PACKING SMARTER

No one ever said, “I wish I would have packed heavier.” But we often think, “I could have packed better.” Here are some tips, tricks, and insights that might help you pack smarter for our avventura in Italia!

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LUGGAGE SIZE | Most Restrictive Limits

	DOMESTIC FLIGHTS	INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
PERSONAL ITEM	17” x 10” x 9”	17” x 10” x 9”
CARRY-ON	45 linear inches22” x 14” x 9”35 lbs	40 linear inches18” x 14” x 8”17.6 lbs
CHECKED BAG	62 linear inches27” x 21” x 14”50 lbs	62 linear inches27” x 21” x 14”50 lbs

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WHAT TO BRING
Download and Print This Packing List

PERFORMANCE
Instrument	White dress shirt (plus bowtie for men)	Black dress shoes
Binder with sheet music	Black dress pants with black socks
Wire music stand	OR Black dress skirt (knee- length or lower) with black tights or nylons
ATTIRE
Coat/Jacket	Something dressy
Sweater/Sweatshirt	Undergarments
Scarf	Socks
Casual tops	Comfortable shoes
Casual bottoms	Accessories
Something dressy
PERSONAL ITEMS
Passport/School ID/Teacher ID	Glasses/Contacts/ Sunglasses
Money belt (!)	Medications
Day bag (not a backpack)	Water Bottle
Toiletries	Umbrella
Electronics	Bag for souvenirs
Chargers	Small First Aid Kit (no scissors in carry-on!)
Adapters (1, 2, 3) Converters (1, 2)	Italy guide book (hard copy; Kindle; Apple Books); Rick Steves’ Audio Europe app (iOS; Android)
Credit card/Debit card
Cash ($ and €)

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HOW MUCH TO PACK

• Test your luggage | Can you walk around the block comfortably with it? Can you lift it above your head to put it in an overhead bin? Can you easily carry it up and down a few flights of stairs? If “no” to any of the above, get rid of some stuff.

• You probably don’t need 3 pairs of shoes for a 1-week trip. Wear one pair, pack the other. If you must bring 3 pairs, consider packing one in your suitcase, one in your personal item, and wear the third. You don’t want to give up too much valuable real estate in your suitcase.

• Do you really need that much stuff? Can you get rid of 10-20%?

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PACKING TECHNIQUES

CARRY-ON and CARRY ON!

• Use a carry-on rather than a checked bag if possible. You eliminate the possibility of the airlines losing your luggage, it’s less weight and bulk to drag around, and it lets you be a more nimble traveler so you can carry on with your journey with fewer hassles.
• Suitcase | clothes, shoes, toiletries, hair tools, etc.
• Personal Item | electronics, medications, one change of clothing, snacks, H2O bottle, binder of sheet music, etc.
• Making dual/multiple use of items is the best way to minimize weight and maximize space. I put my jacket in a compression bag and use that as my pillow for the flight. I use a carabiner to attach it to the strap of my personal item.

COMPRESS FOR LESS MESS AND LESS STRESS

• All packing cubes help you to keep your stuff organized, but compression bags/cubes enable you to compact your belongings much better than standard packing cubes. You might want a combination of the two types to suit your personal travel needs.
• Nylon bags with double-zippers (one for closure, one for compression) are preferred to  plastic vacuum-seal bags or ones that require you to squeeze out the air, which tend to wrinkle your clothes more. They also give you a false sense of space, duping you into thinking you can pack more.  Remember, you don’t need to bring so much. Don’t add weight to your bag just because you think you have the space.
• I would avoid cubes/bags that are rigid or have added materials (foam, piping, etc.) to hold the shape. It’s just extra weight, and you want to be able to shift and adjust your bag in your suitcase as needed to fit the available space, not be constrained by the strict form.
• Brightly colored bags are less likely to get left behind in the hotel because you’ll notice it more than a bag with dark colors. 
• Get a variety of sizes so you can configure your packing to what best suits your needs.
• It’s smart to keep your shoes in a packing bag (even a basic plastic grocery bag tied tightly). It’s great for keeping dirt away from your clothing and for minimizing how much space your shoes take up in your suitcase.
• I like Eagle Creek’s Pack-It Specter line of packing cubes and compression bags, but you can find tons of less expensive options on Amazon and at stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target, and Walmart. I’m a huge fan of this blue toiletry kit, especially for its minimal weight, durability, washability, and two side pockets (also available in white). Mr. Cook just uses a small nylon packing cube (8.5” x 5”) for his.

JUST ROLL WITH IT

• Technically, you’ll fold and roll most items (see below). Once folded, smooth to flatten the item as much as possible before rolling.
• Fold tops and pencil skirts in half or thirds lengthwise, then roll. 
• If the skirt is fairly long or is A-line, consider first folding in half (top to bottom), next fold in half or thirds vertical, then roll.
• For pants and shorts,  fold in half, fold in the crotch to eliminate excess width, then roll. 
• While you’ll roll your bottoms, you might not put them in a compression bag. Remember to use the wells and ribs of the suitcase smartly; leaving gappage underneath isn’t the best use of space.
• If something seems too bulky when you roll it, consider rolling it from both ends.
• To reduce wrinkles dress shirts (performance), it’s probably best to fold flat and place on top of packing cubes or use your largest packing cube

TETRIS-LEVEL PACKING GOALS: EXPERT

• Be meticulous about how you organize your compression bags. Having a variety of sizes allows you to configure your belongings in the smartest ways. Take your time to get it right.
• Remember that your heaviest items (i.e., shoes) should be placed at the bottom of your suitcase, closest to the wheels. This will give it a lower center of gravity, keeping it more balanced and less likely to tip over.
• Fill in the nooks and crannies with what makes sense: socks, hairbrush, flatiron, belt, undergarments, etc. See what works best for you.

STILL THINK YOU NEED ALL THAT STUFF?

Once you’re all packed, give it a test-drive. Walk around the block with it. Carry it up and down the stairs several times. Lift it above your head like you’re going to put it in an overhead cabin. Too heavy? Too cumbersome? Try eliminating 10-20% of the contents.

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TSA LIQUIDS RULES

• Travel-size is your friend, but you don’t necessarily need to buy new travel-size items. Re-use other bottles (hand sanitizer, hotel shampoo/conditioner, etc.) They’re easy to clean out and refill. For a 1-week trip, you’ll likely need sizes that range from .5 oz to 2.0 oz, depending on the items you’re bringing. Keep it minimal.
• For things of very small quantity (eye cream, Neosporin, etc.), consider using little paint cups. And I love these airtight lidded cups for lotion, sunscreen, moisturizer, etc.

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AN ORGANIZED & TIDY HOTEL ROOM

• Remember that you’re likely sharing a room with others, so respect each other’s space and keep your own space in good order.
• Portable hooks and suction cup hooks are a great way to keep your stuff off the floor and counters.
• Mr. Cook and I help keep our hotel bathroom counters clutter-free and with suction cup toothbrush holders that we attach to the mirror.
• It’s tempting to unpack your whole suitcase and use the hotel room closet and drawers. But since we’re only at each hotel for 2 nights, consider keeping most of your clothes in your luggage and only taking out what you need for the day. This helps keep your room tidier, makes it easier and faster to pack up, and makes it less likely that you’ll forget something in the room.

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ELECTRONICS
Click left and right arrows to view slideshow below.

US Devices

• Typically use 110 v (electric razors) to 220 v (most other small electronics)

European Devices

• Typically use 220-240 v

Italian Outlets

• Italy (confusingly) uses 3 types of outlets:
  • C plug | small 2- or 3-pin–standard for most of Europe
  • F plug  | large and robust European-style 2-pin; no grounding pin but has  (“Schuko”)–typically for washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc., but is sometimes found in hotel rooms
  • L plug  | large 3-pin –most common plug in Italy, but not throughout Europe

• Using the convertor prevents electric overload and frying/melting your equipment or setting the hotel on fire. Let’s avoid that, shall we? 
• You might need an additional voltage converter (1, 2) to use with your adapter (1, 2, 3). Most newer devices can operate with a range of voltage (i.e., 110-240v). Things like electric razers, hair dryers, and CPAP machines generally do not and will require a voltage converter. Do your own due diligence and check your devices.

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DAY BAGS

• Sometimes you just need a bag to tote around your stuff or to carry purchases (groceries, souvenirs).
• Most museums and cultural sites do not allow backpacks or large bags. (Relatively small) handbags, shoulder bags, crossbody bags, fanny packs (sling bags), nylon shopping/grocery bags (Bonus: compact & easy to store! Pro-tip: Get one in Italy, and it’s an automatic souvenir AND a souvenier carrier!); “murses” are convenient and generally not a trigger for security guards at such places. 

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MONEY BELT

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GUIDEBOOKS & TRAVEL APPS

Make the most of your trip and free time by using helpful resources. Guidebooks and travel apps can help you plan your free time, navigate better through cities, and enhance your cultural and historical understanding so you can have a richer experience!

Questions? I’d love to hear from you!
thetravelphile@gmail.com

Bromic
Phone Crossbody
Crossbody
Nylon Crossbody
No Show Socks
Thick No Show Socks
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Bella Tank
Apple Plug
Heating Pad
Crossbody Strap 1
Crossbody Strap 2
Crossbody Strap 3

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