This week we're picking the brains of guest blogger Eldrid Yarte from Gilisports.com for his top tips on how to pack well for your next trip to Italy, whether you're planning a hiking trip in the mountains, a beach vacation in Sardinia or even a city break to Rome. Thanks Eldrid!
While many who visit will head straight for the stunning cities of Venice, Rome, and Florence, there’s more to Italy than that. With Tuscany’s rolling hills and hilltop towns, hiking in the Dolomites, skiing in the Alps, and beach breaks in Sardinia, you can have every type of vacation in this wonderful country. But with so much choice on where to go and what to do, what should you bring on your trip? Let us help you out.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the best ways to pack lightly for your visit to Italy. Hopefully, you’ll come equipped with everything you need to make your trip to this romantic country unforgettable.
Use a backpack
First of all, you need to decide how you’re going to carry your stuff. Italy is noted for its cobbled streets and narrow lanes - even in the capital Rome. So, a suitcase isn’t a good idea. It’s better instead to use a backpack or a duffel bag. Thanks to their flexible shape and usually soft exterior, they’re much more pleasant to carry, especially on a long journey.
For those who are hiking or cycling, or even just spending the day wandering around one of the many beautiful cities or towns in Italy, a day pack is a good idea too. You’ll be able to fit the essentials in here while your backpack or duffel with your valuables in can be safely stored at your accommodation.
Only take the essentials
Now that you know what kind of bag to take, you’ll need to figure out what to put in it. A general rule of thumb is a backpack should never be more than 75% full, no matter what size it is. If your bag is too full, you could damage your back and nobody wants that.
A good way of working out what you actually need is laying it all out on your bed or floor, and asking yourself ‘do I really need this?’ If the answer is no, it stays at home. You might think you’re going to miss your favourite shower gel or that really warm jumper once you touch down in Italy, but chances are you’re not going to give them a second thought for the whole holiday.
Obviously, only you can know what is essential for you. Something no traveller can be without is enough light clothing for your trip, decent footwear, and sunscreen!
Stay hydrated
While we’re on the subject of essentials, one thing you’ll definitely need is water. Though you can buy bottled water throughout Italy, it’s better for the environment if you have a reusable water bottle. You’ll find in most cities that there are water fountains where you can refill and the contents are perfectly safe to drink.
Not only is this better for the environment, but it’ll save you money in the long run too.
Be prepared for all types of weather
As we’ve already mentioned, there are so many different kinds of things you can do in Italy. And it’s a year-round destination! So be sure to bring clothing that corresponds to the activities you’re doing. Winter travellers should have an extra couple of layers, while a raincoat is good year-round. Another must is sunscreen, which will always be valuable on a trip to Italy.
If you want to keep it light on clothing, you should bring quick-drying clothes. Even if they get wet, you’ll be able to hang them up while you sleep and they’ll be fresh the morning after.
Get an inflatable SUP
Now, the most adventurous travellers are always looking for new things to do on vacation. And the opportunities in Italy for trying something different are endless. In the warm weather, why not cool down with a spot of stand-up paddle boarding? It’s the fastest-growing board sport in the world, and it’s a great way to take in your new surroundings from a different perspective. Just imagine how beautiful an Italian town would look for the calm waters of a volcanic lake!
The only problem is that a SUP is quite large. But there’s a way to get around that - an iSUP. These inflatable boards are cheaper and take up a lot less space than a hard board, while still proving to be reliable and durable. They can fold up and easily fit into your luggage, and you can even get a rolling SUP backpack to make carrying it even easier!
Now you know how to pack for Italy, it’s time to book your trip...
Whether you want to do stand up paddle boarding in the Italian Lake District, scrambling up the peaks of the Dolomites, or simply sampling the delicious food on offer throughout the peninsula, you’re sure to have a wonderful time in Italy. With so much to do, you might need a helping hand when it comes to getting around, so why not look into a tour with Through Eternity? Their guides can introduce you to the country’s most important historical monuments both in person and virtually.