5 Weeks, One 19" Suitcase: My Real-Life Italy Packing & Laundry Setup

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5 Weeks, One 19" Suitcase: My Real-Life Italy Packing & Laundry Setup

Climbing Mount Etna with Mr Bear!
This is exactly why you need rugged clothes instead of delicate linen.

The typical travel guides tell you to purchase an entirely new wardrobe of delicate linen outfits for your trip to Italy. Yes, sounds nice in theory, but it is completely impractical if you are actually moving. Think ahead of hauling bags onto regional trains, dragging luggage over uneven Roman or Sicilian cobblestones, or hiking the volcanic gravel of Mt Etna. For this you will need items that survive the real world.

My SwissGear carry-on suitcase
—the ultimate MVP that glided seamlessly across rough cobblestones.

Surviving 5 weeks with one tiny bag means every item must earn its place. This SwissGear Carry-On Suitcase (#ad) was the ultimate MVP, fitting exactly into the strict overhead limits and gliding smoothly across old train stations without failing. FYI - No room for a spending spree!

Fitting 5 weeks of daily outfits into one small floor layout
—every single item had to earn its place.

My Baggallini Essential Laptop Backpack (#ad)

came in at 25 lbs.

My trusty Baggallini backpack—compact but strong enough to
comfortably carry my laptop and camera gear

Mr Bear helping me double-check the packing list
and travel documents before heading to the airport!

 Baggallini Securtex Anti-Theft Daytripper Sling (ad) had to be packed inside the 

suitcase to meet the strict two-carry-on limits. I used it once we got to Rome 

and throughout the days in Sicily. Mr Bear had his own Eataly Cotton 

Tote for his travels, and hiding out.

Keeping my valuables 100% secure during busy walking tours
with my anti-theft Baggallini sling bag.

Packing day survival setup, complete with first-aid kits,
destination maps, and our travel mascot.

Here is the unvarnished reality of how I pulled this off. I specifically booked Airbnbs stating they had a washing machine and a drying rack. Their bodywash and shampoo might be missing from their provided list, but a washing machine was necessary! I brought Bermuda Laundry Sheets for those that might not provide detergent.

The ultimate packing secret weapon: lightweight Bermuda
laundry sheets that take up zero space.

Mr Bear and I successfully did the laundery
after figuring out an Italian washing machine

Mr Bear keeping watch over our fresh laundry drying rack

 inside our cozy Sicilian apartment floor.

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