[hulababy]

hi everyone hubby and i are heading to Italy in couple months with 5 days in Italy then getting on a cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece!! Tell me ladies how do you pack ONE suitcase for this amt of traveling, especially with two formal nights on a cruise.?? I'm used to packing Three suitcases!! This will be impossible and of course we need room to buy something!! ha I don't know how I'll do this trip with One large suitcase and a carry on.

[Joaniesmom]

A hint given to me by a traveling friend. Use your old underwear. When soiled, throw it away. Space in suitcase. Worked for her!

[jmm2760jmm]

My one regret when we traveled to Italy a few years ago was over packing. Wear skirts several times with different tops...same for pants. I thought I'd need 2 fresh outfits every day...one for day and one for evening - Never happened. One pair of comfortable sandles that can go with everything. All the streets are uneven cobblestones so don't even think of wedges or heels (except maybe one pair for the cruise ship). You'll be so busy seeing the sights you only need one outfit per day. Also, everythihng is pretty casual. One suitcase is really enough. There are some packing tips on Rick Steve's website under Europe travel tips...a lot of great informaiton there. Have fun and pack light!

[RichieB]

Let's face it - this crap isn't going away, it's only going to get worse, as the airlines think of ways to get more money from the flying public.

I know what you are going through, but for a trip like that, I might just bite the bullet and pay for an extra suitcase or two.



My wife an I do NY - San Diego couple of times a year, and the "fight" for overhead storage space is a PITA, and now they have an order of boarding that could potentially shut you out of storing your luggage overhead.

[jojo]

I spent two weeks in Europe last summer and just took a 21 inch carry-on and a small bag that fit under the seat with my purse in it. Granted did not take formal wear. I roll clothes - takes less space and results in fewer wrinkles. Much easier now that I put guide books and reading material in the Kindle. Reducing the number of shoes is key!

[salpal]

Bring a long black skirt or palazzo pants (spelling???) and a couple different tops. That way, you can pack just one pair of black shoes and if you're smart, they will be flats.

We always pack our old underwear and toss along the way. For sightseeing days, we pack clothes we are about to give to Goodwill. If we buy something and don't have room in our suitcase, we get rid of the "Goodwill" clothes.

The truth is, nobody's really going to remember your clothes and you don't need to wear a different outfit every day. I love packing tops and slacks made from jersey. Here's a great source: travelsmith.com


Funny story: I once left "Goodwill" clothes in a bag in my hotel room thinking the maid would like them (we were in a very poor country). She managed to catch me while I was checking out and said I must have forgotten them. I thanked her, took the bag and walked out the door. So now, I do not leave them in a hotel room. I look for a donation box and if I cannot find one, I leave them in the hotel hallway near the elevator/stairs.

[2newyorkers]

If you feel you need multiple pairs of shoes , take ballet slippers that take up no room and wear your sneakers on the plane. Our friend always wears his suit on the plane so he does not have to pack it. Capris are great, you can wear them during the day and for dinner. Do not forget that they have laundry rooms on the ship. Just pack dryer sheets and you can now buy Tide in small travel packets. Check the airline to see if they allow a carry on that is the size of a 20" suitcase.

[duffysmom]

We will be going to Italy and sailing the Adriatic for two weeks and I will have one suitcase and a backpack. As was mentioned one way to have a miserable trip is to have too much luggage and I've been guilty of that. Love the tips about palazzo pants and jersey clothing and rolling clothing to save room. We do not participate in formal nights and eat in the Lido or Windjammer in comfort which delights my husband no end. Remember, the dress code is only a suggestion and in the warmer climates people tend to be casual. I'm not much of a shopper so that simplifies things. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the fabulous food in Italy.

[kyblue]

For those that have gone to Italy - have any of you gone to the Vatican or St. Peters Basilica - and if so - are jeans acceptable?

[Sable99]

I have taken several trips over three week and have always taken just one suitcase and a carryon. I always try to take clothes that have the same colors so I can switch them out and take fewer shoes. I also like to travel with fabrics that wrinkle less and clothes I can wash in a bathroom sink. It saves a lot of hassle. I only take one gown for formal nights on a cruise. The most important thing is to take comfortable shoes. This is not a time to be fashionable!

My suitcase has an extension that you can open when the suitcase gets full. I try not to use the extension when I leave for the trip so I can open it up on the way home for the things I bought. I have also shipped some purchases back to the states and it wasn't that expensive. My aunt is a retired airline employee and she uses those space bags when she travels and she loves them. I haven't used them.

I hope one of your stops in Turkey is Istanbul. I haven't been there in years but they had a great underground mall full of 18k gold and all kinds of carpet when I was there. And, I think the palace we went to was the Dolmabahçe Palace -- all I remember is the crystal staircase. I wished I could have spent more time there but my boss was ready to go!!

[Sable99]

Oops, I forgot until I saw the post about the Vatican. I have been there but I can't remember about the jeans. I would think you could find out on the Vatican's website or by using Google.

But, a long time ago I was in Egypt or Israel and they weren't going to let me in a church because my dress was too short!! My dress came to my knees! One of the guys on the tour loaned me his coat!! I was there a couple of years ago but I didn't wear a dress on that trip so I don't know if that custom has changed or not.

[villager]

I have done a bunch of traveling in my life, so far. I agree with many of the suggestions. The space bags work nicely, but keep in mind, if you use the vacuum to get the air out, you won't have that vacuum coming home. When you roll the space bags, they will still work, but you won't get them as flat. I can guarantee, NOBODY will remember what you wore that morning vs. the night before! If you feel you have to participate with formal night, a nice sundress that you can dress up with jewelry and a shawl will be just fine. You won't get thrown out of the dining room if you're not in super formal wear. You will also see people in very casual clothes on formal night on the ship, so dress for you, not them. I have a friend who travels with hardly any luggage. She goes to a local thrift store when she arrives and donates the clothes when she leaves. Take a small bottle of laundry soap and fabric softener (8 oz of soap, 4 of softener MAX) and do sink laundry so you can have clean clothes you can wear over and over. Take a few hangers to use. And, there's the old addage - take 1/2 the clothes and twice as much money. Pack what you think you need, wait a couple days, then repack and you will find you really don't need all you initially wanted to take. That always worked for me. Have fun!

[salpal]

Pack a large scarf....if you visit any mosques, you will be required to cover your head. If you are wearing too short "shorts", the scarf can be tied around your waist as a "skirt".

You can wear jeans in the Vatican.

Do yourself a BIG favor, leave all "good" jewelry at home, only wear costume jewelry and not too much of it. It is not smart to be flashy when traveling.

[hulababy]

Do you think they will have washer/dryer on cruise?? I know we cruised Holland America for 14 days with NO washer/dryer?? this trip is Royal Carribean? It would help if they do have washer/dryer. My problem is I do love formal nights so don't see how to go without them, or even one. And shopping (yeeks) wish I could say I didn't enjoy it!! ha
I do roll the clothes but I always find my clothes still wrinkle. I did hear to wear sneakers in Italy. any other tips for Italy?? We're going Sept? Will it be hot? some friends say bring jackets just in case. I feel overwhelmed because I always tend to overpack. I think maybe I'll wear skirts during day sightseeing then I'll be dressed appropriately for dinner also?? But skirts with sneakers? Can't do sandels in Italy because of streets? Will they have hairdryers in the hotels in Italy? can't live w/o one?

[Dayzee]

I'm a bit envious - sounds like a very nice trip.

You may find it helpful to research bundle packing or bundle wrapping. This is an effective way of packing to minimize wrinkles. There are several different web-sites that demonstrate the technique.

Hope you have a great time.