Are you going to Italy this summer? If so,you must be very excited! Before you go,you’ll have lots of decisions to make on what to bring and not to bring. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
First of all,make sure your passport is up to date…I know it sounds silly but your passport needs to be valid for 90 days beyond your stay. So if your trip is July 1-15 and your passport expires in September,you might think that you’re all set…WRONG:you’ll need to renew it before you leave.
Also,make sure you know your airline’s baggage limits. Alitalia for example changed their baggage limit from 2 checked bags to 1 checked bag this past year. You’ll need to pay $50 for a second bag and your first born child for a third! (Also make sure to bring some quarters just in case the bathroom door on the plane requires one for entry…just kidding!)
Thanks to Andrew Stawarz/Flickr photo
Ok…so I’m sure there are plenty of things you would like to bring with you to Italy but let’s start with 5 things NOT to bring to Italy:
- Don’t bring too many shoes:Keep in mind your baggage has a weight limit (Alitalia has a 20kg or approximately 44 pound limit for the first bag,2nd bag is $50) Not to mention,you’re going to ITALY remember?…. where they make some of the best shoes in the world. Can you think of a better reason to go shopping. Ladies?
- Too much Bling! Nothing attracts thieves like bling bling…you know,jewelry. Plus,I know a guy at the train station in Naples that has some really great jewelry for sale!! (just kidding)
- Large amounts of currency. There are several ways to change dollars into Euros but the worst way in my opinion is to bring a large amount of USD and change it at the airport. The exchange rates at the airport are usually some of the worst rates for changing currency. If you want to bring some Euros with you,your local bank can usually exchange currency for you with a week or two of notice (depending on where you live.) The easiest way to change currency is to visit an ATM machine once you get there. Don’t change too much…you don’t want to stress about having too much money in your wallet or back at your hotel room and you don’t want to have to change it back to dollars!
- Electronics…aside from your camera of course,what else do you really need to bring? a lap-top? do you really want to work on vacation? cell-phone? will your cell phone work in Italy? make sure you find out before you leave…and remember,not only will you get charged international calling rates but roaming rates as well. Hair dryer? I would recommend leaving your hair dryer at home unless you have a good voltage converter that you know works…. a good hair dryer is usually 1800+ watts. Many hotels have hair dryers in each room and you can always buy an inexpensive hair dryer when you arrive.
- Leave your attitude at home! Just remember,your not home…so don’t expect everything to be like home. Hotels in Italy are different,restaurants are different,service is different…the way Italians do things is probably different than what you’re used to. If you want everything to be the same,stay home! Being polite and doing your best to adapt to Italian culture will go a long way.
Do you have any items you would recommend NOT bringing?
We just got back from Italy a couple of weeks ago. I must admit,electronics is our weakness,but the rest of your advice is sound. Especially the part about the shoes!
Great post Joe! Since I haven’t been to Italy in 12 years –yes you heard me right –12 years! I can’t really advise anymore. I always used to bring way too much with me,and I would come back with even more! I’m praying to get back there sooner than later.
Che nostalgia!
I especially like #5! Leave the “tude”at home! Be OPEN to adventure and all things new and yes –foreign!!! Complimenti!
One thing you SHOULD bring:some basic Italian phrases. Just posted:“The Least Italian You Need to Know”at
http://goitaly.about.com/b/2010/05/11/italian-you-need-dianne-hales.htm.
Buon viaggio!
Good piece Joe —and I love the photo of the vintage luggage.
All great information there. I try to bring as little as possible,so I can leave room for goodies from Italy. There’s a package on its way to you Joe.
Don’t forget that not all power points in Italy are the same. We have three differnt ones in our house!
Ummm,OK but I wore new shoes while traveling in Italy one time. I don’t wear new shoes doing anything any more!
Leave the dryer at home because even with the transformer,it can blow the entire electric system even in hotels. Be a world traveler,if you must dry,and buy a tiny Euro dryer here. Even better,get a great wash and wear haircut.
I avoid travelers with computers. They are mentally ill. If you have a global phone get it unlocked and buy a pay as you go sim card to put in it while here. It’s about euro 15 and has 5 euros call credit included. You can reload at most tabacchi,supermarkets and news stands. (also buy an edicard for transatlantic calling)
As to attitude,do bring some. How amusing is Berlusconi’s reported social life with no Puritanism? I allow just a bit for that.
Sound advice all –I schlep my computer way too much. And you’re going to Italy –do not bring food!
I always take my cell phone with me! Because we have a house in Italy I do not need much to take when we fly.
Great list,Joe.
Pack an open mind and think “When in Rome…”
Leave your attitude at home! Just remember,your not home… so don’t expect everything to be like home. Hotels in Italy are different,restaurants are different,service is different… the way Italians do things is probably different than what you’re used to.
I think this to be very important. The Italian South especially,is a bit of a ‘time machine’thing. We don’t go there to see things perfectly working – if we want just that we should keep going to Sweden,North Germany or the US. When we go to the Med we go to see places a bit caught in the past,and this is EXACTLY WHY such trips are beautiful in my opinion.
Good advice Joe! I’d add “shorts”above the knee to the list —most Italians don’t seem to wear them and churches will not allow you to enter wearing them. Shorts seem to advertise a person is a tourist…so do sneakers.
this is great!! You’re in Italy…do you really need anymore than that!
I packed to much and wore new shoes,never again!
Great list! Also love #5. Sooo important if you want to enjoy another culture. If not,stay home!
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Wonder if anyone can help me. My son will be moving to work in Italy for about 6 months. What kinds of things should he be doing in advance as far as phone,electronics (lap top charger),money,etc.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
I love the “what not to bring”idea because and use it too as it is much more helpful to readers in general. I find people get caught up in worrying about the things they bring. Think more along the lines of “will this enhance the great experiences I am about to have”? Remember the less you bring the more mobile you are. In Italy this is crucial as rolling your luggage many places is impossible. And then think about lifting said luggage chest high into a train door!
Groovy blog. Best wishes