My Italy Packing List and Travel Tips You’ll Actually Use

In celebration of our joint retirements, my husband Todd and I took a two-week trip to beautiful Italy at the end of August 2025. We were traveling with the tour company Gate 1, visiting Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento. This was our very first trip to Europe, and I spent plenty of time watching YouTube videos and joining Facebook groups to prepare. In this post, I am excited to share the travel tips, planning ideas, and many of the helpful items I brought with me that truly made a difference for us throughout the trip. My hope is that they help you feel more prepared and even more excited for your own adventure.

This picture was taken in Brunate near the Faro Voltiano lighthouse. We were having lunch at Mama Gina’s, and this was the amazing view from our table.

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Planning the Itinerary

A screenshot of the itinerary I created before our trip. I listed each day’s location, activities, expected weather, and the day and dinner outfits. I also added our own dinner reservations on nights when we did not have a group meal. I used this itinerary to help me pack.

Before knowing what to pack, I created our full itinerary with each day’s location, activities, any reservations, and expected weather. Once the columns were filled in with those details, I was able to start planning what I would need for both daytime exploring and evenings out. I know it sounds a little over the top, but I truly enjoy having everything organized so we can make the most of our time and not scramble in an unfamiliar country.

🌿Tip: Before your trip, use the free Storm Radar app to check average temperatures and upcoming weather patterns for each city on your itinerary. It was impressively accurate throughout our trip, and our fellow travelers and tour guide quickly learned how reliable it was. They often asked Todd and me when the rain would start or stop, and the app was almost always spot on.

Packing Made Simple

The first picture shows the cream colored packing cubes I used for the trip. The second picture is me walking over the Constitution Bridge into Venice with my travel backpack fully packed.

Since we were staying in five different hotels, I wanted to make unpacking and repacking as easy as possible. That meant relying on two key items, packing cubes and a travel backpack, to keep everything organized and easy to access.

The BAGAIL 8-Set Packing Cubes were gifted to me, and I now use them for every trip. They are lightweight and the larger bags are semi-transparent, which makes finding things a breeze.

The MATEIN TSA Large Backpack turned out to be one of my best purchases. It had several pockets and zippered compartments that made organizing everything simple. My husband even joked that he liked mine better than his “overpriced” one. It also had a compartment in the back which I used for important documents.

To stay organized, I started packing at home with one cube for each city, then realized I could condense to four cubes once I saw that some outfits would be reused. It worked perfectly.

🌿Tip: Label each cube and tuck a small note card on top with the items you’ll need to move to the next one before leaving each hotel. It keeps your outfits organized and makes repacking much faster.

A Little Extra Comfort for Sleeping on Long Travel Days

Our two trtl pillows shown here. One is inside the travel bag and the gray one is sitting on top. You can also see the black strap that makes it easy to attach to a carry on.

Our flight to Italy left at 9:30 pm, so I knew I needed something that would help me sleep on the plane. The trtl Pillow Super Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow for Sleeping was a game changer. It is lightweight, easy to pack, and gave my neck the support it needed so I could actually rest while sitting upright. My husband tried mine out at home before we left, and he loved it so much that he ordered one too. Now we both bring them on every trip.

🌿Tip: Bring a face mask and ear plugs to help block out the light and noise around you. I tucked both right into the trtl bag that the pillow comes in so everything was in one place and easy to grab when I needed it.

Peace of Mind with AirTags

Our AirTags sitting on top of our passports. We brought two for this trip, and now we use them for every vacation and even for daily life.

Before this trip, we purchased two Apple Air Tags since our luggage would be moving through several hotels and cities. They gave us such peace of mind knowing exactly where our bags were at all times.

We used an AirTag Holder Case with Keychain to help keep track of them and make them easy to move if needed. We tucked the AirTags into a small zippered bag inside each suitcase so they stayed hidden and secure during the entire trip.

I honestly can’t believe I didn’t purchase these sooner. We now use AirTags for every trip and even in our daily lives to keep track of things like our keys, backpacks, and even our cars. They also come in a AirTag 4-pack if you want to use them for multiple items.

🌿Tip: Place an AirTag in your purse or crossbody bag too. It gives you a little extra peace of mind in busy airports, crowded areas, and train stations.

Being Ready for Rain or Shine

These pictures include the three shirts and the sheer shrug I used for layering. Each one has a photo of me wearing it and another of it wrapped or draped over my shoulders. You will also see two photos of the sun hat I wore throughout the trip.

Italy’s weather can be unpredictable, so I packed for both rain and sunshine. My go-to essentials were the BAODINI Mini Umbrella, the Askljeby Brimmed Straw Packable Hat, and two versatile shirts. The Astylish Long-Sleeved White Linen Shirt, and the Wrangler Women's Denim Snap Shirt work for any forecast.

Some mornings started cool and turned warm by afternoon, so I wanted to be comfortable throughout the day. The umbrella also doubled as great sun protection. We saw plenty of people using them at the Pompeii Ruins.

🌿Tip: When visiting basilicas, you’ll need to have your shoulders and knees covered. Both of my shirts were thin enough to drape over my shoulders when needed and could easily be tied at the waist later in the day. Another great option is the Back From Bali Womens Sheer Shrug Cardigan, which I could tie to my crossbody bag when not wearing it. These lightweight pieces were perfect for warmer days and worked well for restaurants and churches.

Comfortable Travel Dresses

In one picture is the UPF dress and the last two are the Cabana Life dresses. The first picture was taken in Cathedral Square by the Leaning Tower in Assisi. The second picture was taken in Brunate. The third picture was taken at Castello in Venice.

We spent many hours on the bus traveling between cities, so comfort was a priority. I wanted clothing that was breathable, stretchy, and easy to throw on. My favorites were the Lightbare Women’s UPF 50+ Casual Sundress Sleeveless Tank Dress and the Cabana Life Women’s Sleeveless Shift Dress UPF 50+.

Another great option is the Lightbare UPF 3/4 Sleeve Sun Dress. These dresses were cute, comfortable, and perfect for warm sightseeing days or layering under a light shirt or sweater.

🌿Tip: If you are spending long hours on a tour bus or train, pack dresses that can double as both a sightseeing outfit and a comfortable travel day look. Choosing a UPF fabric also helps protect your skin during sunny afternoons.

My Health Essentials on the Go

These are the on the go health essentials I packed. The Beyond Collagen travel packs are missing because I ran out of them on our last trip. The bag you see is the one I use every day.

Even while traveling, I stick to some daily health habits. Two things I couldn’t go without were my Beyond Collagen Travel Packs and Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Sticks along with RXBAR Protein Bars. If you use Vital Proteins Collagen, they also offer Vital Proteins Collagen Travel Packs.

I track my protein intake and wanted easy options for days when we were out exploring. Each snack fits perfectly in a small crossbody bag, and together the beef stick and RXBAR give you a quick 22 grams of protein. We keep both of these stocked at home for everyday use too.

🌿Tip #1: Put together your own protein trail mix before leaving home. We made ours with walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, dried cranberries, and a few chocolate chips. It was the perfect grab-and-go snack for travel days and bus rides between cities.

🌿Tip #2: Stay hydrated, especially during long days of walking and sightseeing. In warmer weather or after long travel days, you may also need to replenish electrolytes. The brand we rely on when traveling is Ultima Replenisher Daily Electrolyte Powder Stickpacks. I brought along six stick packs for the week, and they were perfect to mix with bottled or fountain water. This brand stood out to me because it’s sugar-free, easy to pack, and tastes great.

Shoes Made for Walking

In one picture I am wearing the Ghost Max 2 in the courtyard of the Palazzo del Mercato Vecchio in Verona. The second picture shows my Skechers on our very first day in Italy, taken in Como at Lake Como. You will also notice a few pictures above that show the Ghost Max from different angles.

Before our trip, I did a lot of research on the best walking shoes. I originally planned to wear my On Cloud 5 Sneakers, which I love, but after reading countless reviews, I decided to try the Brooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running and Walking Shoe.

I have owned a couple of pairs of Brooks Ghosts and already knew they were comfortable, but everyone said this new version felt like walking on air. They were absolutely right. I wore them almost every day, sometimes logging fifteen thousand steps, and had zero issues with my feet, legs, or hips. They’ve officially become my go-to vacation sneakers.

I also brought a couple of other pairs of shoes for evenings out or quick walks to lunch, and one pair I never vacation without is the Skechers Women’s Desert Kiss Adobe Sandal. I have them in both taupe and black, and they go with almost anything. The strap is adjustable with velcro, although you would never know by looking at it, and it allows you to loosen the fit if your feet swell from heat or a lot of walking. They are perfect for evenings, warmer days, and any time you want something cute and comfortable.

🌿Tip: The right socks make all the difference when walking long distances. I wore Gonii Ankle Socks that stayed in place and didn’t slip down behind my heel, even after hours of exploring. These are also great socks for workouts.

Hotel Must-Haves

A few of my European hotel must haves, including the microfiber hair towels, two adapters, and a washcloth. I only bring one towel on each trip.

Here are the items I consider must-haves for European hotels:

• Travel Plug Adapter

• Washcloths
  

• Microfiber hair towels

You’ll need a European converter for all your charging needs. We used the 2-Pack European Travel Plug Adapter, which worked perfectly since most rooms had at least two available outlets.

For washcloths, I brought three old ones from home that I didn’t mind tossing. Later I found these Disposable Towel Compressed Wash Cloths, which I’ll definitely use for future trips.

I also recommend bringing Hicober Microfiber Hair Towels. If you are like me and prefer to do your makeup before your hair, the large towels are too bulky to wrap your hair in. The microfiber ones are lightweight, easy to pack, and come in a set of three so you always have a clean one.

🌿Tip: If you bring your own hair dryer, be careful with the heat settings since outlets in Italy can cause them to overheat. I brought my BaByliss Pro Hair Dryer, which I love, but it overheated on the highest setting. Hotel dryers are often attached to the wall and require holding down a button, and they aren’t very strong, so it’s worth planning ahead.

Helpful Extras I Pack for the Hotel Room

A few of the helpful extras we bring for hotel stays, including our Hydro Flask bottles, my magnifying mirror, our small travel fan, and the portable carbon monoxide detector.

There are also a few helpful extras that always make our hotel stays more comfortable.

If you need readers like I do, a magnifying mirror is a lifesaver. Hotel mirrors can be too far away or poorly lit, especially when putting on makeup. My 20X Magnifying Mirror Suction Cup sticks right onto the bathroom mirror and travels with me everywhere. The only thing to remember is to take it off before heading home.

We also bring a 3 in 1 Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector. It is small, easy to pack, and gives us peace of mind when staying in unfamiliar rooms.

A portable travel fan is another item I am always glad to have. We have the Mikikin Travel Fan. Most the hotels in Italy only allow limited temperature adjustments, and the fan made getting ready so much more comfortable. It was especially helpful on warmer days and when we were not feeling well.

Lastly, we always travel with our Hydro Flask Water Bottles 24 oz. We filled them daily at street fountains since our hotels did not provide bottled water. While the tap water is safe, we preferred the fountains and loved having cold water with us throughout the day.

Don't Forget Your Travel Meds

A close up of the clear medication bag I use for all of my trips. It keeps everything organized and easy to find.

We always bring a small container of medication, and I’m so glad I did. About eight days into the trip, both Todd and I came down with sinus infections. Thankfully I had packed Sudafed and Ibruprofren, but we didn’t have cough drops or Vicks.

We visited a local farmacia (pharmacy), but their cough drops were very mild. Once home, I found travel-size Vicks Vaporub, which now lives permanently in my travel bag.

🌿Tip #1: Keep your daily supplements and prescriptions in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage. You may need them during your flight, and it’s always safer in case your bags are delayed or misplaced.

🌿Tip #2: Use a small travel container to pack just enough pain reliever for your trip. When you return home, pour any unused medication back into the main bottle to keep track of expiration dates. The little container stays with my travel essentials so it’s always ready for the next trip.

Staying Safe from Pickpockets

A close up of our crossbody bags and the anti theft clips we used throughout the trip. My bag can also be seen in many of the photos in this post.

Before leaving, I kept hearing warnings about pickpocketing in Europe. During our thirteen-day tour, one person in our group actually observed a pickpocket in action right in front of him and intervened before anything was stolen. Even our tour guide said it had happened to her before, so it’s worth taking seriously.

I used the INICAT RFID Blocking Sling Bag Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag, which has a hidden back pocket where I safely stored my passport on travel days. I also used an RFID Blocking Small Wallet for my credit cards and euros.

Todd wasn’t initially a fan of wearing a crossbody bag, but before we left, I talked him into getting the Mini Sling Bag Crossbody. Once we arrived, he quickly noticed that many men were wearing similar styles and changed his mind. By the end of the trip, he thanked me for suggesting it. The bag worked perfectly for holding his whisper earphones, our Gate 1 name tags, and other essentials.

🌿Tip: Always keep your crossbody bag positioned in front of you, not behind your back. If you plan to use a backpack in busy areas, add Anti-Theft Zipper Clips for extra peace of mind. Small habits like these can make a big difference when navigating crowded markets, train stations, and tourist spots.

What to Know About Euros in Italy

A look at the euro coins and bills you will use throughout Italy. Coins are much more common than you might expect.

We ordered our euros before the trip through Bank of America, which was a huge help. When ordering, we had the option to choose small, large, or mixed denominations. We selected mixed and received bills ranging from €5 to €100. I’m not sure if other banks offer the same options, so it’s best to check with yours before ordering.

For reference, we exchanged about $1,200 USD for €1,000. The nice part is that you can return unused bills (not coins) for U.S. dollars when you return home.

🌿Tip: Many public restrooms in Italy charge a small fee typically between €0.50 and €2.00, so always keep a few coins handy. We tried to use hotel or restaurant restrooms before heading out since public ones were hit or miss. Even McDonald’s required showing a receipt to use the bathroom.

Smart Ways to Book Restaurants and Save in Italy

A screenshot of a restaurant listing on The Fork that shows the discounts offered and the times you can reserve.

Our Gate 1 tour included breakfast daily and five dinners, so we made our own reservations for the remaining meals before we left. I discovered an amazing site called The Fork, which is like OpenTable for Europe.

It made finding nearby restaurants easy, and some offered discounts of up to forty percent (not including drinks) for certain times. I shared the app with a few people in our group, and it quickly spread once everyone saw how convenient it was. The comments were all the same, how easy it made finding places to eat and how much everyone liked saving money. You can download The Fork app or go directly to their website to make reservations while planning your trip.

🌿Tip: Water in Italy is not complimentary when dining out. You will typically pay around €5 for a large bottle to share, and you will be asked if you prefer still or sparkling. We accidentally bought sparkling water once at a convenience store and learned that lesson quickly.

The Best Part, The Food

Some pictures of the amazing food and drinks we were lucky to enjoy during our trip.

Besides the breathtaking scenery, the food was truly unforgettable. We happily enjoyed pizza, cappuccinos, afternoon Aperitivos, and plenty of gelato.

An Aperitivo in Italy is similar to happy hour and usually comes with complimentary snacks like olives or crackers. You can see our plate of snacks in the photo with our Aperol Spritz, a classic Italian cocktail. They even have non-alcoholic versions if you prefer to skip the alcohol.

🌿Tip #1: Learn a few Italian words and phrases before your trip. I used the free Duolingo app, and one of my first lessons was how to order in a café, which came in handy when ordering a cappuccino in the mornings. It made the experience feel more personal and fun.

🌿Tip #2: Download the free Google Translate app before you go. You’ll use it often, especially in smaller cafés and gelato shops where everything is listed in Italian. The app also lets you take a picture of a menu and instantly translate it into English, which is so helpful when you’re trying to choose between dozens of delicious gelato flavors.

Photo taken from the chair lift that goes from Capri to Anacapri. It was such a phenomenal experience. A little scary at first, but absolutely worth it.

I hope these tips help you feel more prepared and inspired for your own Italian adventure. Whether you are traveling for the first time or the fifth, packing well makes all the difference.

🌿Have you traveled to Italy or discovered any helpful packing or travel tips of your own?

Come share your ideas on Facebook so others can benefit from your experience too.

Ciao and happy travels!

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