Italy Packing Guidelines
Luggage
As previously communicated, we will be sharing a smaller van for transport, so luggage space will be limited. We should have comfortable space at least for the previously indicated 2 checked size bags, 4-6 carry on size, plus personal items each. If you’d like to update your desired luggage I can double check the luggage capacity for the specific van size they are providing, but I think we’ll be good.
Personal Item & Site Bag
We recommend a small, museum friendly sling bag for using on site, to carry basic items you want to keep with you such as valuables (passport, money, phone), water bottle, hand sanitizer, study notes, camera. I know John and Karen have options that are great they can advise on for size reference. Crossbody options are easier to keep close to you, and to deter pick pocketing. Italy is fabulous, but that kind of petty theft is common and they’re quick.
A standard personal item like backpack you may carry on the plane may also be used to keep with you in the van during transfers and travel. In this we encourage you to carry items you may want handy during travel or between sites, such as medications, extra snacks, extra pens & highlighters, money, change of socks/shoes, jacket, rain gear, battery pack chargers, etc.
Clothing/Toiletries
Weather should be very pleasant for this spring Italian trip. Anticipate temperature highs in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Rain is very possible at some point, April showers and all that. Please bring rain gear such as a rain jacket and a travel umbrella as you prefer. If we’re well prepared, we won’t need it, right? Rain jackets can also provide good wind resistance for cooler temperatures layered with a sweater or light jacket, which I also advise. The humidity across Italy can make cool feel much cooler…and hot much hotter. Layers and sun protection are freinds.
SPECIFIC CLOTHING ITEMS TO PACK
Wide-brimmed hat: Recommended wear for sun protection each day.
Shirts: We recommend a few comfortable base layer t-shirts (crew neck), that can layer with 2-3 sun protective long-sleeve shirt options. Moisture wicking, lightweight button up or crew neck shirts that offer sun protection and modesty are ideal.
Pants: 3-4 comfortable, quick dry (for wash and hang dry), perhaps hiking specific (but not required) pants are recommended. No leggings; when in doubt, pack looser fit options; religious sites will use their own discretion on what they deem acceptable or not. Shorts are possible for some days, but lightweight pants that offer increased sun protection and meet modesty dress codes at the many religious sites we visit are recommended.
Walking/Water Shoes: We recommend having two good walking shoe options on the trip to rotate. Good lace up hiking or trail running shoes (Oboz, Merrells, etc.; any shoe offering good support and traction). There will be a lot of walking on concrete this trip in particular in the cities, so shock absorption and soft footbeds helps. If purchasing new shoes for the trip, take them on several good walks to BREAK THEM IN WELL ahead of the trip.
Socks/Underwear: Hiking or running specific socks made from nylon or merino wool are recommended (cotton socks are more likely to cause blisters and take longer to dry after handwashing).
Light Jacket and/or sweater for cooler days (especially evenings and mornings) and plane ride is recommended.
Required Documents
PASSPORT
Passport Color Copies: We recommend you carry a printed color copy of your passport with you in case of loss or if you forget it and are asked to show identification (document checks are common in Italy, we’ll carry them with us every day). We will also send a travel document link soon, so you can upload your passport image, so we ensure we have a stored copy accessible in case we need it.
Alternative Picture I.D. (i.e. Driver's License)
Emergency Medical Information: Keep a document listing any known medical conditions, allergies (food, medicine, etc.), medicines, immunizations, travel and health insurance, etc. with your passport in case of emergency. If you have any existing medical concerns, please confirm with your doctor that you are clear to travel and provide a copy of your medical documents to your group leader.
Money
Debit/Credit Cards: ATM’s are available many places. Credit/debit cards are widely accepted. Be familiar with your cards foreign transaction fees, not all have them.
Cash: ATMs are available, and provide Euros; this is usually much cheaper than taking money from your bank.
Study Materials
Bible (small travel Bible, or Bible app on personal device is recommended; large study versions get heavy when hiking.)
Travel the Text Study Guide (we plan to provide an Italy version for this trip that will be mailed in advance)
Journal/Notebook
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
Water & Snacks
Hydration daypacks (i.e. CamelBak, etc.) with water bladders or refillable water bottles are recommended. We provide large bottles of water to refill your more portable containers.
Electrolyte supplements, such as Liquid I.V. or Ultima, in powder or tablet forms to easily add to your water as needed.
Snacks: Food is available everywhere in Italy, especially if you’re not gluten averse…we can grab breads, pastries, foccacias…almost anytime. But if you have a few snacks you like to keep on hand - bring a few, but if we travel in Italy correctly, we won’t need many. “Il cibo è il linguaggio dell’amore” (food is the language of love).
Other
Sunglasses: durable sunglasses (and a spare)
Sunscreen and chapstick with high SPF (not aerosol per airplane regulations)
Medications & First Aid: Any prescription medications, inhalers for asthma, etc. You may want to bring a mask to protect fellow travelers if you begin to feel unwell. A basic first aid kit will travel with us, but a personal supply of preferred pain relievers, bandages, cough drops, cold/flu, stomach medications, instant cold packs, etc. Moleskin and Bodyglide if prone to blisters or chaffing.
Motion-Sickness Prevention: We will travel many windy, hilly roads. Even if you’ve never been motion sick, be prepared. We recommend Sea-Band bracelets, peppermint oil, hard ginger candies (gin-gins) for natural options and/or Bonine, non-drowsy Dramamine, etc. Lots of mountain roads and long hours in the bus.
Hand Sanitizer/Wet Wipes: You’ll want to “wash” your hands often when traveling.
Laundry soap: Travel detergents, or even a simple bar of soap works well for washing clothes in the sink; hotels will provide laundry service, per piece. Tide pens or shout wipes are also useful.
Digital or Phone Camera: Extra memory cards, external charging batteries, and charging cords.
Cell Phones: Many will bring cell phones, which can double as alarm clocks. Please check with your provider for international rates and plans before travel. Clear space ahead of time and know how to back up your photos during the trip if possible.
Portable Battery Pack: having an extra external battery pack to recharge your phone (camera) during the day is a great resource.
Travel Alarm Clock if your cell phone will not work for this. Hotel wake up calls are always set but not always reliable.
Travel toilet tissue/wet wipes: Restrooms are not always stocked; best to be prepared.
Adapters/Converters: multiport electric adapters are recommended, Type C, noted for the EU.
Small flashlight with new batteries
Washcloths are not often provided in European style hotels; hair dryers will be available in your room or by request from lobby.
Reusable Zip Snack Bags for repacking snacks, extra lunch, or other items during trip.
Sleep Aids: Many find that using a sleep aid that includes melatonin helps their sleep cycles get on track quickly. Bring your favorite, or for a couple recommendations, Olly sells a low dose melatonin gummy that’s easily found in most Walmart/Target type stores. Luna sells one on Amazon that features less melatonin (and a kids version that’s lower dose, and a version with none) using other natural herbs for those sensitive to Melatonin.
Sound Machine/ear plugs & sleep aids: Some hotels may have outside noise, so we recommend small travel sound machines for white noise, and/or ear plugs if you don’t want to hear everyone talk about how their mama’s lasagna is better than others…into the night.
Compression Socks: Many recommend these to help with circulation on the plane - no swollen ankles.
DO NOT BRING
Graphic, patriotic, military, camouflage, or religious clothing
Expensive/flashy jewelry
Weapons
