Packing light for 18 Days of Italy Spring Weather

I'd suggest a heavier fleece and a light rain shell. You'll want reasonably warm slacks - Levi's are the right weight for that time of year. You're almost certain to be caught in a rainstorm and if you go into the mountains to the north or south, you'll be colder. But remember, you can always buy something there.

I won't get into shoes...

As with hiking or trekking, layers are the key. You want a waterproof shell; on a warmer day its a windbreaker, on a colder day it keeps the wind out of other layers and keeps you dry. Have long-sleeve shirts to wear, and a lightweight sweater. I'd recommend AGAINST the fleece-lined gortex jacket because it isn't flexible. One pair of waterproof shoes is fine; I dust some foot powder in mine each morning to keep the insides drier. Many people like to bring more than 1 pair, but that adds weight & bulk.

Throw in a pair of long johns--they don't take up much room and are very welcome in those chilly churches in early Spring. I was in Rome during Spring Break and it was cold! Take a pair of mittens, a fleece hat, too--it folds up in your bag. These don't take up much room and you may really wish you had them with you. What an opportunity for you! Have fun!

Pants that convert to shorts shout TOURIST. Take 2 pairs of nice capri pants, one pair of long pants and a skirt instead. You need a lightweight rain jacket with a hood for "just in case".
Take a lightweight fleece jacket for layering under, and by itself.

Find fabrics in your wardrobe that dry quickly, not cotton, unless you plan to visit a laundromat ($$).

Are you hiking? Or just walking? Comfortable shoes with support are fine. I take a nice pair of Puma shoes with my orthotics and I always travel with my most comfortable pair of Chaco sandals. It's a good idea to have 2 pairs of shoes (wear one pair on the plane to save space in your luggage) so you can switch out, I find my feet get tired of the same shoes every day.

Bring a nice lightweight sweater, 4-6 tops (t-shirt style).

For 18 days, you really don't need to pack for more than one week. You will have to wash in the sink in the hotel. To save weight, and be light on your feet, don't take a rolling bag, instead take a bag that converts to a daypack, carry on size.

Bottom line ---look to what you already own first, then fill in with "travel" style clothing if you really feel you need something special.

ISIS for women has some great fast drying clothing that is stylish. You can purchase at REI or directly from their website. They (ISIS) www.isisforwomen.com offer a "skort" a skirt with a built in short, great for travel comfort, and so much nicer looking than pants that zip off to shorts - really - who wears those things?? you aren't going on safari to Africa, you are traveling in cities and small towns in Italy - and Milan is a fashion capital!!

Karen, My husband & I travel with a 22" carryon & backpack (I use Rick's daypack) We don't check luggage. I bring 3 pair of slacks & wear one. No shorts or capris in spring. (that's me) 4/5 shirts + the one I'm wearing. I also bring a vest with zip pockets, a sweater & lightweight rain/wind jacket w/hood. The pants are all black or tan. Every shirt & the sweater & vest go with black or tan. You can add a skirt for evening if you want. just make sure everything mixes. I always bring 1 extra pair of shoes, I don't like putting on wet shoes in the morning. I never pack jeans, they take up too much room. Have fun!

As far as a jacket, I would recommend a Gore-Tex style jacket with a zip-in liner and stowable hood. Most outdoor clothing companies offer their own version of a waterproof, breathable material similar to Gore-Tex that may be be cheaper for you, but works just as well. The liner could be fleece or down-filled, but that would be your preference for warmth and price (down is more expensive than fleece, but is warmer).My wife is more "cold-natured" than me, but she was just fine with a fleece liner and scarf. I would suggest a liner that can be zipped/snapped-in, that way when they're layered, you're only dealing with one zipper at a time. Plus, you can wear the fleece liner separately on non-rainy days.
One set of waterproof shoes that look good on a hillside trail or in a church would be best. It's always a challenge to find that happy medium.
I hope this helps and have a great trip.

Hi Karen,
Shorts: I don't think you will need shorts so early in spring considering how far north you are. Light-weight pants should take care of the warmest of days. Furthermore, you wouldn't want to wear shorts in Milan-- they're too stylie for the slobby American weekend look. (And by the way, I'm with Ellen, zip-off shorts are great for backpacking in the high country or an African Safari-- not for urban traveling.)

Another hint on Layers: Bring long silk underwear to wear under your clothes to keep you warm without looking & feeling like a stuffed sausage. They are unbelievably thin! Check out Lands' End, LL Bean, etc. They are a useful and versatile item; I use them all the time, not just for travel. I wear them under costumes, winter whale-watching, etc.

I walked miles every day and managed on one pair of Italian leather walking shoes that worked for urban fashion, but some people really need to change shoes. I would have liked another pair of shoes, but didn't want the weight. So, I'm not sure what to tell you.

One more thing, there was a recent thread about "travel clothes." Use the search box or scroll back a few days to find the thread.

I love Levis, but Levis are way to bulky and heavy to pack if you're traveling with only carry-on luggage. You can't wash them in the sink, and they take too long to dry. Do you want to spend time and money at the laundrymat?

Italy is a great place to buy a large scarf/pashamima to help keep you warm and it's easy to pack. It's an easy way to look a little more stylish if you're feeling dowdy compared to the Italian women, it serves as a blanket on the plane, and it's a great souvenir.

That's my last post-- promise!

Here is a packing list idea for your husband:

http://www.polyvore.com/mens_travel_pack_list/set?id=1440268

I travel spring or fall and this takes me from warm to cold weather.

You didn't say if he needs to pack business attire. If so, pack similar button up shirts in solid colors and add a blazer and a tie or two for light business packing. It's not completely formal but it allows you to be dressed reasonably well while you are away from home.

We've been in Italy twice in mid March 2005 and 2006) and it was fairly chilly especially at night.
Great advice about the silk longjohns and layering. I HIGHLY advise taking two pairs of COMFY well broken in walking shoes and good quality walking socks.

The past two years we've gone in May but the weather was still cool in the evenings. Last year I purchased some travel knit clothing via ebay that worked wonderfully.

A mid calf length sleeveless shell type dress, a light jacket that we're simple enough to dress up or down. I added two pair of slacks a hooded rain poncho six tops socks and undies a beige pashmina a silky black cardigan. On cooler days the dress was a jumper with a top underneath on warmer days a sundress. I'm not big on washing a lot in the hotel room so we had two laundramat stops planned in Florence and Rome.

The coin laundries are easy to use. We picked up some lunch food from the market and used the time to write postcards, plan our next day's activites and get a little closer to Italian daily life. The laundramat in Rome had an internet point as well so we picked up or email while the clothes dried. We had some interesting conversations with people doing their laundry.

The KEY is to pick a color chord for your clothing and keep all pieces multitaskable. I cannot stress enough the importance of COMFORTABLE shoes that you can walk in.

Once you've "one bagged" it you can't go back!!!!!!

Karen, I recommend a scarf--it adds a pop of color and keeps your neck warm. We take 7 days worth of clothes for a 3 week trip and do laundry twice. We swear by Rick's travel wash and the stretchy-twisty clothes line for handwashables, and find a 3-hour sojourne in a laundromat to be an exercise in foreign relations and a learning experience! Both times we did this we met fellow travelers at the laundromat who shared travel tips. Enjoy your trip!