How to Pack for a 2 week summer trip to Italy

Traveling with a carry-on luggage and even making that one light is the easiest way to move around in the summer in Italy. I remember a horrible trip I took when I was 18 years old where I felt I was making my debut in Italian society and wanted to bring fancy clothes, 10 pairs of shoes, and just about everything I thought looked good on me which was most of my wardrobe in my vain 18 year-old head. That was the worst trip ever as my luggage didn't have wheels and I was caught day after hot day dragging and yanking it up hills and into water taxis and wishing I could just dump the luggage into a Venetian canal! The last 3 trips to Italy I have only carried a carry-on and feel that is the best way to travel and be gentle on yourself. This last trip, overall I packed ok and want to share my packing success tips as well as note some lessons to be learned for my next summer trip.

How to pack: roll your clothes, it really makes them smaller in the luggage! On your departure leave room in your luggage for shopping items you get on your trip or for food you want to bring back.

What to pack!

Clothes: bring natural fibers such as cotton or wool

A good travel outfit can make a long travel trip much more comfortable. You will need a travel outfit that breathes and covers your whole body as airplanes can be chilly but connecting flights and travel to your hotel can be sweltering. Example: wear linen pants, cotton socks, running shoes, a cotton tank top, and a loose lite wool sweater that can be rolled up and fit in your purse. I also recommend bringing essential bathroom items on the flight with you such as your toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant and a freshening towelet. Your sweater will be your staple sweater that you will use as needed during the trip so having it in a dark neutral tone will make it match with everything. And keep it thin so it can roll into your purse if you need it to.

For your trip lay all the bottoms out on your bed and the tops above them to make sure they can mix and match so you can stretch out your outfits. From what I suggest (including your travel outfit) you can have 17 outfits! 4 bottoms x 4 tops + 1 dress = 17 outfits.

This is what I would recommend bringing:

2  pairs of cotton shorts with good pockets.
2 swim suits. If one is drying, one can be used!
1 pair extra linen pants / Portici coulotes
1 modest cotton sundress (Italian cities are more modest than beach towns)
2 colorful cotton tops
1 embroidered or pretty top that makes you happy
8 pairs of undies
2 sets of pajamas
1 thin rainjacket
2 pairs of goggles (super important! You WILL want to see the underwater fish!)
1 pair extra comfortable sandals that can be dressed up or down
1 pair Keen hiking sandals (Newports are the best model, have had them for 11 years)
1 pair flip flops for the hotel room. Shower with them on so you avoid bringing home a toe-nail fungus.
3 straw sunhats. There are usually 3 of us at some point and we all wear hats. It is like having shade on your face all day and really helps keep off heat exhaustion. Pack the sunhats one inside the other in your suitcase, then surround with rolls of clothes and fill with rolls of smaller clothes or your liquids.

Keen sandals are amazing! Waterproof, like sneakers, great for hiking, and can be worn with skirts!

Viva Mexico! Or Viva Ischia!

Medicine:

Bring whatever medication  you need in your purse with you on the flight. In addition I would add medicine for allergies, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, a small first aid kit (in your luggage) and something for food poisoning or upset stomachs (for that gelato that could otherwise give you diarrhea for 4 days)

Spiritual:

Don't forget God on vacation! He is with you on the trip! The stress of travel and newness of a place can make our relationship with God seem like it only belongs at home or is approached "differently" where we vacation. Catholicism seems austere and for old ladies in Italy for example but our same sweet Holy Mother is there as is at home, She is just perceived in the local way. Take whatever spiritual reminder that you have a home with you such as a pocket size image of the Sacred heart, Holy Water, and the Rosary. Set it up in a corner of your room so you can start the day right with some prayer and meditation. Devotion in prayer is hard to keep up normally and strange to do in an unknown place but once you start praying in a new place your eyes open to see God there too and the same loving God that was with you at home.

Liquids: 

I am a huge fan of travel-size items but the cost for a little thing can be the same as for a normal sized product. If you buy Go-Tubes you can fill with your normal products and purchase just the little travel-size ones that can't be refilled. A tip I have is after every trip, immediately stock up on travel size liquids for your next trip and put them in your luggage. It will make packing for your next trip so much easier, even if you don't know when it will be or where you are going. Deodorant won't expire like cheese. I am also a big fan of the Go-Tubes where you can refill your normal liquids from home. For the summer I would bring:

Sun screen (go-tube)
Aloe gel for sunburn (go-tube)
Deodorant (CVS)
Travel size tooth paste (CVS)
Liquid laundry detergent (go-tube)
Hard soap such as Dove.

Put it all in a clear quart or gallon size zip lock bag and label "Liquids" so it is easy for airport security to identify and save you time if they need to inspect your bag.

Chargers

Gallon size ziplock bag for your charges and label it Chargers for yourself! Bring:
International converter
Camera Charger
Cell Phone charger
Try to limit the amount of electronics  you bring as it can become a hassle. If you have internet on your phone, and kindle on your phone then leave your tablet or laptop and books at home. You don't need it. It's a vacation. Meno Internet, Piu Cabernet!

Extra convenient things:

I thought of bringing an empty grocery bag but didn't and regretted it. It could be used for the beach and grocery shopping. Also, a few extra gallon size bags for whatever comes up could have been useful: wet swimsuit, souvenirs, place to wash fruit. I also bring a thermal lunch-bag with me that has been invaluable in bringing snacks and water with us to the beach. Oh one more item I would bring is a reflective hand cuff or something for walking in the dark so cars can see you.

Purse:

I could sing praises after praises of my nylon purse that is small enough to look small but has the capacity to fit my rolled up sweater, wallet with coins for toll roads, candy, some allergy medicine, camera, inhaler and small bottle of water. Boom! Bring a cross body purse so your hands are free to take pictures or stay stable walking up a hill. Make sure your purse is lite and is a neutral color that matches with your outfits. I have Borbonese purse I bought 8 years ago and she is still going strong!

I feel I over-packed this last trip and I need notes for the next trip. Here are a few notes to self for the next trip:

• You don't need a white eyelet dress, you can really leave it at home. Pizza sauce is not it's friend!
• Don't pack jeans, pack only one extra set of linen pants, or Portici culottes to fit in.
• Liquids: pack only one sunscreen rather than two and pack a liquid laundry detergent instead. 
• Bring an emergency medical kit as you are adventurous and accident prone.
• Don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet.
• Charge your camera at night while you sleep so your day starts ready to roll!
• Don't pack flipflops or house shoes as your mother in law has your old pair waiting for you!
• The best pizzeria is on Via De La Liberta! The Portici market is a great place for fish and fruit!
• Bring your mother in law something from J. Crew next time, she really likes their stuff!
• You don't need makeup, it will break in travel. The sun will make you glow!