Yesterday my friends arrived in Rome and took the train from Rome to Chiusi. Within 2 minutes of their going for a drink of water-their luggage was stolen from the rack at the end of the car! So watch your luggage and try to stay nearby-if you can't put it in the overhead area at your seat.
Peg, this is terrible! Was the train in the station? Our luggage is usually too heavy to lift into the overhead racks, so we use the racks at the end of the car. We keep an eye on it when the train is moving, but when we come to a station, John always gets up and stands by it when people are getting on and off. Sometimes I've wondered if that was necessary. Not anymore.
On out first trip to Italy we had huge pieces of luggage that would not fit in the overhead racks – and certainly could not be lifted by even the most robust ragazzo. When we porter brought our car around at the EuroCar office in Rome – a tiny Fiat – he looked at our luggage and said: non possible. By the time we reached Venice, we were sure we would sink the vaparetto, so we repacked into a single – but still huge bag, and left the rest in the car. We were, indeed, nervous about leaving our bags at the end of the rail car. When we returned home, we immediately went shopping and purchased two bags that would fit in the overhead rack of an Italian train, and made them our limit. That was in 1986, and we are still using those bags today. The lesson to us was learning to pack. We generally bring too much even with this restriction. We often return home and find things we never wore. Besides, there are stores in Italy if you find yourself wanting.
Paciano: I was in your lovely town a few weeks ago. A return visit. I was visiting the frantoio from which I import olive oil in Petrignano del Lago and took one of my chef-customers on a little giro. About 6 years ago we rented the tore from Luigi Buitoni in Panacale and enjoyed Paciano very much. I was saddened to learn of Luigi’s misfortune.
When we take the train, my husband and I bring wire bike locks, and wind them through the handles of the luggage on the overhead rack. A wire cutter could liberate them, but not too many people walk around with wire cutters on their person. At the luggage racks at the end of the car, we just wire them together...someone could walk off with both, but...heh, heh, I make sure MINE is too heavy!!
Louise
Posts: 253 | Location: Menasha, WI - USA | Registered: 15 February 2003
Luggage was at the end of the car in the vertical racks-the car with rows of seats. Standing by the bags at stops and also-the bike lock is a great idea! I still have difficulty packing light-by the time I get the shoes,makeup, hairdryer, etc-it still weighs a ton. The big mistake is using those plastic shrink bags-lets you put more in but also adds so much wt without realizing it til you try to pick it up!
Genovina, I have found that the bags we carry on the plane usually fit in the overhead racks on the trains. Anything bigger goes at the end of the car (we watch carefully, but we also make sure that if we have larger luggage we don't pack anything of value in them).
kat
Posts: 146 | Location: Puglia | Registered: 07 March 2004
Since the train is not responsible for stolen luggage does anyone know if this is covered on your US or Italy homeowner's insurance policy-any chance of recovering some of the loss???
I like the idea of a lock.my bags will each have a case of wine so will be about 70 lbs (max on plane without paying extra)But adding a lock will definetly help.(I guess I will look ridiculous with two large bags and a carryon for myself,but I need more wine!)RR
One of the best investments I ever made was my Andiamo carry-on - this luggage is definitely on the more expensive end, but so worth it! The weels are so smooth and glide with ease, the expandable handle is extra long (so it doesn't clip at your heels while walking), and it really does expand to hold a lot of clothes (or if you're like me a few pairs of Italian shoes!). I've never had a problem fitting it anywhere, even with the strictest regulations! Plus, I find it's so much easier to move from place to place if you have less things to re-pack each time.
So, based on what Kat and Elizabeth said, a luggage measuring no more than 22.00"h x 14.00"w x 10.00"d would fit in the overhead rack on Italian trains? Is my assumption right?
Many thanks for the suggestion of using bike locks to secure two bags together. If our luggage won't fit overheard, my husband and I will probably do that instead.
Posts: 26 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: 06 March 2004
I have a huge samsonite bag that I managed to get on the overhead rack on the train from Genoa down the coast. And I do mean huge. It has 4 wheels on the bottom and stands up with three built in shelves inside so you pack it like a trunk.
I put it in the overhead rack in one of those "rooms" with six seats facing each other. well, actually I did not do it. I couldn't lift it that high. But a very nice Italian man managed for me.
quote:Originally posted by KellyC: I have a huge samsonite bag that I managed to get on the overhead rack on the train from Genoa down the coast.
Yes: loading unlikely pieces of luggage onto those racks is an art commonly known to Italians. I have seen incredible stuff loaded up there, including a fridge (a small one) and a TV set.
Topic Closed
