Dobermina

Light clothes are best, but make sure to have a jacket and an umbrella. I think 1 pair of jeans and like a hoodie for cooler evenings/mornings will do the trick and a pair of sneakers too.

Marianna

We are going the same time, italybound09, so I have been interested in the advice people have given here. We usually go in July when it is very hot so we are not sure what to expect for the last 2 weeks of September in Rome and Sorrento. I keep checking weather.com for the 10 day forecast.

Haven't given it too much thought until now but I am planning on 3 or 4 pairs capris or cropped pants, 2 skirts, 2 pairs of pants (black and beige), tops (short and long sleeves) for the bottoms, 1 or 2 sweaters, 2 nice tops for the pants for evenings, 2 dresses(one casual and one simple black for evenings, a pashmina which can fold down to nothing and fit in my handbag and probably a pair of jeans, too.

Enjoy your visit to Italy!

bramsole

Luciev,
I want to be minamalist as well, what do you pack? I want to be uber as well! Thanks

bramsole

Luciev,
I want to be minamalist as well, what do you pack? I want to be uber as well! Thanks

bramsole

I don't know why that came up twice.
Blacknight: We have always gone to Italy in October and I layer up with mock turtle-necks, a vest, long chinos and a lightweight jacket. If I get really cold, I wrap a scarf around my neck. I'm am always warm if my neck and toes are cozy. Is that an old lady thing? God, I hope not! Also, a lightweight rainjacket.

LucieV

bramsole, I hesitate to post my packing list here, bramsole...a lot of people think I'm nuts. But I've packed the same way since I was 20, and it's always worked for me -- in fact, I pack even lighter now!
If you want to em me, please do. Faina (Dayenu) has my email.

annhig

come on LucieV - you can't say that and then not tell us.

I'd be really interested as we are going to Barcelona next week [hooray] and taking carry-on only. I've only done that once before and it wasn't a great success.

regards, ann

ekscrunchy

Yes! Please post the packing list! I REALLY want to take the minimum on my trip this month!

On a related note: I find that black jeans are great for trips to cities; they can double as "nice" trousers at night.

Gina817

Hi! I'm leaving tomorrow. The 10 day forecast for everywhere we are going (Rome and South) is calling for 80's and sunny. I spoke with family who lives there today and says it's warm (which of course reflects the forecast).

I'm not sure if the OP is a man or woman, but here is what I am packing if it's helpful:

5 dresses - mix of casual and appropriate for dinner (most can be worn for both

2 skirts
4 tops
1 sweater
2 shorts
1 "gym" type of outfit appropriate for a tough hike
swimsuit
3 pairs of shoes - very much considering ditching a pair

Other - socks, underwear, something to wear to bed

Basically packing for a little over a week and we'll have laundry done once. We do this for all of our vacations and it works well.

My list still feels quite long and I'll probably cut some before tomorrow.

Good luck!!

2010

I am finding this thread very interesting because I, too am travelling to Italy (Venice, Lake Como & Tuscany) for the first time from mid-September to early October.

I've always traveled to Europe in July & I am quite adept at packing for the summer heat. Now that I can travel with my husband at bit later in the season, I am in a quandry as to what to pack!

So, I am following the responses to italybound's post closely as our date of departure nears & decisions have to be made! I am hoping that LucieV will share her list here!

2010

LucieV

OK.
But if anybody criticizes me, I'll have to punch you in the nose.

This is my basic list. It's also what I took last year, when we traveled from London to Rome and back, mid-September to mid-October.

1 dark-colored cotton skirt. It washes and dries beautifully and quickly, dresses up or down as necessary.
1 pair of very lightweight slacks (last year I took Ex Officio, which I loved)
1 pair of lightweight shorts, for hiking (Cinqueterre, etc.) (Not short shorts.)
1 solid color polo-type shirt
1 solid color sleeveless shirt
1 solid color long-sleeved cotton shirt
1 lightweight cotton dress, sleeveless, that I can wear either w/ or w/o shirt underneath, depending upon weather
1 pair flats (Keen Mary Janes)
1 long-sleeved lightweight T-shirt (which I layer under stuff if it's cold.)
1 pair running shoes (for hiking)
swimsuit
1 long-sleeved lightweight cardigan, cashmere if possible (bc lightweight and washable.)
1 lightweight windbreaker-type jacket
1 fleece (which I only took last year bc of London...but also found it useful in Cinqueterre at night in early October...)
socks
underwear
one pair of tights, which I can wear under the lightweight pants if it's cold (I hardly ever do, but last year it was cold in London in October, and I was glad I had 'em!)

I fit everything into a small, frameless, cheap backpack.
My husband carries his stuff in another similar backpack.
We also each carry an over-the-shoulder satchel for our documents, books, toiletries, etc.

I don't take a hairdryer.

I wash stuff out every night.
We do a laundry once a week.
We're always spotlessly clean -- I'm self-diagnosed semi-borderline ocd.;-)

I don't get sick of wearing the same clothes when I'm traveling. I find the simpler the choices, the more freedom I have. The less we have to keep track of, the less we have to worry about.

We also prefer using public transportation, so it's essential that we keep things easy and manageable. I know that those of you who like to rent cars can pack more stuff.

I know this won't work for everybody. I just know it works for me.

I've probably forgotten something, but this is basically it.

2010

LucieV: Brilliant! I want to hug you!

So, here's my initial list lined up with yours. Mine has a few substitutions & some additional pieces though!

1 black dress trousers (light weight/washable)
1 black cotton pants (casual)
1 summer-weight denim jeans (skinny-legged)
1 black capri
1 short-sleeve print blouse
2 sleeveless silk tops - black/cream
1 white 3/4 sleeve t-shirt
1 white Brooks Brothers Miracle Shirt - long sleeves
1 black sleeveless dress
1 pair of ecco sandals (brown)
1 pair of ecco flats (silver)
1 pair of Tsubo walking shoes (black)
1 black silk cardigan
1 brown linen cardigan
1 North Face hooded rain jacket (light weight)
1 brown quilted jacket
1 silk pashmina
Tilley quick-dry socks, undies, sleep wear
1 black Baggalini across-the-body shoulder bag for day
1 black shoulder bag (small/flat)for evening

How did I do?

All these pieces are hand-washable/dry flat or hang, many are quick dry & none require ironing! All can be mixed & matched for day or evening dressed up with snazzy earrings.

I also have a few other pieces in the undecided pile: 1 black knit pants with 3 separate but coordinating tunic tops (sleeveless, cap sleeves & 3/4 sleeves). I bought these thinking they would be great for dinners out or the tops could be paired with jeans for more casual evenings. Bonus: no extra shoes required!

Everytime I walk into the guest bedroom where everything is laid out, I am reminded of the saying: When preparing for a trip, lay out all your clothes & your money. Then take half the clothes & twice the money!!! No truer words!

2010

Marianna

I loved seeing these lists - very helpful. My list is similar to what I have seen here so I think I am doing okay with what I am thinking about taking. I usually have what I am packing all folded and ready for the suitcase at least a week before a trip, but I don't even have space to do that just yet with all the work being done in the house. After tomorrow, we will not have one worker in here until we return so I will have the house to myself to focus on packing and finding my black slip for my black skirt and dress!

Happy travels to all!

bookchick

Just a few words:

1) light layers
2) personal preferences, but I do not take jeans or shorts. I find skirts just as cool as shorts would be.

Buon Viaggio!
BC

italybound09

Thank you thank you! I started laying out the clothes and my biggest problem is shoes. I don't have any non sandal shoes to wear with walking shorts. I own hiking boots, running shoes, clogs but nothing is working for me. I was going to bite the bullet and wear sandals until my feet started hurting yesterday after wearing them all day!AARRGGHHHH!

cmeyer54

I took two pairs of shoes for a 3 week trip to northern italy 2 years ago - one pair of running cross trainers that also doubled for the hikes we did (not too difficult terrain) and one pair of Privo black/brown flats that looked fine with either walking shorts or skirts. I took two cardigans with shells that could be mixed and matched; two pair of walking shorts in brown and black and two simple a-line skirts in khaki and brown; a couple of simple tee shirt type tops and one pair of lightweight jeans; two wash and wear long sleeved shirts and two lightweight v-neck sweaters. I tend to pack very light and could have gotten this into a 22" rollaboard but we opted for the rollaboard for each of us plus one larger suitcase that was checked (we also brought a lot of things back and that was the primary reason for checking a nearly empty bag.)

Gina817

Italybound, Are your sandal shoes good for walking (meaning walking around, not hiking)? If so, maybe bring those as well as your hiking shoes.

I made a big mistake by not bringing hiking shoes last time. We did the entire hike across the towns in the Cinque Terra...and I had on walking sandals. Never again!

I'm bringing my hiking shoes and wearing them on the plane. Then bringing a good pair of walking sandals which look nice enough to wear to dinner as well. They are the Naot brand.

Good luck!

bramsole

Luciev,
Thank you so very much for the packing list. I thought you were going to say, "one pair of undies, one bra, one tee, one long sleeve, one pair of pant and sleeping naked."

Well done, Our list are very similar and I wasn't the only one that was interested. Most everyone I know wants to cut their packing down drastically. We haven't hauled the kitchen sink since the first time we we went to London.

The looks on the train were so embarassing. Now when I see someone haul it all, I think, "Well, they won't be carrying those puppies next time."
Thank goodness you posted your list, I couldn't figure out how I was to retrieve the email.

annhig

<<Other - socks, underwear, something to wear to bed>>

lol, gina, guess what i forgot to pack when we went away last weekend?

I wore DH's nightshirt in bed - he didn't.

LucieV - nice list. I'm amazed that you get all that in a small back-pack though. and what do you do about the "only one carry-on item" rule? we like to take a backpack for day-time and I want a handbag to travel with and for evenings, so the carry-ons have to be big enough to take both/either of these. of course, once we're through security we take them out of the cases - daft isn't it? i know that they wanted to cut down on the numerous bits and bobs that some poeple were trying to carry-on, but not being allowed a case plus a handbag is a real pain.

italybound09

Gina817-no they really aren't good for lots of walking. Just flat leather more meant for looks!