carolyn

I am spending 14 days in Italy, Rome, Naples,
Siena, Venice maybe, then Rimini. April 1-14.
I have a suitcase 26 x 16 x 8 with a handle and
wheels. Will carry a small backpack as carryon.
But, is it better to buy a duffel bag? I wonder if
everything will get jumbled and wrinkled? I saw
duffels with wheels, but why not use the suitcase
then? I don't know how much room is on trains for the luggage. I have nothing else- will have to buy if you all tell me to get something else. Is the suitcase small enough for carry on? I am not bringing anything bigger, and only one bag. Thanks for all your help!!! Oh, and any tips on packing is good too, I know to pack light.

Monica

Hi Carolyn,

I have a suitcase with wheels (pull out handle) that is slightly larger than the carry-on size. But I love it because it's deeper than the normal sizes. I won't carry a packpack because of weight on my back, so this works well for me. I don't know what the carry-on size limit is. Call an airline and they'll tell you. As for packing, yes light, you can roll your non wrinkling clothes. I find that works out very well. Stuff socks into your extra pair of shoes. Instead of a cosmetic bag, I use a large zip lock bag so it lays flat. I take an old wash cloth, cut in half and throw away there. Take a small bar of soap if you're staying in small pensiones.

As for the train, there is always room, but not for LARGE suitcases.

I'll be in Italy in may also: Rome, Naples, Capri, Amalfi coast, Venice and Milan. Lets chat! Email me at home.

Arizona

Your suitcase size is on the hefty side, but it's far better than a duffle. What a mess they are. Here's a thought: go to your local supermarket and buy some gallon-size zip-lock bags. Fold your clothes, place sets of clothes in the bag, sit on it, and zip it shut. You have created a hermetically sealed contained, you can see the contents, six or eight them fill your suitcase with room to spare. Washing still damp? No problem, put your stuff inside a plastic bag and zip it shut. Make sure all your cosmetics, creams, lotions, etc. are in zip-locks lest you have a gooey mess. You will find dozens of uses for them, they're cheap, you can use them over and over, and if you wish you can toss them away. They weigh next to nothing.

Christine

Hi Carolyn,
Your 26x16x8 suitcase will have to be checked-in since carry-ons can only be up to 45"(derived from adding Length+Width+Depth). Your suitcase is 50" (26+16+8), which is more than 45". Carry-ons are required to fit underneath the seat in front of us and the overhead bins), so they must conform to the measurement of 23x13x9 or less. Your suitcase exceeds those measurements, so it can not qualify for a carry-on.

Donna

Above posts valuable tips! Best to take a "legal" carry on or two these days as they really are cracking down. Those oversized dufflels will likely be re-routed to the baggage compartment. Or, check your main bag and bring a carry-on with you. High recommend a combination of the C-Fold and a "freedom bag". Pack your wardrobe in the C and your other essentials in the freedom bag (along with a change of underwear, just in cae) and you'll be all set! And whether or not you do use Zip-Locks, tape the top of each container.

kam

Great advice from all of the above. In addition to the change of underwear, pack a tshirt to sleep in or to wear in the case of lost luggage. Was in Rio once with 4 days wearing my wool skirt from Chicago and had to purchase underwear in Ipanema--it does make for travel stories, however!! Lock your suitcase with a small padlock with numbered code, not key, just to keep it closed, and since most luggage is now black, tie something distinctive to the handle so someone else doesn't mistakenly think it belong to him. My best lesson learned was choose black, navy or brown for your basic color and make everything in your wardrobe go with everything else--ie. black shoes, skirt, slacks etc. Scarves are great accessories--leave most of your jewelry at home. I couldn't live without my simple black dress--one for winter and one for summer and either a black wool jacket or a black linen one. Have fun!