Off Topic-Advice on Packing for Italy

I read a lot of sites before the trip and have some suggestions of my own. Most of this is probably more applicable to women.

When packing for Italy, I planned ahead. I brought a small set of clothes that could easily mix and match and I thought I had it figured out. I read a ton of websites. I considered how I'd like to be perceived (not obnoxiously american)...But even though I had known it would be hot, I don't think I really understood how hot it was truly going to be. (over 100 degrees on multiple days during our trip)


Most useful things I packed:
silk wrap skirt, knee length. light and breathable for hot weather, can be worn in multiple different styles, and was long enough to not worry about passing the church dress codes. i'm not normally a skirt person, but it is so much cooler than pants. i wore this skirt about 50% of the time.

a sports bra. Seriously, it is so hot you won't want to wear anything else.

comfortable walking SANDALS. i loved my birkenstocks during this trip more then ever, because they were both supportive and cool.

socks and tennis shoes-for the days when you might climb a lot of stairs, or if you get a blister.

a large linen scarf/wrap-used it to protect myself from the sun, cover my shoulders in churches, and as decoration. was lightweight and fit easily into a purse.


the cable for downloading my photos when my SD card was full (or obviously you could get a bigger SD card.) and in the same line, my camera battery charger and plug converter.

bobby pins




Things I wished I had packed:
a more serious deoderant. maybe one of those clinical protection one's i've seen advertised on tv.

tank tops. tank tops!! I thought i'd want to protect my shoulders from the sun, but honestly it was so hot that I went out and bought a tank top, which i proceeded to wear on over 1/2 the days we were there.

more sunscreen! especially one in a little bottle that can be carried around during the day.

spandex or breathable athletic shorts to wear under my skirts. sooo much better.

a hat. i purposefully didn't bring one because I was planning on buying one there. however, it took me about 3 days to find one i liked, so in the meantime i got the experience blinding sun beating down on my face. bring a hat!


Things I wish I hadn't packed:
a white shirt.

a shirt and a skirt that didn't really fit perfectly. did i think they were magically going to change size?

various extra shoes (you really don't need them i promise)

tight clothing. when it's hot, it is so much more comfortable to wear something loose and breathable.



The most important advice I can give you about traveling to italy is PACK LESS. Take out half of the things you intend to bring. Seriously I only wore half of the shirts I brought. Having more room in your suitcase means you can bring more souvenirs home!!