packing??

mpwdpw

I am so busy dealing with all the wedding stuff I haven't even began to think about what to pack and sometimes it actually slips my mind that I am going to have to do that!!  

We are going to Italy.  Anyone been before or is going?   We are staying in 3 different cities, so I want to pack light and just do laundry at the hotel.  I don't want to be lugging around heavy luggage.  Especially along the almalfi coast!

Sue-n-Kevin

I've never been to Italy, so I'm not good about specific weather or events. However, I do travel a lot for work, and always want to keep everything down to a carryon, LOL.

I have it down to coordinating everything with black & white clothing. I take a pair of flats and dress shoes in black. If I'm going to be around water, I include a pair of sandals or flip flops for casual wear. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, include a pair of comfortable walking shoes. By coordinating everything around one color, you limit the number of shoes which take up the most room in luggage.

Here's my list for what it's worth (and depending on the length of stay), in black or black & white choices:

- one or two "skorts" in black, white, or both
- mutliple tops in black, white, and black & white print, you can add colors that go with black or white also, which is pretty much every color
-one pair of jeans
- one pair of black dress pants
-cardigan sweater in black or white that can be dressed up or down with jewelry
- one black knit dress that can be dressed up or down
- one or two belts that can be worn over the dress or cardigan (if long enough) to create a finished look.
- shoes needed for the events or activities you are doing, in black, except for walking shoes

If you are doing anything around the Vatican or churches, you will need need to keep their dress code in mind, which is why a multi-purpose dress is in order

Good luck. Have fun!

JulieJ11

We're planning to go to Rome next spring. One of my FSIL's say Florence is also worth the trip from Rome, but for right now I don't want to overschedule ourselves (which is one of my major issues every time I travel!) and haven't put a full itinerary together. 

Whenever I travel to Europe I pack dark slacks and dark shoes. White or whitish sneakers are often a sign of tourists! My mom just went overseas and she says the Converse sneakers Chuck Taylors are everywhere on all types of people. I also bring mix and match tops and a 3 season blazer as an extra layer. This has worked well for me. If you're planning to do laundry at the hotel, you probably only need 3-4 days of clothes. If you're willing to use shampoo and wash your panties in the sink you can stretch it even longer (although dealing with that is not always what you want to think of while you're on vacation). 

mpwdpw

Thanks everyone!  I usually pack more underwear than anything lol  I'm not too sure of what my FI would say about me washing my undies in the sink. lol  I am sooo excited

sunshine_day_dreams

We just came back from Italy, and I agree - especially if you're going to be traveling by train - that packing light is essential.  We were on our HM for 4 weeks, so we had to do laundry several times.  I took about 8-10 days of clothes with me and brought along Tide single wash packets and washed in the sinks/tubs as we went.

Most of the Italians were already starting to layer when we were there.  They wear jeans, thin shirts, a cardigan or blazer and a scarf with cute flats.  Leggins with dresses are also everywhere.  I would bring 1-2 cardigans that you can pair with everything else you bring, a few mid-to light weight shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of slacks, maybe a dress or two and some comfy flats.  (A lot of the streets and sidewalks in Italy are cobblestone, so for me heels were not gonna happen.)  I would also bring a cute, oversized purse to put camera, guide books, water, etc. in so that you aren't carrying them sticking out like a big tourist target for pickpockets.

Have an awesome time!  We loved Italy!