How to Travel with one Carry-on for Your Trip to Italy
Yes, it’s possible — here’s exactly how I do a week in Italy with just one small suitcase.
I’m a big believer in the power of being able to handle your own luggage. I do not want to be that person trying to lug a massive suitcase :
up and over a bridge in Venice,
down the steps down to my apartment on the Amalfi Coast,
up and down the stairs leading to the train platform.
Also, there is nothing worse than arriving for a vacation (or a business trip, for that matter) and landing in Palermo while your suitcase is off on its own separate holiday in Nice.
To avoid any of these scenarios, I am firmly committed to traveling with only a carry-on.
My Turning Point
My conversion happened during back-to-back book tours, when I rarely stayed anywhere for more than a day. If my luggage had been lost, I would have been in serious trouble. I managed three full weeks of constant events with just one carry-on and one backpack. After that, everything else has felt easy.
These days I’m constantly on the road, either leading food tours or researching them. From a host’s point of view, I’ve seen guests arrive with enormous suitcases for a single week. They almost always regret it.
Yes, you can usually find someone to help you with your luggage. But you should feel confident getting on and off a train on your own.
So here is my tried-and-true method for packing for an entire week. Please note this is extremely personal and most likely reflects my age and approach to dressing in general. (i.e. I’m definitely over 50 and I value style and comfort equally)
