I'd like to bring a small collapsible cooler on our upcoming italy trip to have for picnics and driving days. Any recommendations on a lightweight, packable cooler? Something big enough for snacks and drinks for 3 people and the occasional bottle if wine. A lot of the options I'm seeing on amazon are too big and heavy (e.g., 3lbs, would rather stick closer to 1lb or less) or too small (typical lunch size). Anyone out there have one they like??
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1417 posts
Laura: I don't know your age but if you remember the TV Series McGiver then you will understand the innovative way I sometimes do a "workaround. " on my camping trip to Southern Utah recently, there wasn't a small styrofoam cooler to be found. Perhaps it wasn't the season or people in Utah don't use them so much. I don't either as a rule but my daughter and I flew from Seattle for this camping/hiking trip and needed a cooler. What we did as a backup was we used one of those thermal bags that come in different sizes, filled a ziplock bag with ice (we did not have the ability to use freezer paks), and then placed the bag of ice in the thermal bag. It kept our items nice and cold overnight until we could find the styrofoam cooler. When, on our last day of camping we had to get rid of the styrofoam cooler, we asked the ranger if he thought anyone could use it. So we drug it out of the trunk, clanking the last two beers. Apparently, the rangers ears perked up at the sound and we jokenly asked him if he would like the beers. A big grin came across his face and we knew our answer. See, we found a workaround AND we paid it forward. My sister gave me the thermal bag years ago and you know, I have used that bag so often I can't count the ways. Happy searching. My daughter and I had a fabulous camping trip in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. She is off to Australia in December so the trip was that more memorable. Happy trails Laura.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
What's the source of ice going to be?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33755 posts
You can get, in the season, such things in Italy at large deSpar or Auchun or Carrefour or other large supermarket.
If you want the ice to keep it cold you will need to buy large bags at a supermarket. You won't find much ice in small stores and you are unlikely to have a fridge with a freezer.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Getting ice for medical issues (the "I" in "RICE")wasn't a problem in Italy. The hotel's bar had an ice machine operational and we needed ice during winter.
That said, ice seems to be more of an American thing. I bought a bottle Orangina at the CDG airport and got a bottle that was warmer than room temperature.
Posted by
Chicago
792 posts
Depending on how much stuff you need to pack- my grocery stores sell large bags to keep items refridgerated/chilled. They look thin and would fold up easily in a suitcase. The inside is a material that looks sort of like foil (but definitely isn't). I don't know what the bags are called but I have definitely noticed them at most grocery stores. They aren't particularly convenient to carry (small handles) but they fit a lot. So might be good for the driving days.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1417 posts
Kristen & Laura: The bag described by Kristen is very similar to the one I used on my camping trip in Utah. I may be wrong but think it is called a thermal bag - it has the shiney material inside that keeps foods cold or hot/warm. Practically any grocery market will have them and also places like Target, Rite Aid, etc. It folds flat and the size of my bag fit a lot of food, including beer. The whole bag folded up fit in the large outside pocket of my 20" roller bag. Good luck.