17 day trip in June to Italy. First time tryiing the Light packing suggestions of Rick Steves. Now the big choice bag with or with out wheels. I am 48 years old and I am able to carry a back pack. Plan to travel mostly by train. would love to hear advice from thanks Debothers. Flying on Alitalia so will have to check the bag.
Posted by
Petaluma, Northern California
345 posts
Have you read the threads about Alitalia baggage handling?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23534 posts
Deb, use the search box. This is discussed forever. And the conscience is 50% favor rolling and 50% favor backpacks.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
One thing Deb - if you DO get a bag with wheels, make sure it's one with the tough roller skate/skateboard style wheels. Italian cobblestone can be a killer on the plastic standard kind. <--Trust, me, broken wheels is no fun. (half way through a 3 mo trip).
Otherwise, I think it's just personal travel style. How much will you be carrying your bag? If you have it with you all the time, wheels are nice. If not, backpack is probably fine. Compromise and get one of the wheeled backpacks perhaps. :)
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1893 posts
No Wheels
Posted by
Freedonia
15961 posts
You'll find people on both sides of the aisle on this one...and they defend their beliefs.
There are pros and cons to both. There are a few sites on the net dedicated to one bag travel. They may help you to not only pick a bag but also find ways to pack efficiently:
Onebag.com
1bag1world.com