rome, Elba Island, & Cinque Terre. Survived just find with carry-on backpacks bought at my local outdoor store. Plan to wash, mix & match, buy toiletries there and/or a scarf or accesories to spruce up a simple outfit for dinner. Wore my running shoes & heaviest clothes on the plane & had a small simple pair of flat black sandels packed. Tied my zip up sweatshirt around my waist (big space saver not packing that in the bag). Never packed that light before but will from now on. You realize all the stuff we think we NEED every day to survive is really not necessary. Good Luck!
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I took my college-age niece on her first European trip--spring break in Italy. Before the trip I stressed that she could fit everything she needed in her new 22-inch rolling bag and the attached shoulder tote. We would be flying with carry-on only and taking trains. She would have to carry and handle her own luggage.
She seemed very skeptical. I sent her my packing list that I use for any trip, no matter how long. I mentioned many of the tips you've already heard: mix and match everything; rewear items; save the expandable feature for your return trip; don't add items at the last minute because there's room . . . I'm a larger size but still manage with a 22-inch bag. We met at the departure airport and she excitedly shared that she had all she needed in her bag AND still had a little empty space. She was especially pleased when we landed in Venice and breezed past all the people waiting at baggage claim. |
Pack clothes for one week and a tube of detergent and wash your clothes in the hotel bathroom every evening.
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I pack for two weeks in a 22 inch carry on and backpack.
I do not wash clothes on vacation, period. It is easy to find a cleaners where you can drop things off to be laundered or dry cleaned and the cost is reasonable. I do this each trip half way through. I have never seen an iron in the hotel rooms in average hotels nor has the front desk had them to offer. I pack a small steamer. Blowdryers are fine for my short hair and I buy toiletries there as, again, not all hotels supply them nor do they supply a range of items. I do not find the Italians to dress casually, except for the young. They dress smartly. I pack three pairs of pants for day and two for evening; I travel in fall and winter. I pack around a central color theme (black and khaki, for instance).I add a pashmina and a scarf or two to change things around. I need 4 pair of shoes because I run in the mornings. I pack those and wear my heaviest pair on the plane. I pack a nice pair of black leather books for nights and an alternate pair of walking shoes for daytime. I also pack 2 sets of running clothes in microfiber to rinse and wear again. Pack fabrics conducive to travel: knits, microfiber, jersey. I swear by twin sets and always pack a black silk turtleneck or two. Packing light makes travel soooo much easier. |
Just want to point out if you're flying through or out of Britain, you may only take one item on board: one purse OR one laptop OR one rollaboard. The EU delayed implementation of this rule, but it may soon be in effect for all Europe.
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To clarify mimar's post -- in the UK you can only take one item <u>through security</u>. You can take more pieces on board. So if your "personal item" can fit inside your carry on just while going through screening, after that point you can take it out and carry the two items on the plane.
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I'm with suze. I have never washed anything and have taken up to 3 week trips. On a two week trip pack for a week and wear it twice. The top of my suitcase inside has a zippered mesh thing the full size of the suitcase. I fill that with underwear and socks for each day so it doesn't take up room in the other part of the suitcase.
Also bring shampoo and toiletries that you have put in smaller containers. And forget the hairdryer, most hotels have these. If they don't and this has not happened too often I just airdry my hair. I can pack for 2 weeks in a 22" suitcase. Will not carry it on because I have to expand it and it usually weighs about 40 lbs but you can do it. I use a small back pack for a carry on and I don't think I could find 11 lbs worth of stuff to put in it. Do not bring all the travel guides because they are really heavy, just copy the pages. |
Long ago, I learned from a well-seasoned traveler that it’s better to bring shorts & a tee-shirt to sleep in instead of pajamas. (or yoga type pants for winter). That way, in case of a hotel emergency and you have to get out in the middle of the night, you’ll won’t be outside in your pjs.
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I recently went on my first two trips to Europe and the best packing tip I can pass on is this - use the large ziplock bags!
We just got back on Sunday from spending 11 days in Scotland and London. By using these bags, I was able to take ten short sleeve shirts, three pullover sweaters, 2 pairs of jeans (one pair worn on the plane), 2 pairs of black day pants, 1 dressy pair of black pants, 1 brown skirt, 1 black dress, five pairs of shoes (2 pairs packed down very flat and I wore the bulkiest on the plane), fairly heavy rain coat, underwear, socks, and two fun necklaces to dress up any outfit. All of this fit in my 22 inch rolling suitcase (without using the expandable feature) and small carry on tote. We also bought several things while on the trip and I was still able to fit everything in without expanding! The bags also make it very easy to keep things organized when you have to take things out of your bag. I roll all the shirts in bags, the three sweaters in one, and underwear in another. Pants go in the bottom of the bag rolled as thin as possible. You will feel so good about yourself when you have no problems with your luggage at the airport or on the train! |
MarthaT and I pack same style, though I do wash out a t-shirt or some undies sometimes (using hotel shampoo).
The ziplock idea above is a good one but use it sparingly! Because this method makes clothes more compact so you can end up with an even HEAVIER suitcase (true story). |
McAllister does what we do. Concentrate on "black" it goes with everything.
We always leave with carryon only and return with extra bags (purchases)that we check. This year we travel ATL-CDG-FCO. Connecting with Alitalia does have me concerned,especially for our return. Limiting us to 50lbs each will be tight (think olive oil,wine,etc.). I've read that Alitalia actually has a 44lb limit intraEurope,but I'm assuming that our final destination is what thry consider. Add all this to the fact that I will have only a one hour and twenty minute connection at CDG. This adds the distinct possibility of ours bags not arriving at FCO. Oh well,at least we'll be back in Italy. |
For those saying they are limited to 50 lbs.: is that for an transcontinental flight? (ie. US to Italy?). As far as I know all airlines in coach (even Alitalia!) allows 2 suitcases weighing 50 lbs EACH. Following is a copy of Alitalia's bagagge allowance policy :
Here are the registered baggage allowances for Alitalia flights: Flights __________________________________________________ __________ DOMESTIC 20 kg max __________________________________________________ __________ INTERNATIONAL/INTERCONTINENTAL (weight concept) FIRST/MAGNIFICA CLASS: 30 kg max ECONOMY CLASS: 20 kg max __________________________________________________ __________ USA, CANADA, MEXICO and area 2/3 (piece concept) MAGNIFICA CLASS: 2 suitcases 32 kg max each, 158 cm max each (*) ECONOMY CLASS: 2 suitcases 23 kg max each, 158 cm max each __________________________________________________ __________ BRAZIL (piece concept) for tickets issued until July 31, 2006: MAGNIFICA CLASS: 2 suitcases 32 kg max each, 158 cm max each (*) ECONOMY CLASS: 2 suitcases 32 kg max each, 273 cm max (*), of which one must not exceed 158 cm (*) (*) Sum of length + width + depth As of August 1, 2006 from Europe (& Italy) and Middle East to Brazil (weight concept): FIRST/MAGNIFICA CLASS: 30 kg max ECONOMY CLASS: 20 kg max The contrary route, from Brazil to Europe (& Italy) and Middle East the "piece concept" mentioned further above remains valid. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- However, if during your stay in Italy ( or anywhere in Europe) you take an intraEurope flight ( not a connecting flight), that's where the problem occurs. |
Coltsfan - I did almost this same trip 2 years ago and everything went in my 22" roller. I read somewhere to take 5 tops and 3 bottoms and mix and match from there. Saves time and trouble and not much laundry to do BUT there is a nice little laundromat in Sorrento. Took one pair of walking shoes, and one pair of sandals, had a light jacket but rarely needed it. Go light - you won't need half that other stuff anyway.
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I could never survive with 3 tops personally but, using my packing cubes, I take 3-4 daytime tops and several nicer ones for evening, all in one medium size cube. My pants get rolled and lingerie and workout gear goes in one small one.
My backpack holds my essentials including reading material (I read books then discard as I go, same for info on the places I am visiting), toiletries, etc., as well as pair of shoes and pashmina. |
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