ITALY Readers's Tips - I guess it's not for everyone, but have you considered a largish rucksack to go in hold luggage Wellfitted, they're very good on the back and do free up a hand. regards Ian

If you stay put once you arrive, taking a bigger bag than carryon for added winter and city garments makes sense.ut if it is a trip where you and34;do Europeand34; and move house every other day, the bulk and weight can get old really fast.orse if you take budget airlines. A legal carryon and a backpack of moderate size may work if you do some practice packing sessions.ear a heavy cardigan or such as you board, with an overcoat over your arm, so your carryon luggage isn't bulging and drawing attention to itself. If you buy goodies overseas, buy them towards the end of the trip and, worst comes to worst, buy an additional bag that you'll check on the way home.ut address labels inside and into every pocket and on the outside of the bag, and it will find you even if it gets delayed or diverted very few bags never show up after having been and34;lostand34; if they are full of labels everywhere. We did many chilly winter trips to European cities with just that setup each and made it work.hoosing the wardrobe efficiently is the main thing everything must be able to do doubleduty for indoors and outdoors, day and night situations at least you don't have to worry about looking goofy in November because the typical tourist outfits (multicolor loud sneakers and sports attire are not only out of place but also impractical. Good luck edelaI usually travel to Europe during those colder months too, because that is the only time I can go.My husband and I go with one large backpack and one carry on each.As suggested, take the coat on the plane with you, that way it doesn't take up space in your luggage.I also only take about 46 days worth of clothes (depending on length of stay and do laundry there.'s suggestion of buying goodies towards the end of the trip is a good one, but last Oct my husband and I bought lots of stuff at the beginning of the trip because we weren't returning to those places, we ended up filling a box of stuff and shipping it via the Italian post halfway through the trip.And as suggested, take "double duty clothes".For cold weather, wear thermal shirts to eliminate the need for heavy coats, take a scarve and pair of gloves each (doesn't take up too much luggage room and travel umbrellas. Have fun

In case you're thinking of sending stuff via Italian post, some words we picked up on a previous trip: Bubblewrap: Moltobollo Sticky tape: Scotch (i. the brand Box: Cartone (though I think this is a slightly shorthand, it should be ok. When we went into the stationery store in Ferrara, I had to ask for the bubblewrap and ended up asking for "Carta plastica con aria" (plastic paper with air after a brief moment the lady's face lit up and she said "Ah, Moltobollo" These silly little details we remember. Anyway, best of luck with y

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