Advice on packing!

Kelly, I am not an expert (my first trip is coming up in October), but do check the carry-on sizes for your particular AIRLINE. We are flying Lufthansa and found out that they do not have the same dimension allowances as some of the others, which meant that a carry-on large enough for a two-week trip would be almost impossible. Lufthansa's carry-ons must be no larger than 22x16x8. I spent weeks trying to find a wheeled carryon that was only 8" deep, and finally gave up. I now plan to check a wheeled bag and carry on a day pack.

We travel a lot to Europe and have been to these places. We travel very lightly so we don't have to carry so much baggage. It makes the trip!! I suggest light clothes (no cotton) that will breathe, wick and wash and dry easily. Minimize liquids. Take powdered laundry soap and "do laundry" each evening in your hotel room so you can hang your clothes and take only a few bottoms and a few tops with a wind/rain jacket and a fleece. I cannot express the importance of packing light. A pullman and a hiking pack. Light weight clothes and few accessories. Mimimze shoes as well. I wear one and take one. You can always buy something if you need it. Good luck!

This question is asked and answered so often that it should have it own subject heading. And the responses will follow the same theme. My attitude is little different -- packing light is a LEARNED behavior. It is easy to tell someone what to do but believing what you say is a whole another issue. On our first trip fifteen plus years ago the two of us had more luggage that the four of us (two sons) had last year. There is no substitute for the experience of hauling a large, heavy suitcase, even with wheels, up and down stairs, down narrow passage ways and over cobblestone streets,

After our first experience we now travel very comfortably with a backpack style of carryon bag weighing betwen 15 and 22 pounds for each of us. But everything we take is designed for light weight and easy care. "Have what I need" is the kiss of death for packing light. If you don't need it daily, leave it home. I am sure this discussion next year will have more meaning for you.

PS -- Last year on Luthhansa (four legs) the checkin counter was making everyone with wheel luggage to put it in the size box. All of the wheel luggage was failing because either or both the wheels and the handle prevented the luggage from fitting completely inside the box. This year on US Air they were equally fussy but it appeared to be more random. For us that is enough reason not to use wheel luggage in Europe.

Kelly my best friend and I used Rick Steves roll-on bag and packed for two weeks the first time we went to Italy. I took 3 dark tops and 4 pants that I could mix and match two pairs of shoes, etc. Use the mini sizes of toothpaste, deodorant, etc. By the way not sure where you are staying in Cinque Terra we stayed in Vernazza. If you have an opportunity be sure to eat at a restaurant at the very top of the plaza overlooking the Ocean the food was excellent.