Perhaps not everyone knows that I’m a bit of a control freak. Not for everything, luckily. But when it comes to travel, I must do all the things in my own way, with my times and above all, I must make a list of things to pack. Actually, it’s now 2 years that I use the same list, perfectioned over time.
What should I pack for a summer trip to Italy?
I divide the list into sections: clothes, seaside stuff, medicines, technology, miscellaneous, food, and beauty.
1 Clothes
- Socks and undergarments (if you follow me on Instagram, you know that on my last trip I forgot the socks and I borrowed them from my husband. It happened because I struck out this line after inserting only the undergarments in the suitcase. I thought: Now I’ll insert the socks. But then I received a phone call. When I got back to my packing, I saw the line crossed out and I thought that everything was done). So: do not make the same mistake!)
- Pajama (in summer I actually use just a comfy cotton T-shirt)
- Summer dresses
- T-shirts
- Skirts
- Trousers
- Shorts
- Jumpsuit (if I want to feel comfortable in the hotel room for example). I once packed only clothes for the activities and when I got in the room, I realized I had nothing to wear, except the “pajama T-shirt” so, even for breakfast or to hang out at the hotel I always had to dress up.
- One super light summer sweater (you never know)
- For the same reason 1 foulard and my light denim jacket
- A hat
- Shoes (I usually bring my black Vans, a pair of white sneakers and 1 sandal)
- Slippers (hotels usually have those, but in agriturismo or B&B they don’t)
! Tip: try to coordinate the colors, so that you can create several combinations with only a few items.
! What about an elegant dress? I think I don’t even own an elegant dress. I always pack a black dress, which can be suitable for many occasions.
2 Beachware
- Beach bag
- Swimsuits
- Pareo or light dress
- Swimming cap (some places require for you to wear it)
- Flip–flops
- Acqua Shoes for pebbled beaches
- Beach towel and Bathrobe (if not provided by the hotel): I use those in microfiber so that they’re super thin.
- Extra towel: I always bring an extra microfiber towel for my hair. Hotels and B&Bs always provide you with hand towels, shower towels, and bidet towel, but there’s never a towel for hair. I usually wash my hair and then let them dry a bit under a towel put as a turban. So, when I finally use the hairdryer, it requires 2 minutes to dry them (I have super thin hair).
! Tip: better to inquire the hotel owners regarding the gear they offer
3 Medicines
Here the list can vary, depending on your needs. I must bring with me my asthma and allergies medicines. Plus I always have with me cortisone, paracetamol, the pills to digest lactose (I keep it in my purse), mosquito repellent, band-aids, rubbing alcohol and thermometer. I usually bring only a couple of pills for each item, unless it’s the ones I have to take every day (so I obviously count the days of the trip).
! Tip: better to purchase travel size bottles where to put the liquids (for example rubbing alcohol).
4 Technology
- Smartphone and charger
- Camera and charger + second battery
- Electric shaver if needed
- Powerbank for my smartphone
! I mostly travel in Italy, so I don’t have this problem. But better you bring with you also a power adapter for Italian sockets.
5 Miscellaneous
- Documents
- Kleenex
- Notes and pen
- Travel guides
- Books/Kindle (I now use my smartphone)
- K-way and/or travel-size umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Money
- A couple of plastic bags where to put dirty clothes
6 Food
I mostly travel by car. So I always bring with me a small “stock” of food because you never know when hunger strikes. It usually includes a pack of almonds and nuts, a pack of taralli (similar to breadsticks), sometimes fruits and carrots (if I didn’t manage to eat them before leaving, I wash them, put them into food bags and bring them with me for a snack), and obviously some water bottles. I’m always afraid of running out of water.
7 Beauty
- Shampo, shower gel and soap (yes, some places do not provide you with these things)
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss
- Brush, comb and hair scrunchies
- Lens cleaning cloth for my glasses
- Tweezer and clippers
- Earplugs (I can’t sleep without them)
- Razor for my legs
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Ladies products if needed
- Chapstick (I can’t live nor leave without it)
- Makeup items
- Condoms (I’m not ashamed)
