Help - Italian Holiday - What to Pack??

[loubloutwinmum]

Please help - I am off to Italy for 2 weeks in just over a week and am really struggling with what to pack! We are flying with budget airline so do not have much baggage allowance and I want to pack wisely and travel light. We are doing a week sight seeing and then a week chilling in the villa but will be eating out quite a bit.

Please help me to take the right stuff! Can buy some new bits, I have time. Just would love some suggestions for what basics I should pack and what essentials I should take! It is hot - 37 deg at the moment!

I have a good selection of maxi dresses but struggling with day wear and even what to wear on the plane & don't get me started on shoes! Getting stressed and don't want to panic at the last minute and take a stupid amount of stuff I won't wear!

Please help!!!!

Ok, take a breath, make a cuppa, calm down

For sight seeing:
cotton sundresses
plain cotton skirt (just above knee is flattering and summery) worn with assortment of loose fit vest tops (H&M do the best if you don't have any)
light cotton scarf to cover shoulders (for either going into churches etc and to protect shoulders from the sun)
smart shorts (ie not cut-offs)
I usually wear flat leather sandals for sightseeing. It's usually too hot to do hour upon hour anyway so you won't be on your feet all day without a break.

Shoes:
1 pair flip flops for schlepping around villa
flat leather sandals for evening (I usually take 1 silver and 1 gold)

For the flight:
I wear something similar to this . In fact I have those knee length harems and they are fab.

The alternative would be cropped trousers and a loose fit vest.

HTH!

ujjayi - thanks so much, big help! Love those harems and have a great little jacket that would work with them so think I'll invest in those.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - that gives me a really good basis to plan around!

You are very welcome :)

Honestly, I hate packing with a passion. I was just beginning to do mine when I decided to waste time on MN take a break and found your post on here. It kind of sorted my head out too because I always spend ages in front of my wardrobe getting more and more stressed because "I don't know what to pack". Clearly, this is not the case and if I just stopped being overwhelmed by options and took the time to think about it logically then I would be fine!

Those harems are a good buy. I have worn mine for everything - yoga, school run, travelling in, slobbing out etc. Bought them a year ago and they still look brand new. They keep their shape really well and you don't get the soggy/saggy nappy look that a lot of harems give you.

The only extra item I add to that outfit is a large cotton scarf. Keeps the chills off you/DC during the flight.

Also forgot to say that to help with luggage restrictions (and my never ceasing fear of lost luggage), I always carry certain items in my hand luggage:

bikini
cover up (usually a beach dress but actually the large cotton scarf would double up)
make up (bronzer, mascara, lip gloss, tinted moisturiser - all in clear plastic bag for customs check)
toothbrush & paste
hairbrush

That way, no matter how peed off I would be at losing my luggage, I at least have decent swimwear and one change of clothes with me.

Go to Italy for holidays at least once every year and think the suggestions very good.

I'd just add one pair of closed in flat shoes (which you can fly in) and a really light rainproof jacket/coat for sudden cloudbursts. Trailing round in a thunderstorm with open sandals isn't much fun!

Guess you might need to cover arms and legs in evenings at villa if you're dining in the garden and there are lots of mosquitoes - I often don't and then regret it. But the items already suggested should cope with that.

Do not take too many clothes - forecast is 37 C in Thu. You will not need a jacket or sweater - even jeans can be stifling. People in cities dress more formally. I live in Rome - day summer uniform sandals and knee-length dress. And a pretty handbag.

Sorry, typos etc, on phone.

Sorry again, meant to say sleeveless knee-length dress, cotton or silk. Synthetics too sweaty. Take insect repellent too if going to the countryside.

Can second/third the mosquito repellent. We're just back from 10 days in Lucca and it was bite central. We also took piriton for the kids.
As little as possible I would say. It was hot enough to dry clothes from the washing machine in about 1hour.

If you're elasticated waists for the end of your hols
I put on LOTS when we go to Sunny Italy. all those carbs, don't tell BIWI
Have a lovely time.
Am

Ooh I'm off there in a few weeks, you've got me all excited

Olivia
We are off to Italy in one weeks time and I haven't thought about what I need. Just drag out same old beach wear?
Yy to insect repellant

Have a lovely time

Hi - I travel to Italy once a year and am just back! And yes - its very very hot out there at the moment, honestly you will need a lot less than you think. After several years of travelling to Italy, I think I have the packing (at last!!!) down to a fine art by now! I echo everything said on here so far! Cool sleeveless cotton sun dresses are the way to go for sightseeing etc, I picked up a couple of lovely cheap ones in the Warehouse sales, they roll up so are ideal for travelling light. A light pashmina type scarf is all you'll need for covering up (from mosquitos!) at night. Anything heavier than light cotton is a waste of time, as you just wont be able to wear it in the heat. I also brought a cheap pair of super light linen trousers from Primark, to wear at night-time which protected my legs and ankles from insect bites.

For the week beside the pool, a couple of bikins, and a sarong/kaftan is all you'll need! Make sure and bring lots of anti mosquito spray, (containing Deet) and some hydrocortisone cream, if, like me, you're partial to mosquitos! Also piriton for the post-bite itchiness! Enjoy!

Insect repellent and antihistamine. Those Italian mozzies have teeth.

Don't forget a hat! Also, generally depending on where u go in Italy they do have laundrettes which would be pleased to wash and iron your clothes at a cheaper cost than a hotel. Don't panic!

another vote for mosquito repellent and the after bite stuff too

how I laughed at my daughter for covering herself and her child in it every night, and setting iPhone app to deter them - a week later and I am still bumpy and itchy everywhere, think I brought some home with me :(

never mind, can return them next month

Thanks so much for all the advice ladies! I have so much insect repellent, you wouldn't believe it! Including plug ins, cream, spray, anti hist, the lot! Will look at iPhone app too, great idea! Tried taking garlic supplements but couldn't cope with garlic burps!!! I am toying with buying a mosquito net as I hate the little biters but they love me!

At the moment I have several maxi dresses (some day/some eve), maxi skirt, linen trousers, cotton white jeans, vest/boob tube selection, few v thin cardies, 2 knee length cotton dresses, 2 tankinis, sarong & kaftan, flip flops, flat sandals & converse! Have dug out a straw hat & a cotton scarf! Hopefully thanks to you lot I'm nearly there! Getting excited now though & not quite so stressed! X