Exploring Italy’s Hidden Gems: Travel Light and Smart with Essential Gear

Some countries are great travel destinations for foodies. Others are better for the history buffs or sun worshippers. Italy is unique because it has something for everyone. It’s packed with some of the most beautiful places on earth, but it’s also a country famous for taking cuisine so seriously that it’s nearly political. 

Wherever you go in Italy, there are new sights, tastes, and experiences to delight in. The only thing that can get in the way of all that adventuring is unnecessary gear and luggage. Keep reading for our full guide on why packing light is key for Italian travel, a list of essential gear, and how to make sure that you’re not bringing so much from home that you stop yourself from getting to enjoy the new places you’re in.

WHY TRAVELING LIGHT ENHANCES YOUR ITALIAN ADVENTURE

To enjoy all that Italy has to offer, you need to be mobile. The most interesting experiences happen when you’re able to be flexible and follow a sign down a cobbled alley or spend an entire day wandering quieter streets. But it can’t happen if you’re bogged down with gear or worrying about how to get heavy luggage onto the train from Rome to Venice. Even visiting common landmarks such as the Colosseum or Rome’s many food markets requires you to be on your feet and ready to adventure.

Traveling light frees you up in both a practical sense and an emotional one. For example, if you get to visit the famous Ponte Pietra bridge in Verona, you don’t want to be dragging around so much stuff that you don’t get to take in that spectacular view or wander over to the nearby Gelato café. Less is more, and the less you have on you, the more you’ll be able to take in Italy’s unique offerings.

ITALY'S HIDDEN HIKING SIDE (SPOILER: IT'S FOR FOOD AND WINE)

The best food in Italy isn’t always found in glamorous city restaurants or Trip Advisor spots. We’d argue that the best bites you’ll have are in the outer areas of the country, tucked into Tuscan hills or perched on the side of the Dolomite mountains. These areas are sometimes expensive to get to, but if you can whittle your travel essentials to a light pack, you can take the hiking routes through Italy’s national parks and more rural areas for a truly authentic experience.

In the Dolomites, you’ll encounter tiny mountain villages that bring together the region’s mix of Austrian and Italian heritage. In Basilicata, you can hike through hidden caves and then end the day in ancient villages known for their Roman-era sausages and incredible fresh vegetables.

Tuscany has hiking trails that are almost exclusively dedicated to tasting the region’s food and wine pairings. The beauty of packing light and taking in the country in this way is that you get to see where all that delicious food comes from. Trekking through the vineyards, forests, and fields that supply all of Italy’s best ingredients gives context to your meals and a layer of appreciation that just wouldn’t have occurred if you’d been limited to city expeditions. It's the beauty of traveling light – you’re able to see, taste, and do so much more.

ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR EXPLORING ITALY

The key to traveling light is getting serious about what your essentials are. This might differ depending on where in the country you’re traveling to, the season you’ll be there, and your interests, but here are some travel gear non-negotiables:

• Versatile Travel Backpack: Something with lots of internal pockets will make it easier to organize your things efficiently, but the backpack's appearance also matters. If you can pick something plain and simple, it’s all the better as you then won’t feel strange walking into some of Italy’s nicer areas or restaurants with it. 
• Comfortable Walking Shoes: One thing that every Italian adventurer needs to be prepared for is walking. Pick out comfortable, non-descript walking shoes you can wear with multiple outfits.
• Basic Hat: Adjust the hat choice depending on the season, but much of Italy has quite a sunny climate. You’ll want to be protected from the sun’s rays while exploring walled cities or admiring The Boboli Gardens.
• Portable Charger: There’s nothing worse than coming across an incredible place selling fresh Arancini on a street corner, only to realize your phone is dead and you won’t be able to document the moment. Portable chargers are a lifesaver when traveling.
• Adaptors: Universal adaptors will ensure that you can use and charge electronics no matter where you end up.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Many cities in Italy have public drinking fountains where you can fill up during long days. 
• Tote Bag: Even if you have no plans to shop for the day, if you wander by an open food market, will you really say no to fresh Sicilian blood oranges? Having a tote bag on hand means you can expand your carrying space as needed and pick up interesting Italian delicacies along your travels.

PACKING ESSENTIALS FOR A LIGHT AND EFFICIENT TRIP

Here are some things that can help you keep your packing light and efficient:

• Packing Cubes: These help organize your packing and force you to be more intentional, too. They also make it easier to find things on the fly.
• Smaller Luggage: Nothing will force you to pack lightly, like downsizing to a smaller case. 
• Luggage Scale: Weigh everything, including your backpack, to check you’re not overloading yourself. This will also be useful as you travel to make sure you’re not adding too many bottles of balsamic vinegar to drag home.
• A Packing List: Not only is this great to refer to as your trip goes on (especially if there are multiple destinations), but seeing all your items on a list will help flag anything that should be eliminated.
• Laundry Soap: No matter the length of your trip, ideally keep clothes to a maximum of a week’s worth and keep soap on hand to wash things in sinks along the way.

HOW TO PACK SMART FOR ITALIAN ADVENTURES

As long as you:

1. Pack according to the season you’re visiting in,
2. Pack items that are versatile/ can be mixed and matched,
3. Stick to need-to-haves rather than must-haves,

You can’t go wrong. Italy’s best spots are often their most casual, so you don’t need to fuss too much with bringing extravagant outfits. Stick to comfortable clothes and essential gear only. That way, you’ll be freed up to explore Italy’s hidden gems without any added worries.

Written by Eating Europe