Tips: Packing & Transportation

 Been there, done that and here’s what I learned..

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What to wear in Italy:

Keep in mind that I went to Italy in early June… and it was HOT already. June,July, August, September will require lightweight clothing. There are some very important things to note if traveling during the warmer months with regard to clothing for women in particular. Women must cover shoulders and knees when entering churches and the Vatican. A light scarf suffices for covering your shoulders but all dresses should hit below the knee. The Vatican takes this seriously and you will not be allowed to enter, while other churches will expect you to respect their sacred spaces. Scarves are very easy to find in Rome so you can pick on up while there if you don’t want to pack one to begin with.

I observed that Italians are very put-together. I noticed women in the summer months wear dresses or skirts with modest tops. Leather sandals and boots are in fashion though trainers are also acceptable. I recommend taking trainers and sandals with you (don’t make the same mistake I did… break your sandals in ahead of time). You won’t see Italian women dressed scanitly and doing so will target you as a tourist, which you want to avoid. Another “no-no’ are Yoga pants. They are worn strictly for athletic purposes, not daily jaunts around the city (I admit, it was hard for me to leave my favorite Patagonia Pack-Out tights behind but I feel it is important to try to blend in as much as you can, especially if traveling solo). Slacks or Capri’s are also acceptable.

As I mentioned in my first journal post, men are equally dressed. Slacks or shorts and a nice shirt will help your travel companion blend in but baseball caps aren’t worn (at least not from what I saw. All baseball clad =gentlemen I saw were definitely tourists). Of course, all of these tips are just tips. You should dress so that you feel comfortable and confident. A lot can be said for trying to blend in though, so that you aren’t bothered by people trying to scam you on the streets or worse, pickpockets.

Linen is very popular for both men and women for the obvious reasons: comfortable and cool.

If traveling in shoulder seasons, pack a light sweater and of course, if traveling in winter, check the weather in advance so that you have warm jackets or rain gear.

If you travel as I do, with a carry-on only, remember.. you can always wash your clothes. Some hotels have laundry service, some home rentals have washers or there’s always the sink (which I utilized!). It’s better in my opinion to pack minimaly because you can (and will be tempted to) pick up more clothing as you shop if needed. I ended up buying a GREAT dress at OVS which is Italy’s version of… Gap but way better and very affordable! I also picked up a pair of leather sandals from a street vendor which were in fashion, VERY inexpensive and surprisingly comfortable (no breaking in necessary!).

Lastly.. women in Italy are low-key with their beauty products. Their makeup application is very natural looking and it works (so, work it, girl!).

When to visit Italy:

Obviously the summer months typically bring us more freedom to travel… which means that A LOT of us are. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect by season if you’re visitng:

Summer: June-September

I visited in early June (the first 11 days of June, to be exact) and it was already both crowded and hot. Rome has so many “must-see” places that the summer months are guaranteed to have very large crowds. Particularly nowadays since everyone is ready to shed their cabin fever now that Covid traveling restrictions have been lifted. The heat can be nearly unbearable depending on your tolerance level (I tolerate heat well while my husband does NOT. I even had a hard time adjusting to the heat in Rome and that’s saying something. I prefer warm weather so hear me when I say, the heat there is legit). Pair that with huge crowds and you might find your enthusiasm waining. That said, the summer months are FANTASTIC for the Almafi and coastal areas! While still hot, you have the ocean breeze and an occasional Mediterranean summer rain storm to cool you off and it is a perfect recipe for long days at the beach! July and August are a bit less expensive but the trade off is that those are obviously the hottest months. When I visited in June, the temperature hovered at 89-96 degrees (f). Add a touch of humidity and perhaps only those who live in Alabama and the deep south would be good to go.

Fall:

September and October are still busy (and expensive) travel months but at least you’ll have great weather! Bear in mind that a lot of places in smaller towns close up from late November-early March so late September and October are your targets.

Winter:

Well, it’s winter…. you’ll have to prepare for rainy days, fewer options but also much smaller crowds. If it’s your first trip to Italy, I probably wouldn’t suggest going in the winter months simply because you will miss out on some of the summer veggies grown locally, the vibe that sunshine brings and unpredictable weather events. Rome stays lively all year but some tours and points of interest make have adjusted hours.

Spring:

As I mentioned, some of the smaller towns (Sorrento, Positano, etc) shutter during the winter so mid-March- May are ideal. You’ll still encounter crowds and higher cost of travel but you’ll beat the heat! When I return I will likely make late April my target time frame for visiting.

 I’m going to take this opportunity to list a few things that I consider must-haves. These are my favorite products I traveled with on this trip:

Good sandals

Ladies, forget about heels in Italy (unless you’re taking a taxi for dinner). The cobblestones will trip you up even in trainers so heels are a no-go! Aside from a good pair of tennis shoes, I highly recommend these sandals. They are lightweight, somewhat adjustable and mold to your feet like Birkenstocks do but maybe even better! Did I mention they are lightweight? Note: you will need to break them in before wearing them for long walks while exploring. Check out these Chacos on Amazon

Sunscreen

Particularly if you are traveling in the summer months! This brand has become my absolute favorite. It’s a light mist/spray, gives great coverage, the travel size is great (TSA approved size) and one application lasted me all day in the blazing sun for HOURS. It’s organic and I highly recommend. Click on the link below, add it to your cart and grab some! You can also buy the full-size version if you like this brand. Sunscreen on Amazon

Anti-theft aids

Most people grab a money belt before traveling bu I find them to be cumbersome and hot. I found the PERFECT solution: travel underwear. They fit like briefs, are insanely comfortable and the two zippered pockets are perfect for stashing your passport and extra cards or cash without the worry of encountering a pickpocket. I used a theft-proof purse from PacSafe for the items I needed frequently and then stashed passport, etc in the pockets of the underwear so that I had those items safely on my person at all times. These are without a doubt, my favorite travel purchase this year. Travel Underwear on Amazon and I will be taking them on every trip in the future. To be honest, I’ve been wearing them under dresses since I’ve returned from my trip because they are that comfortable!