Honeymoon Packing - Autumn in Italy

I suggest the Travel Fashion Girl website as a resource on how to pack lightly. I have a similar bag from Ebags that was significantly cheaper and has held up well, but maybe has less compartments. I just wish I had something that had a more substantial waist belt like on a hiking backpack for more support.

Hi Joe, I'm sure with an entire year to plan her wardrobe your fiancee will have no problem packing carryon, particularly if she has a personal item that holds her purse and items needed on the flight, etc. for her underseat bag. Carryon does not mean one bag to all people on this board. Most important, I would first make sure she does not have a preference for a wheeled suitcase as compared to the Aeronaut 45. I've always felt a backpack type bag made me look too rough and/or feel sweaty and grungy, even when I was much younger. So if I were you, I'd start with that scenario and listen to the women not the men regarding the carryon. (No offense men) That's not saying many women don't like to always carry their bag, but I'm not convinced it is majority of women who want to carry non wheeled bags.
I have a suitcase addiction so have tried many wheeled carryons. Presently, I'm happy with the RS 20" carryon. I actually pack heavier than I did when I was younger…I aim for 20 lbs plus my underseat bag. I think the underseat bag might help her to feel like she has more space to pack her belongings in. I managed to pack for my daughter's UK wedding and related parties in such a bag so it can be done and one can look very nice and not too repetitious. Consider the RS euro bag for her underseat bag. I have a Sherpa Sojourn that I often use as my underseat bag, but if she likes a large purse, the euro bag might work better.

Again, most importantly, make sure she's happy to always carry her bag before you get the Aeronaut 45, which is a great bag, but… You don't want to set the precedent of carrying her bag because she's tired, etc. Regardless, Have a great time planning, packing and traveling! Wray

We are Tom Bihn users also - we have an A45 each, a Med. Cafe Bag for me, and a Co Pilot for my husband (as our daily carry bags) and we are about to take a trip next month to Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast. We, of course, have lots of TB accessories/organizers too (love the Travel Tray). I will definitely let you know how things were for us. We also each bought a RS 20in Rolling Carry on (just in case we decide to go that route instead of the A45 on our shoulder) and the RS HideAway Tote (on SALE right now), and a Euro Flight Bag. We plan on 'CarryOn' only on the way there, but may 'check' a bag on return trip home if we end up buying stuff (that's why we got the HideAway Tote and EuroBag -- they just had a great LaborDay sale - they run sales often). I'm planning on putting my TB Med. Cafe Bag inside my RS Euro Bag for the trip over and keep it at my feet. The HideAway Tote will stay folded up in my Med.Cafe Bag for any purchases we make during the day. Seems like the weather will be 50s at night and 70s to low 80s during the day. I'm planning mostly on Capri pants and light-weight 3/4sleeve tops that hang low/thigh area with some Merino wool Cami underneath. They don't weigh anything & are wrinkle free. We 'sink wash' often, so we pack for about 4 days worth. I take colors that go together and mix & match and a lightweight scarf changes the whole look. I may take one black skirt. We plan on a trial packing this weekend - we can't decide if we want the A45 or 20in RS Rolling CarryOn - lots of steps & cobblestone & train travel - so we want what's easiest for that. We will let you know.

I was going to mention the roller versus backpack issue but Wray beat me to it. If you buy the Bihn bag for her, you are making the choice for her instead of letting her decide. Not all women are happy with a backpack or shoulder-carry bag. I am actually fine with a backpack (although it does make me feel frumpy too), but I absolutely cannot carry a bag that size on my shoulder or with the handle. I am strong and fit, but it still hurts my back. So I am a roller-bag fan.

Also, do you know what airline you will use? Some have a very strict 55 cm limit, and there is a proposal to make that more widely applicable. Your Bihn bag is 55.5 cm which is fine because you can squish it a bit if they ask you to put it in the sizer. But many so-called 22" bags will not fit (especially roller bags because of the rigid frame). FWIW, BA's limit is 56 cm, not 55, so a 22" roller bag is OK with them. They do limit the size of the "personal item", however.

We spent the entire month of October in Venice in 2013, and it never got cold. I brought a cashmere sweater which I never wore. (The Venetian women, however, seem to view Oct. 1 as the day to don a black wool coat or jacket, regardless of the weather.)

We are returning for a few days this October and I will take less---and watch, it will turn cold! In any case, you should have rain jackets. And if she is a "scarf person" she should take several.

Thank you all for the replies and comments, they are much appreciated.

I should have edited the original post, but my fiancee is not opposed to a carried bag, so I was more or less interested in recommendations for a carry-only bag versus a wheeled one, which we used for her last trip with me to London. One of the things my fiancee brought up last night was that with a wheeled bag she felt as if the importance of packing light was minimized - after all, why worry about weight if the bag isn't being carried?

I was leaning towards the Aeronaut 45 because of my experiences and appreciation for the bag, and know that if at the end of the day I wind up carrying both bags, I can easily put one on my back and hand carry the second. However, if there is a bag that users find more suited to a woman that can be carried, I would love to hear the recommendations.

We would both like to have one bag for the trip, as well as a single day bag that could pull double duty as her purse. I was going to utilize my trusty RS Civita Day Pack. We don't carry much on vacation that would go in a bag, but if the ladies think it's better to have a purse than not, there's no reason she couldn't bring it along. Just curious.

Thanks,
Joe

Joe, you might want to consider the Red Oxx Sky Train. I am a 5'3" female in my mid-50s and that is my "pack on my back" of choice. You can find them on www.redoxx.com. I love all of the Red Oxx products, but the Sky Train is my fav and it comes in 12 colors so your fiancée can pick her favorite color. The Red Oxx products are made in the U.S. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Hi Joe, I just want to remind you or your fiancee that one does have to carry the wheeled bag when faced with stairs, lift it into overhead bins, etc. That's why I keep mine to a 20 lb max. There is still the problem of carrying, even if thirty seconds at a time vs all the time, so your fiancee would need to pack light regardless of the bag choice, but not have to schlep it all the time. But I have friends that prefer to carry all the time, so again, her choice. Another nice thing about one wheeled bag is the non wheeled bag can rest on top of it and be wheeled as well. This is particularly handy in airports and train stations. Nonetheless, I'm sure she will be fine with a backpack, but let me say this again: Do not carry her luggage for her. If she can't carry it, she shouldn't packed so much! Don't set that precedent! LOL, Best, Wray

Joe, Having been married a LONG time, I have at least learned this- she will do what she will do!

If your fiancé is anticipating packing a fair amount into a wheeled bag, you might want to look at the Osprey ozone. I've had one for a few years, and I really like it. Incredibly light, and yet strong enough to survive being checked (which I usually do on the way home). I also usually throw in a Sea to Summit collapsible bag, which weighs less than 3 ounces, and in its stuff sack, is small enough to fit on a key ring. That gives me freedom to bring back "extras".

For cold-weather, which I've encountered in Venice in October, I find that a fleece zip up and an REI rainproof shell keeps me very warm and weighs almost nothing. For something warm that looks a little nicer, I buy one or two shawls in Italy – the type you see at street stalls. They dress up a simple black outfit enough that I feel comfortable at a nice restaurant or concert.

Thank you all for the packing and clothing suggestions. We were talking about the bag options again last night, and will definitely be adding Red Oxx to the list. My fiancee has a good head on her shoulders, and (thankfully) knows that she's responsible for carrying her own bag. We may explore the wheeled options based on the recommendations provided; but it will just require extra diligence to make sure it stays at a reasonable weight limit. I have no concerns about her shopping in Italy for scarves and/or shawls; shopping is the least of my worries!

Joe