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Details for Packing Light - September trip to northern Italy

I am filing away my trip paperwork of my recent trip and thought this might be helpful. I always review what I brought for any tweaks for next year’s May or September packing list. During this review, there’s nothing that is getting removed or added.

Because of the sporadic heavy rain forecast, I did bring a small umbrella that I planned to donate to a hotel after the first week….which I did.

My carry on weighed 14 pounds packed with the umbrella.

Two items on the plane:
-Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
-ORI Kennington nylon crossbody purse (I keep this down to bare essentials, especially during the day.)

Worn on the plane: thicker black leggings, 3/4 sleeve patterned top, Keen sandals, watch, earrings, underwear.

Clothing packed:
3 dresses - all of them washable in a sink & dry overnight.
1 short sleeve patterned top, a 32 Degree long sleeve plum top, 1 scarf from my previous Spain trip
Columbia black rain jacket & black flats for concert/evening shoes.
Short cotton nightie, underwear.

(The plum top was never worn, even as a top with the scarf for evenings. The weather stayed warmer than I was expecting.)

Toiletry Kit:
Comb, a Pantene tiny tube Rescue shot used as an occasional hair conditioner, toothbrush/paste/dental floss. Makeup: foundation in a tiny sample jar, mascara, eyebrow mascara, eyeliner, lipstick. Deodorant, Oil of Olay makeup remover clothes cut in half, Q-tips, Athlete’s foot cream (seldom need but always bring), OTC meds & prescriptions loaded into 2 tiny days-of-week containers.

Misc:
Money belt w/ passport, Euros, 2 credit cards & 2 ATM cards, drivers license brought in case I need to leave something at a bike rental shop. (I never leave my passport with them.)

A LeSportSac 3-zip small jewelry holder with two pairs of earrings & a necklace. (Bought an extra necklace I planned in Torino.)

In a gallon Ziploc:
-1 foldable hanger (sometimes I bring two. They’re very nice for underwear or dresses drying.)
-Purell individual packets - my essential for trains’ bathrooms, before a meal, etc.
-A gallon & a quart Ziploc (didn’t need them this trip, but sometimes I use for leftover veggies)
-Post-its

Tom Bihn large size travel tray. This sits on the bedside table:
-Extra pair of reading glasses
-An extra pen
-Tiny flashlight (had to add a small ribbon, so I don’t lose it in my coat pocket!)
-Eyeglass mini screwdriver
-Phone & iPad chargers

Other:
-Smaller size iPad
-Mesh zipper with reservations/tickets/hand-maps. (I throw them away as I travel & usually acquire some favorite ticket stubs, a few brochures & some gelato spoons in return.)

Helpful hints:
If you’re wanting to pack lighter (if not, stop reading - LOL!) - Weigh every decision with items placed into a kitchen scale. For example - I have three possible toiletry kits, but after weighing each one, it’s easy to decide which one is my European travel one.

I will select dresses and weigh each one. Then I hang the five lightest ones on the front of the guest bedroom closet door. Which ones need a scarf to look nice? I like a variety of color during my trip; are three of them too similar in color? I hang them there for a week to have time to think through what makes the most sense. After I pick the two or three, I leave those hanging there. Do I still like my decision a week later? If so, that’s the final choice.

If the weather had suddenly changed to an unexpected cold, there were plenty of shops in even the small cities I stayed to buy something - didn’t need to do. And I do like to go into a pharmacy during my trip to pick up toothpaste. I’m enjoying the last bit of the Marvis tube at home now.

Posted by
3468 posts

Jean, I aspire to your packing weight! I don't wear dresses, or that's what I've always said, BUT after reading about your Royal Robbins navy blue tank top dress, I purchased one similar in June (sleeveless, but not the tank). I will admit I wore it more than once a week this summer. It is now folded away for the winter, taking up so little room in the off season drawer. I might be coming around and I see how much easier it would be to just have 3 dresses rather than tops and bottoms. I've also been known to wash it out in the sink at home for the next day. So, that dress was a great suggestion.

IF I ever travel in the summer, it will take the place of one pant and top. (I'm a 3 tops and 2 bottoms packed). So, I guess never say never to dresses. Although, like you, I would not wear it when traveling between locations. So thanks for that tip!

Posted by
8881 posts

Wray, I’m glad that specific dress suggestion is giving you more options that you like. The true test is how often you reach for those same clothes at home! ; )