Shower Items Provided in Italy?

Yes, all hotels I've been to had them, as well as a hair dryer.

Or you can buy those items in Italy.

I stayed in mostly 3-star places in Italy last year, and both soap and shampoo were always provided. Sometimes they were the same product, in liquid form. Conditioner was not always there, nor was body lotion, but occasionally they showed up. I always had a hair dryer in the 3-star spots, and I wonder whether that is a requirement for the rating. Note that 3 stars can be pretty basic in Italy.

If you like to have a wash cloth you may want to bring one along, there doesn't seem to be many there.

As mentioned above, you can't count on conditioner being provided every place, so if that matters to you, save one of the bottles where it is provided for later.

Washcloths used to be a rarity, and most Italians don't seem to use them, but this past year I'm noticing that if housekeeping realizes that you're an American they will provide you with one, even if it's actually a hand towel cut in half or a cloth napkin from the cafe downstairs.

The body wash is usually a tiny bar of soap, and the places I stay rarely provide conditioner. If you have dry skin, you might want to stop in a shop in Italy & purchase one of their wonderful olive oil bars of soap.

The three hotels w stayed at all provided shampoo in some form. But in Venice it was just two small packets and I needed it for hand washing some clothes as well as hair. I happened to have a sample size of bar shampoo that I packed and I used that to wash my hair and the hotel provided shampoo for clothes.

Thanks everyone! It sounds like I might need to pack some just in case. The olive oil soap sounds awesome though!

Don't over worry. Pack the minimum and anything else you need just go into the local supermarket or Farmacista. Travel should be an opportunity to try what the country has to offer.

I have rarely seen conditioner or a wash cloth in Europe except in international chain hotels.

katie,

Most of the small hotels I've used in Italy do not provide items like that, although a few may have a shampoo dispenser inside the shower (I've never found conditioner there). You didn't say what kind of hotels you were planning on using, but it would be a good idea to pack TSA sizes of all the items you need, and then replenish those at local stores when you arrive in Italy.

I always check one piece of luggage so never too worried about items that may or may not be provided.

I know Germans for sure and I believe many other Europeans consider a washcloth too personal an item to share - even if laundered in between. So if you like one - bring it.

Could someone explain me what a washcloth is and how it is used?? I'm pretty lost! :)

wash·cloth
ˈwäSHˌklôTH,ˈwôSHˌklôTH/Submit
nounNORTH AMERICAN
a cloth for washing one's face and body, typically made of terry cloth or other absorbent material.

Iy generally matches the hand & bath towels and is about 13" square

I think what we call a wash cloth, the Brits call a face flannel.

And you can pack dry disposable cleansing cloths with soap built in -- wet, wash, toss and no 3-1-1 worries.

Could someone explain me what a washcloth is

This is what I was referring to when I suggested that profiles should be required. Is MR for real or a troll. What is a wash cloth". Is that poster from the US and just being difficult, or are they from another world, where there are no wash clothes?

A wash cloth is a small piece of cloth used by people in the US for washing their bodies, particularly because it carries the soapy water. Germans, for example, consider it a personal item, like a toothbrush, and hotels have not traditionally provided one (but that is changing). I always take my own washcloth to Germany, just in case.

If you travel within Europe, do not take too much liquid soap as then, you will need to register your luggage and pay an additional 20 euros per bag.

"Is MR for real or a troll"

While MR's profile may be "incomplete", a quick look at some of her posts reveals several interesting and quite helpful answers, primarily in the Italy Forum. No need to use the T word here.

No, not a troll! Thank you for your answers. I had read the definition but just did not know how exactly people used it... It has more or less the same function as a loofa, then?

In that case, I can see why it would be a personal item and not found in hotels.

I am going to complete my profile now!

yes, sort of the same purpose as a loofah, but perhaps more like the plastic poof balls - I can't describe it further because I can't think of the words - which get wet and then carry the soap bubbles for cleaning the body with some scrubbing.

It depends a lot on the level of the hotel. Some will have enough little bottles that you can even take a few with you for the rest of your trip, but if you're staying in budget places you are likely to get an all-in-one shower product. If conditioner is important, take some.

Do you have room for a couple empty bottles? You can easily find shampoo and body lotions, though maybe only in regular sizes which you won't want to lug around. Fill them up and leave the rest behind.

Hello MR,

I usually bring 2 wash cloths with me when I travel that way I am covered. I will be spending 2 days in Milan in October and then will go to Varenna to join the RS Best of Italy tour in 17 Days.

Any tips for great restaurants, not the most expensive, but great food. Also, will I be able to get opera tickets at La Scala when I am there, or is it better to buy them in advance? I would love to attend a performance there.

Thanks,
Judy B

I poured liquid laundry detergent into a small plastic travel bottle from Target (came as a set of four) and it worked great, no leaking or mess.

when travelling no need for a wash cloth - just use your socks instead - means you get clean and your socks get washed!

Socks as washcloths! Genius!
For 10 days in France I packed 2 microfiber washcloths and left one damp at the last hotel. One gal in our group took 12 old ones & left them along the way.

Since I use the shampoo and body wash a hotel provides for laundering clothes, I always bring my own travel-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner (I only need to wash my hair every 3-4 days, that helps a lot) and a small bar of soap and a mini shower pouf. I've yet to stay at a hotel that didn't provide these items.

RE: hairdryers. Most have them but if not there is usually one available at the desk (if there is a desk). I've never NOT had one provided so I never bring one. The quality varies.

I too did not know what a "wash cloth" was, and had to look it up, and I am definitely not a troll. It is what is called a flannel in English.
I would definitely consider a flannel, like a toothbrush, to be a personal item, and would not expect a hotel to supply one.
I usually carry one or two of the small individual bottle of shower gel and shampoo from hotels in my case, just in case the next hotel hasn't replenished them and to save going down to reception to ask.
Anything else missing, just buy locally.

I carry all of my own shampoo, conditioner & body wash - my poor 311's are bursting!

I carry all of my own shampoo, conditioner & body wash - my poor 311's
are bursting!

Christi, have you seen this 3-1-1 bag on Amazon? It's the largest one I've found that gets by security without any problems.

Katie- if your not particular about your personal products then just use what the hotel has. I take carry on only and pack all my own products because I am particular and hate super scented products. For some reason in Italy all the body wash was super perfumed, even the higher end ones, I purchased one at a pharmacy, sounded great but when I went to use it it had a menthol feel to it, yuck!. I landed up leaving it at the apartment. I have been known to use shampoo as a body wash also. I used the biggest gotubes for a 13 day trip and product left over! The sock for the washcloth is a no go for me, sounds a bit unsanitary, but that is just me!

Thanks Pilgrim - I have seen the ones with the expanded sides and planned to purchase before next trip! I have 2 of those on my Amazon cart now!

pilgrim, the nice thing about that one is that it would stand upright on a counter.....one of the many things that annoy me about the zip lock bag situation.

Katie, I'd advise at the least throwing a hotel sized bar of soap in your suitcase. the apt we rented in Varenna had no toiletries, though that would be a bit to expect from an apt....but its nice to be able to wash your hands before heading to the shop.....

They do supply stuff but I always bring my own soap. I am extremely picky actually I buy my stuff in Germany and I live in the USA.