What size and type of Luggage?

My husband and I travelled in Italy for four weeks in September/October with one medium suitcase on wheels each and a backpack. We are each responsible for our own luggage on trains and steps. Does your Tuscany accommodation have a washer? We rented apartments in Florence and Positano for a week that had a washer and hung clothes on the line on the balcony. I would pack lightweight (Dri Fit) tops (one and short sleeved) and layer, layer and layer. We each had a rain coat with a hood and only two pairs of shoes. Be sure to keep your medication with you in your backpack.

For 17 nights a year ago March from Paris down to Salerno, we purchased two Samsonite 21" Lift2 spinner suitcases. With extended wheels they are 24" high, so they're just a tad too big to carry-on planes. But additionally my wife had a Vera Bradley soft bag that we did carry on, and I had my satchel-size CPAP bag that didn't hold much else except my machine & my meds. That was it. With the telescopic handles we were able to perch each smaller bag snugly atop each Samsonite. Mobility-wise, it worked great on flat surfaces, which was most of the time. On European cobblestones, had to go on tilt to two wheels, which was fine. On trains, bottom & side handles allow the bag--which is 7 lbs empty and 23 lbs full but not to the gills--to be hoisted onto the overhead rack with ease.

RE: packing--find a YouTube showing the 'military roll' for shirts, sweats, jeans--it saves tons of room. Wash-and-wear is the name of the game--bring nothing that needs to be ironed. No more than two pairs of shoes apiece, preferably one. What time of spring? If early spring, you may need a lightweight down jacket or vest, the kind that folds into its own pocket. That and a fleece should be all you need. Hat and gloves if necessary. Buy a scarf over there. Yes, we bought some of Rick's mesh storage cubes, and darned if they didn't keep everything in order quite nicely, thank you.

Oh, one more thing. To bring goodies home, we also bought a 'Don't Tell Rick' vinyl tote bag that folded flat in one of the suitcases. Invaluable on the way home, trekking from Naples to Munich to Chicago. We carried it on but apparently you can check them through as well.

Plan on doing wash once during your trip, so if Cortona is your base find out the location of the lavenderia. Pack for 9-10 days which should give you plenty of room if you do it smartly.

Enjoy your planning...and your packing!

Yes, it is too much luggage. ( assuming medium is 25").
For years we have used a 22" wheeled luggage each for trips up to six weeks long.. Rick Steves bags, sadly not available any more.. Easy, can carry on. Always use storage cubes. You most likely will have a washing machine which means less clothing needed. Easy situation as not traveling every few days. Add to that a small carry one or backpack each for medications, electronics.
Bring a rain jacket and small umbrella. What time in the spring are you going? Shoes- one walking, one dressier. Maybe sandals. For two weeks, you don't need to bring a lot. You can buy any toiletries you may need so pack travel size. Pack several European plug adapters. GPS Is very helpful with European maps. We have a Garmin and can buy a chip for different maps. But also bring regional paper maps. Barnes and Nobles has them. Enjoy this trip!

In July 2016 my husband and I went on the Villages of Southern England RS tour of 13 days plus 5 extra nights in London. Each of us used the Rick Steves Rolling Carry-on Bag 21 inch, wheels included in the 21 inches (on sale on RS website now). If you have a regular 22"bag, wheels not included, it may work better for your husband especially if he takes an extra pair of shoes. In addition I used a back pack in which I carried my meds, toiletries, an empty cross-body nylon purse for later, one rolled up T-shirt, one underwear and socks, eye mask, inflatable neck pillow and earplugs, rolled up fleece and a book. My extra pair of shoes were in the bottom of the back pack as well, wrapped in shower caps. I wanted everything with me which I would dearly miss if somehow I were separated from my luggage. My back pack was pretty heavy, maybe 8-9 pounds but I didn't have difficulty carrying it and I'm a senior .
My husband used a messenger bag for his extra bag. We carried our bags onto the plane. We prefer not to be in the situation where

the airplane loses our luggage.

It takes careful planning but you can get enough stuff for 2-3 weeks in the Rolling bag. You will have to do laundry even if washing in the sink.

I took two pair of pants folded in thirds, packed in the zipper compartment (inside the bag) and also a lite-weight pair of capris. Of course depending on how warm it will be you might substitute capris for a pair of long pants. I took 8 tops. One was long sleeved. Everyone has their preference but I like cotton-modal. I took two long sleeved button up shirts to wear over the top as light cover up for slightly cooler days. I had my light fleece from my back pack for chilly days or evenings. You will need some kind of rain jacket which can be packed in the outer zipper pocket of the luggage(the long zipper along the front edge). I took a very light short night gown and folded it to fit into one of the outside pockets. I bought packing cubes and tried them but they didn't work for me. I prefer 1 or 2 gallon freezer bags. I fold the T-shirts and get several in each bag. I can lift the bags out of the suitcase at the hotel and set aside. I pack 2 or 3 button-up shirts in each bag for my husband We have taken 10 Rick Steves tours and packed much the same for each one learning how to pack right here on this website.

We have used Rick's small rolling carry-on bags for two Italy trips and that's it, the most recent trip being 10 weeks. Believe me, you can definitely do better with minimal luggage, especially if train travel is involved. Also used his mesh bags inside the luggage for compressing and organizing clothing. They were great.

You should each only pack a 21 or 22 inch suitcase with a backpack.

Wear your heaviest clothing - whether it's pants/jeans, scarf/pashmina, and any jacket you decide you need. You should wear your walking shoes and pack only 1 more pair - no more.

For the spring, you only need 1 more pair of pants/jeans and 2-3 more long sleeves, with a selection of short and 3/4 sleeve to layer under the long sleeve if the weather is cool.

Remember, you never pack clothing for each day - you take clothing to mix and match and wear over and over !

Look at travelfashiongirl.com and viviennefiles.com for clothing capsules.

Good tip to wear your heaviest clothing and shoes on the plane. Pack a second pair, if you walk a lot each day you may want a change for evenings.

I take a 20" rolling carryon plus a Civita or Ravenna daybag for the flight. I pack a very lightweight microfiber messenger bag which is my daily bag. This is for 90+ days (some are non-Schengen). I roll clothing and put everything in packing cubes. Sink wash and lavanderia.

Unless you need special event or sporting clothes, one week's wardrobe plus one day is a good rule of thumb.

You will find lots of helpful hints in the Travel Forum category "Tips & Trip Reports" & topic "Packing".

Short answer - yes, that's too much to bring if you really want to enjoy your trip. We took a RS trip 13 years ago and have never since checked a bag (I can check them for free with Delta). My suitcase is the Eddie Bauer Medium Expedition and my hubby has a RS roller bag. He also brings a backpack.

Since you will be in an apartment, take advantage of having a washing machine. Otherwise, you can quickly hand wash a few items each night. We usually take turns washing a few items while the other person is checking e-mail, etc. We each bring 4-5 outfits, plus a jacket. I also bring a pair of long pants and a few scarves to look nicer in the evening.

Ditto the above. Do not get a case bigger than 22"x14"x9". Use a daypack, purse or tote bag as a supplement. Each time I pack - I go smaller. I have used larger suitcases on trains, but "saw the light" and carry only a backpack now after downsizing to a 22" case. I could manage a 26" case, but prefer not to after a previous experience.

I recommend ebags.com for packing cubes. I like bright colors. Easy to see and harder to leave behind. I recommend one value set of classic cubes (small, medium, large) and one set of slimline cubes (small, medium, large) per person. This will serve you well. You can then adjust as needed for future trips. Definitely roll your clothes (tops and pants) like small logs.
You are going to get a lot of responses here. We all seem to get excited about packing on this forum.

Carla nailed it. Having done multiple trips to Europe I would never carry more than that. We were there 3 weeks last summer and, once again, all carry on's. We prefer spinners, 21 inch. We both have TravelPro but I've got my eye on a pricey Briggs & Riley (I've got a bad luggage fetish). I find spinners so easy to get down the aisle on planes and are far better for my bad low back which gets torqued with 2 wheel models. Having had luggage lost in the distant past, we don't check bags outbound. If we buy too many souvenirs, maybe on the way home, but we try to avoid it. If you don't think you can pack all you need in a small suitcase watch this and notice that rack of clothes he starts with. This is how we pack, it works. Only thing is we dont use that little bag he does for socks and underwear, we just lay those on the bottom: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

For two weeks -- most likely the only person who will see you every day is your husband, and he probably won't care/notice if you wear exactly the same clothes day after day (as long as they get washed before they start smelling.) Many people will admit that two or three shirts/pants got the bulk of the usage, and several other items could have been left home without being missed
My husband and I traveled eight weeks this spring with one 22" rollaboard and one "personal item" each (mine was the Euro tote) and we were able to get on and off trains and manage public transit to and from our hotels. Laundromat stop every 7-10 days, sink laundry as needed. I love packing cases for organizing, he likes zip lock bags but did find a small case useful for charger cords, adapters and backup battery.
And unlike many posters, we check the rolling bags on both transAtlantic and intraEuropean flights.

Everything we take is black, doesn't show dirt, plus I take 2 colorful scarves and a very lightweight hooded rain jacket, helps keep warm on the planes. I wear my heaviest walking shoes and pack the other. Very small containers of toiletries and microfiber washcloths, no wash cloths in Italy, only small bidet towels you might sub for a washcloth. Anything you run out of you can buy in Italy and ditch before coming home. Like another poster, we always check our bags free on Delta and less hassle than fighting others for overhead bin space, just make sure there's enough time between connecting flights for airline to transfer your baggage.

Here's my suggestion. Pack the suitcases you are planning to take. They don't have to be packed exactly just so that they will weigh approximately what they will on your trip. Then, take them for a walk. Not in your house but in your neighborhood.

See how you feel. Do you like lugging around all that luggage? Is there a way you could cut down to perhaps one rolling bag per person and a secondary non-wheeled bag?

Is it really that difficult to get laundry done while you are away? Not psychologically where you say "I don't want to do laundry" on my vacation but practically saying I can either do it or find a laundry who will do it for me. That way, you can take less.

There are lots of tips on this website, and around the internet for that matter, on how to pack to maximize your space. How you can take less yet still have enough different "outfits" to make yourself happy. (One hint...take only those pieces and colors that go with each other. )

For the ONE night in Florence, it is very simple. Take only one bag and leave the rest at your apartment.

My wife uses a 22" spinner and I use a Rick Steves convertible backpack. Plus two small day packs . We have a collection of quick dry fabric clothing that are perfect for traveling. Plus we try to stay places that at least have a washer or laundry service. Remember, the less the better. Who cares if someone sees you in the same clothes more than once. Happy travels 😎

We were held to 7 kg for a carry on for our Air New Zealand flight last month. I think I am a smart packer, and I still could not get it down to 7 kg !

If you have weight limitations, how does one truly lighten their load ????!!!!

Thank you everyone for all the great advice. I'm still searching for the right luggage at the right price. I know I want spinners and probably each of us getting about a 22" case. My husband a backpack as a carry on. Me I'm not sure yet what to use as a carry on. Maybe something that can be attached to my bag plus a light purse.

My husband uses a medium sized bag from Target that is big enough it has to be checked. I carry a Eagle Creek Tarmac carry-on size that I absolutely love and enthusiastically recommend. We both carry backpacks of our own choice. I also bring a very small cross-body purse. This method works well for us. We strategically plan for a B&B that will let us do laundry which is a big time saver. Will your apartment have laundry? Even if not, you could probably do some laundry in the sink and air dry it.

I would definitely recommend limiting yourselves to one piece of luggage and one backpack each. You really don't need more than that, especially if you have access to laundry. We have had room to spare to bring back several larger souvenirs on our previous trips.

Not sure what you have close to you but my local Dillard's has had luggage on SUPER sale this weekend...go check it out!

My wife and I used to travel with 25" bags but the last couple of trips we have scaled back to 22" bags with no problems. The reason we downsized was due to the small trunks in rental cars... on our 2013 England trip our large bags digs not quite fit without showing through the hatchback "truck" covering. On my recent solo Italy trip my carry on was only a backpack and I checked by 22" bag. I travel heavy on toiletries and dental hygiene items (electric toothbrush + charger, mouthwash, fluoride rinse), and I can totally make it work with a 22" bag over two weeks. A bonus of 22" bags is that they weigh only around 30 lbs. fully packed. Easier to carry up stairs, along narrow hallways, and onto trains and buses. (As the one often doing the carrying for both of us this is a bonus). Much easier than a larger bag that can be packed up to 50 lbs. We will still use our 25" bags for some domestc trips but for Europe the smaller bags are the way to go. Presumably in an apartment you will have access to a washer dryer, so all the more reason to pack light.