Travel
JJwritergirl
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Wheeled Luggage in Italy
in Travel
The two people I know who have gone to Italy are feeding me contradictory advice. One says not to take wheeled luggage to Italy because the streets are uneven and I will be stuck carrying it anyway. They suggested large duffel-style bags. The other person said to definitely take wheeled luggage for ease, as well as safer travel for anything we buy. I am leaning towards taking one larger wheeled case that DH and I share, and we'll each have a carry on backpack.
What type of luggage do you recommend?
Re: Wheeled Luggage in Italy
XH had a rolling backpack on that trip, and I was so jealous! It was perfect, because you could pull it when things were smooth, and put it on your back for stretches that weren't. If you need something bigger than carry-on, a wheeled duffle could give you some of the same advantages.
I agree with this because of the trains. It's not so much the type of suitcase (just pick it up if you have to), but the size. Some of the streets aren't as wide in some of the cities which could be an issue, but the trains are the biggest thing you should be concerned with. I have a rolling backpack and I love it.
The streets are uneven. Your bag will take a beating, but I'd rather have wheels then carry it the entire time. Also, I suggest staying away from spinner wheels, because when you get really tired going down stairs, you might just let your bag fall onto each step like I did.
My number one recommendation is that you must have one hand free at all times. DH and I had one big bag (30"), backpacks each, a medium bag, and a small bag. Horrible! He was the one that could lift the large bag, so I got stuck with the two small ones, which I could not lift in both hands at the same time while going up stairs or onto a train.
I think I agree with pp - backpacks each plus one bag each that you can carry one-handed up stairs, but also has non-spinner wheels and you don't mind if it doesn't last more than that one trip.
When we went to Italy, I had my clothes in a large backpack that I checked and used a small wheeled bag as my carry-on. I agree with the pp to have one hand free at all times. The only problem I had is that I didn't notice some dog poop on the sidewalk in Venice and it got on my wheeled bag, but that was my own fault for not paying more attention.
In general, I would recommend packing as lightly as possible as you won't want to lug heavy bags around.
My vote would be for wheeled. It's what I travel with.
The only city where it's been annoying is Venice (up the steps, over the bridge, down the steps... walk a block... up the steps, over the bridge, down the steps... repeat
). But I'd say it was more a minor irritation than a big deal. Never noticed a problem on the cobblestones (and I don't have particularly heavy duty/fancy luggage).
Enjoy your trip!
This is what I was thinking as well. Venice was sort of a pain, but not awful. We didn't have a difficult time getting around anywhere with wheels. But, I would bring two smaller, wheeled bags rather than one large wheeled. It'll be a lot easier to carry and to maneuver through crowds and narrow streets that way.
i've been 3 times-and to all of those cities. wheeled is fine unless you have to walk miles and miles and miles-which you don't. grab a cab and save yourself the hassle-except in venice of course. pack lightly and be prepared to carry it. but the wheels will be nice to have. in rome it will probably be the most difficult as they're more cobblestone like. in florence they're pretty even.
as for the trains-there are areas behind each sets of seats adn luggage areas where you get on the train-no need for overhead bins. i dont recall seeing a 'bin' anyway-more just racks for coats etc..
You will be fine with wheeled luggage I think but I suggest taking 2 smaller carry on size bags instead of 1 big one. They are much easier to get on and off the train and to carry up stairs at hotels/apartments.