Do I need to pack the Swimsuit?

What time of year are you going? RS outlines the itinerary for his tours and the description I read indicates there may be an opportunity to “sit by the pool” while you stay at a Tuscan villa. Be sure to check the itinerary description before packing the swimsuit.

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/europe-14-days

Assuming that your going in June- August, the only place that you would use it is Cinque Terra and then it depends which town your staying in. Monterosso has a beach, the other towns have some swimming areas by where the ferry docks but I probably wouldn't swim there.

I wouldn't take the swim suit, I don't think you will actually use it and it will just take up space in your bag.

Short answer: no

The agriturismo in the Tuscany area has a pool. We didn’t swim there, but we had a rainy day there. If you want to just relax by the pool & not actually swim, you can still do that in a pair of shorts or a sundress. Otherwise, I don’t think you have any swimming locations (Cinque Terre is on the 21-day itinerary).

No. There will be some other many things that may peak your interest.

Follow the "Pack light" advice and take this --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n56E3kScoN8&list=RDn56E3kScoN8&index=1

Absolutely! I take my swim suit on every trip all 4 seasons because you never know if there’s an opportunity to swim. Roll it up tightly and put a rubber band around it. It will take up MINIMAL space; you’re not packing ski boots or a big winter coat after all! 😉

If you can compress it so it’s not like hauling around an obstructive boat anchor, it’s better to have it and not use it, than to want it and not have it.

Other option, which could come with any number of complications: buy a new swimsuit over there. It’ll make a nice souvenir.

If the one of the hotels has a pool or a adjacent beach, why not?

If you've got it, flaunt it as the saying goes.

I always pack a swimsuit. Sometimes I am surprised when a hotel has a pool or hot tub. But I also like to swim regularly, so I take every opportunity to swim.

May as well. Doesn't take up much space and you'll be glad you have it you need it.

Maybe bring some shorts and a tank top/sports bra that you could use if you really wanted to go for a swim, but could also do double duty as something you could sleep in? I’ve hopped in a hotel pool in a tank top and jogging shorts when I forgot my suit. No one really cares.

If I think I might have the opportunity to swim, I pack my swimsuit. It takes up very little space. But I am a lap swimmer so I really enjoy the opportunity to swim.

If your hotel had a pool or you stayed at a nice beach, would you be disappointed if you couldn’t swim? Only you know the answer to that question.

My travel swim suit is a sports bra and swim pants. The sports bra gets worn for other purposes and the swim pants take up no more space than a pair of bikini underwear.

another vote for taking it! you may have more opportunities than you can anticipate, and in the scheme of things it won't take up much space. my new mantra when traveling is "all the things!", like going into the water even if it's a bit chilly, and finding a few spare minutes to take a dip in any pool at our accommodations.

I forgot to mention that I'm going May 8th. We start in Rome, so the temps, averaging the past 2 years, are 60-80.

I do love to swim, but the only hotel with a pool is in Florence, at the Hotel Tenuta il Burchio. It doesn't say that it's heated. I think I'll just try the sports bra and bikini bottoms to save space.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and responses!

remember if it is a pool it costs a lot of energy to heat a pool, and with the current costs of energy many places are cutting back on non-essentials. You may find the pool closed or cold.

If you won’t use an item at least three times, leave it at home.

I was on this tour last year. About 10 people got in the pool the rest of us just sat on the edge in shorts and put our feet in. The water was cold and the daytime temp was in the mid 80's in first of June. There were no other opportunities to wear a swim suit after that. Plus if you wear a swim suit, you need it to dry before packing up the next day.