quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie1:
Anybody recommend something besides a backpack to carry sunglasses and a few items like a roll of hiking TP,wipes etc...

I've visited Italy several times over the last 10-years, everything from the basic big-3 trip, to destination weddings, to playing tour guide for friends/family, I've stopped carrying a backpack unless I know I need to lug-around stuff where weather changes will be a factor. The main tourist locations are heavily crowded and having a backpack was almost too much, Italy isn't a third-world country, plenty of shops to get whatever you need, plenty of water fountains to get a drink and I've gotten to the point where I'd wear on me whatever I needed on my clothes.

When I did carry a pack, it was usually a lightweight, stuff able pack like a Marmot Compressor Plus. Dana Designs originally came up with the design 30-yrs ago, there's many other companies that have come up with similar like REI Flash, LL Bean Stowaway, Gregory Nano and Camelbak Cloundwalker.....basically any 18-20L sized pack using lightweight nylon.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Many Italians speak English, but it you could bring a language book and learn a few words, that would help.

Twenty some years ago we spent three weeks in Italy. Wonderful friendly people. I can’t tell you how many times I asked someone if they spoke English and they said No. French? No. Spanish? No. However when I attempted with the little bit of Italian I was able to pick up along the way, out came better English than my Italian. If you’ll try, they’ll more than meet you in the middle.