Packing Tips
Packing Tips for Your Italy Vacation
We realize this is completely individual and varies with each person. However we thought there are some general packing curiosities you might consider for a Shoulder Season vacation in Italy. I myself follow these to a T every time I am in Italy.
A Real-Life Packing Moment
What To Pack
Money Belt
You’ll want to protect your cash, cards, passport, and valuable documents. They should be on your person at all times and the safest way is with one of these.
Puffer Jacket or Vest
In April in Italy it is still crisp, with cool nights, mornings and evenings and the weather can change quickly. These types of jackets/vests are light weight, squish-able/packable. Plus – all the Italians wear them constantly. You will fit right in.
Layers
As stated, Springtime in Italy is one of the most beautiful times to travel, with the best weather. But the weather is notorious for changing on a dime, and it does. Bring layers, you will be thankful you did.
A typical outfit for a Springtime day in Tuscany:
Jeans or light pants, a light cotton undershirt such as a tank top or fitted t-shirt, a pullover thin sweater, a puffer vest.
Packing essentials for Italy vacation
Scarves
For both men & women. Again, this is not a must. However these are very handy to have in your travel wardrobe. They can spiff up an outfit such as for dinner, and help if there is a draft or breeze, and you can also use them as a cover on the plane. They also will protect you from the infamous colpo d’aria in Italy 😉
Medicine
Bring it. Antifungal creams, anti-inflammatory creams (such as hydrocortisone), antibiotics if you have them, antibacterial ointments (such as bacitracin or Neosporin). The pharmacies in Italy are actually extremely helpful and have everything, it is true, and you can always go in and consult them. But it is good to have items of a medical nature you are comfortable with and know how to use them properly and for which use. And if Amy is on your trip, ask her. She is also a Nurse Practitioner and can advise you. Also bring bandaids…these come in handy in many ways when you are there.
Sunglasses
Or you can buy a fabulous pair there, of course.
If you pack liquids in bottles (shampoo, etc): seal them in the bottles including with tape to secure them closed, and put them in a ziplock baggie which is closed. They have a tendency to open and explode mid-flight due to the change in air pressure and if you prepare ahead of time you will avoid soaps/lotion/shampoo exploding onto your clothes. Remember you can always buy such items there, or you can get these:
What NOT To Pack
A few ideas, based on years of experience traveling in Italy, of what to avoid bringing with you. Don’t waste the space in your luggage.
Flip Flops
We wear them all the time in the US, Italians never EVER do. The streets and terrain we will be covering are not like the streets in the US, they are much different. If you wear flip flops, you will stick out like a sore thumb, and your feet will hate you.
Don’t do this to yourself. It is tempting to buy the perfect sandals or boots for your trip – so if you want to do this, do it way ahead of time and break them in. We have seen countless people attempt Italian excursions in new shoes and it never goes well. I also have personal experience having done this myself (more than once) – never again!
We recommend bringing only what you can manage carrying/handling yourself. Even though you will have help with your luggage on your trip with STC, this is a good guide for packing – bring only what you can handle (for example: take on and off a European train) by yourself. For us, this usually means a carry on piece of luggage ONLY, as well as a personal item (bag, purse, backpack). You’ll have an easier time with the airlines, and you will not be the person dragging a bunch of heavy luggage you can’t manage all over the place. A way to avoid this is to pack neutral items you can “mix and match”, everyone does it and it’s fine.
Ready to Experience Italy?
Join us for an unforgettable journey through Italy. We’ll take care of the details while you enjoy la dolce vita.