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.

Tips and Tricks for Italy + Greece

If you’ve always dreamed of heading to Italy + Greece, you’re not alone! Both are magical destinations that leave your eyes wide and your mouth watering. The people, the landscape and the food in both regions are second to none. It’s no wonder people flock in hoards to the beautiful shores of the Aegean!

You know what they say? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But how do you go about that exactly? If you’re heading to Italy and Greece and are feeling completely overwhelmed with all of the cultural nuances and ways to prepare, we are here to help!

So without further ado.. Here are my tips and tricks for navigating Italy + Greece like a pro!

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Cities like Rome and Athens are rich in history and architecture, but some uncomfortable realities that accompany that are smaller rooms, and no central heating and air, to name a few.  Unlike America, A/C is not a standard in Europe. It will unlikely be in many of the shops you frequent, or in the hotels. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen and heat protection to counteract the effects of the heat. Also, wear layers so that you can add and remove clothing as necessary.

DRESS CODE CONSIDERATIONS

Understand that when visiting many religious sites, you will be expected to cover up. A general guideline to follow would be to keep your shoulders and knee caps covered if planning to visit a church in Italy. Due to the heat, it may not be practical to fully cover up during the day, but have a scarf or coverup handy for your visit to religious sites. Some churches will provide a coverup, but many do not, and you will be denied entry if you don’t meet the dress code requirements. Take care to plan your clothing in advance to avoid missing out on seeing certain sites.

PICKPOCKETS

Unlike America, pickpockets run rampant in most of Europe. Again, you are unlikely to find yourself in any physical harm, but understand, your pockets WILL be picked if you aren’t on high alert. High traffic areas like the bus and the metro are a feeding frenzy for “little fingers.” Also keep your eyes peeled at large tourist sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican, and the Parthenon. Where the tourists flock, so do the pick pockets. A good under-your-shirt money belt will definitely help lower your chances of becoming an easy target. Another interesting note: keep your cell-phone close. Leaving it on the edge of a table while eating or next to you on the metro is inviting theft. I once saw a poor sap get his phone snatched off a table in a restaurant while the waiter was explaining the specials. You can never be too careful. If you care about an item, don’t advertise it. Keep any valuables out of sight and secured if you want to hang on to them.

ELECTRICITY

If you plan to charge your phone, dry your hair, or use small appliances on your trip, you’ll need to be aware that Europe has a few major electrical differences with America. For example, the outlet plug shape varies from our standard two prong outlet. Though there are a variety of outlet types acceptable in both Italy and Greece, they both use the F and C type, with two small round prongs. You can find images and details on this outlet type here.  You can pick up a small pack of outlet converters rather inexpensively at Target or Amazon like these here. Another crucial thing to bear in mind is voltage. In America, we use 120 V of power in our outlets. In Italy, the standard is 220V and in Greece it’s even higher at 230V. Small items like cell phone chargers are okay with just a wall adapter that changes the shape of your outlet plug, but if you plan to use bigger items like blow dryers and straighteners, you’re going to want to equip yourself differently.  Purchasing a wattage converter before you leave will allow you to use your home appliances without overpowering them with European voltage and spares them from a sad burned out death. You can pick one up on Amazon like this one here.  

MONEY

We already mentioned that keeping a money belt below your clothing is a good idea, but that is just one aspect of being money conscious in Italy and Greece. While credit cards are widely accepted in Europe, Greece is more of a cash-based country so plan accordingly by hitting up an ATM or converting Euros before your trip. Italy, on the other hand, is very credit card friendly, but if you are using your normal credit card from home, be aware that there can be fees for every swipe if you aren’t careful that can add up quick. Not only does your bank charge a fee, you will face foreign transaction fees per swipe as well. If you’re dead set on using plastic for the majority of your purchases, it would be a good idea to invest in a card that has zero foreign transaction fees. My go to cards for international travel are the Capital One Venture Card, and the Chase Business Ink. Make sure that you also report international travel dates to your bank before you leave to avoid having your card frozen while abroad. I also suggest changing foreign currency at your home bank a few weeks before you depart. Take anywhere from $60-150 with you in local currency. Once you are in Italy and Greece, you can easily access ATMs for any additional cash you might need. Be aware, both your bank and local ATMs will charge you an exchange fee, so you will want to budget what you need and keep your ATM transactions to a minimum to avoid those unnecessary fees. The worst place to convert money is the airport, so plan on exchanging money before you leave, or at an ATM once while in Europe.

TIPPING

If you have a tour guide during any part of your trip, just know that it is customary to tip 1-2 euros after any guided tours. Similarly, you’ll want to tip any bus drivers (particularly ones who handle your luggage) for their services. We usually suggest $3 per driver per day of service. If you have a helpful waiter, they will certainly appreciate a few euros for good service as well. Some restaurant receipts will include a cover charge (coperto). This is a fee for setting your table. You may also see a service charge (servizio) usually around 10% already included on your ticket. Some restaurants will not have a fee at all and choose rather to include these fees in the menu prices. In the case that service has not been included, 1-2 euros per person is perfectly acceptable. Be aware that waiters aren’t reliant on tips as their sole source of income the way American waiters are. However, a tip for good service is always appreciated and for some services, the tourism industry for example, it’s expected.

PHONE USAGE

If you plan to use your phone abroad, make sure you call your phone carrier prior to leaving. The major ones like Sprint, ATT and Verizon have very reasonable international plans, however, you must add them before you leave to avoid paying exorbitant roaming fees. ATT, for example lets you use your phone as normal for $10 per day. If you don’t plan to stay connected, you can connect to Wi-Fi in the hotels. Just be aware the Wi-Fi can be spotty and often slower than at home, but hey, you’re in Europe. Enjoy the scenery and get your nose out of your phone 😊

FERRIES

If you plan to take a ferry at any point during your journey, there are some things you should know before you go. Ferry services are often behind schedule, so understand that you can be waiting for the ferry to arrive, sometimes much longer than you anticipated. They are affected by wind, waves and all other sorts of uncontrollable factors. The larger the ferry, the slower, but also the most likely not to cancel or delay. Be patient, and understand how it works. You will want to be at the dock at least 30 minutes before your boat leaves. Most locals won’t line up until right before, but getting there early will ensure a better seat and streamline the boarding process. Ferry’s take longer than flying, but they are really relaxing, beautiful experience. On big, slow ferries, you can sit outside and walk along the deck taking in the seascape. Most ferries allow you to stow your luggage on a rack on the boarding level of the boat. You are free to haul it up to the passenger deck and keep an eye on it yourself if you prefer. Most ferries have bathrooms, charging outlets and Wi-Fi, usually for a fee. They also have food and drinks for purchase.

Obviously, there is so much more to traveling in Italy and Greece than can be explored in this blog, but hopefully this will at least give you a leg up and keep you from looking like a total noob while visiting the ancient world. If you are looking for fun things to do while in Italy and Greece, feel free to take a look at our itinerary. These are only just some of the highlights, but it will give you an idea of how much time to allot at each location and how to pace yourself.

Happy travels!

What to Pack (Italy + Greece: Summer Edition)

Headed to Italy + Greece? Good news, you are about to be BLOWN away by history and breathtaking scenery. Italy and Greece are crowd pleasers for a reason. They are both unbelievably beautiful, historically rich, and incredibly inviting. BUT you may find yourself at a loss for what to pack. After all, air conditioning isn’t a standard, and there are specific dress codes for certain sites. Not to worry though, we’ve got your back. Here is your ultimate packing guide for this trip-of-a-lifetime!

The first key is to pack light! Since you’ll be carrying your luggage on and off the plane, the bus, hotels, and winding staircases (think Oia, Santorini), you should try to condense what you need into one small suitcase and a carry-on.

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. 

If you're traveling with Land + See, you can check out Delta’s carry-on baggage weight and dimension requirements by clicking here. 

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

·         Shirts (Have a few with sleeves in order to meet Italian church dresscode: shoulders and knees covered)

·         Socks and underwear/bras

·         Watch

·         Jewelry

·         Pants/jeans/shorts (again, a few with covered knees)

·         Pajamas

·         Glasses/contacts

·         Sunglasses

·         Belts

·         Bathing suit (Be aware, in Santorini the water can stain your suit so plan accordingly)

·         Dressier outfit

·         Raincoat and/or umbrella 

·         Scarf or coverup (for Italian Churches)

·         Hat or other sun protection

·         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/Sunscreen

·         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 (details for Italy + Greece plug types found here)

·         Camera with extra batteries or charger

·         Cell phone and charger

·         Portable charger (my personal favorite travel item)

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 back to daydreaming about the Aegean!

Let the countdown begin!

Italy + Greece Itinerary

Between The Cracks

Recently I was reading a novel by Ernest Hemingway called “The Sun Also Rises” in which a bunch of American ex-pats wander through Europe from city to city drinking and searching for a happiness they never truly find. It was a rather depressing read, and in the most Hemingway-ish way possible, the story, devoid of much textual details or conversational depth, has a hidden richness buried deep between the lines that would be easy to miss if one wasn’t careful. The basic human need to be loved and to feel adequate is found on each page. The superficial nature of their conversations showing their desire to avoid uncomfortable topics or to pretend that their ‘best’ self is their true self. Unpleasant, uncomfortable things happen, but are rarely ever talked about. I couldn’t help but see the parallels between these fictional characters and our own self-made portrayals of our lives on social media. We see the highlights of each other’s lives, or at least the parts we choose to put out there, but we don’t really interact. There is so much life that happens outside of these brief glimpses that often gets lost between the cracks. We like to lead with the good and pretend the bad doesn’t happen. With this missing human element of raw emotion and interaction, we are starting to lose touch with each other. I feel it most often when I share photos or stories of our tours with people that weren’t there. You can see a picture, or hear an account of a story, but if you weren’t there, there are large gaps that are missing. It’s hard to find the words to relay how it really was. We recently returned from a 12 day journey through the Spanish, French and Italian countryside with some of the best people I’ve had the privilege to know and I desperately want to be able to share the experience with those of you that weren’t there. I’ve shared pictures, I’ve invited you to join us in the future, but I haven’t given you a real taste of what this was like.

It’s hard. How do you describe in words an experience that’s only defined by the emotions it has sparked in you? Like how we struggled for four days to learn the names of everyone on our tour. We came from different parts of the country, we had different interests and we were all fighting jetlag, but we took it upon ourselves to learn everyone by name and have an introduction ceremony over dinner—a large feat for a group of 40 plus travelers. I’ve never laughed so hard as when, in an introduction, it was revealed that one traveler had been sneaking food onto the bus. Watching our animated bus driver Giovanni’s delayed reaction upon hearing this translated into Italian, with all his loud, boisterous hand-waving, was very comical, especially given his previous warnings about what would happen to us should we dare to attempt eating on the bus. In truth, he took it fairly well. He was everything we American’s stereotype the Italians to be. Once we watched him pull the bus onto the side of the road and jump out of the driver’s seat to give another bus driver, who had gotten stuck in a toll lane, a quick driving lesson. He looked him straight in the eye, waving with his arms and hitting himself on the head to make an “are you stupid?” gesture, all while shouting “Mama Mia!” Or the time our bus blew a tire and he was covered to his elbows in grease trying to fix it so we wouldn’t miss a moment more than we had to in his beautiful city. These are the moments you don’t see in the pictures. Sitting speechless on the beach in Nice as we stood in awe of the most beautiful sunset we’ve ever seen. There are no words for that. We couldn’t do anything but sit and look. And, like so many times in life, our silence said so much more than our words ever could. Together we were changed having seen the sun set on the opposite side of the world. We touched exhibits that the Spaniards had made for the blind—laying out the architecture of the city so they can experience with their hands what we were seeing with our eyes. We are now all connected, the blind, the seeing—anyone who has stood in that square or felt the smooth edges of the model city’s display. We’ve shared in something special together. Going to a bullfight in an effort to immerse yourself in the local culture only to bawl your eyes out when you realize the reality of what it entails. It made us fall even more in love with Barcelona when we learned that it is the only Spanish city that forbids bullfighting. I watched as a weary traveler requested to sit out the day of touring because she was tired. A few other travelers encouraged her to push through and while it was a tough day of walking to be sure, during that morning’s tour of Park Guell, she serenaded us with an a cappella version of “How Great Is Our God” that moved me to tears—a moment that would never have happened had she chosen to sit that day out. Sharing a collective laugh as someone drops a pile of birdseed beneath a couple French- kissing on a park bench. It quickly became a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie—one I’m sure the couple did not appreciate—but one that made us belly laugh and will be the source of many a “remember that time in Barcelona” story. One evening at dinner, while were still all getting comfortable with one another, the song “We Are Young” came on the radio. Slowly a couple people started mouthing the words until eventually every single one of us was shouting “So let’s set the world on fire!” at the top of our lungs, drawing stares from waiters and guests alike. I doubt I’ll ever be able to hear that song and not remember that night, over our pasta, bonding over a feeling. Playing musical chairs on the bus and basically drawing straws based on who was the most car sick for who got the privilege of the window seat. Passing around the magical French nausea medicine between the few of us who couldn’t handle the winding cliff side streets of Monaco without losing our lunches. Or the other feeling of sickness—realizing your brand new GoPro camera is nowhere to be found, and as much as you’d like to retrace your steps, it is time to leave for another country. Watching as people dared each other to order frog legs and escargot while in Provence and actually finding out that they loved it. Seeing walls come down and understanding start to form, one snail at a time! Eating the best gelato you’ve ever had in your entire life in a small gelateria in Florence, prompting the immediate purchase of one more for the road. Or the panic we collectively felt in the Sistine Chapel when we realized two of our travelers were no longer with us. The Vatican guards were shouting at the crowd and herding us through the exit door like cattle. It was a challenging situation for sure, but one that, once resolved, brought us all closer together as a group. Seeing people that mere days ago were strangers have genuine concern for each other and relief when they are tearfully reunited was a beautiful thing to experience. These are the moments that fall between the cracks of the facebook album. The moments that bond us to one another and tell our stories—one that can’t be told scrolling through a newsfeed—one that requires interaction and shared experience to understand. I hope, in a small way, that you felt like a part of our journey. I genuinely want to make a more concerted effort to live life to the fullest. To share in real-life face-to-face experiences with people and to bridge the gaps between the moments that fall through the cracks. I don’t want to end up like Hemingway’s Brett and Jake, throwing out a false version of myself that, while fun to facebook stalk, isn’t the real me. In “The Sun Also Rises” their story ends in Madrid upstairs in the world’s oldest restaurant, Botin, over a plate of suckling pig—exactly where our journey began, but our experience was something else entirely.