Oh Gosh What to Do???

Speaking as a woman (no offense, Bob!), take three pair of pants or capris (wear 1, make it a long pant), and do take the black loafers as long as you can walk at least 2 miles in them. It is nice to change shoes after a long day, but still be able to walk to and from dinner. 2 pair of slacks is just too limiting. You may need to change at night if you get wet or dirty, and you don't want to wash EVERY night or you'll be packing damp clothes whenyou change locatiosn after two nights. Otherwise I agree with Bob. :-)

wendy, I can't offer any suggestions on the clothing or shoe questions, but regarding money I'd suggest taking ~€100 to last until you get organized in Europe. If you'll be starting the tour right away (and therefore on their schedule), you may have limited time to look around for ATM's. I like to have some local currency while travelling for snacks, local transportation, etc. Happy travels!

1. None unless you happen to have some on hand. Hit an aTM over there. 2. Yes 2 pair. Temps in early May run from 40-80 3. Good choice- always nice to layer
4. either way-for that short duration,I wouldn't bother with the loafers unless you needed to get a little fancy. Have a great trip!

So capri's would be fine early italy? How is the free wifi-is it worth taking my netbook to email back home? I think I could walk 2 miles in my loafers, certainly not as comfy as my asic's! Any other packing/clothing suggestions? I normally pack for ski or scuba trips-this is different especially trying to do it all in a carry-on. Wendy

Wendy:
You might even want sandals. A nice pair of dansko, ecco, or some other "walking" sandal would work in May in place of the loafers. Just be sure to buy then NOW and break them in! 3 slacks/capris, 4 blouses/tops, sweater or light fleece for layering, rainjacket with hood, hat. (In October I had a nylon lined rainjacket, a vest for layering, otherwise blouses and lightweight knit tops. Brought gloves I never used. Lowest temp was 39 one morning. Highest was 68.) I made it with carryon and had a lot of electronics, too. There's been a lot of packing advice in the past couple of weeks. You might want to search the archives.

1. I would bring some, because you don't want to exchange money in the airport when you get there (quite expensive) and you'll want euros for a snack or taxi, etc when you get there. Also on wifi--as far as a netbook, I'm not sure if that is worth it unless you know your hotels will have wifi. However, walking around the cities you can often pick it up, or enough to send out an email. So if you have an iPod touch or similar small wifi device, that might be a better option.

Wendy,
As far as weather goes, check www.accuweather.com for a long-range forecast (will give you two weeks out). Accuweather is not 100% reliable (check it against your own city to see how it compares with your local TV forecast), but I've found it reliable enough for packing purposes. Check it now for a general idea, but check it on the very last day you pack for a more accurate prediction. Weather, afterall, wiggles around. And, enter each city you plan to visit, as hill towns may be cooler than coastal cities, etc. Don't forget the emergency packable umbrella. As they say, If you take it, you won't need it :) (A good luck charm for good weather.)

Thanks for the great suggestions. I have a pair of LL Bean low wrinkle pants so I'll definitely take those-black or Navy right? and I have a pair of light weight travel pants (navy) from magellean's (they pack to nothing.) and so do my capri's. The shirts I want to take are 3/4 sleeve linen-they are comfy but my mom thought I should take some polo type shirts. I have (no golf logo) many kinds and many are the climafit type material. Would you recommend my gortex shell jacket over my windstopper fleece or is that overkill? I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my ramblings. It is nice to "talk" to someone who has done this before. If I wasn't so convinced to do this in a carry-on I wouldn't have so many questions. I just don't want to lug a heavy bag every day. I did that for two weeks on an Alaska cruise/land tour. What a PAIN!! Thank you again, Wendy
Kenosha, WI

Hi Wendy,
I am nearby, in Milwaukee and very jealous. Enjoy your trip. You will thank yourelf every day for packing light, though if you have a bus tour you probably have luggage handling included. I agree that you might want a few euros to get started, but have never had trouble getting euros from an ATM at the airport. I never exchange money. You will get a better exchange rate using your credit card whenever you can, as long as yours doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee (get a Capital One card if not) and ATMs are everywhere. A rain jacket of some type will save the day if it's wet, which can make for a miserable day if you haven;t brought ione, and you don't want to miss out on anything! You will be glad to have two pairs of shoes to alternate for your feet, and something a little dressier will be nice for evening. Enjoy and come back to tell us about your trip!

Wendy, you probably know this, but make sure your bank (issuer of atm/debit card)and credit card issuer know where you'll be so they don't flag your account. Have their phone numbers in case they do.
Your bank/credit union may be able to increase the max amount you can withdraw at one time as well.

Wendye, I think a jacket you wear for skiing would be overkill. It's just not that cold. Layer instead; light fleece and a rain jacket. My jacket was not "waterproof" but water resistent, like a poly-lined, long, windbreaker. It was fine! As to Euros, we bought some in Seattle at the airpost, paid too much, but it was oh-so-convenient to have some when we landed! When we got home, w saved about 300 left over Euros as our starter-money for next trip.

Laurel, My jacket is a Cloudveil (similar to North Face but lighter) and it is just a shell and nothing more. When I ski I layer over fleece. So that is why I asked. I can wear it year 'round. Again many thanks. I have contacted my credit union about getting some Euros and making a comment on my credit card. Wendy
Kenosha, WI