2 weeks in Italy
We are doing the small group tour of Italy at the end of May. I have never been to Europe before and am very excited. I would love some input on if it is feasible to travel with only a carry-on (one each for my husband and myself)? Or is that being way too optimistic and we should bring one large checked bag and one carry-on instead? Thanks for any suggestions.
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It can be done. It sounds as if you may already have good experiences of just being a carry on person.
You have to be an expert on getting ready for your laundry to be done as soon as you get to a new hotel, don’t mind paying expensive prices for it….as Tauck tends to stay at expensive hotels with consequently expensive every thing else at the hotel. You need to be sure it’s back before you move hotels and Tauck tours require bags be ready on a move day, really early.
You never know what type of people will be on a tour….those who put clean clothes on every day and never repeat them, or those who just mix and match, don’t necessarily change for evening activities. If you are comfy with these situations then you are good to go. I’ve never tried to take just carry on on Tauck tours but I have on other tours where the so called dress code is far more casual.
If you just take carry on and you run short of clothing, there is often no time to shop for them. And if there is they are way more expensive than in the US especially in Italy.
Are you concerned about luggage being lost? What is your reasoning? Remember once you are in the Tauck ‘bubble’ you will not be handling your luggage outside of your hotel room, so no worries having to lug it around yourself.
Enjoy Italy!
While it can be done, personally I don't think it's worth it, in terms of getting clothes washed, either in your bathroom sink or by hotel laundry. On one tour, our TD was asked about hotel laundry and he said it's cheaper just to buy new clothes locally
As British said, once you're on tour, you don't have to touch your suitcases. They magically appear and disappear from the room. I'd go with two medium sized suitcases, rather than one large one.
Hi Amy, my husband and I were in Italy for 12 days and didn’t want to bring a large suitcase. Even though Tauck takes care of your luggage on the tour, you still have to lug it to the airport. We decided to get additional carry on size luggage, so we each had 2 carry on size suitcases and checked one bag each on the airplane. We used packing cubes and still had a little room for souvenirs. My husband is the guy who does not want to wear the same clothes twice and he did fine with 2 small suitcases for 12 days. I think one carry on, for us anyway, would not be big enough. Enjoy your trip!
I am a carry on only person. I use a packing cubes, a roller board and a backpack. I pack my Rick Steve’s tote which folds into itself the size of a small pouch in case I do some shopping. If I do over buy then coming home I will then check my rollerboard and backpack and use my tote as my carry on. The more I travel, the less I take with me. I am 76. What other people think of me is none of my business; as long as I am neat, clean and comfortable clothing doesn’t matter much to me.
I'm with you, SandyFeet!👍
Retired Flight Attendant
Do what ever you are comfortable with. My standard is a 24 inch checked bag(monos medium roller) and a back pack with all my essentials and one change of clothes just in case something gets lost. The suitcase is only 3/4 full so I have room to bring back things. Must haves in Italy: some sort of scarf to cover your shoulders in a church, a sink stopper disc because some hotels may not have a stopper, a short camping clothes line for hanging your clothes if the shower doesn't have one, and a type C electrical adapter which is different than a converter which you would need typically for hair appliances. I usually take one basic C adapter and one with a couple of USB ports.
Yes it's doable depending on your packing skills. My only caution is it's likely to be pretty hot in late May so you may need to do some sink laundry or bite the bullet and pay the hotel for services if you sweat in the heat. Also many of the churches there require shoulders and knees to be covered. Shoulders can be covered with a scarf but above knee shorts would be difficult.
I've been on tours with folks who are so proud to travel with only a carry on and wear the same clothes often; by the end of the trip, it's a challenge to be in the same space with them when they haven't availed themselves of laundry services.
If you are petite, don't sweat, and can wear quick drying clothes that are generally not cotton, and do not have a need for too many personal items or toiletries, then you can most likely travel for 2 weeks in a carry on with a backpack or tote. (I do not fall into any of these categories and take a medium check in bag and a backpack.)
On the Tauck Sicily tour 2 years ago, the hotel in Palermo wanted 20 euro to wash ONE T-shirt. Fluff and fold laundry services that offer a quick turn around are rare in Italy. I have never wanted to take the time to use a laundromat.
For warmer climates, linen and gauze are ideal because they are light and breathable. For cooler climates, merino wool is also breathable and provides superior warmth. My opinion is that it is not so much your packing technique but your choice of clothing material.
I’ve worn leggings on international flights but never while touring. They just scream, “I am an American tourist.”
Go for it, Amy. i haven't done check in for years but carry-on does take a bit of practice. It's great not to have to wait for your luggage at the carousel. With a May trip to Italy you won't have to pack for extreme weather. In addition to a carry-on suitcase I bring a big Briggs & Riley cloth bag, which also fits over the handle of my suitcase. I'm not sure they make it anymore but i can get lots of stuff in it, including my purse. Wear your heaviest jacket and shoes on the plane. I agree that linen is great + layer - pants and a top with light jacket, sweater, or big overblouse work great - dressy pants & top for night, maybe a shawl, scarves, and a bit of jewelry.
I do hand wash underwear in my room - no big deal. i did use the hotel laundry last year when a clumsy waiter in Barcelona spilled a glass of sangria on my white blouse.
Have a great first trip to Italy!
I've done carryon only and recently considered it for a tour next year only because we're doing a self organized train trip to another location after the tour. Having to deal with my own luggage definitely motivates me to go light. But then I remembered that the only way I can do it is to have a personal item (in addition to the carryon roller bag) that would take up all my leg room. Decided it wasn't worth it.
I have done train trips in Europe with a 25” suitcase. My husband helps hoisting each suitcase onto the train and then off. That’s actually the hardest part. We were traveling for a month and a carry-on was not an option for me and neither for my husband. Although I know it’s done, I would go nuts wearing the same clothes all the time.
In Spain the height between the platform and the train was difficult for me but in Scotland and England not an issue. It also depends on how crowded the train is.
Thank you so much for the replies, everyone. Truly appreciated very much😊