Ladies, please help me convince my wife to pack light

The "freedom" poster has it right. The best feeling in the world is leaving the house for a trip to Europe with just my backpack on my back and my fanny pack around my waist and NOTHING in my hands. I have traveled this way for up to six weeks, including cooler times of year. Unfortunately, it may take one trip WITH the luggage to convince her it's better without!

Ted, Rick suggests that you take a practice run at home. Have your wife pack what she wants to take in her wheeled backpack and then got out and about wearing it on her back for at least an hour than includes walking up stairs and hills and rough pavement if you can find any. If she does lighten her load she should try it again and again until she gets it down to what is most comfortable for her to handle. Would she be able to lift the back into the overhead bin? If it's going to be carryon. I agree that as long as she carries everything she can take whatever she wants but she needs to decide if she can carry all she wants. Only a practice at home will be of any use in that. We human beings come from two long lines of independent cusses. Good luck and have a good vacation.

Layering works well and has been fashionable in recent years. I've done a month in Italy in late Sept/Oct with a 19-inch carryon with no problem. Your wife could buy additional clothes there if she wants something else... a nice souvenir. Leggings are great under regular pants if it gets cold. Light-weight fleece weighs almost nothing, resists wrinkles, and can also get you through weather changes. Scarves and a shawl provide variety and look dressier, with almost no weight or volume. I find that clothes made of synthetic fibers (while horrifying to some) hold their shape well through repeated wearing and hand washing, while cotton or linen don't. Biggest challenge for me is shoes... if it's cold, I just bring the walking shoes in which I travel (plus flip-flips for the shower); if it's warmer, I sometimes give in and pack a light-weight pair of Merills walking sandals. Good luck, and enjoy the trip.

I find you only wear 30% of what you bring when you overpack. So start by packing early and then weed out over a few days. Technical wool fabrics come in all weights and don't smell, therefore don't need to be washed. Ex officio has terrific underwear that can be washed in a sink and dried overnight so you only need 4 pairs. Bring camisole tops that can be both underwear and outerwear. Bring 1 dress with a built in bra, doesn't wrinkle and withstands 2 weeks of travel. Convertible pants that are light weight and stain resistant. Darker fabrics. When you are on a trip where you are city hopping and walking alot you want to be light. Bring a pretty scarf or pashmina to brighten up your outfit for a night out. You will quickly realize that the trip is about the scenary, not the outfit in the photo. And if you can carry everything on to the plane you don't have to worry about losing luggage or waiting in baggage claim. Lots of luggage limits the quality and quantity of your trip. Less is more!!!

FREEDOM! That's what I feel when I pack lightly. It's a great feeling not to be burdened by lots of heavy luggage. You can move around more easily and not struggle on stairs, on cobblestones, on trains. If she tries it, she will love it. I thought I would never be able to travel for two weeks with the RS wheeled bag but I did it and will never go back to the old ways. I totally agree, less is more.

As a husband I can say please please please pack lightly. The last thing you want on crowded trains, metros, cobblestones is TOO MUCH LUGGAGE. My wife insists on taking shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, 4 pairs of shoes and wayyyy too many clothes. In fact we're here right now in Paris and she just said "why do I always pack too many clothes". You know you CAN find shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, clothes and even LAUNDROMATS.

I'm sure some will think this is mean...
I had a hard time convincing my wife to pack light till I started leaving it up to her to tote it around. A climb up 4 flights of narrow steep stairs with her bag started convincing her. She packs lighter now (a bit anyways) and gets help once in awhile.

Ted, Traveling is the most exciting experience and to have clothes and accessories place a burden on the thrill of having mobility and living briefly in a new envrionmnet just doesn't make sense. I thoroughly enjoy my fashionable attire but for our upcoming trip to France, Germany and Italy (21 days) I have decided to carry only a backpack. My wardrobe will consist of black "yoga" styled comfortable pants with several solid colored tops. I will only have one pair of earrings and to add color and style to each outfit I am bringing three beautiful silk scarves. I just purchased a great pair of black Merrell shoes (brand new style for this spring) that will work perfectly for a more formal look compared to my black Nikes. This carefully considered wardrobe looks so great and works so well for my trip. My new philosophy..It is all about the joy of traveling!
Gute Reise!!

It's often convincing to start the argument ( LOL) by having a printed copy of 2 or 3 packing lists, then proceed to selecting favorite clothes.
I overpacked when I was younger and did not have enough clothes that coordinated. It took a few trips to recognize I didnt really need any special occasion or "what if" clothes. I could buy anything there if a social occasion popped up!( it never did.) SO how big a suitcase does she want to take- and how are you traveling, train or rent car? Maybe she could use the rolling 24 inch full suitcase - let her handle it... then the next trip will be easier. Maybe she doesnt want the weight of the bag and wants the rollers-- or perhaps she wants room for all the souvenirs?

Ted, doubt if you can win this one but some comments anyway. On our first trip 30 years or so ago we took more for 10 days than four of us (now two sons) took for a month last year. And it was all cotton clothing that was heavy, hard to keep clean, and impossible to wash. So my first comment is PACKING LIGHT IS LEARNED BEHAVIOR. Many who are preaching to you probably have 50 lb on their first trip but will not admit it. Second key, at least for us, pack on paper first. Make a list, work the list. Stick to the list. No last minutes or just in case. Third everything must cross match three or four times. We once did a travel course in which my wife modeled 20 different looks through the evening. No it was not all black. No one came close that evening to id the amount of clothing she used 2 bottoms (pants and skirt) and three tops plus two light weight sweaters with several scarves of different lengths, cheap jewelery and a couple belts. It can be done if she cannot tell her she is lazy and uncreative. That will probably end the trip. If you like, I can forward her packing list as a good example. She stays around 18 lb. Fourth consider it as part of your exercise program. Just think how lean and trim you will be when you return from lugging all of her luggage plus yours.

Here's an idea to let her see what can be done with a few pieces. go to the Redbook magazine website, it may be an article in the current issue even, and look at the article titled "51 days of new outfits." I limited my search to the outfits created with pants and tops, even though the article includes skirts and dresses. They show four pairs of pants, and eight tops. The article has pictures of the outfits that can be created from the different pieces. I counted 32 outfits using just the pants and tops. I usually wear a pair of jeans and pack two pairs of pants. I don't take 8 tops, but it could be doable if you wear a shirt and a cardigan on the plane. Anyway who needs 32 outfits for 13 days. Maybe it will help her see "the light" if she can actually see how it is done. She can pick out 13 outfits using 3 pairs of pants and say 5 tops. I can usually accomplish that with stuff that I already own. Even if she has to buy some things, who doesn't like new clothes and it will probably be stuff she will wear a lot at home.

The April 2011 issue of Good Housekeeping has a article also.

First of all, I'm not clear on just what she WANTS to use...your hybrid backpack/roller bag (emphasis on 'roller', I presume?!?), or something else. Are you asking us to convince her to travel with a RS backpack, or to not bring 2 of your roller bags all for herself LOL?!? I presume that she'll be responsible for her own luggage...After she sees you zipping around with YOUR backpack, she'll change her tune. Sounds like you already know how heavy your hybrid backpack/roller bags are! I strongly suggest a bag (for her, at least) that has a waist belt; the waist 'strap' on the RS bags doesn't support the weight of the bag on your hips. I'm talking about something more like this bag (I know nothing about this bag; I chose it for the photos only): http://www.ebags.com/product/soc-gear/bugout-bag/204377?productid=10112410 Are you traveling by train? Moving around a lot, or staying in one location the entire time? Here's a video to give her an idea of what CAN fit in a RS Convertible Bag; she only needs to add a few things to his male-oriented list:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ird4DF5fgHE (your bags are most likely not nearly as large and heavy as most of the 'younguns' pictured are carrying!)
(cont.)

(cont.) To his list, I'd add a 2nd pair of shoes, some jewelry (one extra pair of earrings; maybe an extra bracelet), and make-up and toiletries. Many of us call it our 'travel uniform' - not in a bad way, but in an it's-easy-to-get-dressed-every-day kind of way; no decisions! Very freeing. THOUSANDS of quite decently-dressed women pack in one of those bags (or something similar) every year! I'll admit the concept was very foreign the first time for most of us...And I'll venture that nearly none of us have ever gone back to the old, heavy style of packing!!! And I second everything said before me...You can ruin a trip by wearing the wrong shoes, and by lugging luggage...:-( Also look at: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/womenpack.htm Let us know EXACTLY what it is that SHE wants to carry...

More clothing means more laundry! Who wants to do laundry on vacation? Not me!
Take 3 chg of clothing and mix & match(incl the one you travel in), 5 days of underwear, 2 pairs shoes. Shower , make-up misc that's it!

Packing light on the way to Italy means there is lots of space (and 'excuse') to shop for shoes & clothes! (one can check the bag on the flight home)

PS: I went to the Pyrenees region of Spain/France last October with only carryon 10kg. No problem at all including gear for urban (Barcelona & madrid) and moderate outdoor countryside activities.

PS: I went to the Pyrenees region of Spain/France last October with only carryon 10kg. No problem at all including gear for urban (Barcelona & madrid) and moderate outdoor countryside activities.

And how long have you been married? The only argument that I can add is changing trains and platforms in Italy. For the most part, it's 25 stairs down, through a tunnel and 25 stairs back up. If you have one roller bag and a small tote or backpack, you can do this. But, with 2 roller bags, it's a real liability. Last thought. You will lose. My thoughts are that she won't be convinced until she does it her way at least once. Take notes.

Ted, I agree. I took everything I could and lugged bags all over. It was colder than anticipated, and we didn't wear 1/10 of what we had. So, yes PACK LIGHT. Take 1 suitcase, take a light jacket, a sweater, a pair or two of capris, a pair of shorts, jeans or khakis/black pants, one pair of Tevas or similar walking sandles, a pair of nicer shoes, tennis shoes, socks, undies, bra, one packable dress or dinner outfit, a couple of light weight tops, and bring along Woolite in a tightly sealed plastic container, packed X 2 in ziplocks. I'd also take toilet paper. No one has enough of that. and a washcloth and your own bath towel and hand towel. Towels in Italy are like fancy dish towels, shiny linen and do not absorb water. Also take your own soap, hairdryer, and definitey mosquito repellent.
Joy

The type of vacation determines how we pack. If we are going to a beach, staying at the same place for a week, and only unpacking once, we'll pack everything we need for the week in the checked bag and take home a bunch of smelly clothes. But if traveling on the go in Europe, definitely pack one bag. We prefer carryons with wheels, and wear a small daypack with extra room to bring things home. Since you can't pack light with enough clothes for 13 days and you'll have to do laundry anyway, just do less laundry more often. Search REI, Packinglight.com, eXofficio and other websites for lightweight, quick drying travel clothes. If the fabric is right, clothes dry over night. Great excuse to get some new clothes. Plus why waste time at the airport by getting there early to assure your bag gets on the plane, then waiting for your lugguage upon arrival (and hoping they show up) while those of us traveling light are already through customs and on the way to the train, car rental, etc. And then you have to do the same on the way back.

You can't expect anyone else to help you with your luggage. That includes your husband. There is enough to juggle getting on and off airplanes and trains for you all just to be able to handle your own luggage. Plus, wouldn't it be a huge inconvenience to your husband and affect the enjoyment of his trip if he were to have to help you all the time? Maybe your wife needs to learn the hard way by you saying, "I'm not going to help you. Ever." I love my husband way too much to expect him to do this for me. That's not to say we didn't help each other on the trip! They have laundry capabilities in Italy. We washed clothes twice during 11 days. Plan to wash things. I brought three sets of clothing that I could mix and match. A light sweater. A rainjacket and a scarf. Two pairs of shoes. Enough underwear and socks to get me through 3 days. That was it! I was always appropriately dressed, always comfortable, and never overburdened by heavy luggage. I love my RS convertible backpack. Love it. By far the most thought out bag I've ever had. When it was time to go home, I expanded it and checked it so I could carry my Murano glass home on the plane. The best advice I was given: NO ONE KNOWS YOU. So, it makes no difference that you're wearing the same things over and over again!

""Wait! What about my luggage? I need that stuff." Remember back in step 4 when you put everything you absolutely could not live without if the airline lost your luggage in your carry-on. Well, that means that everything in your suitcase is stuff you don't need and could live without." Me likes. Although I WOULD add a few extra things before I left home...but it's the basic message. "While she skipped along the cobblestone roads from train station to hotel with nothing more than the daypack and small bag she bought in Europe she would watch her trip-mates struggle and strain to pull the same 60lb monstrosities she had packed and no longer had weighing her down. She never checked luggage again." Amen; nothing like watching someone else struggle to make you think 'but for the grace of my packing light go I' - or something like that ;-) And I would even replace 60lb with 30lb, or even 20lb - if you have 2 of those! No one here is asking her to go without bathing for 2 weeks and grow dreadlocks LOL! I hope she doesn't think we're picking on her ;-) (I still haven't heard back from you concerning just exactly what she has in mind to bring...). Here's another video showing that you don't have to look like you're going to a frat party if you pack lightly (although this woman has packed ALOT more than most of us - it all fits in a carry-on-sized bag): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhQzFbJ3CXE&feature=fvwrel So...how's all of this going over in your household LOL?!?

I bring a backpack that I can keep on the plane with me that has all meds, possible pilferable items and anything that I think will be needed on the plane. My husband brings one small over the shoulder bag with several changes of clothing for each of us in case a checked bag goes missing. We each pack one smallish bag.....no more than 30 to 40 pounds depending on length of trip....that we check simply because we don't want to have to deal with carrying everything on the plane. I pack a mixture of med to dark colored clothing that can be mixed and matched. Since our luggage isn't initially close to being overweight, whatever was packed in my husband's carry on can now go in the checked luggage for the return home and his empty carry on can now be used for any souvenirs we want to bring back. It makes life a whole lot simpler not to have a lot of large and heavy luggage to have to deal with especially if you are moving around frequently and using the trains.

Here is my step by step procedure for packing light...good luck. How to pack for an extended trip. For some packing everything they need for a month in a single carryon size bag is easy. Others need more luggage than that for a long weekend. Here is packing instructions for the second group. 1. Get your largest suit case, open it up. 2. Next to it, place the bag you are planning to carry on the plane. 3. Carefully select and load your large suitcase. Planning out outfits you intend to wear. Make sure to pack the clothes neatly to avoid wrinkles. Pack a travel iron just in case. Don't forget matching handbags and shoes. If your not sure what you will want to wear for a particular formal occasion bring both and decide when you get there. Also back enough personal care products to last the entire trip. Place the reading material you intend to read on the way home in your suitcase and the material you intend to read on the flight over in your carryon. If one suitcase is not enough get a second one. 4. As the airline often loses luggage you must pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, change of clothes and anything else you could absolutely not survive the trip with in your carry-on bag, in case your luggage gets lost or delayed. 5. Zip up your large suitcase and carefully (so not to injure yourself) wheel the 70 lb bag to the corner of the room and out of the way. 6. Grab your smaller carry-on and head to the airport. (Continued below)

"Wait! What about my luggage? I need that stuff." Remember back in step 4 when you put everything you absolutely could not live without if the airline lost your luggage in your carry-on. Well, that means that everything in your suitcase is stuff you don't need and could live without. Spend the entire trip pretending the airline lost your luggage. Buy needed supplies locally and wash your underwear in the sink at night. If you are self-conscious about others noticing you are wearing the same clothes multiple days or are underdressed for a particular restaurant say, "I am dressed like this because the airlines are constantly losing luggage and mine got detained." Folks will take pity on you and not bother you about your attire (not that most would, anyway). And the statement could be true. Your luggage did get detained (not by the airline but your husband and the reason he detained it was to avoid the airline losing it, but you don't have to tell folks that part.) I actually had a friend go from one of the heaviest packers I know to one of the lightest when she lost her luggage. She had packed gigantic suitcase and carry-on for her month long trip thru Europe (30 days, 20 cities). She had packed a change of clothes, etc in the carry on. While she skipped along the cobblestone roads from train station to hotel with nothing more than the daypack and small bag she bought in Europe she would watch her trip-mates struggle and strain to pull the same 60lb monstrosities she had packed and no longer had weighing her down. She never checked luggage again.

I agree with making a list and sticking to it. You can on paper figure out how many outfits you can make up and add scarfs, small jewlery to change it up. In my travels I usually purchase those scarfs and jewlery in Europe as they make great suverniors and conversation starters when you ware them at home. Another thing to think about, my dh was hospitalized in Paris and I became the main schleper of luggage. His backpack on my back, day pack on my chest and pulled the rolling small suit case. Even though we were light, it convinced me even more to pack lighter the next trip. Now ask your DW if she is up to that? Have a great trip and make use of the packing list on the many web site suggested, you won't regret it.

The saddest thing that I ever saw was when one of the girls from our study abroad trip to Italy had to cast off things from her huge suitcase just to get it under the weight limit. There she sat on the floor of the airport looking at each item in order to choose what she could take and what she had to throw away! It was pathetic... She still had way to much at the end of the process. So pack light! Every trip we take I learn to take less and less.

I like to dress well on vacation, particularly when going to Italy and France, where women are stylish -- but what I bring and whether I use a carry on or larger checked suitcase depends on my itinerary. If you are staying in one place for the 13 days, then a larger bag would be OK, in my opinion. but If you will be traveling between cities, particularly if going by train, then I suggest packing light and using a carry on. And I agree with above posters who say they do not wear all the clothes they bring. Consider and edit what you pack very carefully -- will you be mostly in cities, the coast or the countryside?

My travel bag philosophy is that if it is too heavy or too big to carry on the plane then it is too big/heavy to haul to/through train stations, up and down stairs, etc. in Europe. Tons of good packing advice in this thread. I need to print it and share with my friends who can't believe that I can travel with only carry-on bags. Less luggage is more of a good time. Carole

"Less luggage is more of a good time." You've got that right!

Cut her some slack as this is her first trip, and let her use the smallest wheeled luggage you have ( no bigger than 24 inches tho!). Rick has noted the women inhis office do NOT like wearing backpacks and your wife may be the same ( I assume our leader means LARGE packs, not day packs). She may think the Italian ladies will look down their collective noses at her for being poorly dressed. If she can plan 5 outfits, she can wear each outfit only 3 times and no one will notice. I do mean 5 outfits comprised of 4 or 5 shirts, 3 pair pants and no more than 2 pair shoes ( no heels!). Promise she can buy a couple of new items over there.
See how flexible we are?

Hi-Spent 2 weeks in Eastern Europe during big storms-utilized only my carry-on-I am a 57 year old female-
and felt FREEDOM!! A VERY warm coat, a few other pieces and a great pair of boots. Keep it light and the travel will be wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

We take two checkable large suitcases, with small carry-on bags inside. Your wife will NEED the extra room to bring back the clothes and shoes she buys. I needed the room to bring back 14 lbs of Parmesan cheese. My point is, pack very light because you're going to buy stuff there. Assuming you fly into and leave from the same city, I have been told by hotels that they will allow you to leave the large bags at the hotel while you travel the rest of Italy.

She can do it! This summer will be our 6th trip back to Italy and 5th with only carry-on. I am very much an Italian when I travel there (neckline down, heels up) and in my fifties, but have found that just a carry on is the way to go. Check out the onebag.com website to learn HOW to pack and bring a spray bottle (water instead of ironing) for any wrinkles. Buy as much wrinkle free stuff as possible, but you don't have to limit it to travel wear. I personally shop at Filene's basement! One weeks worth of undies is all you need (rinse them out as you go). The one time we checked bags, they got lost and we spent 3 extra hours at the airport- not the way to see Italia! Good luck!

My response to the "travel light" advisers is this: why? If I was a 20-something training across Europe, I'd live out of a rucksack, but I'm not. I'm an adult and will be checking into a few hotels and taking luggage back to the car. This is no real inconvenience to have some of the things that'll make my trip more enjoyable. I understand there is something to be said for traveling light, but there is also a side to be presented for traveling complete. I will be on vacation in Italy. We don't do this often, and when we do it's expensive. No insult to Rick, but I am not washing out clothes in the sink at night and hoping like hell they're dry in the AM. I saw one of Rick's shows where he says "nobody ever wished they had packed heavier", well he's wrong. I am one of those guys. We're pre-packing for our trip to Italy in a week and my wife an I will each have a medium sized roller bag and a couple smaller bags. Heck, my camera bag weighs more than most suitcases. None of these have ever been a detriment to travel enjoyment. Pack what you need, add what you want, just be prepared to schlep a bit, but don't make a big deal out of it either way.
The most important thing is to enjoy the experience, and if traveling light or traveling complete make that happen for you, have at it.

I packed too much on my recent trip to Italy and after lugging that large load around, I abandoned many clothes in the second hotel we were in. I SO appreciated the lighter load that I didn't feel bad about throwing away those clothes. It made the travel SO much more enjoyable. I had room for souvenirs. You can always buy clothes abroad- a great souvenir-if you find you are missing something.

Pat, I agree... I don't really want to be doing laundry- in a sink - on vacation. I went to France last yr, and I admit I did overpack. But this yr to Italy I will still take a 25" roller & a backpack. I found that I wore my black rayon/spandex skirt more often than I thought I would. It was so comfortable and 'dress it up, dress it down'. I 'underpacked' simple t-shirts and scarfs. Ended up buying a couple of both and wore them instead of things I'd packed.

My family advice to the over packer is "there is nothing that you will be wearing on your body that is as important to you as the extra needed space in your suitcase for the wonderful things you can purchase in Italy and are allowed to put in your luggage on the return trip home." Read up on what you are allowed to bring home if you check your bags for the return flight. Bring as little as you can for clothing and also
bring a packable suitcase so you will have an extra suitcase for the trip home.

A common rule of thumb is if you are able to pack clothing for one week, that is all you need regardless of how long your trip is. It really comes down to both of you enjoying your trip. Staying in one place? Then the amount of luggage hardly matters. Traveling around - it can matter a lot. We pack one RS convertible carry-on for both of us. Not one each, but one total. Here's how my husband convinced me: He carries it! Carrying my travel purse only, I am footloose and fancy-free! To make it special, I have my "travel clothing" which I only wear on our trips: Royal Robbins slacks, ex-officio shirts, etc. W are often mistaken as locals in Europe, which has led to some hilarious language encounters, so apparently our clothing does not scream "tourist". Perhaps as a compromise, you could tote both the convertible back-pack and a RS rolling bag? They could both be carry-on. Either way, have a wonderful trip!

I always use a backpack as a carry on. And since I know I will buy some"stuff" I bring a medium rolling bag which is usually more than 1/2 empty when I leave home. When we're touring around in a city or on a tour the backpack is again great because you're hands free. Always keep your money, credit cards and passport in a waist belt under your clothes.
Have fun.

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice. We are going with two carry-on pieces. She is actually excited about the freedom and admitted to being a bit worried about having to navigate over cobblestone streets with a wheeled bag. I also promised to do the sink washing for her on the trip. :)

Glad you made the decision to pack light. I always do, but my friends don't always... so, although they have to deal with their own stuff, it can still affect everyone...walking down the stairs to get a train in Italy, one of my friends overweight bags twisted on her and rather than break her wrist, she let go of the bag... I was in front of her and it came careening down the steps towards me. Thankfully there was a landing and it stopped just short of sending me flying down the second set of steps. So, I think her overpacking would have ruined my trip!
Just tell your wife to wear lots of nuetrals, scarves and fun costume jewelry and it will become a game of how great you can look with very little.

Bring everything, including the kitchen sink. You've got a husband to carry your steamer trunk.

"...a medium sized roller bag and a couple smaller bags..." Pat, depending on how you define "medium" and "smaller", you may be packing the way that most of us do ;-) To me, packing lightly is being able to COMFORTABLY carry my own bags and not injure myself in the process (no sore backs, sprained wrists, tight neck muscles from a too-heavy backpack). From a security standpoint, the less bags to keep up with the better; if I have to put a bag down everytime I need to validate a train ticket, pick up a neon-green Eiffel Tower and determine its artistic merits, or grab a crepe from a street vendor those are PRIME occasions for those bags to 'walk away'...or simply to be accidentally forgotten - there's a fair amount of discombobulation that goes hand-in-hand with traveling. Now, if I'm going to have a driver waiting for me at the airport, and I know I'll be able to pull up at the front door of every hotel I'm staying at, then I might break my own rule and actually bring a complete outfit for every single day I'm there (OK - NOT! - but you understand); making two trips to load up my luggage wouldn't be such a hardship. (cont.)

(cont.) BUT, If I KNOW I'm planning a train-travel trip, I'm not making two trips up and down those very steep and narrow steps! I've had to do it while helping others with their luggage, and it's a pain, it's dangerous, and there isn't a lot of cooperation from the others trying to get on and off the same train. Plus, you've now left your luggage unattended on the train...a HUGE no-no in my book. Within my self-imposed limit, I pack lots of 'but-I-want-it' extras, but they are as miniaturized and light as I can get them. It's possible to take some fun and downright luxurious things, too, when you take only one bag. Ted, PLEASE let us know how both of you did on your trip with your luggage; I'll be there at the same time as you, and even though I won't recognize you should we cross paths, I KNOW you won't be the ones I'll see struggling with their luggage ;-)

Ladies and Gentlemen, 47 answers in 6 days!! Maybe this is a contender for March Question of the Month.... Its got my vote.... any alternate nominations?

Eileen, In hindsight, I guess I'd call it a large roller and two medium bags. For me the real weight is in the camera bag. It really is heavier than the suitcases. I never have t worry about it being stolen. If someone grabbed it and ran they'd be stopped like a dog hitting the end of its rope. I Have been all over Europe on many trips and traveled there when I lived in Germany in the service. I've never had an issue traveling with a couple suitcases. We always enjoy ourselves and that's the goal isn't it? I've always wondered, though. If you washed your clothes in the sink and they didn't dry overnight, what do you wear? Even if you have other clothes, you have to pack damp clothes.
No thanks, I'd rather UPS the dirty clothes home!

I loved the reference to the kitchen sink... it is a great reason to travel light because on three seperate occasions I have brought home handpainted beautiful pottery sinks for my home. You need to leave room for these, so packing light is a must. I did hand carry and got some funny looks at customs, but one is installed, one waiting installation and one broke as I used it as a birdbath and it froze... time for another!

Pat, you NEVER (if at all possible) wash clothes if you're leaving the next day. At least you don't do it a second time ;-) In some weird situation, you 'might' need to stick those clothes - folded as neatly as possible - in a 'Ziploc', and take them out ASAP at your new digs. I don't recall ever having to do that, though...

I'll chime in here as someone who traveled for 4 weeks in Italy in September with only a 55 liter pack. First things first: shoes. You need to reduce it down to 2 pairs (possibly 3 if one is a sandal that packs flat). I'd recommend a pair of sneakers and a pair of supportive sandals. Second: toiletries. You CAN buy toiletries in Italy. So no need to take the full bottles. Splurge and buy a super small hair dryer if you will be staying places without them. Third: color-scheme & layers. It is important that most of your tops and bottoms mix & match. For 13 days you'll need at most 3 pairs of pants (khaki/brow, black, jeans) or if you like you can sub a skirt in there. You'll need 5-7 base-layer tops. You'll need 3 over layer tops (sweater or fleece, or vest, or cardigan). THAT's IT. Just mix and match. Fourth: underwear. Don't bring cotton. If you bring microfiber it will dry over night! You need at most 5 pairs. Bra are up to you, but I'd say you can get away with 2/3. If you lay out those items see how much space it takes. My only other suggestion is to bring sunglasses/hat! Have a great time.

I think it depends on what kind of trip you are planning. Our first trip we brought two big bags and stayed in a home with friends. It was fine and we had more than we needed. Our second trip we mostly went by rail. It was interesting to see people trying to lug their luggage up the steps and around the trains, up and down stairs in stations, etc. We had our RS backpacks and just walked up and down easily. When we finished our trip I was determined to NEVER bring more than a carry-on again. I only wore one pair of shoes and took three. Less is more! Depending on how you travel will make the difference. Don't forget that if you go by by train you'll have to walk to your hotel or B & B (most likely). You feel free to be light. Yes, you do get tired of wearing the same thing, but it is worth it. If you go by car, no problem taking more. Just drive to you next location and carry it in. It is the travel by train that you really need to watch how much you are willing to carry. As recommend before, pack it all up and take it to the mall (or somewhere) and carry it all for a couple miles and see how it feels. Then pretend you are late for your train and try to hurry...not so easy if you are over-loaded!

My two cent's worth: make sure whatever you take isn't too heavy, and you don't have too many pieces; and allow some extra room for whatever you may buy over there. I have a friend who moved from Oregon back to his home town in Italy a few months before I went on my trip. I took some of his things to him, and foolishly took too much simply because I could (two large bags filled to airline limits of 50 pounds each). I knew that once we got to our first city, I'd be getting rid of more than half of my load. Problem was, we had three trains to get on and off of between FCO and Verona, and I threw my back out doing so. My back was out for my entire trip! Train stairs are very narrow, and the aisles are about the width of an airplane's. It was really, really a hassle to move my two large bags around on a train! They don't have much room for a lot of luggage storage, and especially not much room for large bags. Even tho I had one empty bag at that point, and I had some leeway as far as buying things to take home, I still had too much luggage for the trains. Next time I go, I will definitely not be taking more than one medium sized bag, if that.
Good luck, and have fun!

Ted, You're doing the sink washing?!?! I LIKE your wife-haha

I know we have about worn this subject out, but in June I am traveling to Italy for two weeks and I have planned out what I am taking to take: White linen capris Khaki pants Jeans Print sundress Short sleeved denim jacket (light weight) White shirt Sweater White tank top
Reversible tank top, blue and chocolate print on one side, brown on the other I have never carried white before but we will have access to a washer/dryer the first week. Everything matches, so I can get over 20 different outfits out of those pieces. I will wear jeans, the white tank, and the denim jacket on the plane just leaving six pieces to pack with the rest of my stuff.