WHICH PACK?
If you are hostelling in Italy take a backpack, otherwise a suitcase is good
for hire cars and hotels. Backpacks are more suitable for walking, hiking
and are easy to maneouvre on and off transport. Check they have adjustable
and padded straps, lower back support (particularly for females), are multi
compartmented and have a detachable day pack, and can be easily locked with
small padlocks. Don't skimp on these, because it is hard to get replacements
on the road. Try to avoid top loading packs as you will have to unpack
everything each time you need something on the bottom. Travelpacks are a
combination backpack/shoulder bag. The backpack straps zip away inside when
not needed. These can be made reasonably theft proof with small padlocks on
the zipper areas. Day packs that can be unzipped and taken on the plane or
for short travel are useful. Keep enough clothing in these (changes of
underwear etc) to last a day or two if you lose the rest of your luggage.
SHOES
Italians are quite particular about footwear and if
you want to blend in smart, comfortable and casual is
best. You may even consider buying your shoes in
Italy. Try to bring no less and no more than two pairs
as they do take up a lot of room and are heavy. One
pair should be good for day to day walking or hiking
and possibly adaptable for night wear. Waterproof
sandals are good for beaches, showers and other casual
sight seeing in warmer climates.
SLEEPING GEARS
In most Italian hostels bedding is neither required or
allowed due to bed bugs or sanitary reasons. However a
sleeping bag, small woollen blanket or sheet can be
handy for overnight train trips, ferries and buses.
Shawls are particularly useful, easy to pack and
surprisingly warm for their size.
WHAT TO TAKE?
The season you travel will influence what
you take. Layers of clothing are better
than big bulky items, far warmer and more
multi purpose if the weather changes etc.
It is best to be prepared for a few climatic
changes, particularly wet weather at any
time of year. Here's a list of items you
can buy but it may be better to take your
own:
- underwear, socks
- lightweight towel and swimming gear (this
can also double as underwear)
- a pair or two lightweight cotton pants
- a pair of shorts or a skirt
- a few t-shirts and shirts
- a warm sweater
- good walking shoes
- good sandals for showers and beaches
- a coat or jacket
- a raincoat, waterproof jacket or umbrella
- first aid and sewing kit
- a padlock
- Swiss army knife - preferrably with a
corkscrew and bottle opener, is handy for
protection, cutting food, doubling as scissors
etc
- torch (flashlight)
- sunglasses
- toiletries including toothpaste, toothbrush,
soap etc
- a few plastic bags or other bags to store
wet/dirty clothes
- own toilet paper (for emergencies)
- tampons and condoms
- tent and sleeping bag if you want to save
money camping. A woollen shawl is useful.
Other optional items: compass, torch/flashlight,
calculator for currency conversions, alarm
clock, adaptor plug for electrical appliances,
clothes pegs, wet ones/handkerchief, sterlising
lotions, reading materials, journals, copy
of important documents.
MAKING IT FIT
A proven method is compartmentalising. Put
in a small bag for underwear, one for shirts,
pants, and other things, and it's like having
four dresser drawers inside. You always
know where everything is. The key is to
mix and match. Choose a colour scheme so
you can wear everything together. Go for
thin layers rather than bulky jackets and
coats as these can then be used individually
when the weather is warmer. You can wash
underwear so just take enough for several
days. For women choose a colour scheme for
your clothes. This way you can mix and match
with a number of items so you feel like
you are wearing a new suit every day. Blues,
whites and blacks are best for this. And
for toiletries buy the smallest bag you
can find. Put in a toothbrush, toothpaste,
razor, soap, sunscreen and hairbrush. These
are your essentials. Then choose one lipstick
that can match all your clothes, one small
eyeshadow compact, foundation, one face
wash, one cream (for hands and feet) and
you should be done.
Here are some culling methods: 1. Put all the clothes
you want in a pile and divide it in half.
Divide this pile in two and work on the
smaller pile. This is what you take. 2. Pick an outfit for a
cold day, hot day, wet day and throw in
underwear, socks, shoes and toiletries and
you're done. 3. Get an experienced traveller
to help. 4. Pack your bag two weeks
before you depart and live out of it, removing
an item every day.
