Rome What to Pack

Luggage and bags: My sister and I economized with the packing. We took a carry-on that was filled with 2 pairs of pants each and enough shirts to last 6 days. The trick is to roll all the clothes to fit properly. Bring an extra bag with you for extras or just buy one while there.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: My oh my! I decided to bring one pair of shoes, but these shoes are the ones I wear on a daily basis here, are broken in, and look good with everything. So I was in for a big and painful surprise when they didn't stand up to the uneven cobblestone roads and the vast amount of walking we did. Ended up with blisters so bad, that my ankle and leg were hurting and was limping the rest of the trip. BRING 2 PAIR OF SHOES WITH YOU TO INTERCHANGE, AND MAKE SURE ONE IS A FASHIONABLE PAIR OF SNEAKERS.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring the bare essentials. Because of the new travel guidelines you want to get the mini travel sizes. Some stuff you can definitely buy abroad other things are better if you just bring them with you, namely deodarant and eye solution for contacts. Get tiny toothpaste, a perfums, and then buy shampoo while there.

Oh ya, because i was in so much pain I had to stop at a pharmacy and stock up on bandages, blisters doughnuts, and Dr. Scholl's products or 24 Euro worth of foot aid. Not cool.

Photo Equipment: I just brought a USB cable that I loaded with my days worth of photos and deleted them off my digital camera. You can do this at any internet cafe (which there are aplenty) or in my case my friends laptop.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: We didn't bother with bringing umbrellas and needed them, unfortunately, while we were there. We got them for 5 E and they were really good ones.

Miscellaneous: Bring the bare essentials, because it really is a drag bringing more than you need. Also worse case scenario you need to go shopping....wait, that can't be that bad;)

Luggage and bags: My wife was very concerned about packing for carry on only. After a few days in Italy and the transfers we had to make in train stations and etc. she said "we still packed too much!" I can't suggest too strongly to pack light. We bought an extra inexpensive piece of luggage for packing our souvenirs and checked this bag in on our return trip home. We saw many people struggling with far too many bags in train stations and streets.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: With the new carry on restrictions, it actually made our decision to pack light much easier. Once we arrived at our first location, we simply bought what we needed. We left my wife's hair dryer at our last accomodation. IF your really worried about getting toiletries and such, they sell most of the essentials in airports.

Miscellaneous: One item I was quite concerned with was exchanging US dollars into Euro's. The first thing we had to do was catch a train from the Rome Airport to Rome Termini train station, this required euro's. My local bank wanted to charge me service fees and such that was just crazy. When we were at the international terminal getting ready to depart on our flight to Italy I saw a small booth that said "International Money Exchange". I had travellers' cheques as a back up and asked if they accept these for exchange to euro's. It was no problem and my worries were unfounded. So, if your in this predicament, look for this exchange booth, I don't know if all airports have them but, they do at Cleveland Hopkins!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You need really comfortable shoes.It is a city that you should discover by walking.

Photo Equipment: Do not forget to bring enough batteries for your camera.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: It is better to take a flask with you.There are lots of fountains everywhere so you can fiil it and don't have to spend much money for water.

Luggage and bags: Durable backpack with wheels. I think this offers the most mobility for a traveler who plans to use trains and buses to get from one hotel to the other. The wheels come in handy when you get tired and the pack can be carried in and around sights you find along your way to a hotel.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: *Wicking sports shirts (Light weight and take up very little space. Layers keep a person warm in chilli cathedrals and the cool weather. Also one can peel layers to expose the wicking shirt when it gets warmer.)

*Whool sox.

*Comfortable pair of hiking sandals.

*Comfortable pair of walking shoes.

*Medium weight jacket (whool my choice for staying warm even in rain).

*A weeks worth of underwear. (Waste as little time as one must washing clothing.)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: I keep this minimal as I am a male and wash my hair with hand soap often.

*Tooth brush and paste.

*Small travel towel.

*Bar of soap (Can be used to wash clothes by hand if one must.)

Photo Equipment: *Digital camera with at least one gig of memory.

*Mini-tripod for camera.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: I am not much of a camper. I really appreciate modern conveniences like climate controlled buildings, toilets, running water, and showers.

Miscellaneous: Small fanny pack or backpack for day trips.

Paper and pen.

Passport holder that can be warn around the neck, waste or pocketed.

Compass.

TomTom.

Maps (Foldable)

Frommers Italy on $70 a day. (It can be done.)

Luggage and bags: Good luggage with wheels for the cobblestone. And extra compact bag for bringing home souveniers.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Shoes! Good Shoes. There is lots of cobblestone in Rome. Fabulous scarf for those chilly nights. Pay attention to how the locals wear them. So chic.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Sunscreen, Hat

Photo Equipment: Good camera batteries and film. So much cheaper and easier to find at home.

Miscellaneous: Washcloth. The hotels in Italy don't have them. In fact they only have one large bath towel then several hand towels that are made out of the same type of cloth that I would compare to cloth napkins. This was the case for the three hotels where we stayed in Italy. Also, bring a good language guide.

Miscellaneous: Be sure to pack your alarm clock. The whole time we were in Rome we had no clue what time it was. We were constantly pestering the front desk by calling and asking the time. One day we had been up I am sure to the wee hours of the morning the front desk called and asked us do you want maid service today. I felt it odd they would call and ask us but when I asked her the time and she said 1:40 in the afternoon I realized why. So Bring your travel alarm clock.

Luggage and bags: For a week and a half, all I needed was one big suitcase and my school backpack. Also, a money belt to wear under my clothes because that's the best type of money-holder to avoid getting pick-pocketed.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Comfortable shoes are a must if you'll be walking a lot. If you're coming in summer, it can get extremely hot (like over 40 celcius) so definitely bring your lightest summer clothes. But be aware that you have to cover your knees and shoulders to enter a church so bring appropriate clothes for that. Also, if you're going swimming in a public pool, you have to wear a bathing cap (we were told it's illegal to swim without one).

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If you're coming in summer, bring sunscreen since you'll definitely get burned without it. If you do get burned, aloe vera works well on sunburns.

Miscellaneous: If you don't know Italian, it might be useful to bring an English (or whatever language you speak) - Italian dictionary.

Luggage and bags: Romans dress up for everything. Italians don't wear shorts or flipflops. Most women wear dresses all the time and the men always wear slacks, never shorts. Seeing how nicely they dress can make you a little self concious. Don't worry. Just pack some of your nicer, comfortable clothes and you will be fine. In the evening a nice dress will blend in and for men a nice pair of pants with a button shirt will always work.. As far as shoes go, bring something that is already "broken in". White tennis shoes are not very popular in Rome. I bought a tan pair that were very cool looking and did fine. You can get great walking shoes at any mall, and believe me, you will need them. Dont wear heels while exploring Rome or you will pay the price. All the cobbles make it a really bad choice not matter how nice they look. A hat in the summer is a good idea also, and not just for men.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Clothing that can be layered is the way to go in Rome. For women, in the summer, sleeveless tops for outside with a large scarf or a lightweight shirt ( with sleeves) for churches will do fine. Capri pants or a skirt is also a good choice, as you are not allowed to show your knees inside church out of respect. For men, those pants that have the zip off leg is a great way to go. Just put the legs on for any church and you're set. In the winter, layering is a must. The mornings and evenings can be quite cold, yet the afternoons can warm up quite a bit. I have found that long-sleeved t's, cardigan sweaters and a mid weight jacket work well.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: As far as toiletries, I first check with the hotel to find out what they supply, and I bring everything else. Heres the list: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, spare contact lenses, lense case, solution, spare glasses, brush, hairspray, moisturizer, make-up, razors(in checked luggage only!!) tylenol, immodium (just in case),and pepto (again, just in case), mole skin (for blisters-haven't had to use it yet!), band-aides, sound machine, current converter and dramamine (for plane and train trips). If your hotel doesn't supply theses you will need, hair dryer, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and flip-flops.

Photo Equipment: For photo equitpment I take a good camera bag with a large strap that can go across my body not just over my shoulder, my camera, different lenses (if you have an slr or dslr), memory cards or film, storage device for photos with card reader and battery charger. PLEASE!!!!DO NOT check your photo equiptment with your checked luggage, carry it on with you.

Miscellaneous: Here's what goes in my suitcase: Name and phone number of hotel where I am staying (in case luggage is lost), 4 pairs kahkis, 2 pair jeans, (pants in winter and capris in summer for all), 6-7 shortsleeve tops (summer), 6-7 longsleeve T's with 6-7 button up or pullover tops (winter- for layering), 1 bathing suit, 6 sets of undies, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 pair of flip-flops(for going to and from the pool), 6 pair of socks, 1 midweight jacket (winter), canvas shoulder bag and umbrella. In my carry-on: 1 book, 1 puzzle book with pencil, ipod, headphones, laptop, make-ep, contact stuff, toothbrush and paste, brush, dramamine and a change of clothes. I usually change into something more comfortable after the flight has taken off and change back just before landing. On overnight flights, this helps me sleep better.