Hi everyone. My fiance and I are going to stay at Collelungo for 2 weeks from June 29th - July 13th. Neither my fiance, will be wife then, nor myself have done this kind of travel where we have a home base but we are very excited about it.

I was wondering from the folks that have gone to the Chianti region before, what should be make sure to pack? Do people have a standard, don't leave home without it packing list?

Neither of us speak Italian, though I am looking forward to learning some, and I am hoping to get some good sightseeing and bicyle riding in if possible. Any help, tips, guidence is very much appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Stefan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

You can buy most toiletries, etc., that you need, but bring some really good sweatproof sunblock anyway to get started with. The sun is brutal here, even when it is cool.
Casual (not sloppy) clothing, including something casual but elegant for evenings, sunblock and the Cadogan guide to Tuscany and Umbria. What else could you need if you are young and in love?

I've never set foot in Chianti, but have spent months in little home-bases not far away.

Anything connected with your bicycling, about which you sound serious, bring: specialized equipment you can't count on finding easily (or more to the point, quickly; you don't want to waste a day or two rushing around for equipment). Spare visor, pedal clips, trouser clips, whatever small items might easily break and that you are particularly used to.
   Local bikes: the front brake, which in the US is usually on the left, is usually on the right in Italy. Bike parts, no problem: not only Italy is very big on bikes, but the parts are world-standard (unlike France, where they are not).

Plastic bags are always very useful. I don't bicycle, I walk: but the needs are the same. If you are caught in the rain, it's always useful to have your passport -- which you must by law carry with you at all times -- in a plastic bag. Other uses for plastic or Zip-Loc bags: packing toiletries when you're on a bike circuit, protecting your camera (from experience: don't count on even a good camera bag), your film, your log, etc.
   Of course you can find plastic bags in Italy; but you might as well simplify things and leave with them. They don't weigh much!

If you plan any bike circuits (i.e. leave base on Day 1, go to place B, stay overnight, come back the next day) it is useful to have a miniature version of your toiletries. Those tiny toothpaste-toothbrush kits, a tiny bar of soap -- you can't absolutely count on hotels having soap, and at 9pm nothing's open of course; etc.
   Refresher towelettes, you know, the things they give you at fried-chicken joints in the States, or on airplanes.
   Waterless soap: I forget the brand names, but they come in small bottles, it's a kind of gluey guck that you squeeze on your hands and just rub. I find they really work; not that easy to find in the US, and pretty much impossible in Italy.
   If you're easy prey for bugs, the mosquito repellent you're used to. Ditto for throat lozenges, sprays etc.: my weak point, but the transatlantic flight affects other people too.

You will probably bicycle in shorts; yet churches require -- and if not, it's just respectful on the tourist's part -- that we wear decent clothes. I pack a pair of rollable plastic trousers; when I walk into town, I put on my shirt and pull trousers over my shorts.

Weather is unpredictable. In packing clothes, always think "layers". Rather than a thick sweater -- yes, it's conceivable you might need warm clothes! -- bring two light sweaters that can be worn one on top of the other.

Make sure that you carry enough prescription medication, and that it is very clearly marked as such.

The quality of your trip, and of your memories many years later, is enormously enhanced by keeping a diary or at least a log: from that standpoint, it's probably the most important thing you can pack. Also, if you take lots of photos, a log identifies them for later when your memory is not quite so fresh. Might as well bring some standard notebook that you feel comfortable writing in.

Spare camera supplies. Do not count on even batteries being available for your particular camera; let alone lens caps, UV filters, lens cleaning supplies, etc.
   Of course standard film is available pretty much everywhere, in fact, slightly cheaper than in the US; but bring 3 or 4 rolls for the first coupla days so you'll be ready immediately. The light is quite strong in Italy in the summer: ASA 100 is fine.

Leave the States with euros, about $75 worth ought to do it. Of course you can exchange money on arrival (or, best: put everything on your credit card, where you get interbank rates), but you never quite know: strikes, ATM malfunctions, or just plain 20-minutes-to-catch-a-train and you don't have any money.

I'll probably think of more.

Stefan,
Many Bill has already mentioned but here's my list:

First of all, I'll second the Bill's advice for the waterless hand sanitizer. I love the stuff, I always carry it in my purse.

#1. A journal and small folder to put all business cards in of restuarants etc. for future reference.

Small spray bottle of Evian mist, great for a quick cool shot of freshness.

Since it's your honeymoon, I would definatley bring a few candles along for those romantic evenings dining outdoors at Collelungo, and a few small sparklers always seem to set a special mood to the evening as well.

I always travel with a small corkscrew as well, just in case you feel like stopping for a impromtu picnic somewhere.

Here's another one I simply can't travel without, Shout Stain packets, great for troublesome wine stains in restaurants etc.

Make a few tapes of your favorite music to play while driving etc or at your vacation rental.

Try the product No Jet Lag while traveling over,( available at most travel shops ) it worked for us and felt virtually no jet lag after 12 hours of travel.

Get your wife to pack a large sarong to wrap around here shoulders or shorts so she can get into those churches. Takes up no room and indespensible!

I'll think of more later.
Have a great trip.

While the sparklers sound very romantic Liz, I wonder if they might not set off security at the airport? Does anyone know about this? Don't sparklers have something in them related to explosive?

We have a page on the website where I talk about the things to bring for staying in a vacation rental:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vrentals/what_to_bring.htm

Probably all you will need is a good kitchen knife (don't put it in your carryon!) and a flashlight.

We do not use "regular" soaps, shampoos etc. because we both react to fragrance and need unscented, natural things - so I always bring a complete supply with me - shampoo, soap, laundry soap, toothpaste. You can get some there in the small natural food stores you find, but I always think it is easier to just bring it with me.

I always bring a few English language novels to read. You can find some there, but I like to have a few special ones to bring.

You probably won't run into rain or colder weather, but you might want to bring a light jacket.

Oh yeah, and since this is your HONEYMOON (congrats!!) have a great time!! Colle Lungo is one of our SlowTrav Favorites. I have not stayed there but it is supposed to be lovely. Say hello to Tony (the owner) for me!!

Wow! You beat me to this post, Stefan, because I have some similar questions. We're not staying put, but we will be in Italy for 2 weeks.

My husband wants to know if he'll look goofy wearing a plain baseball cap (no blaring American logos), or if he should get a different style of hat.

I want to know if I can find Woolite there, so I don't have to haul a bottle. I have found it in France, but have never been to Italy. Or, is there another product any of you like better for washing clothes in the sink?

Ziplock bags are always on my list, as well as a little picnic kit: serrated-edge sandwich spreader, corkscrew, Joyce Chen all-purpose knife in a sheath, a few eating utensils all in a flat plastic container. IT's packed in my suitcase. (Will I have trouble with the knife in my checked luggage??)

Thanks in advance for the advice-- Ann

No problems with knives in checked luggage. I took my knife with me to Hawaii a few months back. And came back from Italy last fall with it.

Pauline, actually I packed the sparklers in my suitcase in ziplock bags and they were fine. I was also told by the airlines that this was ok. So go ahead and be romantic!

Hats are a good idea! The first day I spent on my chaise longue -- well, a couple of hours with a book -- was in April and I burned my scalp through my hair. I have since bought sunblock for the hair/scalp from my hairdresser.
Baseball hats are occasionally seen on the kids who wear those fat pants. Fisherman's hats are more like it for big guys, they wear the vests, too. I see men with straw hats occasionally as well.
My hostess Sunday told me the incidence of skin cancer has skyrocketed in recent years and is a real worry to the health system. She says the sun is many times stronger than it was when she was a kid. Could just be the difference from how a kid notices things and an adult, but I trust she also reads the papers. Anyway, she still doesn't wear a hat and told me I looked like a real straniera when I put mine on. Fortunately, it isn't an insult in her mind.

There are several laundry liquids for hand washing in the grocery stores. I do use it, (Solvz, lana e seta) but even more often use dishwashing liquid.

Ann:

I wore a baseball hat last summer in Tuscany and didn't feel like an ugly American wearing it.... It seemed to me that teenagers and teenage wannabes (Italian and otherwise) wore them too. I'd tell your husband to go ahead if that's the hat he's most comfortable with.

Wow, thanks for all the great advice!

A couple comments and questions. First on the corkscrew thing, make sure you put it in checked baggage. I travel a decent amount for work and I used to carry a corkscrew in my toilet kit, after 9/11 they are not allowed and mine was taken from me.

For clothing, when people say casual, is that similar to Patagonia level clothing or do I need to be more Banana Republic? Sorry for the retailer names, just trying to get a feel for what is acceptable.

What is it like to bring stuff back? My fiance wants to get dishes and maybe some other things, is it reliable to ship things back and not expect to see everything broken? Should we just pay airfreight to the airline (lufthansa) we are flying?

Do you all think it is ok for me to bring a laptop and digital camera? I was thinking I could download the pictures as well as keep a journal with that, but I'm on the fence about that.

A very heartfully felt thank you to everyone on the board. As a point if interest I planned and researched my whole honeymoon through this site. It is awesome. I found Collelungo, booked our car, figured out some places to see, etc. I am so glad you have taken the time to make this site and I will make sure to post pictures and a trip report when we get back to do my part the help make it better.

cheers,
Stefan

Stefan,

Well I am an expert so to speak of hauling ceramica back home. I don't trust anyone to ship my purchases ( ie: I want to be responsible for breaking them and no one else! )
Anyways I always also pack along some bubble wrap with me and then I can be extra sure of safe travel in my carry-on.
We are the family that you see running through the Frankfurt airport with both arms fulls of boxes carrying ceramica- yep even the kids get to shlepp the dishes for me, aren't they lucky! I have done this the last 2 trips, and then when I get home and discover that I need just one more piece to complete my set I order from the Artistica company in Florida that I already mentioned. You will find that a number of shops will ship to your home, but if you buy items in a public market you will have to arrange this yourself.
I prefer to keep all my goodies on my person for fear of it getting out of my sight ( slightly paranoid of loosing my precious momentos! )

Hope this helps!
Glad that this site was able to help plan your perfect honeymoon! Sounds like you've got everything under control.....now how's that wedding planning coming?

Liz,

The wedding planning is going well. It really helps to have a great mother-in-law to be and mother. They have taken care of everything pretty much. My job was to take care of the honeymoon while my fiance took care of the wedding. Hopefully I don't let her down!

Anyways, I need to finish up the packing list, I'll post it back up here once I get it finished.

Cheers,
Stefan

I seriously second spot remover. I travel with a little bottle of "Zout." Once you've checked out the lag time and prices at an Italian dry cleaner's you will too.

Okay, beat me up if you will, purists, but I never go to Europe without a few Ambien. Ambien is, to me, the world's greatest prescription sleeping pill. You can take one, and it is completely out of your system within 5 hours, so there's NO hangover. (And no possibility of addiction.) One of the largest impediments to an enjoyable trip is jet lag, and you can knock 2-3 days off the adjustment period by starting to turn yourself around immediately (like, knock yourself out on the plane going over). This way, you won't be eyeballing the ceiling at 4:00 a.m. and sleeping until noon -- you can put yourself out at a reasonable hour, get up, and go sightseeing.

I'd also recommend bringing any prescription medications you think you might need, even if you're not sure you'll need them. (Like, if your bride is prone to cystitis, anticipate, and bring the pills.) The Italian doctor experience can be very strange, with major language barriers. That said, Italian pharmacists can prescribe, so if you know the actual scientific (not generic) name of the drug you need, you can buy it easily. Bring either the pills or the drug names, written down.

Lastly -- TRAVEL LIGHT. Italy is not a third world country. If you run out of shampoo -- guess what? They have more! The chances of you coming back with no new clothes is low. So don't bring many clothes in the first place. It has taken me several trips to get hip to this, but now I travel brazenly light, with as many mix & matches as possible, and am all the happier.

R.G.

Hey, since you're responsible for the honeymoon maybe you can carry your wedding theme over to Italy. For instance, flowers. If you had white lillies at your wedding, maybe you can have them in your room at where you're staying or in a simple vase if you have an 'impromptu' picnic. Or music....play your special wedding song in your rental car on your way 'home' from a romantic dinner. 'Home' being the place you're staying at, of course.

We tend to bring very little "stuff", beyond the minimum of clothing and personal essentials. (I am guilty of packing more guidebooks and printouts than I should, though)

However, we do carry cards with important information- who to contact in an emergency, allergies, medications we're on, brief medical info that may be needed. Knock on wood that this info will never be needed- but saving time in such situations is always a good idea.

Stefan wrote:
For clothing, when people say casual, is that similar to Patagonia level clothing or do I need to be more Banana Republic? Sorry for the retailer names, just trying to get a feel for what is acceptable.

Hi Stefan,
I'd say a bit closer to Banana Republic than Patagonia. "Business casual," if you like, or something approximating it, even in smaller cities like Lucca, where everyone seemed very elegantly turned out. My husband was comfortable (and seemed not to stick out TOO much like the proverbial sore thumb) in khaki pants (he also brought some with the zip-off legs that convert to shorts)and lightweight, but fairly nice shirts--he brought a couple of short-sleeved shirts that button, a couple of golf shirts and some solid color (no-logo) t-shirts.

We've noticed on all our trips that people (both men and women) do tend to "dress up" more in Italy--we saw women in the supermarkets wearing their four-inch heels and the full complement of jewelry. The idea of throwing on some sweats to run to the store for milk doesn't seem to occur to most Italians! So we tried to dress just a little better than we might if we were just schlepping around here, where people can pretty much get away with shorts and Birks 365 days a year.

That said, I refused to give up my Birkenstocks... and while that probably made me look very much like a tourist, at least my feet were comfortable--high priority!

And like everyone else has said... don't bring too much. Mix and match clothing is the best.

I'll also second the motion for spot remover wipes and hand sanitizer (Purell or whatever store brand). And my personal favorite: SAFETY PINS. A whole whack of them, preferably. Diaper pins are more expensive, but less... unpredictable. We used safety pins to make quick-fixes to clothing, to pin wallets and papers into pockets, to make sure our daypacks didn't come open, to pin receipts together in lieu of a paper clip... you name it.

Happy honeymoon planning! And congrats on the wedding plans of course.
Sonia

Catchall:

Stefan, dress rather up than down. People dress very well in Italy, and forget about high-fashion models, I mean ordinary people in daywear doing their shopping. What a beautiful idea Cynde had on here and there a reminder of your wedding if you can swing it.
   Yes, please do post report and pictures!

Kim, since you asked: take the actual medication. Any number of things may go wrong in trying to get a foreign prescription filled: for starters, medication not available, different laws. It's simple to tank up before you go.

Yes Italy is thoroughly civilized -- a salutary reminder, mostly I think for any lurker out there who hasn't yet left their home country. There are many things that are better in Italy than at home, others that are better at home; others yet that are just different.

To Liz schlepping crockery thru airports: you suddenly brought back a memory from 25 years ago when I dropped a huge glass jar of mustard in Orly... (Absit omen.)

EVrything suggested here rates a big AMEN from me, and I would add COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORTS!!!!! Make a copy for every bag you have, so that if one gets lost you still have more!! I have also read that it's good to make copies of your airline tickets (and DO NOT) travel to Italy with the electronic tickets...we got burned BAD by that last fall, and the airline would accept no responsibility, it cost us about $70 bucks to get paper tickets issued, AND we almost missed our flight home as a result, not that that would have been so terrible!

I am eating this up... what great ideas here! I've traveled to Europe many times, but never to Italy. I had an 11 year lag between an earlier trip and my last one in 1998, so I was surprised to find Diet Coke, Old El Paso foods and Colgate Total in French grocery stores. (I even found Pop Tarts in a Tesco in London- what's the world coming to??!) I just don't know much at all about Italy, which it's why coming here is so wonderful. One can ask what seem like obvious questions, yet get clear, patient answers from veteran travelers to Italy. THANK YOU!!!!

I've been "test-washing" my intended wardrobe in my bathroom sink, and finding them so easy to wash that I'm going to leave behind some of the items I've bought to save bulk. R.G. Diamond, Amy and others have given me courage to cut my clothing list!

Hi Stefan,

What a wonderful list of things to take with you. I don't want to overburden you either and I don't think that anyone else has mentioned this, but one essential ingredient that I take everywhere with me (well in most cases anyway, couldn't find it anywhere on the day that I got locked in the bank screen/entrance/cubicle) is your sense of humour. A good laugh , whether that be at you by others, with others, or you at yourself can get you out of sometimes sticky situations. Maybe someone will start a thread and call it "a funny thing happened to me on the way to the Forum" I seem to have a wealth of them due mostly to my lack of 'the language'.

Anyway, have a wonderful time.
Carole