HELP! What to pack???

Diana,

You might want to have a look at a copy of Europe Through The Back Door, especially as it's your "first trip abroad". As I recall, there are suggested packing lists in the book. You should be able to find it at your local Library or larger Bookstores.

Rick's usual advice is to "pack the same for two weeks as for two months".

Happy travels!

I think Ken meant, pack the same for 2 months as for 2 weeks.

Not sure what the problem is with sundresses. If it is bare shoulders and arms, just take a little blouse with short sleeves to put on over it when needed. (much easier than trying to keep a scarf around your shoulders while doing anything else).

Be sure to have sturdy (thick-soled) sandals for the uneven walking surfaces and the miles and miles you will walk.

Take cool light weight tops your can rinse out and it will be dry by morning. Cotton knit stuff and blue jeans take 3 days to dry especially if it is humid. I just took capris, those pants that roll up and turn into capris are handy and a skirt or nicer pant to wear out for dinner. You can buy lots of cheap pashima any wear in Italy to wear over your shoulders in the churches and if it is cool at night.

If you wear a lot of sundresses and not pants, by all means, take a few sundresses. Try to pick the ones that would not wrinkle and dry quickly. You could always take some leggings for comfort or if it's a little cool. I agree with the pashmina or scarf to throw on while visiting churches or when it's cool (on the plane). In other words, don't take clothing that you're not comfortable wearing at home.

Thanks for the tip on the book! I'm off to Borders to add to my Italian library!

I'll be in Italy roughly the same time period, so I know exactly what you're going through. One way I'm trying to stretch packing space is to pack stuff that can do double duty - convertible pants that can be long pants or shorts/capris (great for cathedrals where you can't wear shorts, just zip your legs back on, plus they're really light material that dries quickly), tank tops to sleep in that I can also wear during the day. I've had a hard time finding "travel" clothes that don't either look like you're about to go shoot elephants on safari or you're on your way to the gym, or are just really, really frumpy looking. North Face seems to have a pretty good selection of dresses, tops, and pants that will hopefully be pretty packable, as does Patagonia. A little pricey, but if you buy something that you actually like and will wear again, it makes it a little easier. Light cardigans that can be a cover up for a dress as well as a long sleeve shirt if you get chilly are good, too.

Wow, this is such a great site and I appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks so much to all who have responded!

Diana

I actually prefer sundresses. They seem to take up less space and can be dressed up or down. I usually also take a pair of long pants and long shorts or capris as well as a cardigan and jean jacket. Have a great trip!

Just returned. Wish I had had the Rick Steve's Italy book for 2010. One of our friends had it but... we were not always together!

Get an MP3 and dowload Rick's audio tours. They are awesome. Get a Wall to USB charger for your MP3. What to wear? The women in our group of 7 friends wore spaghetti strap top outfits that had a little shirt to match. Usually black or neutral, or subdued colors. Capris. Leggings. The tops are synthetic so dry out quickly. I was not quite so fashionable but got a lot of use out of two black stretch tops with cap or short sleeves. Never wear a skirt or dress at home but took a crinkly skirt with a synthetic top to match and actually wore it several times. Wore my New Balance shoes with my Capris, long pants, etc. to be comfortalbe and wore sandals when I wanted to look better or to go to dinner. Take a travel clothes line, clothes pins, and some laundry soap. We take baby shampoo and use it for everything- clothes, bodies, etc. Take a travel alarm- our hotels did not have clocks in the rooms. I did wear shorts for sightseeing when I knew there would be lots of tourists but not when I thought I would go into a cathedral. I had a scarf that I could throw over my shoulders when I wore my sleevelss things. No need to pack alot- just wash out every night. You can email me for more info. Have fun!

Dresses are great for Italy. Many of the Italian women I see there (fashionable or not) wear dresses or skirts and blouses. Be sure to take a little sweater to cover your shoulders if you enter a church or for a possible cool evening. My usual travel "uniform" includes dark denim jeans, scoop T-shirts or oxford type shirts with a blazer, a snazzy belt and big bold jewelry.

Enjoy your trip!

We are going in September, as well. Sundresses would be wonderful but will it be that warm then. Will be there till 9/22. THANKS!
Kathy

When we were in Italy Sept. 08 it was quite cool for me. I wore pants, layers (3) and even bought a scarf. So, just be aware, it may be warm.... or even cool.

We were in Italy for the first 3 weeks of September 2009. It was very warm & I wore cotton capri pants every day with a cotton short-sleeved top. I sometimes took a lightweight sweater with me since I'm often cold. We ran into rain in the Cinque Terre & got drenched but it wasn't particularly cold so cotton layers still worked out best with a light weight rain jacket. I always wore my tennis shoes because I have foot problems & must wear my tennis shoes with my orthotics. While they didn't always look fashionable, they were comfortable because we did A LOT of walking! My husband wore jeans & a polo shirt every day with tennis shoes. I think light-weight layers are the best approach. I think sundresses are fine but take a button down top or a scarf to cover your shoulders for churches & you'll be fine. Don't stress too much about not looking fashionable. Most people I saw were dressed just as casually as we were & I didn't feel that we stuck out. Have a great trip.

I walked all over Florence, Lucca, Milan, and Verona in my Dansko "Cailey" sandals: http://www.amazon.com/Dansko-Cailey-Womens-Sandal/dp/B001SERBKY They are dressy enough to wear with a skirt or dress, very supportive and comfortable for walking, and pack small.

My own problem with dresses is that I do not want to wear them with athletic shoes. We walked all day, it seems, and on the cobblestones I was happy that I had my "tenners' on. Then I wore my skirt outfit when I knew it would be a realively short time in my sandals. I bought a very $$$$ pair of cushioned sandals before we left and ended up putting the wrong sandals into the suitcase, believe it or not! So my advice also is to invest in the most comfortable sandals that you can find, no matter how much you spend, so you can feel nice in your skirt or dress. (And make sure they get into the suitcase.)

I found that skirts and tank tops with sweaters to layer over them were great on my last trip. Whatever your comfortable in is really going to best (and if you're in skirts and dresses, you'll look less like a tourist). Pieces you can mix and match and that dry quickly are definitely a plus. I second the people who recommend comfortable sandals - definitely buy a pair meant for walking before the trip. I throw in Reef flip flops too - comfy but with enough arch support that they can survive a day of sightseeing.

I'm going roughly the same time, and invested in a pair of Clarks Sandals, they're cute black T-Strap sandals with silver details, but they feel like tennis shoes on - so comfy but still cute! Also packing lots of light cotton/poly blend clothes, a stretchy cotton tube skirt (Forever 21) for dressy or casual and dries super fast, 3 different colors of stretchy cami's from Kohls, they're great alone or for layering, and look very nice, and also dry incredibly quickly. A knee length black sundress i can dress up or down, and a couple bright colored tunics to wear over my leggings and black pants. Then several scarves & a small assortment of interesting jewelry to change things up. Hope it helps - enjoy your trip, and def. check out Kohls for some travel things that are cute, and also Zappos for shoes:)