Italy travelers: what do you wish you'd brought, and what didn't you need?

what do you wish you'd packed

My girlfriend

what did you bring that you didn't end up using

My wife.

I know....old joke.

Seriously, due to fickle air conditioning rules in some areas of Italy, I started carrying a small USB fan to keep me cool while sleeping.

what do you wish you'd packed

Several travel size bottles of antiseptic mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene routine

I also travel with carry on and backpack only. I like that I brought/used my old phone for pics & data and mini luggage combination locks for my backpack. I felt very secure from pickpockets. I only used my current phone for pics when my old phone battery was low status. I brought a mini umbrella and a long sleeve shirt that i never used (late May, early June trip). I wish I brought a few more easy wash shirts. Light luggage strategy worked very well.

A good supply of otc meds. Yes, you can get most of them in Italy; but they are available only in pharmacies. The prices are staggering. Here are some examples:

On one trip I forgot the ibuprofen, that I was taking daily for bad knees. The pharmacies sold it in packs of 12 vs the bottles of 500 here, and limited me to 2 packs.Every couple of days I had to find another pharmacy.

Another time I didn’t bring allergy medicine. Everything was in bloom in Tuscany, and I had my worst attack in decades. I found what I needed, but each capsule cost $1.30!

Late April trip mostly in Tuscany. Biggest miss with packing was that the weather was warmer than expected.

Didn’t need: a jacket (warmer and only rained once), swimsuit (hotel pool was actually closed, but was plenty busy so wouldn’t have used it anyways)

Wished I’d brought: shoes better on rough surfaces (lots of gravel in the countryside, but shoes take up valuable space), enough sunscreen (much sunnier than I thought), more short-sleeved shirts

Hello melrowgo,

It's a small thing but I usually take a medium sized tote bag like Rick's Hide-Away Tote Bag and I missed it when it was time to do laundry and just as an accessory bag.

I took a dictionary out of habit because it has bailed me out in the past, but with Google Translate and everything else it just seemed archaic and heavy.

This last trip I switched from the the Civita Day Pack to the Shoulder Bag but I brought the Day Pack for the plane and as a back-up but it just got in the way and was one more thing to pack. I should have just committed to the new bag.

I took a travel umbrella and despite only actually using it a little I was happy to have it. I'm going in October and I will definitely be taking it again.

I wished i had packed another euro>american plug adapter after the one I was using fell apart and I had to chase around hardware stores looking for a replacement in Lucca. Also think about taking a euro > dual USB adapter plug for phones and devices.

Hope that helps, have a great trip!
=Tod

On our two trips to Italy since 2020, we brought enough medications, laundry detergent sheets, shampoo, etc., etc. for an extra three weeks' stay in case one or both of us got COVID near the end of the trip. Didn't need any of it, luckily, but glad we brought extra just in case.

I did also bring more masks than I used, but I didn't want to buy any in Italy (I like the style and color of mine).

In December I packed hiking shoes and wore hiking boots since it was supposed to rain so much and maybe even snow/slush a little. The first day there I ended up buying a pair of sneakers at Foot Locker because the weather was dry and pleasant. Depending on the weather each day, I wore all three pair, but could have left the boots at home. I'm glad I got the sneakers because now every time I put them on, I remember Florence and it makes me smile.

We were in Sorrento for the last two weeks of April and I wish I would have packed an extra sweater. I was surprised how quickly it cooled down in the evenings.

In May of 2019, I wish I’d packed warmer clothes. It was unseasonably rainy and cool/cold. I ended up buying a sweater in Naples but most stores didn’t have cold weather clothes in stock.

Bug spray. I got eaten alive in May of 2015.

You guys are awesome! Thank you for taking the time to post. I'm hoping this thread will grow over time to be a resource for not only me, but other travelers to Italy.

Bug dope wipes....I got eaten up by mosquitoes in Venice and Rome last October. Had to keep my hotel window shut in Venice which made it pretty hot due to the amount of mosquitoes. Wish I'd packed the wipes that don't count as liquid.

Needed an umbrella so had to buy one.

Needed a way to twist off water bottle caps so this last trip I took a small item called a "Minigrip" that I just clipped onto my purse. No problem!

Needed a power bank last Fall in Venice so got one for Christmas and used it this last trip.

Used everything else.

We have taken bug spray to Italy on two trips--one to Northern Italy in August and most recently in May to Sicily.

And never used it.

(Spain) Cold medicine, Advil and allergy tabs.

us: "hey, it's not like we're going to Timbuktu. We'll just go to a pharmacy if we get sick"

Wrong...The Spanish versions at the Pharmacy worked great but they were gigantic horse pills that my wife couldn't swallow without cutting up.

Glad we brought:
- a travel clothes line
- bamboo shirts (magically never stunk after 4 wearings in warm southern Spain

Jazz+Travel.
They sell Listerine and Colgate mouthwash everywhere. All you need is a small bottle to carry you for the first few days.

Definitely OTC meds. Ibuprofen or similar is very expensive there, to the point that my Italian friends ask me to bring at least 2000 pills every time I go (in 500 pill bottles). So far the customs never stopped me but if they do, who knows what they’ll do.

Ziplock bags are also useful and the only place that seems to sell them in Italy is IKEA.

I usually take more clothes than I need, But it also depends on the weather.

I also echo the suggestion to bring a lot of adapters and charge cords for electronic devices. Somehow I tend to lose them. So pack a bunch of them. They take very little space.

When we were in Prague we came down with colds and learned that European remedies seem to be limited to herbal teas, natural lozenges, etc. Cough syrup, Nyquil, etc. not available over the counter - perhaps a prescription is needed if you're looking for the symptomatic relief that we're used to in the US.

I wish I had brought a lighter jacket and dryer sheets for my shoes

I will add another question: We are going to Italy in early July. My biggest concern has been heat and crowds, but is a light jacket needed at night? We'll be in Rome, Florence, Sorrento.

I’m Tuscany right now after leaving Rome. I wish I would have brought more linen pants and long sundresses. They’re adorable, and they’re everywhere! Glad I brought medications and comfortable tennis shoes.

OP Mel,
This is a fantastic idea you had, for a pinned thread that all of us may consult and use.
I am done. The end.

BethFL will start taking bug spray with me in hopes that it will be unneccessary. Too bad that hack doesn't work at home.

My last trip to Florence, Venice and Rome, I bought a very lightweight packable down jacket from Uniqlo - it was perfect, it will now be my go to travel coat, especially in in-between weather because I could start out in the morning wearing it, then pack it in it's own pouch clipped to my baggalini cross body bag (another new favorite, mid size bag) and it never felt awkward walking around with it hanging. Also, I always pack a few carabiner clips with me and I almost always find a use for them.
At home I've switched from liquid laundry soap to tru earth laundry sheets, they are excellent for traveling, take up almost no room in a small baggy, and can be used if you have a washer available - they can also be used if you're washing in the sink but if I'm doing sink washes I can also use shower wash/bar soap whatever is provided.
As for what I didn't need - every time I travel I probably pack too many tops for 'nicer' occasions. Really just one is needed, because most of the time I'm out all day and don't change before dinner.

This was an excellent idea for a thread! Thank you!

Thanks for the kind comments about starting this thread! I hope it will contain info helpful to many. I can't comment on pinning this as that's up to the @Moderator. Nice idea, though!

Sarongs (two) - thin and can be used as towel, wrap, scarf, jacket. Or buy one!
Dual chargers as mentioned - most rooms have very few outlets.
We take a zippered lined grocery bag that keeps food cold. Great substitute for a cooler, and we love to cook, so inside we put two plastic wine cups stuffed with spices and herbs from home. Don't forget the salt and pepper :)
Flashlight.
Put our meds in tiny ziplocs labeled, takes us much less room that way.
Rollable packable sun hat.
Don't bother with a wine opener, security has confiscated them multiple times (even tho a small size one is legal according to the website). Buy one upon arrival.
Nail clippers and tiny scissors.

Like Sanomh, I like to take the new laundry sheets no matter what country I am going to. I like Earth Breeze and cut them into half sheets for small European washers and further cut some smaller for the inevitable sink washing. Put them in a small Ziploc.

Also on my always-use list, a reusable bag for groceries or other purchases. I carry one of the fabric type that roll up very small and slip into pocket or purse.

Skip the bug spray. 5 years of living in Rome and many trips to and around Italy I have never used it.

S2Mahoney - you asked about a light jacket in July. If you're really trying to limit packing, maybe you could just go with a sarong/scarf idea. I'm not a good scarf wearer, but I've read many suggestions for carrying a very light weight one in the summer, in case you wear sleeveless or short shorts and need to cover shoulders or legs in churches. If it's lightweight enough, you can always tie it to your waist or handbag/backpack when not needed. That amount of coverage is probably all you would need for evenings as well. Last May in Sicily, I packed a 3/4 sleeve white cotton sweater and really never needed it, ended up carrying when going out to dinner in the evening, but not wearing it. The only place I needed a jacket was Mt. Etna.

Mosquitoes- spray, wipes. YES! I wouldn’t have made it through last fall without them. I read both never mind and by all means here. I’m in the by all means group. They love me! If you don’t attract them here, then no, you won’t there either.
Had to have a lightweight white linen dress-never wore it and it won’t be going this fall! Thank goodness it wasn’t an expensive purchase.
Yes to plug adaptors, specially if they have extra receptacles on them besides USB ports. We actually carry three for two of us and use them all.
Sunscreen that you prefer even though available in Europe.
Personal, but I took makeup and never wore any except mascara. Only that going this next time. Use a good SPF instead.
We each took a travel yoga mat-one would have been fine. Again, kind of personal choice.
Knitting-never had time so none this next time and I love to knit.

LOL-most of this won’t apply to many of you, but there you go!

I am generally in Italy in July. don’t think a light jacket is needed in July at any of those locations. I usually pack a very light sweater which takes minimum space in the suitcase. That is usually enough for the occasional not so hot night (for example after a rain storm) but frankly I don’t remember having to put a sweater in Florence or Rome in July in years.

While there in Sept of 2021 I found it much warmer than expected and my clothes were too casual and modest for the nights (I had primarily packed tee shirts with skirts and sandals).

I got reusable cutlery at Old Navy. Heavy plastic fork/knife/spoon w container, all about the size of an electric toothbrush. Great for room picnics (in any country.)

This is what I brought last September for two weeks in Italy. I didn’t wish I had brought anything additional, and everything listed was used:

What I wear on the plane:
3/4 sleeve B&W top
Pashmina scarf
Black pants
Underwear
Keen Sandals
Money belt with: Passport, CDC Card , 2 ATM Cards, 1 Credit Card, Euro large bills
What is in my day pack:
5 Coffee Nescafe sticks (to survive time zone changes & avoid migraines)
3 Individual Bags of nuts
2 Protein bars
Itinerary, reservation tickets
iPad
Purse is inside my day pack when taking transportation; otherwise, I only carry a purse during the day. (contents listed here:)
PHONE
Reading glasses
Mints
Some TP
2 pens & paper
Purple Coin purse
Purell individual sanitizer packs
What is in my suitcase: (This is in addition to what I wear on the plane.)
2 washable dresses
3 tops
1 long sleeve micro-thin thermal scoop neck top (can wear as a second layer or by itself with a scarf for dinner)
1 Black capris
2 scarves
4 panties, 2 bras
1 culotte slip
Lightweight nightie
iPhone/iPad chargers
Small flashlight
3 Electrical Adapters
Collapsible silicone cup - for coffee & to not use hotel bathroom cups
Lightweight Toiletry Kit contents:
Comb
Toothbrush/2 travel toothpastes
Razor
Lightweight sunscreen
Mascara & Eyebrow mascara
Lipstick/Burts Bees balm
Crystal Deodorant
Dry makeup remover cloths
Meds
Conditioner - tiny concentrated tube, like a small toothpaste (several hotels don’t provide hotel conditioner in Italy)
Q-tips
Necklace & extra earrings
Columbia raincoat
Shoe bag for dirty laundry
A few ziploc bags
Earthbreeze detergent sheets in a small Ziploc to wash laundry in the sinks
A backup pair of reading glasses
2 KN95 masks; 3 Covid home kits (fit them into one box)
A small bag that rolls into a tiny ball - good for grocery stores (they want you to bring your own bag) & also if you decide to do a little shopping or go to the beach.
1 Plastic silverware

Hi SOTL,

What did you mean by too casual?

my clothes were too casual and modest for the nights

-- Mike Beebe

Great list, @Jean. Thanks for sharing!

Wish I had packed
Body Lotion
Sarong--I packed a camping towel which was awesome, but I don't have a very large one--worked well to roll up for a neck roll on the lounger, but a sarong can serve to line your lounger at the beach.
More socks--did two pairs, but preferred my sneakers over walking sandles...

Did not use
Brought too many books to read
Some of my emergency OTC meds, but I would still bring them bc I don't like to scramble in crisis or while sick.

My own category--used, but still wish I hadn't brought:
Ugly travelon antitheft bag--I think a tight cross body purse would be fine so long as you tend to be vigilant. If you're a little spacey, the travel bags are probably great, but I hold onto my purse all the time. I miss my more sylish bag. The ugly bag in a place like Italy was especially out of place with the beutiful leather

FYI, I did need to buy some rx while in Italy, and prices were very reasonable, and no prescription was needed. Pharmacies are all over the place.