An Italian summer packing list
I love this part of the experience. Most don’t. I do. Each trip, I try to be more efficient. Who am I kidding? I want to carry lots, but the fact that keeps me grounded to a carry-on only rather than multiple pieces of luggage or a big checked one is steps. Cobblestone steps. Stairs. LOTS of stairs. Once you make commit to big suitcases and have to lug them from parking spaces (that are always blocks away from your rental unless you’re in a hotel) and train stations to your Airbnb through small towns with cobblestone streets or UP the curved stairs to the top piano, you rethink what you need. You will forevermore opt for a carry-on plus personal item simply because you don’t want to break your back. I don’t care how old or young you are.
We’ve been watching the weather, and it’s hot in Italy. Lightweight and cool fabrics reduces the bulk - a good thing. We each have a 19” carry-on and a backpack, more than enough room, even for 26 days. Besides personal items, here’s what you need to throw inside:
📍Lightweight (linen) shirts and pants (5/4 max)
📍Comfortable shoes, closed toed (2 pair max)
📍A scarf or shawl (for visits to churches)
📍Sandals/slides (only wear flip-flops on the beach, never walking around the town) (1 max)
📍Bathing suit and cover up (never wear a bathing suit in public, only at the beach; you will be fined), sunscreen, hat
📍Universal power adapters (Type F/L plugs)
📍Portable phone chargers (invest in a large capacity power bank that will do more than a simple charger)
📍Small reusable shopping bag for daily trips to the market (they don’t have bags)
📍A great collapsible tote or day bag (Just in Case by Tumi has saved me many times, and it’s huge; packs into a 5×7 size, one inch in depth, and takes up no space in luggage)
📍Cross-body bag
📍Medications (take prescription bottles for long-term stay)
📍Laptop for work; external drives to access files; journal and calendar
📍Laundry sheets (lazy coconut laundry strips) Remember there are usually no dryers in rentals. Washers are rare, but that is one of our priorities for booking.
📍Flight pouch for backpack to include first aid, daily dose of medicine, lotion, mints, snacks, lip balm, hydration spray
📍Copy of your passport for each piece of luggage
📍Remember to ALWAYS carry your original passport wherever you go.
As we’ve begun the packing process, we realized it’s not the clothing that poses the problem, it’s the gadgets. Things that I use everyday as part of my routine can’t be left behind. Plus, camera gear and electronics. Len must have all the necessary - and unnecessary - do-dads just in case. Here’s what we use daily and gadgets we always pack:
📍Small calendar (all info transcribed from the BIG one that sits on my desk)
📍Pen/pencil pouch (different writing instruments for different entries - doesn’t everyone do this?)
📍Printed documents (flights, reservations, receipts and full TripIt itinerary) and printed editorial schedule
📍Stickers (for calendar and notebook - I must have my stickers handy)
📍Writing notebook (I’m still on deadline)
📍External drives (travel drive, photography drive, lightroom drive)
📍Plenty of pouches for food, flight needs, medicine, snacks - all snug in my backpack (don’t forget footies and compression socks for the long flight), plus extra purse
📍Olympus travel camera plus two lenses
📍Drone
📍4 pouches of tech connectors (yes, too many, but Len will not compromise, the curse of an IT professional)
📍Book
Check out this list of products that we have used and whole-heartedly recommend. This list includes camera gear, bags, books and personal items.
All this goes into two 19” international carry-ons and two backpacks. For 26 days. Believe it.
