My Italy vacay starts tomorrow and I am jotting down all the stuff I need to pack for the trip.
I find it extremely bothersome to have to pack for a trip (especially a long one) without a packing list.
Do you have the same problem?

And since I foresee myself going for many, many more trips in future.
I shall put up my packing list online so I won’t have to make new lists in the future. *genius*
If you’re the worry wart sort and want to make sure you didn’t miss out anything,
you could check against mine too!

CLOTHING

A good shawl
*i bring my trusty big thick black shawl everywhere I go, that is the one thing i always travel with.
it can be a huge blanket when i’m cold, an extra pillow on flight, something to keep me warm when i’m cold,
something to cover myself up with when visiting churches.

1 good jacket

7 set of undergarments
*a week’s worth so i can wash whenever i need more

5 dresses
*i am a big fan of dresses, especially those with thin and light fabrics.
i can mix and match them with different vests, jackets or shawls,
or throw on accessories to create different looks. include a nicer one in case you’re going somewhere fancy.

4 tops

3 singlets

2 vests/cardigans
*these are great to mix and match with different outfits to have different looks

2 long pants
*don’t bring two pairs of jeans though because it can get quite warm in summer.
light fabrics is the way to go!

2 shorts
*i know Italians are don’t wear a lot of shorts but i will probably be quite miserable
without shorts in summer. but do make sure that you cover your legs on days when you
plan to visit the churches.

1 skirt

1 swimsuit

6 pairs of socks

SHOES

1 pair of boots
*i am a boots kind of person. they keep me warm when it’s cold, dry when it’s wet,
clean when the floor is filthy. most important thing about picking the shoes to walk in in Italy
(you’ll be walking massively) is to have a pair of very very good insoles that gives very good support.

1 pair of flats
*again, good insoles matters!

1 pair of sandals
*nice and pretty leather ones. you’re in Italy after all and you won’t want to look sloppy.
flats and sandals are quite light so i’ll normally pack these and wear the boots onboard.

ACCESSORIES

Shades
*the Italians really know their shades so do wear something pretty and effective in blocking out those rays.

Hats
*my all-time favourite! for summer, i’d bring a big brim hat and a good panama hat to block out the sun.
especially good for bad hair days!

Jewelry
*avoid looking too flashy so leave all your diamonds at home, unless you have bodyguards with you.
simple earrings, a couple of light necklaces or rings would be great.

A watch

VANITY PACK

Makeup
*bring the basic; for me, it would be a good sunblock, concealer, mascara, eye liners, eyebrow powder
(which doubles up as eyeshadow when i’m feeling more vain), compact powder, blush, lip liner which I use instead of lipsticks sometimes.
travel size would be great! forgo eyelash crimpers, falsies, lipsticks & eyeshadows in various shades.

Tweezer
*i hate underarm unruliness.

Vaseline
*can’t live without this. works like magic on dry lips, lubricant that helps
prevent blisters on ill-fitting shoes, tames wild eyebrows and also
helps perfume stay longer if you apply it over where you sprayed your perfume!

Toothpicks with floss

Perfume
*solid perfumes would save more space

Shampoo + Bar of soap + Hair Conditioner + Toothpaste
*toiletries are really expensive in Italy so I’ll normally pack my own

Rubber Bands + Bobby Pins

Washing powder
*this is very important to help wash and minimise the amount of clothes you’ll need to bring along

Makeup Remover Wipes

Beauty Facial Masks
*it is VERY hard to get these in Italy and I need to do this every few days to give my skin its perk-me-up.

Mouth Guard
*i need to wear this to bed every night because of my bruxism.
for some of y’all, contact lens essentials maybe?

Nail Buff
*i know this sounds super vain but you will appreciate it if
you accidentally chip off a bit of your nail overseas.
(i’m just worried about scratching my own face when i sleep)
a nail buff is super thin and light, so why not?
if you’re already overseas and can’t find nail clippers or buff,
try buffing your chipped nail against cardboard.
the feeling will make your hair stand on its ends, if you know what i mean.
but it works too!

TECHIE GEAR

Laptop + charger
*cannot live without these

Camera + charging cord

Cellphone + charging cord
*to save space, I would only bring the charging cords and charge all these via USB from my laptop.

International adaptor
*important, if not you’ll end up sitting on the couch cursing and swearing at the wall socket.

OTHERS

Medication
*medication is extremely expensive in italy. for me, it would be something painkillers,
something for flu, runny nose, diarrhoea, fever, allergies.

Money Pouch
*laugh all you want but i wear this under my clothes and make sure it is constantly out of sight.
if i were to get mugged, i’d give everything i have in my wallet and not end up penniless.

A small umbrella
*it might rain but if you (like me) hate bringing a foldable brolly around,
you can take your chance and just buy an umbrella from that guy who would appear out of nowhere and
start selling umbrellas!

Foodstuff
*you never know when you’ll be hungry! Haha. I’ll try to have some biscuits or light snacks,
in case there is a delay and i’m stuck somewhere hungry with no one selling food.
– – –

And what do I normally pack in my Carry-On bag?
My Carry-On is normally the bag I’d be bringing around while touring the country,
so it has to be relatively big and light. It should be closed (not open tote bags, etc) or backpacks
so i won’t become an easy target for pickpockets.

A good book
* I know there is inflight entertainment but this one really helps put me to sleep fast. :p

Journal + Pen
* You’ll be surprised how helpful having paper and pen would be on a long flight. From jotting down new information to penning down your thoughts to playing Battleship, Hangman or Tic-Tac-Toe with your neighbour!

Passport

Mouth rinse
*No stinky breaths allowed

Travel Pillow + Eye mask
* You might want to bring ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper, but I can sleep even with the noisiest baby

Earphones

Camera
*Mandatory picture of the plane’s wing yo? Haha!

Purse + Cellphone

My big black shawl

NOW! Time to pack! 😀