What am I going to wear? This will undoubtedly be at the top of your thoughts once you book your trip.

Think simple: Italian women dress stylishly without a lot of fuss. Color coordinate, be neat, pack non-wrinkable fabrics, sunglasses, and all shall be well. Over packing will end up being a drag on your trip. You can always hand wash, or get to a laundry or dry cleaner while you’re there. Plus, what’s the hardship of having to buy extra clothes or shoes in Italy?

Tag your luggage: Include the phone number of your destination on a tag outside and inside, on the top layer of your packed suitcase, just in case your luggage gets misplaced.

Don’t Pack

• Your hairdryer: Even budget hotels have them.
• Spike heels: They get stuck in the cobblestones.
• Shorts: You’ll feel odd unless you’re biking or on a beach.
• Sneakers: Meaning your gym shoes or white sneakers. That said, comfortable shoes are important, as you’ll be doing lots of walking. Check out Ecco, Arches, or Aerosole for good styles. Rubber soles are best for hill towns, where leather slips on the slopes.

Do Pack

• Umbrella: To always carry with you on “iffy” weather days. You’ll regret having to buy one from eager street vendors who jack up the price the moment the sky opens.
• Tissues: To double as toilet paper. There will inevitably be places that are lacking.
• Band-Aids and moleskin: In case of foot blisters.
• Travel-sized toiletries: This is the stuff that can really add weight, so bring only what you need, including sun block. Dry shampoo is a great invention for traveling—lightweight and time-saving. Hotels generally supply shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. You don’t want to be spending euros on this in Italy.
• Bathing suit: Even for non-beach vacations, so you’re prepared for a spontaneous spa visit or a pool. And consider a bikini…that’s right! Even if you feel like you’re past bikini days, you’ll see that Italian women of every shape and size wear them. Go ahead and join in on the pleasure.
• Crossbody bag: Make sure you have something comfortable to carry your essentials for those days of lots of walking.
• Lightweight duffel bag: To fill with souvenirs for your return trip.
• Copy of your passport, credit card numbers, and toll-free numbers to call in case of credit card loss: Give another copy and your itinerary to someone who can easily be reached, so they can be sent to you if necessary. Before you go, call your bank and credit card companies to give them a heads-up, as in these days of high security, they may block your card if they aren’t forewarned about your foreign spending.
• E-reader and smart phone: Loaded up with the guides and apps about where you’re going. If you must take a guidebook, rip out and pack only the pages that apply to your destination—don’t take the whole heavy book.
• Plug Adapter or Converter: To use with your electronic devices, as Italy runs on a different electrical system than American.
• Streetwise maps for the cities you’ll be visiting. These laminated, purse-friendly, well-indexed maps are far superior to the ones hotels and tourist kiosks hand out. And even if you’re using GPS on your phone or tablet when you’re on the go, they’re great to have in your hotel room as you plan out your day. You can buy them in U.S. bookstores or online: www.streetwisemaps.com.
• Italy: Instructions for Use (www.italyinstructions.com): A unique, practical, lightweight guide and phrasebook containing all the nitty-gritty details you’ll need as you travel—for trains, driving, eating, making phone calls, public transportation, etc.

Packing à la Susan

• Use wire hangers: I know Joan Crawford would be horrified, but putting all your clothes on wire hangers, which you then roll up in plastic to prevent wrinkling and then whoosh into your hotel closet when you arrive, cuts down on unpacking time, which gives you more time for Italy.
• Have a dress rehearsal: Here I go confessing my corny secret packing ritual: I take my inspiration from Cher in Moonstruck—the scene where she gets ready for her date with Nicholas Cage. To get psyched for my date with Italy, I put my mirror center stage, have a glass of white wine nearby, Andrea Bocelli blaring in the background, and all the wardrobe possibilities on the bed, including jewelry and scarves. Then I dress for the plane, for that day I know I’ll be touring a museum, for that special dinner, etc. Inevitably, this is where I’ll figure out what to mix and match, what shoes won’t work, and cut out half of what’s on that bed. And so the light, lovely adventure begins...