Packing

My sense of a Rick tour is that you should only take what you, yourself, all by yourself, can carry. So no stocking up on souvenirs. If you MUST have them, figure out how to ship them home. But honestly, pictures are free and you can take thousands if you must.

You should do some practice packing. Try to fit everything you think you need into your bag, you'll be surprised how much is left over. Figure out how to deal with what is left. Sink washing and clothelines are the way to go!

Deep storage is mostly used for storing the results of shopping trips. You can wait until your last stop before leaving Italy (Rome?) and do your shopping then. Of course, you still have to figure out getting the stuff home. I went on 8 RS tours and never used deep storage. I travel light with a carry-on wheeled bag plus a small backpack for incidentals. My carry-on bag weighs 15-20 pounds. The lighter the better.

Pat,

Check out Rick's Packing List &, if you are female, Packing List for Women to plan to pack light. You may want to do sink wash for a couple of items. Hanging shirts on a blow-up hanger will help them dry faster.

Enjoy your trip.
Ciao!

I used to be an over-packer and totally changed my ways. For a trip of 5 to 30 days, I can get by on 3 bottoms (read jeans, pants, skirts as you prefer) and 4-5 tops plus a cardigan and a jacket. When cold I pack longer sleeves, merino wool, and a heavier coat or jacket, but still the same components. 2-3 bras, 4-5 panties, a couple of pairs of socks. Never more than two pair of shoes is key. I find clothes are not a problem for weight, it's the other "stuff." Do not pack a hairdryer as every hotel has them. Keep electronic under control. but use your Kindle or tablet instead of carting along paper guidebooks.

For easy washing in your hotel room or a laundromat, there is wonderful product by Purex called 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. They are dry (no 3-1-1- bag issues) and lightweight. I take along a few whole sheets for use in actual washing machines, and I cut some sheets up into smaller pieces to use in hand washing.

Larger souvenirs and gifts can be shipped by the UPS Store; there are many in Italy. Yes there is a cost, but a fair trade off for not having to schlep them along and if you buy breakables like ceramics, it is safer to ship. Small lightweight items such as scarves, jewelry pack in easily.

I live out of a rolling carryon plus daybag for 90 days at a time, and my packing list is pretty much like Laurel's, but with more "delicates". Key is my iPad mini instead of books.

Thank everyone for the good advice. As I said, I am determined to keep my packed items as light as possible. Your packing list looks really good Laurel and I think it will be very helpful as I pack. I am still wondering if deep storage will be available for items that are purchased along the way on the Southern Italy tour. I usually don't do that much shopping as I travel, but you never know.

pat,

" I read through the pre tour pamphlet and was surprised to see that this tour was one that was listed as not being able to "deep store" things under the bus that might be acquired along the way. Did I miss read this, or will we have to keep everything in our carry on bag?"

I'd suggest sending a note to the RS tour department, as they'll be the best ones to clarify the "deep storage" issue. I vaguely remember that our group was able to store items on the bus, but it's been a few years so my memory is getting a bit foggy. Keep in mind also that the bus isn't available until about two days after the tour starts in Rome, and the group leaves the bus a few days before the tour ends in Naples.

On the South Italy tour, you have the same bus and driver as far as Positano, so that's how far you have "deep storage" for items on the bus. Your next two hotel moves (to Sorrento and to Naples) are handled by different local bus companies. Do start out packing as light as possible, leaving room in your total carrying capacity (both weight and space) for your souvenirs. Ceramics, wine, olive oil, and limoncello are all popular but very heavy purchases, so be selective.

In regard to light packing, several years ago on this site one of the guys said to start packing on paper first. I do that every time now! I start with a general list like Laurel's suggestions to start with, then fill in specific clothes. Every shirt/sweater/jacket needs to go with every pants/skirt/jeans you are taking. Don't think about packing outfits because you will have things that don't go with other clothing items. Pull them all out of your closet and try things on together to make sure things work. I also have a list for things to go in my toiletries 3-1-1 bag for TSA as well as other non-clothing items I want to take. I have added a list on to my packing list with specific things to do 30 days out, 2 weeks out, 1 week out and the day before I leave. It is also helpful to do some trial packing to see what fits. I also weigh my suitcase so I know how I'm doing. I can manage it better if it is under 20# and under 17# is even easier.

In addition to Rick's 22 inch convertible, I had a purse (I use a LeSportsac Everyday purse) as well as a tote bag for the bus. I packed this traveling over but pulled it out when we started with the bus part of my tour. I use a LeSportsac Medium tote, but Rick also sells a "don't tell Rick" tote that many use which folds up. You can put your purchases in this as well as what you need for daily needs such as water bottle, rain layer, guide book, snacks, etc. You just need to make sure you can manage all your pieces at one time.

If you decide to get some Ex Officio underwear which is quick drying, they are having a sale right now of about 25% off. (No benefit for me from that plug, but I just bought a few more pair for myself.)

You are going to have a wonderful time!

Good details, Pam. I have a packing list on a spreadsheet that I can update as my wardrobe changes. Can you say obsessive? But poor packing can ruin a trip, so it is worth obsessing.

I pack on paper first, then do a trail pack to see what actually fits in my ever-diminishing carryon space.

As for not being able to "deep store" under the bus, I haven't taken a tour but I do ship things back to the US once or twice during a trip (trips are about 89 days). Expensive but not as horrifying as carrying everything all over Europe when I won't use it until I get back.

Do take a swimsuit - it will probably be too cool to swim in the sea, but if you are at the same hotel in Matera as my RS tour, they have a fantastic "grotto" swimming pool and spa area, wonderfully relaxing after exploring Matera's streets - which are stone stairways! Oh and the beach at Positano.....

Be aware that internal European airlines have a maximum of 20" for carry on baggage. I actually used at 19" suitcase for a three week trip to Europe (until it gave up the ghost in Athens airport).

Pat, you received excellent advice with the "packing on paper" because you can plan ahead and keep paring it down. During the last day, there's a tendency to see space & start thinking of "just in case" type items that you don't really need; keep your eye on the list. : )

The only advice where I differ is that I do plan 4 outfits: a skirt/top, 2 capri/top pairings , and a dress (sometimes an extra dress). I wear a pair of long pants & long-sleeve shirt on the plane. For me personally, if everything matches, I start feeling like I'm wearing the same thing over & over. Since I'm washing 2 outfits every other evening, it all works out. Saving a colorful scarf to start wearing the second week!

Enjoy your trip!