Sending suitcase ahead

I think you have answered your own question. The $500 sounds high unless you are shipping from the US. But that is the problem, it is expensive to ship anything anywhere in Europe via a private carrier. In Germany there is a ship ahead service provided by the railroad but not anything in Italy. Even if staying two months, not sure you need 50 lbs. The only other alternative is find a place to store the suitcase until you need it.

Well, I would take one suitcase ,, and then just buy some stuff there,, bet you can get some neat stuff for 1/2 of the 500 dollars it would cost to send your old stuff over. Remember you will be doing laundry,, you don't need clothes that will last you for the entire two months, plus you will want some leeway ( space and money) to bring stuff back.

Thanks for all the info. Problem is I go in Sept. and return in November and that may mean two types of clothes. Usually I do a duffel with wheels for 7 to 10
days and use one color and not worry about wearing the same looking article daily. No one knows me anyway. British Airways does offere door to door baggage for less, maybe $220. Only concerned going. Return will be easy as I leave from Florence and can check bag through to Boston. Problem is that before Florence I do quite a few short train trips to the lakes and I have heeded the advice of being able to handle my own stuff. Bag is 24" x30" x 12, not huge but being old and short it may be problematic!

Well by mid November the average daytime high is still over 55,, so you won't really need alot of winter clothes,, just a few sweaters, a wind/rain jacket .

I would try do do something that you can carry and not send it ahead. I am studying over here until December, so I will be needing heavier clothing, and packed everything into one checked suitcase, one carry-on and one backpack. While my checked luggage is heavy, I was able to lift and carry it. It is definitely a concern on trains, but maybe you can use a carry-on that can slide onto the handle frame of your large one, making it one piece when you are walking on streets. As far as trains go, build up some muscles and be able to lift all of it. If you can spread the weight out between a medium suitcase and a small shoulder carry-on, it may be easier. You can buy toiletries and such here, limit the amount of shoes you bring, bring less clothing. As a fellow young woman, I know how hard it can be to pare down what you are bringing, but I assure you it can happen!

Have you thought about using a suitcase and a big backpack? It's hard pulling 2 suitcases but a suitcase and a backpack might be easier in transit. And as others have said, buy some things when you get to Florence.

I would take a serious look at what you are thinking of taking. We've traveled to Europe (~12 countries each time) in a four month period resulting in a big climate change from August to December. We (45 students plus professors) did this with one very well thought out 26" suitcase and a backpack/carry-on per person. We even weighed their suitcases at the airport. Everyone managed quite well.

Mercedes, I'm old and short, too. I was in Italy for ten weeks with a carry-on and a daypack. If you need warmer clothing (think of layering when packing), you can pick up some great things in Florence.

Mille grazie to everyone for the advice. Am seriously rethinking. The weight I gave was a guesstimate of 50 lbs. Not a true weight. Thanks again.