I'm starting to plan what I'll be packing for the South Italy tour, Oct. 1-13. Only carryon, but also need to try to be less than 8kg, so that is a bit of a challenge. The weather info for the tour has average highs of 71 and lows of 55. That's not too cool, so I'm thinking a sweater with a layer should be enough. A real lightweight jacket that doubles as a raincoat would add weight and bulk, so I'm not sure that's worth bringing. I do have a rain poncho in a pouch (bright yellow, so really unattractive!) that I could bring, and could bring a travel umbrella, but with only 7 or so days of rain on average, I could get lucky. I could wear a leather jacket on the plane, although that wouldn't be much help if there were rain. Any suggestions welcome!
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
891 posts
We always travel to Europe, usually October and into November. When we took the South Italy tour it was in late October.
I wore a Scottevest Jacket with zip off sleeves into a vest. So as the day warmed up I could take the sleeves off or leave them in the hotel. Second advantage is I didn't have to carry a purse or cross body bag. I don't worry about pickpockets because all of the pockets on the inside have zippers or velcro and if I'm in a crowded busy place I also have the main zipper up.
If you decide to try one, I would suggest that you order one size up because as you put things in the inside pocket it makes it more fitted. My husband also has one and loves it.
Have a Great Trip!
Mimi
Posted by
Ohio
1478 posts
I don't travel without a rain coat. I have an LLBean long trench coat that I took to Ireland in September and Alaska in May. It does take up some space. For Scandinavia in June and Italy in September I have an Eddie Bauer Kona trench coat. It is only to mid thigh and super light weight. I will also wear it for cool evenings and can add an Adidas base layer long sleeved t-shirt if needed for more warmth. Our upcoming trips over lap. Have a great time and I hope you don't get rained on!
Posted by
OP
271 posts
I brought the rain jacket/coat to Amsterdam last year in early May, and it was very useful, both for warmth and rain. I've been checking photos from prior trips to Italy to remind myself of what I wore. We've been there in mid-September (not further south than Sienna one trip and Rome/Amalfi Coast another), mid-late October (Piedmont, Parma, and Lake Como), late September-early October (Sicily),and late August-early September (Padua, Verona, Venice). I don't think I had a rain coat at all, although I did have a leather jacket at times. And I also had sandals in Rome, Venice and Sicily. Shoes are always a hard one--good walking shoes are heavy and not really nice looking, just passable with slacks. I think it will be warm enough for capris, so maybe sandals . . . The easiest packing was Florence and Bologna in early December! Layers and my light coat! No need for sandals, capris, etc.
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
I'd look at the weather from prior years - if it tends to rain during the time you will be there, pack or carry on a rain jacket. You can get rain shells that are lightweight and compact - mine, from REI stuffs into it's own pocket. I wore it all over Scotland a few weeks ago where we had rain almost every day. The thing with tours is that you don't want to either miss out or be miserable if it's raining - as for a leather jacket, it may be a bit too warm for one during the day.
Posted by
San Jose
1194 posts
There are several unlined packable rain coats that are very light. My REI Kyoto trench jacket only weighs around 15 oz or so. It rolls up very small and easily fits in my purse. I wear it over a cardigan or puff jacket when it gets cooler.
A leather jacket it bulky and heavy. It also packs poorly.
Posted by
OP
271 posts
If I do bring the leather jacket, it would be worn on the plane and not packed, although the bags have enough room to put it in if it was warm. It is more bulky than just layering sweaters, so maybe that's what I'll plan on doing. I have used it on other trips, though, so I'll have to give that more thought. And check the forecasts before deciding, closer to departure. I don't really want to buy another rain jacket, so I guess I'd bring the ugly yellow poncho in its little bag if I wanted to cover all bases.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
We have waterproof jackets from Costco (2014 ?) that squish up small and go on EVERY trip, with sweaters underneath as needed for warmth. And we have encountered rain in Italy in October.
Posted by
OP
271 posts
I looked at the REI things online, and they are more money that I'd want to spend. There are some inexpensive ones on Amazon, but it seems silly since I do have something I could bring! It was purchased for a biking trip around 18 years ago, so the bright yellow color made sense for that. No doubt that something more subtle would be more appropriate now! Just have to get my mind around that . . .but might order something from Amazon since I can return it if it isn't really an improvement.