Fodorites I need help again.

We are taking a trip this October to Italy.
This is the itinerary; Landing in Venice staying 4 days,
Then we take a train to Florence staying for 6 days,
The last leg we take a train to Rome for 5 days.

Can the trains handle a 26” rolling suitcase?
When we are traveling to Rome, can we store our luggage at Orvieto for a quick visit?

When we arrive in Rome we need to wait till 6:00PM for our apartment.
Can we store our luggage at the train station till then, and what is there to see and do around there? Any restaurant recommendations?

Thanks in advance,
Greg S.

We had TWO rolling back packs much larger and were fine.

THERE IS NO LUGGAGE STROAGE IN ORVIETO!!! Found that out the hard way last week thanks to Rick Steve's! However, there is a hotel right across the street and we paid them to let us leave our bags there...money well spend because you can't do much there dragging your bags.

Definately stop because it is a great town. Have lunch at I Sette Consoli for sure. One of the best meals from our trip.

You can store your luggage in Rome and there is plenty to do around the station. I don't know what time you arrive but you are close to Borghese there.

<<Can the trains handle a 26” rolling suitcase?>>

The only relevant issue is - - <i><b>can you</b></i> handle a 26&quot; rolling suitcase - - can you handle it over head to get it into the bin above your seat, as people are jostling past you and you are slightly out of breath from having had to lug it down one flight of steps, to cross under a track and climb back up one flight to arrive at the correct platform.

Pack it full, lift it over your head, and walk up and down a flight of stairs at your home.

Is it the wrong suitcase to take to Europe? You can decide.

I cannot urge strongly enough - - take a smaller &quot;large&quot; suitcase and a larger carry-on, and you will be glad you did.

While packing light is partly about the total amount of stuff you have to tote, it is also about the size of any <i><b>one</b></i> bag you have to handle at once.

Best wishes,

Rex

While Rex makes a good point about being able to handle your own luggage, and you might have to lift it up to an overhead bin, I really don't think there is any situation where you will have to carry your bag over your head while going up and down stairs. I had a 26&quot; bag plus carry-on plus my purse on the Eurostar and didn't have any trouble.

&lt;&lt;I really don't think there is any situation where you will have to carry your bag over your head while going up and down stairs.&gt;&gt;

Correct.

I figure that this is 20% harder than the worst possible scenario - - it's intended to <i><b>affirm</b></i>... if you can pass this test with your largest bag, then you can be <i><b>certain</b></i> that it is not too large to cause you ANY trouble during train travel, negotiating steep, narrow stairs in hotels, etc...

Ditto. The trains can handle a 26&quot; suitcase size, as long as you can (up &amp; down narrow stairs and eisles, escalators, etc.).

Personally a 22-24&quot; is my max. for train travel.

We just returned from a trip where we travelled from all three of those train stations. The only one that had any kind of steps was Venice. They are outside after you leave the station. There are quite a few of them but they are not high. You can wheel your bag down. If you walk to your hotel from the vaporetto you will most likely encounter several other up and down steps, so you do want to be sure you can handle your luggage. We, however, found the train part very easy and we were travelling with two kids.

The train cars themselves have a few steep narrow steps to get on, is what I was referring to.

You won't be able to roll a 26&quot; suitcase down a train's aisle, but then, you probably dont want to because theres no place to put a 26&quot; suitcase except by the door of the car.

Also there is atleast 1 set of stairs to go down and up while changing platforms in Mestre. Florence and Rome train stations have elevators (in one smelly end of the station, but thats okay).

I'd suggest that you spend a few extra hours in Orvieto and arrive later in Rome. Failing which, there is a luggage storage in Roma Termini, one level below the tracks. We arrived an hour too early in Rome and used the time to do our laundry , there are a few near the termini.

VolGreg,

A couple of years ago my friend and I trained around France. I took a 22&quot; suitcase and small carry-on. She took one 26&quot;. Big mistake. She's 5'0 and petite.

To this day, every time we get together, we laugh at the spectacle she made of herself trying to lug that big ole suitcase on and off the trains. Not to mention trying to lift it into the luggage rack while standing in an aisle about 24 inches wide.

We've both vowed to take no more than one 22&quot; next time.

Rex forgot to mention:

When carrying your fully packed bag (above your head) up the flight of stairs, you MUST be shod in 4 inch spike heels.

Men too!

LOL!

&quot;shod&quot;? Does this involve a farrier, a rasp, hammer and nails? Yikes!

I haven't been on a train in years... after reading all of these emails, I get the idea that you can no longer check bags? My sisters and I are &quot;doing&quot; Italy in Oct. Better take a real serious look at luggage, I think.

I wouldn't advise taking a suitcase that big. Too hard to lift on and off the train, it won't fit in the rack above the seats, it won't fit under the seats. You'll have to leave it in the loading area, the hallway, or the rack at the end of the car if there is one.

Take a smaller one. You will not be sorry you did so.

WOW, thanks thanks to all for the advice.

Now can anybody recommend a good 24&quot; suitcase.

Greg

Hi mimi2
&gt;... after reading all of these emails, I get the idea that you can no longer check bags? &lt;

Depends on where. Large stations have a left luggage office.

I think mimi was referring to &quot;checking bags&quot; like at the airport. Now THAT would be nice!

Greg, I use a 22&quot; expandable suitcase plus a carry-on. I include a little fold-up nylon duffle to use for underwear, pj's etc on the trip home (thus, room in my suitcase for purchases).

That size is so much easier to get around with. Not to mention I still took a lot of clothes I didn't need. I promise you: it can be done.