Who has been to Italy in mid-September?
Sep 5th, 2009, 12:44 PM
#41
bookchick, I would agree about omitting shorts...but for hiking, skirts just don't work!
Re: hiking shoes for Cinqueterre: not necessary, unless you are planning to do some of the less-frequented hikes in the back hills. All the main hikes are easily navigated with running shoes. I have even seen people hiking in sandals (though that wouldn't be my cuppa!)
italybound: seriously consider the Keen Sydneys. I cannot tell you how comfortable they are, while still looking cute. I am an avid walker, and I walked all over Europe in them, both in 2006 and 2008. The other good thing about them is that if it's cold, you can wear socks with them.
http://www.zappos.com/keen-sydney-ii-black
annhig: how we fit everything in a small backpack is this: we tie our fleeces to our backpacks, so they aren't stuffed in. And since we are always wearing at least some of the clothes (!), we don't actually have to fit every item in the pack at once.
Re: the one-bag carry-on rule -- it allows for an additional purse...which is what our satchels are. We actually carry less onto the plane than many people who have checked luggage.
Re: hiking shoes for Cinqueterre: not necessary, unless you are planning to do some of the less-frequented hikes in the back hills. All the main hikes are easily navigated with running shoes. I have even seen people hiking in sandals (though that wouldn't be my cuppa!)
italybound: seriously consider the Keen Sydneys. I cannot tell you how comfortable they are, while still looking cute. I am an avid walker, and I walked all over Europe in them, both in 2006 and 2008. The other good thing about them is that if it's cold, you can wear socks with them.
http://www.zappos.com/keen-sydney-ii-black
annhig: how we fit everything in a small backpack is this: we tie our fleeces to our backpacks, so they aren't stuffed in. And since we are always wearing at least some of the clothes (!), we don't actually have to fit every item in the pack at once.
Re: the one-bag carry-on rule -- it allows for an additional purse...which is what our satchels are. We actually carry less onto the plane than many people who have checked luggage.
Sep 6th, 2009, 06:17 AM
#44
kybourbon - exactly.
we have just that problem coming up this week on our trip to Barcelona. I will wear the heaviest and bulkiest things [walking shoes, jeans, jacket] and stuff my handbag in my carry-on whilst we go through security. once you're through there, they don't seem to care. but it's maddening not to have access to your handbag at all times.
Fortunately my [new] jacket [very smart, from Boden] has zipped pockets where I can put my passport for going through security. which was my excuse for buying it.
we have just that problem coming up this week on our trip to Barcelona. I will wear the heaviest and bulkiest things [walking shoes, jeans, jacket] and stuff my handbag in my carry-on whilst we go through security. once you're through there, they don't seem to care. but it's maddening not to have access to your handbag at all times.
Fortunately my [new] jacket [very smart, from Boden] has zipped pockets where I can put my passport for going through security. which was my excuse for buying it.
Sep 8th, 2009, 08:20 AM
#45
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I love my Keen Sydney shoes - wore them all over Rome, Naples and Sicily in 2007 in ultra-comfort, but one word of warning: I don't like to wear them without socks (not that they're uncomfortable that way, but my feet sweat too much) and the heel of all my socks were more or less stained black from the shoes. But I still love them - my plantar fasciaitis never flared up as I feared it might.
Sep 11th, 2009, 12:03 PM
#51
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Rain is in the forecast for Rome and the Amalfi Coast for next week and it is a little cooler than it has been in recent weeks. I am still packing what I mentioned above but will probably add jeans and a lightweight waterproof wind breaker for sightseeing during the day. Not sure what to do for evening showers though. I don't want to lug a raincoat! I will have a travel umbrella though. Anyway, I will have my polished fingers and toes crossed for sunny, warm days!
Sep 13th, 2009, 07:31 PM
#52
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Luciev,
I broke down and ordered the shoes that you reccommended. Time is short, so I am hoping break in time will be short. Actually, I just hope the things fit.
Clothes are handled, but the shoes are the issue. One pair of cross-trainers, one pair of Borne MaryJanes and hopefully the Sydneys that will arrive tomorrow. Thank you zappos!
What about sandals. I can't imagine taking more than three pairs of shoes in my carryon. Any sandal suggestions if I can leave off the Bornes? Thanks and this question is for anyone else as well.
I broke down and ordered the shoes that you reccommended. Time is short, so I am hoping break in time will be short. Actually, I just hope the things fit.
Clothes are handled, but the shoes are the issue. One pair of cross-trainers, one pair of Borne MaryJanes and hopefully the Sydneys that will arrive tomorrow. Thank you zappos!
What about sandals. I can't imagine taking more than three pairs of shoes in my carryon. Any sandal suggestions if I can leave off the Bornes? Thanks and this question is for anyone else as well.
Sep 13th, 2009, 07:39 PM
#53
bramsole, personally, I'd skip the sandals. Even if it's beastly hot (which it's not likely to be), your Sydneys will be absolutely fine. (Well, at least they are for me when I travel!)
btw, I did not have to break in my Sydneys at all -- not one teensy tinsy bit! And I just got another pair of Keens (yes, Zappos is great!) -- a leather flat with a strap -- which I also wore for a several-mile walk immediately after taking them out of the box.
You're going to have a wonderful trip. I am so jealous!
btw, I did not have to break in my Sydneys at all -- not one teensy tinsy bit! And I just got another pair of Keens (yes, Zappos is great!) -- a leather flat with a strap -- which I also wore for a several-mile walk immediately after taking them out of the box.
You're going to have a wonderful trip. I am so jealous!
Sep 14th, 2009, 08:37 AM
#54
hi bramsole,
I took a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers [I think that's whay you'd called them, we call them trainers] to Barcelona with me this weekend. the first day I stupidly wore my sandals [which have been very comfortable previously] and still have the horrendous blisters to show for it. after that I had to wear my trainers with socks all the time, so no skirts for me!
IMHO decent walking shoes are a must [why do i keep forgetting to wear them?] sandals an optional extra.
regards, ann
I took a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers [I think that's whay you'd called them, we call them trainers] to Barcelona with me this weekend. the first day I stupidly wore my sandals [which have been very comfortable previously] and still have the horrendous blisters to show for it. after that I had to wear my trainers with socks all the time, so no skirts for me!
IMHO decent walking shoes are a must [why do i keep forgetting to wear them?] sandals an optional extra.
regards, ann
Sep 14th, 2009, 12:42 PM
#55
annhig: I could not agree more.
When I was in my 20s, I walked all over Europe in zories (flip-flops, whatever they're called now!) Now? Fehgeddaboutit!
For walking around Europe, sandals are not only unnecessary, they're useless, imo.
When I was in my 20s, I walked all over Europe in zories (flip-flops, whatever they're called now!) Now? Fehgeddaboutit!
For walking around Europe, sandals are not only unnecessary, they're useless, imo.
Sep 16th, 2009, 05:37 PM
#56
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I'm a solo traveler over 65 --so I don't go to any fancy places at night. I take two pair of black New Balance walking shoes to Paris, or wherever, spring and fall (trade off each day or if one pair gets wet in the rain I have another) and one pair black flats to wear at end of day if I go out. Never wear white sport shoes in Paris any time of year! I also have a pair of those terry cloth slippers you get in upscale hotels for in room wear in my budget hotel.
Sep 20th, 2009, 08:13 AM
#58
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Just got back from our FABULOUS trip!! Thanks for all your help. I WAY overpacked and that suitcase was so heavy. Lesson learned. We had hot weather in Rome and some rain on the Amalfi Coast. Even with the mistakes I made we had the best time. Thanks for all your responses!!
Sep 21st, 2009, 03:53 PM
#59
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Judyglen12 - I personally don't like the big white tennis shoe look, and frankly, I swear the pair I have is what gave me the PF in the first place. I read a lot of shoe reviews on zappos.com before I bought my Keen Sydneys, and decided on them because of all the positive comments, and I was really happy with them. But, I have to say that I tried very hard before my trip to relieve the inflammation before I left - I got on a regular ibuprofen regimine, did all the heel stretching exercises recommended by my doctor several times a day, and basically took a month-long rest from my walking routine to allow the PF to settle down. I guess it worked, because we walked miles and miles every day w/o a flare-up. Oh, and I tried to elevate my feet (w/ ice in a ziploc bag whenever possible) in the hotel when we'd come back after a day's touring, while resting before dinner later that evening
Sep 22nd, 2009, 03:10 PM
#60
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Thank you all for this thread! You have helped me s o much with my packing for an upcoming Spain/Italy trip next week! I haven't been to Europe since 2002 and all this talk has reminded me of how little I want to pack! Thanks
