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Email a FriendPosted by Gwen on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 10:05 PM (EDT):
Don’t forget your camera! I always remind myself on trips that I can buy anything I desperately need. So don’t fret about forgetting something (except your passport).
What to Pack?
What would you take to Rome?
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Just me on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 8:38 PM
OK friends, Rebecca shared the good news recently that I will be headed to the Vatican this weekend. This trip was a very big surprise and has been planned quite quickly with the help of many good friends. I am so excited that I will be able to share it with all of you via blog posts coming during the time I am in Italy.
But first, I have to get there. The trip is going to involve planes, trains and automobiles. By the time I land on Sunday morning (an hour and a half before the Beatification), I will have been traveling since 5:00 pm Friday night, Fresno time. I’ve just pulled out my suitcase today and started packing, telling myself to go light since I will only be there through next Thursday.
But I’m paranoid I will forget something. I’ve written “pack passport” on three separate lists, knowing that without it I won’t be going. I am working on which clothes to wear for which events, finding a good pair of shoes that will work for both dress up and walking, and guessing what the weather is going to be.
For those of you who have had the good fortune to travel to Rome, what would you recommend I bring along? If you were making this trip, what would be your one, indispensable item? Help me get my packing list together and also share what “not” to bring too!
Comments
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My husband and I met in Rome! I asked what he would pack for Rome and he laughed while saying, “my family!” But really, we decided on packing some of your “older” clothes/undergarments. Then when you get ready to come home you can throw them away and use the space for souvenirs. This was one of our strategies while we were there. Also - skip packing all electric supplies you can (go without the hairdryer and straight iron if at all possible) because you’ll need outlet converters to go with each of them. Finally, go to your local bank and get some Euros before you leave the states - otherwise you’ll have to exchange money at the airport upon arrival and the exchange rates at the airports are horrendous! God bless and safe travels! What a wonderful experience!
Posted by Kerri on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 10:58 PM (EDT):
A hand mirror so you can look in your palm whilst everyone else is straining their necks looking at the painted ceilings! It makes a big difference.
Posted by Michelle on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 11:03 PM (EDT):
This is brilliant! I wish I’d heard that before we went.
Pack an umbrella that folds up really small. That way you can wander the city even if it’s raining. I also got a guidebook of walking tours from the library that turned out to be super fun.
Posted by Farmer's City Wife on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 11:03 PM (EDT):
Comfortable grandma shoes 
. Seriously—I was there in the line that could be seen from space during Pope John Paul II’s wake. “Standing room only” is a bit of an understatement… so to be standing that long on cobblestones you’ll not want to be wearing cute black pumps! :-D
One of those elastic waistband passport holder/money pouches is great, too. One of my friends had her passport in an around-the-neck pouch that went under her shirt, but pickpockets in the crowded square snipped it with scissors from behind and made a clean getaway before my friend noticed it was missing. The elastic belted type fits comfortably under your shirt or pants and isn’t accessible to pickpockets (though getting your money out can be a little awkward, hehe).
Oh what a glorious time to be going! Congratulations on being picked from amongst the world’s bloggers, and eat some gelato for us watching on TV .
Posted by Kansas Mom on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 11:17 PM (EDT):
Pack clothes that are interchangeable (skirts and shirts that all match) and one sweater / one pair of shoes that matches them all. Comfortable Granny shoes are a great idea - nice enough for skirts but suitable for lots of walking. When I went, I bought a new pair for the trip and threw them away when I got home because I wore them for miles and miles every day for two weeks. Totally worth it!
I also recommend taking comfortable shoes that you can walk and stand in for hours. Flat flats are not always the best to wear. they don’t offer good support that your feet will need. I like Merrell brand shoes, especially the clogs. They are nice looking, and I wear them with skirts, some dresses, pants and capris. They are the most comfortable, supportive shoes I have ever worn,and I spend over 6 hours a day on my feet. My feet never hurt when I come home. : ) I also agree that it is helpful to bring interchangeable clothes, that match so you can make more outfits. Wow! You are so blessed to have this great opportunity!
Posted by Ginny Kubitz Moyer on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 11:37 PM (EDT):
I’d bring a diary and a whole lot of prayer intentions. Have a fantastic trip!
Posted by MR on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 12:24 AM (EDT):
Definitely a raincoat and small umbrella. You don’t want to miss seeing something if its rainy. If the weather is supposed to be warm, sunscreen. If you’re packing a sleeveless shirt or sundress (which is a good idea if it’s warm) a light scarf to throw over your shoulders at churches. I second the comfortable shoes idea—moleskin is probably a good idea too. An empty water bottle to fill up at one of the many public drinking fountains around he city.
Posted by Diana on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 12:35 AM (EDT):
I would totally agree with the comfortable shoes and the camera. I am not certain what your agenda is while there, but if you are having audience with the Holy Father on Wednesday, bring any items you would want blessed. I would also recommend bringing a US to European adaptor for any electronics that would need charged or plugged in where you are staying.
Make sure your ATM card can work internationally and credit card companies/banks are aware you are traveling internationally, so they don’t think your cards were stolen or accounts hacked and freeze your accounts. Also, make copies of your passport to have packed in different places in case you need it. And do watch out for pick-pocketers, especially this busy weekend there! Be on guard at all times. Unfortunately, that is an ever-present, negative part of Rome.
Enjoy and savor every moment. Eat gelato everyday, drink plenty of wine, and try a lot of pizza!!! You will love the food!!! Prayers for a safe and wonderful trip for you! God bless!!!
Posted by Anna on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 12:52 AM (EDT):
I totally agree on the old stuff - towels, underwear, socks, even old jeans - you can throw away when you come back; I always (I’ve been blessed to go three times) needed the room for all the stuff I brought home. (Am I really bizarre in that I *love* Italian milk and would bring back boxes of that? And Fanta, both lemon and orange. Nothing like the American stuff, so very worth bringing a supply home, but certainly bulky in the luggage… also Pocket Coffee. Best. Stuff. Ever.) Soprani, if you can find it in those winding streets, is a great, reasonably priced religious goods store and I always brought back a ton of stuff from there too.
The Pilgrim’s Guide to Rome is a good guide; there were a lot of relics I missed on earlier trips, just b/c I didn’t have a good guidebook. And it’s awful to go look around some church but then only find out when you get home that there’s some major artwork or relic there and you totally missed it.
Ask wherever you are staying where to get a good detailed map; I don’t know if you can get a good enough one stateside, but it’s a must once you’re there. The streets change names every block or so and “overview” type maps with only major streets are no use at all. Read-it-with-a-magnifying-glass detailed maps are the only way not to spend hours hunting for, say, Santa Maria in Trastevere. Lovely church, but not easy to find if you’ve never been there.
And I also second the money belt. You can keep some small amount of money in a pocket or whatever for easy access to get pizza or something, but put passport and higher sums of money in the belt. I also had a jacket with an inside pocket and I sewed strong velcro to the inside top of that; I could easily get to it, but no one else could as it would both take time and make a bit of noise, not to mention being unexpected and not removable from me. Worked great, so I usually skipped the belt unless it was warm. Or you could just sleep on trains and not shower for 10 days prior to your time in Rome and you’ll not look like someone worth stealing from… but I doubt you want to do that for the blognic!
And Bring Your Appetite! 
Have a wonderful trip! Rome is the best place in the world…
Posted by Amanda on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 2:31 PM (EDT):
Yes! I studied in Rome and loved Soprani! Great items at great prices. I’d buy small crucifixes in bulk, have them blessed at the audience, and then gave them to friends and family when I got home. It’s not far from St. Peter’s Square at all, and if you ask around, people can direct you there! Have a blessed trip!
Posted by Sarah in Ottawa on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 11:11 AM (EDT):
I’ve been to Rome twice at this time of year. Last year, I was there from May 3-8! And I would recommend an umbrella and/or raincoat, and interchangeable clothes that you can layer. The weather can be totally unpredictable, so be prepared. And have a wonderful, prayerful time!!
Posted by Michelle Reitemeyer on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 3:16 PM (EDT):
A travel alarm clock (or watch with alarm). Pack a small (or big) duffel in which to pack things you purchase…or take a larger bag than you need. I don’t happen to have too many “old” clothes that I could just leave behind…I guess I’m too good at purging. A notebook for writing down things you don’t want to forget…like a story behind a photo you took…or some funny line someone had. When my husband and I honeymooned in Germany, we bought a postcard every day for us to keep and we took turns writing a brief summary of our day on it. I never would have remembered the amusing name of Frau Rau who owned the pension where we stayed our first night or how excited she was to have newlyweds staying at her home had I not logged that on our first postcard.
Having been to Rome, a lot of the suggestions I’ve read above are very good ones. Definitely use the fanny-pack/money belt approach to be safer - forget the purse! Good comfortable walking shoes for sure, because you are going to do a lot of walking. I recommend the hand sanitizer too. HAVE FUN LISA!
Posted by MK on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 4:00 PM (EDT):
A neck pillow for the plane. Makes all the difference in whether or not you sleep on the plane. And hand sanitizer. I really like those individually packed Wet Ones antibacterial handwipes. Even better than hand sanitizer, because can clean stickiness (gelato melting in the sun!) or tomato sauce off hands.
Posted by gradchica on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 5:44 PM (EDT):
Make sure to bring—or bring $ to buy—rosaries and/or other small holy items if you will be able to attend a papal audience. I am kicking myself for not bringing a gigantic bag of rosaries to the papal audience for use as baptism/confirmation gifts.
Posted by Margaret on Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 9:34 PM (EDT):
When I studied in Rome, one of my favorite things was a collapsible water bottle, like this: http://www.amazon.com/Platypus-Bottle-2Liter-70-ounces/dp/B000J2KEGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304040791&sr=8-1. Rome has cool water fountains all over the city that you can use to fill up the bottle and when you are done it doesn’t add any weight to your bag or take up any space.
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