Planning on holidaying in Italy this summer and staying in one of our incredible villas in Italy this summer? Well, then you’re probably considering your itinerary, looking up nearby attractions, learning about the country and the area in which you will be staying in particular, and picking up the odd thing here and there ahead of your trip. You’re likely looking forward to the getaway with excitement. If this is the case and you are wondering just what you should prepare in advance and what you should bring with you, then here is our guide to the key items to pack for a summer vacation in Italy…
1. Comfortable shoes
While you might be planning to visit some nice restaurants and want to bring some dress shoes, you should prioritise packing at least one pair of comfortable shoes that you can walk in for long stretches of time. Particularly if you are booking a vacation rental in Rome or you are staying in a villa in Tuscany, you will quickly discover that you have lots to see, plenty of ground to cover, protected historic centres that often boast cobbled streets, and not necessarily the most reliable taxis.
So, be prepared and ready to walk, at least between public transportation options or from one attraction to another. You may not always walk very far and you may have no intention to do so but you’ll likely find you’ll have to walk a certain amount and the terrain can be better suited to shoes that are less likely to be bested by slippery or uneven old stone. This is particularly true of cities like Pisa and Florence as well as small towns with historic cores.
2. Something to cover up
During your holiday in Italy, you may have only hot weather to deal with and no thought at all about layers. However, if you intend on visiting gorgeous old churches or other religious buildings – from those rising majestically along the scenic canals when you book a vacation rental in Venice to the grand Baroque wonders with sumptuous detail you’ll want to see up close if you book a holiday rental in Apulia – be ready to cover up! You don’t need to cover up, head to toe, all day, just ensure that your knees and your shoulders are not exposed or you will not be granted entrance.
This can simply mean bringing a shawl to wrap around your shoulders or ensuring you have at least short sleeves on your top, and wearing a longer pair of shorts or skirt – just make sure you’re prepared! Shawls and scarves are a particularly useful option because they can be shoved in a bag and then draped over the shoulders or wrapped around the waist, depending on your need.
3. Heading north? Bring a waterproof jacket
If you are planning on booking a villa in Veneto, a holiday rental in the Italian Alps, a vacation rental on Lake Garda, a villa on the Cinque Terre, or a property anywhere around the north of Italy, you will discover the chilly winds are not uncommon come evening and showers are more and more likely towards the end of the summer and early autumn. While you might enjoy plenty of sun during the day, a jacket and a waterproof one, in particular, probably won’t go astray. It’s always better to be prepared so pack at least one suitable option! Elsewhere in Italy, if you are by the sea or near the mountains, the breezes coming off the water and the mountain climates also necessitate having a jacket at hand for chillier evenings.
4. Slip-on shoes
There are some incredible sandy beaches to be found in Italy but many of the most popular coastal destinations boast stunning strands that are a little harsher underfoot. From the pebbly shores that are commonly found by those who book a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast to the rocky outcrops found by those who book a holiday rental in Salento, you might easily stumble upon gorgeous places where you want to swim but that require some slight scrambling over not-so-soft surfaces to get to the water. Pack some slip-on shoes and you’ll be able to access these scenic swimming spots without risking scratching up your feet!
5. SPF and a summer hat
While we told you to prepare for potentially chilly moments earlier, it is equally important to be ready for the heat that you will encounter during the summer months in Italy - particularly in July and more so in August. Be sure to pack a hat with a brim and SPF because summers are increasingly hot in Italy!
Even if you want to work on your tan, it is all the more reason to pack both to avoid burning instead. If you intend, instead, to spend the hottest part of the day in museums or tourist attractions in one of the big cities or towns such as the Uffizi or the Vatican Museums, there will be plenty of darting around required that will be made far more comfortable if you’re prepared to beat the heat and the sun when you meet it. So, either way, a summer vacation in Italy requires being prepared for hot, sunny days to ensure that you can enjoy them.
