Only nine days left until myself and my 18 year old son set off on our trip to Italy. I am a novice traveller and my son has never been out of the country but I have planned this 17 day trip all on my own and now that we are getting close to D-day I am starting to panic about what I have not done.

I have all hotels and flights booked and confirmed. I have researched how to travel by train while in Italy and decided that we can easily arrange our tickets as we go.

We arrive in Venice via Paris and travel from there to Florence, Rome and Sorrento before returning via Naples to Paris for home.

I think for the most part I have things cased but my last concerns regard the security of our documents, and money/credit cards etc. and what clothes to pack!

From what I can tell the weather looks like it will be warm during the days...25 degrees C but are the evening cool? Does it rain much? will we need raincoats and or sweaters?

And I do not plan to wear a money belt or anything like that under my clothing. But should I get one of those bags with zipper compartments inside and non-cuttable fabric to guard against pick-pockets? I have read a fair bit of conflicting opinions on the subject and not sure what I need to do.

At this point I am looking at things from the point of view of "what could ruin the trip?" We see this pretty much as a trip of a life-time. It is my graduation gift to my son and something I have always wanted to do (take him on a major trip) and never had the means to do it and probably won't again for a long long time.

I go on - sorry!
Any advice regarding these two topics - clothing and security - is apprecciated thanks.

First, you should repost this on the Europe board. But while it's here, I would advise you to contact your bank (where you have a checking account from which you will be getting cash from ATMs) and your credit card companies that you will be traveling in Europe so they expect foreign charges and don't suspend them for fear of fraud. Make sure you've arranged for mail to be stopped or picked up at home and if you live in a house, someone to keep an eye on things.

It might be a good idea to bring a photo copy (or two) of the front page of your passports, assuming the worst and your passports are lost or stolen.

Alternatively, you could scan the front pages and carry them in a flash drive with you.

This is very cheap insurance.

Regarding the credit cards and ATM cards, make sure you have their 24/7 emergency phone numbers in case one of them is accidentally lost or stolen.

The wrong clothing would not ruin your trip, but losing your documents could. Pickpockets are a real issue. My husband attaches a travel pocket (purchased on Magellan.com) to inside his belt and I wear a money belt under my shirt. In my purse i carry only a small amount of cash and travel stuff.We travel to europe frequently and never found this to be a problem. We also make copies of our passports, drivers licenses and tickets and leave a set at home and pack a set in my make-up kit.
We always plan to dress for all weather by packing layers.(shirt, sweater,raincoat,etc) Also, small travel umbrellas each.
Hope this helps.

When we travel a distance, husband and I each pack one outfit for the other in our suitcase - that way if one piece of luggage goes on its own vacation without us, at least we have a change of clothing. Less likely your suitcase and that of your son will go off together without you.

How nice you are traveling with your son - our kids (21 and 17) still want to travel with us. A real stressor in travel, however, is that it is not common to spend 24 hours/day for days on end with anyone - spouse, child, adult child, friend - so be prepared for at least one angry meltdown by one or both of you when you are tired or stressed and try to spend some time alone during the trip.

Don't stress about the clothing - less is better. And as long as you have a passport and credit/ATM card you can weather almost anything. So guard these carefully.

Definitely stress keeping copies of all documents AND credit/debit cards etc with someone at home that you can always reach while you're away.

Our kids are now 20 and 23 and still like to travel with us (why not, we pay!). We took them to Europe for the first time when they were 11 and 13 (for a month). I myself had a meltdown of sorts the day we arrived - but after that, it was a joy, and remains a treasured memory.

I also do not use a money belt, but am extremely organized about how I'm carrying important documents (I use a small leather pocketbook). I would split your money and cards between you and your son, so things are in at least two separate places.

Don't stress about clothes and don't overpack (truly is the best advice). Look for things you can layer such as a tank top, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and lightweight cardigan sweater. You can wear one or wear 'em all depending on the weather. Don't worry about having different or even fresh clothes for every single day. It really doesn't matter when you're traveling. Do be sure you each have two pair of really comfortable shoes.

One thing I don't see mentioned, remember about packing your carry-on bag to take on the plane with you...

Anything that is valuable or hard to replace like prescription glasses and sunglasses, medications.

Entertainment for the flight (magazine or book), extra snacks (cashews or chocolate), crosswords or puzzles, headphones/music, toothbrush & small cosmetics so you can freshen up.

Plus I tuck 1/2 a fresh outfit in the bottom on the outside change the suitcase gets delayed (fresh shirt, undies, socks).