Italy, packed for two
Church dress codes, cobblestones, trains and lake-day style: the 20 pieces on our Italy list.
Italy asks a lot of one suitcase. You might cover up for a basilica in the morning, walk cobblestones all afternoon, catch a train at dusk and dress for dinner by a lake. This is the list we've built for doing all of it in style.
The rules come first. Churches like St. Peter's and Florence's Duomo ask for shoulders and knees to be covered, so a light wrap and a long skirt or trousers are a must. Streets are cobbled and trains mean carrying your own bags up steps, so we pack light and pack comfortable.
Then the style. From Rome's piazzas to Positano and Lake Garda, Italy is made for linen, loafers, gold and good sunglasses, and this is exactly how we pack for it.
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Travel day
- 01BÉIS The Carry-On RollerFor twoSee at Béis
Trains, station stairs and bridges mean you carry your own bag. One carry-on each makes Italy so much easier.
- 02Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder BagHersShop on Amazon
Busy sights and crowded trains are where pickpockets work. Locking zips give you peace of mind.
- 03Apple AirTag (2nd generation), 4 packFor twoShop on Amazon
One in each bag, in case luggage goes astray on a connection.
- 04Conair ExtremeSteam handheld garment steamerFor twoShop on Amazon
Linen creases in a suitcase. Five minutes with this and you're ready for dinner.
Day & beach
- 05Ray-Ban RB4171 Erika sunglassesHersShop on Amazon
Classic, light and very Italian. Perfect for a boat across Lake Como or a lemon granita in Positano.
- 06Ray-Ban RB2140 Original Wayfarer, polarizedHisShop on Amazon
Polarized for the sparkle on the lake, and timeless with linen.
- 07FURTALK Straw Panama fedoraHisShop on Amazon
A straw Panama is the easiest way for him to look at home on the Amalfi Coast.
- 08Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed sandalsFor twoShop on Amazon
Cobblestones all day call for real cushioning. These are what we'd pack for both of us.
Evenings out
- 09Achillea Lightweight pashmina wrapHersShop on Amazon
Your church pass: drape it over your shoulders in a basilica, then wear it at dinner when the evening cools.
- 10White chiffon pleated maxi skirtHersShop on Amazon
Long enough for church dress codes and lovely for an aperitivo by the water.
- 11Lacoste Original cotton piqué poloHisShop on Amazon
Lake Como style for him in one piece: a crisp polo with tailored shorts or trousers.
- 12Sam Edelman Loraine bit loaferHersShop on Amazon
A gold-bit loafer is pure Italian polish, and much kinder than heels on the cobbles.
- 13Sperry Authentic Original boat shoeHisShop on Amazon
Boat shoes for a lake taxi or a wooden Riva, and smart enough for dinner.
- 14Missoma Classic Chubby Small HoopsHersSee at Missoma
Gold hoops with linen: the simplest way to look like you belong.
Toiletries & beauty
- 15Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50For twoShop on Amazon
An invisible SPF for long days in the piazzas.
- 16OLAPLEX N°.7 Bonding Hair OilHersShop on Amazon
A few drops tame humidity and keep hair glossy for the evening.
- 17Caudalie Beauty Elixir face mistHersShop on Amazon
A face mist from a French skincare brand, for a fresh face on the train and before dinner.
- 18Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25HisShop on Amazon
His SPF lip balm for lake days and coast walks.
Tech & photos
- 19Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024)For twoShop on Amazon
Italian train days are made for reading. It weighs less than one paperback.
- 20Apple AirPods Pro 3For twoShop on Amazon
Noise cancelling for the flight and fast trains, and handy for museum audio guides.
Plan the rest of the trip
- Rome for two · the Colosseum, the Vatican and sunset rooftops
- Lake Como and the Dolomites · our Italian wishlist for two
Ready when you are
Plan your own escape for two
Our step-by-step guide, from choosing the place to the last dinner, with a printable checklist.
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