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Packed contents for 3 Weeks in southern Italy - details

I packed this afternoon for my upcoming trip to southern Italy and thought the details might be helpful for someone else wanting or needing to pack very light. I dropped 4+ pounds off of my previous total from last year. The motivation this time is to reduce stress on a knee that’s feeling much better now - just don’t want to hurt it during the trip.

I stayed with my Cotopaxi even though I could have dropped more off with the G4Free 1 pound backpack. My reasoning is that my Cotopaxi is so predicable (I could almost pack it with my eyes closed) which simplifies travel when I am changing cities 12 times during this trip. I did eliminate the Sherpani tote, and I am just bringing my lightweight ORI London Kennington crossbody purse.

Cotopaxi packed = 10.6 pounds & ORI purse packed = 2.4 pounds.

I am staying at locations 1-2 nights, so I don’t need a variety of outfits. I will wear a pants/shirt outfit on the plane, plus my Columbia rain jacket.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L contents:
1. Tom Bihn Large Tray: Adapters, Money belt, Bar of soap, OTC meds, 2 pens, Tiny flashlight, thin notepad, extra pair of reading glasses, glasses screwdriver. This filled = 12.15 oz.
2. Jewelry in a LeSportsac 3-zip. 1 necklace, 1 bracelet, 2 earrings. This filled = 3.65 oz.
3. Old Eagle Creek Pack-it System toiletry bag. Comb, toothbrush, toothpastes, prescription meds, mascara, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner crayon, lipstick, Burts Bees, foundation, deodorant, q-tips, makeup remover clothes, bandaids, paper tape wrapped around a golf pencil <3, athletes foot cream, silicone bathroom cup. Total = 19.5 oz.
4. Clothes. 2 dresses, 1 formal scarf, 2 shirts, 1 legging, nightie. Total = 39.7 oz.
5. Cotopaxi square packing cube. 4 underwear, 1 bra. Total = 9.5 oz.
6. Snacks. 2 packages of peanuts, 5 sticks of instant coffee, 1 roll of Mentos. Total = 6.25 oz.
7. iPad Mini. Total = 15.9 oz.
8. Any papers have not been packed, yet.
9. My chargers weren’t packed, yet.

ORI purse contents:
Sketching supplies, Phone, Reading glasses, pen, Purell singles, Lipstick, Change purse (also known as my gelato coins stash!), Mints, Post-its.

Posted by
2382 posts

Congratulations, Jean! I think you'll be happier with the Cotopaxi. Have a great trip.

Posted by
10689 posts

Gelato coins stash = the most important thing you bring !!

I am amazed you have been able to cut even more weight from your usual light packing. I agree you will be happier with your Cotopaxi (and anyway you confirmed that for yourself by trying out the wheeled bag last weekend!)

But no peanut M&Ms??!! (I don't remember your response on that thread - you may be like me and don't eat them ! I go for the ones with rice krispies inside)

Posted by
3050 posts

I too would stick with the known, so the Cotopaxi for the win again :)

I can't wait to hear how the trip goes!

Posted by
8307 posts

Kim, if I buy overpriced peanut M&M’s at the airport and eat them during a flight, I guess they wouldn’t count as extra weight! LOL! Yes, I do like them. : )

I would give up all gelato if I could eat Puglia’s wonderful pasticciotto each day! Wow, they are SO delicious. Hmm, I know exactly where to pick them up at Bari & Polignano a Mare. ; )

Posted by
6289 posts

Jean, have a great trip! Seems like four outfits total, if I counted correctly. What's your itinerary, if you don't mind sharing? Safe travels,

Posted by
15 posts

Jean,
Just "Wow"! I am packing light for the first time and am thrilled to have my roller bag and personal item weigh in at 25 pounds total. I'm trying to figure out how to shave off a few more pounds! You are an inspiration!

Posted by
8307 posts

Hi Pat, here’s my itinerary. I have an inexpensive non-refundable B&B at Giovinazzo on the day that I decided later to go back to Alberobello. I was able to reserve the same trullo, and it makes me happy to go there. But, if there’s some transportation glitch, I will stay in Giovinazzo. Otherwise, I may scoot out to Giovinazzo during an afternoon in Bari since the main activities are at night.

Land in Rome - 1 night.
Trani - 2 nights
Matera - 2 nights
Alberobello - 1 night
Bari - 2 nights (back for the San Nicola festival)
Ostuni - 2 nights
Monopoli - 1 night
Conversano - 1 night
Polignano a Mare - 2 nights (back to my same very special room with the amazing balcony)
Caserta - 1 night
Tivoli - 2 nights
Rome - 1 night, plus a last night out at the Hilton Airport hotel.

Trani, Matera, Ostuni, Monopoli, Conversano & Tivoli are new to me.

Posted by
11953 posts

Wow! You are covering a lot of great little towns! I am envious of your whittling down clothes so much. But warm weather travel makes it easier. Have a blast!

Posted by
4472 posts

Jean, I love that you even though many items went bye-bye you still pack some jewelry. A girl still has to feel pretty.

Posted by
2142 posts

Very impressive. I do want you to consider though that the peanut m & m's could be considered a health food as the peanuts contain important nutrients. Voila, thus they go from secondary item to a primary item when prioritizing what to pack. I am also amazed that even though you have packed so light you have included make up AND jewelry. I throw some earrings in a snack bag and put an eyebrow pencil in my purse and call it done. What do you use to weigh each item?

Posted by
3264 posts

Wow Jean! If I can get my RS rolling carryon and RuMe tote personal item combined below 25lbs I’d be thrilled. I seriously have to follow your guidelines and rethink my packing list!
Thanks for posting!

Posted by
8307 posts

Barbara, I found a new black dress at a special shop in town that’s very pretty and made of a very lightweight but dressy-looking fabric that keeps its shape. It has a cowl neckline and an angled hem. When I tried it on, I immediately thought about some thicker earrings and a dressy bracelet I have with black & gold accents, and I’m good to go for Italian dinners! That’s the beauty of traveling solo & switching cities often; I can wear it over & over again. It dries in less than three hours after washed - tested it at home.

Posted by
8307 posts

Laurie Beth, I weigh my items with a kitchen scale. I place a bowl on the scale, zero the weight & place the item in or on top of the bowl.

For the larger weights, I step on the scale with & without the Cotopaxi, for instance, and subtract the difference.

Posted by
8307 posts

Horsewoofie, I don’t know if you pack a capsule wardrobe, but I don’t. I count how many days before I can have an outfit clean & dry again. All of my shirts & dresses easily dry overnight. And since I wash my clothes every night in the sink, I can get by with just these. Actually, I bring 1 more shirt than I need at a minimum, but I always wear pants on train days. Two of my shirts are pretty ones; one is a 32 degree long-sleeve for wearing with my rain jacket if cold, or I wear it in the evening with my formal scarf draped over it with the necklace.

Posted by
987 posts

I’m another one happy if I can keep my total under 25 lbs. I’m very impressed!