What to Pack: Italy (Shoulder Season)

Packing light for Italy in the shoulder season (spring or fall) is a great choice, as the weather is usually mild with occasional rain. Here’s a practical list for a carry-on-only trip, focused on versatile clothing that can be layered to adjust to varying temperatures.

Clothing

1. Tops:

   • 3–4 versatile tops in breathable fabrics (a mix of short- and long-sleeved)

   • 1 lightweight sweater or cardigan for layering

   • 1–2 nicer tops for dinners out

2. Bottoms:

   • 2 pairs of pants (one lighter and one darker pair)

   • 1 pair of comfortable jeans or stylish pants

   • 1 skirt or casual dress (optional but nice for going out)

3. Outerwear:

   • 1 lightweight, water-resistant jacket

   • 1 scarf (adds warmth and style, especially for cooler evenings)

   • Compact umbrella (optional but helpful for rainy days)

4. Shoes:

   • 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (water-resistant if possible)

   • 1 pair of dressier flats or loafers for evenings

   • Optional: 1 pair of sandals if you’re expecting warmer weather

5. Sleepwear and Undergarments:

   • Pajamas or sleepwear

   • Enough undergarments for the trip (or plan to hand-wash)

   • 3–4 pairs of socks

Accessories and Essentials

• Crossbody bag or small backpack (safe and hands-free option for sightseeing)

• Sunglasses and a sun hat (for warmer days)

• Compact toiletries (under 3.4 ounces/100 mL each for TSA, or buy essentials in Italy to save space)

• Minimal makeup and personal care items (consider multi-use products like tinted moisturizer with SPF)

• Travel-size laundry detergent (hand-washing essentials as needed)

Electronics

• Phone and charger

• Plug adapter (Italy uses the type C, F, and L plugs; ensure compatibility)

• Portable power bank (helpful for long sightseeing days)

Documents and Extras

• Passport and travel documents

• Printed or digital copies of important reservations

• Travel journal or guidebook

Tips for Shoulder Season

• Layering is key: Italian weather can be warm during the day but cooler in the mornings and evenings.

• Pack versatile clothing that can mix and match to create multiple outfits.

• Pack light: Italians tend to dress stylishly yet simply, so you can blend in without bringing too much.

• Cover Up: If your plans involve visiting churches or religious sites, plan to have both your knees and shoulders covered out of respect.

This list will keep you prepared and comfortable while enjoying Italy’s beauty without the hassle of heavy luggage.

What to Pack: Norway+ Sweden in a Carry-On

Traveling to Norway and Sweden in September means you'll experience mild weather with a mix of cool and potentially rainy days. Here’s a packing list designed to fit into a carry-on and personal item:

Clothing

1. Layers:

   • 2-3 Long-sleeve shirts (lightweight and breathable)

   • 2-3 Short-sleeve shirts (for layering)

   • 1-2 Sweaters or fleece jackets (for warmth)

   • 1 Lightweight, packable down jacket (can be compressed into a small space)

   • 1 Waterproof rain jacket or shell (with a hood)

   • 1-2 Pairs of pants (one pair of jeans and one pair of travel pants)

   • 1 Pair of leggings or thermal pants (for layering or comfort)

2. Footwear:

   • 1 Pair of comfortable walking shoes (water-resistant if possible)

   • 1 Pair of lightweight sneakers or flats (for variety or evenings)

3. Underwear and Socks:

   • 5-7 Pairs of underwear (quick-dry material)

   • 5-7 Pairs of socks (include a few pairs of wool or thermal socks)

   • 1-2 Bras (if needed)

4. Accessories:

   • 1-2 Scarves (can be used for warmth and style)

   • 1 Beanie or hat (for warmth)

   • 1 Pair of gloves (lightweight, in case of cooler weather)

   • Sunglasses

   • Belt

Toiletries

1. Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

2. Toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste

3. Deodorant (travel size)

4. Moisturizer and lip balm (for potential dryness)

5. Razor and small shaving cream

6. Travel-sized sunscreen

7. Any necessary medications (in their original packaging)

8. Makeup essentials (in a compact bag)

9. Hairbrush or comb

10. Travel-sized laundry detergent (for hand-washing clothes)

Electronics

1. Phone and charger

2. Portable power bank

3. Adapter plug (European plug type, usually Type C or F)

4. E-reader or tablet (instead of bulky books)

5. Small camera (optional)

6. Headphones or earbuds

Travel Documents & Essentials

1. Passport and copies of important documents

2. Travel insurance information

3. Credit/debit cards (notify your bank of travel)

4. Cash (a small amount of local currency for emergencies)

5. Travel-sized umbrella

6. Reusable water bottle (collapsible for space-saving)

7. Reusable shopping bag (lightweight and packable)

Personal Item (Backpack or Tote Bag)

1. Travel pillow

2. Snacks (for the flight or day trips)

3. Pen and notebook (small size)

4. Small first aid kit (band-aids, pain relievers, etc.)

Optional Items

1. Compact binoculars (for sightseeing)

2. Small foldable daypack (for day trips)

3. Compact tripod (if into photography)

This packing list should keep you prepared for various weather conditions while staying within the limits of a carry-on and personal item.

What to Pack: Ireland in a Carry-On

So you're headed to Ireland! YAY! Like so many others, you might find yourself doing an Irish happy dance. Then it hits you... you have absolutely no idea what to pack!

When headed to Ireland, packing might seem overwhelming. After all, the weather is fickle and constantly changing. We’ve been in your shoes and we know how insurmountable this task can seem no matter how travel savvy you are. To help you out we’ve compiled a list to make this daunting task a little easier, so you can spend your energy getting back to your Irish happy dance instead of stressing about whether you forgot something essential!

The first key is to pack light! Since you’ll be carrying your luggage on and off the plane, the bus, and the hotels (which may or may not have lifts), you should try to condense what you need into a carry-on and personal item.

Packing essential items into a carry-on has other advantages too! You will basically eliminate the risk of your bag getting lost or delayed. Win! Just make sure your bag meets the dimensions required for the airline you're flying. 

Here is a list of essential items you won’t want to forget to pack.

Travel Aids

·         Chewing gum

·         Meds for motion sickness and sleep

·         Travel Pillow

·         (The airplane will likely supply earplugs, headphones, and a sleep mask so you can leave those at home unless you are partial to your own).

Clothing and Accessories

·         Comfortable walking shoes

·         Waterproof shoes

·         Shirts (short and long sleeved) Think layers!

·         Socks and underwear/bras

·         Watch

·         Jewelry

·         Pants/jeans

·         Pajamas

·         Glasses/contacts

·         Sunglasses

·         Belts

·         Bathing suit (if applicable)

·         Dressier outfit (and something green for St. Paddy's Day)

·         Raincoat and/or umbrella 

·         Lightweight nylon jacket or fleece (rather than bulky sweatshirts)

·         Jackets/Gloves/Scarves

·         Collapsible tote/duffel bag for dirty clothes, souvenirs (if only using a carry-on)

·         Luggage tags

·         Journal (if planning to document your trip)

·         Backpack or daybag

Toiletries

·         Toothbrush

·         Toothpaste

·         Floss

·         Mouthwash

·         Shampoo/conditioner

·         Soap

·         Deodorant

·         Hairbrush/comb

·         Hand sanitizer

·         Straightener/curling iron (If you have wattage converter)

·         Hair styling products

·         Hair accessories

·         Cleanser

·         Moisturizer

·         Shaving Cream

·         Razor

·         Perfume/Cologne

·         Makeup

·         Makeup Remover

·         Feminine Hygiene Products (if applicable)

·         Nail clippers

·         Nail File

·         Hand wipes

·         Tweezers

·         Cotton swabs

·         Tissues

·         Lint Roller

·         First Aid Kit/Band Aids

·         Lip Balm

·         Washcloths (not standard in European hotels)

·         Any medications (in addition to a copy of any prescription)

·         Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)

·         Saline Solution (if applicable)

Money

·         ATM card (Call your bank prior to departure to alert them of the trip; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts.)

·         Personal credit card

·         At least $50 converted to the currency of the first country that you’re visiting

·         Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing

Electronics/Technology

·         An alarm clock (Many hotel rooms won't have one.)

·         An adaptor/converter (Ireland uses type G outlet plugs)

·         Camera with extra batteries or charger

·         Cell phone and charger

Documents

·         Passport—(Remember to leave one copy of it at home and bring a couple more copies on tour, in case your passport gets lost.)

·         Emergency contact information

·         A copy of your medical insurance card (and trip insurance if you’ve purchased it)

·         A copy of the tour itinerary

·         A list of important phone numbers 

·         Addresses to send postcards home

·         Copy of any prescriptions (Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its label, so all medication should be carried in its original container.)

·         List of medications/prescriptions

Carry-on bag

Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the trip. These should be packed in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed:

·         Passport

·         Money

·         Money Belt

·         Airline boarding pass

·         Toothbrush and toothpaste (Check tsa.gov for current security requirements.)

·         Hairbrush

·         Contact lens case/glasses (to sleep comfortably on the plane)

·         A change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed)

·         Medication

·         Any valuables

Hopefully this helps ease the burden of knowing exactly what to pack. You know yourself and what you need so if you see something on the list you know you just won't need, skip it! Now that you're done packing, let's get back to our countdown! If you're like me, you've got this itinerary pinned already and you check it daily, but I'll throw it on here anyway so you can get in the Irish groove!

Let the countdown begin!