Packing for Italy for 3 weeks in May

May is generally warm with temperatures in the 70s and 80s F. Rain may develop at times, so carry a portable umbrella. A very light jacket might be useful at night along the lake.
There are laundromat and dry cleaning shops everywhere, so no need to overpack. I like to use dry cleaning shops. Just drop the stuff off there one day and pick up the next. More expensive than self service laundromats, but that way you don’t waste time away from visiting sights.

I think you’re packing too warm for that region in May, especially since you’re from Minnesota. You’re bringing several jackets - hoodie, denim jacket and rain coat and wool cardigan. I would drop the denim jacket and bring a lighter cardigan. Your short sleeve tops will probably be worn the most. Evenings will be cooler, so plan on just a layer when you’re going out for dinner. Thinking of luggage weight, do you need the extra pair of jeans? And flip flops aren’t too practical on cobblestone streets.

You’re picked a really nice tour and fantastic location!

Yep, way too many jackets. Leave the denim one and wool cardigan at home and bring just the rain jacket and maybe the hoodie. You shouldn't need the flipflops other than for lounging in the hotel room: the surfaces you'll be dealing with every day are definitely NOT flip-flop friendly. Even the dress really isn't necessary if you just throw on a fresh top with your leggings at night.

You are mostly in the north of Italy so it's likely to be cooler than it would be in Rome and south of there. The month of May can go either way, and over the course of 3 weeks it probably will -- you'll have chilly days and warm/hot days.

To see actual temperatures, use the Weather Underground website to choose a location and look at high/low temperature history for the month of May, or for a certain date, over years. That's the only way to get an objective sense of the temperature range you're likely to experience during your trip.

You do not need two pairs of jeans, maybe not even one. I usually pack a lightweight pair of pants or two and sometimes wear black jeans on the flights if in a cooler season as they are so comfortable.
It will be warm. Will you be able to fit all of these clothes in a small enough piece of luggage to move easily in hotels? Flip flops to wear as slippers in your room? Regular sandals can subsitute as well. Flip flops and cobblestones do not work well. I would not wear boots in warm weather either.
I would pack lightweight clothing. Sandals, a rain jacket, capris, a cardigan sweater. No hoodie needed unless it is for your flights. The itinerary looks wonderful, enjoy.

I'm sure you are looking forward to this tour as much as we are! We fly out on the 2nd and will start our tour on May 5. I am planning on bringing a few casual dresses, a couple maxi skirts, and a couple pairs of capris, and probably a pair or two of leggings (these are the casual clothes I am accustomed to and comfortable in). One Jean jacket and one waterproof light jacket will be my outerwear and 2 pairs of walking sandles which will do well on cobble stones and hiking trails in the Cince Terre. We've done one of the more challenging hiking trails in the Cince Terre before so I know what we're in for. This will all fit nicely in my carry on bag but we are bringing a larger suitcase which will sit in the deep storage in the bus for the duration of the tour. We are wine lovers and rather than ship home wine we are bringing it home in our checked luggage. Already have the styrofoam containers for them, thus the need for the larger suitcase. This will be our 4th RS tour. When I looked at the 15 day forecast it seems we will be in for a considerable amount of rain but temps are ranging 70-75 for the highs and 55+ for the lows.

Thanks to all of you! I had looked at weather averages months ago, but looking at the forecasts today, temps seem to running a bit higher than the averages I had seen. I will pull out the boots and a few warmer items. The flip flops are for pool and hotel time. Everything fits fine in my carry on, and I can carry it, so I think I will be good:)

I know many people pack jeans but I never have instead opting for black and khaki (to keep it simple I pack in the color combo of black, khaki and maybe some white) lt. weight quick drying Columbia pants(not cargo) with a very slight boot leg which I have found at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. Have seen them at the Columbia outlet store too. I also just bought at Costco today several more pairs of quick drying black travel ankle pants--their Kirkland store brand. Even have a pocket on front side with an invisible zipper that will fit a passport. Only $13.99. Bought some of the same ones last fall and took them on our Oct. trip to Puglia and they were perfect. Besides black they also come in navy blue, gray and burgandy but not khaki. I plan to take them to Sicily when we visit in Oct. Last fall I also picked my husband up some travel pants at Costco and I saw they have them again.

Our trip mid April to mid May south to north Italy . I suggest the layer approach. comfort is key!
I have one pair of sketchers sneakers and one pair of fashionable Clarke sandals. We have a light rain coat and umbrella. Hat a must. We brought a small container of delicates laundry powder, a clothes line and laundry clips. No jeans... if you wash them they take forever to dry. Everything we brought is easy breathe material that washes and dries quickly. A scarf takes you from day to night fashion and is great for churches or as a shawl on a chilly night. Pack light! Don’t forget sunscreen, Kleenex packages and a money belt.

We are also going in May. Every time I pack less and less, since I only have a carry on and am getting older, it is getting heavy and harder to carry. Jeans are heavy, bring one pair. Wear sneakers, carry sandals and flipflops (I like them for hotel rooms and beaches). Forget boots, too hot. I don't carry rain gear as I am from South FL and am used to getting rained on all the time. Just duck under cover if it is too bad. Bring only one type of sweater or light jacket. I end up using mine as a pillow on trains and planes. Enjoy your trip!!

I’d also take out a few articles of clothes once my bag is packed. That way you can buy some clothes over in Italy. Instead of bringing 12 outfits bring 9. Then buy 3 more when you get there

Honestly, I'm not sure I packed that many "winter" clothes for my trips to Italy in February! No boots, no flip-flops. You want one pair of sturdy sandals for those uneven pavements (oops, sidewalks) and cobblestones, one pair of closed shoes (preferable water resistant, just in case) - both with thick soles or your feet won't be happy. Remember, happy feet = happy camper. A light-weight rain jacket is good, can be used as a windbreaker. One warm-ish jacket - also good for the AC on the bus). No long sleeves, no leggings. Capris, one skirt (when it's hot, a skirt just below the knees is the coolest, allowing for air circulation), fabrics that are lightweight and breathe. Sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hat, lip balm. If the weather's really cold, buy yourself a souvenir scarf, jacket, or pullover. If you're really worried about being cold, take a long-sleeve thermal top.

I'm doing the same thing..leaving in less than two weeks, staying for 2 1/2 weeks and only bringing a carry-on. I'll be in Rome for a couple of days before meeting up with a tour group, then on to Florence, Venice and ending in Padua. I'm wearing jeans, a cardigan, a t shirt and my heavier shoes (sneakers) for the plane rides but I'm packing a pair of jean capris, a pair of black capris and a black maxi skirt for the tour. I've got about 8 or 9 shirts I can wear with any of the bottoms, a pair of sandals and another pair of sneakers. Two scarfs, one pair of earrings and 2 necklaces and a lighter cardigan for the chillier nights. I'll end up doing laundry in the sink at some point.

Once I pack, I'll probably go through and take a few things out. Are there any toiletries that can readily be purchased instead of dragging them over there? I have to have powder because I'm a freak for it, but it is a little bulky. Maybe I can eliminate that. I'll use the hotel toiletries. I'll bring contact solution..sunscreen...deoderant or is it cheap over there? Anything else?

What else are you packing?

We are headed out in about an hour. I took out the hoodie and the cardigan, and put in a cotton cardigan, instead. I added another skort, another dress, but took out a pair of jeans. I thought about bringing my Chacos, but I know I will wear my New Balance shoes more, so the sandals are staying home. I'll bring the flip flops as they are light and will get use around the hotel. I'm wearing capri leggings with a long top for the flight. Thanks, again, for all the help.

We are leaving in two and a half weeks for our first Italy trip. I plan to wear jeans on the plane. I know they are heavier but they can be worn multiple times. Also one pair of slacks, a pair of khaki shorts, two knee length skirts, and about 5 light weight t shirts. I plan to wash them and my undies out in the sink. What do you recommend to take to wash them? Powdered Woolite? I plan to wear my Skechers and take Chacos. Maybe a scarf and a light sweater. We plan to have only carry ons.

@chooper, we are in France (Beaune) as I write and lots of people here are wearing long shorts/t-shirts. Warm enough that I have been wearing a sleeveless cotton knit top and light cotton/rayon skirt. For sink-washing I use shampoo (carrying it anyway, or it's provided by the hotel.)