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Rome Travel
40
items Absolute must-haves and must-dos. From very budget conscious to “if I never worried about money…l
Sections
6
Airlines
What to Wear: Capsule Wardrobe
Luggage
Tours and Tickets
Miscellaneous
Camera Nerds like me
Airlines
Hands-down, an amazing flight experience from Chicago to Frankfurt! The seating sizes were generous, even in economy. Best prices around, you don’t have to wait for Travel Tuesday.
Lufthansa
What to Wear: Capsule Wardrobe
You're going to have to capsule your wardrobe so that everything fits in your little carry-on! (See below--very strict regulations on the dimensions of your luggage. Save the cost of checking in a bag on your way back…when you'll need more space for ...
No matter what, you have to stop here. There is something for everyone. And the smell of soft leather as you walk through the door, having had charcuterie and wine for lunch… You will never forget the feeling. Tell him I sent you!
Michelangelo Assisi
Rothy’s flats are comfortable, breathable, and washable! You will do a lot of walking, and the weather can change from sunshine to downpour in a matter of seconds. These flats can handle it all… No need to bring muck boots wherever you go.
The Knot Point II in Black | Women's Flats
These are breathable and have a good amount of structure, yet remain comfortable. Easy to layer, especially with the abrupt changes in weather!
Women Linen Shop Dresses
Classic and timeless. Mid length is your best bet to handle all sorts of weather and not feel too heavily weighed down.
Mid-length Bonded Cotton Car Coat in Flax beige - Women | Burberry® Official
OK… Here’s an alternate budget friendly version
Icon Trench Coat
THIS! This is a no brainer!!! BUT be warned, you'll need to cover your shoulders if you enter St. Peter's and most of the other churches in Rome.
Linen-Blend Button-Front Vest - Old Navy - Gap
Pair this with the vest options! "Un Aperol Spritz, grazie!”
Linen Pants for Women - Old Navy - Gap
Layers over your sleeveless outfits or dresses for extra warmth and coverage in the Churches.
Cardigan Sweaters | Banana Republic - Gap
It feels luxurious and looks amazing. Comfortable too! Another stunning layer.
Quince
Where were you all of my life?
Cassandra Dress - OrigamiTech :: Olive
I bring a stack of white t-shirts. These are the best! I own at least 5. They are packable, and they wash and hang well. BTW there is usually no dryer in any BNB or hotel in Rome. There may be a washer, in which case you'll hang everything dry.
White V Neck T-Shirts - Old Navy - Gap
Literally, grab a scarf. Perfect around the neck on a chilly morning, covers your hair during that random downpour, wraps around your shoulders if you're still chilly sitting in the sun at an outdoor café, and can be worn as a veil in the Churches, o...
Summer Scarf
Give it a try. You'll never know unless you do it. So many colors to choose from-- my personal choices are black, ivory, and blush.
Lace Mantilla Catholic Chapel Veil for Mass
I would toggle between any of these.
The 20 Most Comfortable White Sneakers For Women 2025
I honestly don't think there's a rule against jeans… but I felt a bit unpolished in them. I did bring a pair but mostly wore loose fitting wide-legged breathable pants.
Pants | Banana Republic - Gap
My advice: this is about as big a bag as you should carry. You will be walking MILES daily. You need your passport/passport copies, cell phone, pocket change (it costs anywere from 1-2 Euro to use a bathroom), and whatever stuffable thing you have (lightweight cardigan vs shawl… Wear it in the front NOT in the back. Keep it tight on the front of your body when you are in public.
Sling Bags
A perfect LBD
The Supima® Jersey Riviera Dress Black
A fabulous deal on good quality!
COACH® | Trench Coat
Out of all the trenches given the balance of cost, structure, and quality I would probably choose this first!
Comfort Stretch Long Trench Coat
Moreso for late fall, winter, early spring. Rome is surprisingly temperate during those seasons, but the evenings and very early mornings are still chilly!
Women's Puffer Jackets
Luggage
Your luggage has to meet internation travel standards. Most airlines will not allow the usually US domestic carry-ons. For Lufthansa and other airlines abroad, the maximum allowance is 55 x 40 x 23 cm which equates to 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches INCLUDING...
Overall Dimensions (includes wheels and carry handles): H: 21.75 in. W: 15.75 in. D: 7.75 in. Case Dimensions: H: 19 in. W: 15 in. D: 7.75 in.
Maxlite® 5 International Carry-On Spinner
Make sure you buy the “21”
Bric's "X-bag" 21" Carry-on Spinner Trolley
I LOVE this hardshell option! Exterior measurements 21.7" x 14.4" x 9" Interior measurements 20.1" x 13.9" x 7.5" Weight 7.5 lbs Capacity 39.8 L
Carry-On Luggage | Away: Built for modern travel
Sometimes our luggage was getting fat from overstuffing the softshell cases. This helped get them within that 9" width limit.
Untethered TSA-Approved Heavy Luggage Straps
I absolutely used vacuum bags to shrink my luggage! However… some airlines still have a weight limit for carry-ons, so even if it fits, it may still be too heavy! Please check your airline restrictions.
TravelPack™ Vacuum Kit
Tours and Tickets
Places we actually visited hassle-free.
The only medical warning I have is to make sure you have access to fresh air if you start feeling light-headed.
Catacombs of Rome (Catacombe di Roma) Tours & Tickets
This was amazing. Even better --Margherita pizzas with fresh basil around the corner.
Colosseum, Rome | Book Tickets & Tours Online - 2025
Admittedly, this is a little bit more of a hassle to book online but it's not IMPOSSIBLE. Just select the ENGLISH verions and double check your dates. Here's a hack: if you have kids or are a student (middle school, high school, college, grad school)...
Prices and Tickets
We took this to Assisi! #1 advice: GET THE APP. Then you'll be up to date on departure times even if they change last-minute. We were stuck in Termini for an additional hour because our train left 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. But it gave us ext...
ItaliaRail
Miscellaneous
Seriously. Because your phone could die or you could be in an area without service e.g. CATACOMBS.
StreetSmart® Rome Map by VanDam – Laminated
These are AMAZING for my hair and won't explode in your luggage.
Shampoo Bars Eco Friendly by Kitsch | Free Shipping over $35
Ditto.
Conditioner Bars Solid Conditioner Eco Friendly by Kitsch | Free Shipping over ...
You'll need power adapters. Put one in your carry-on in case of long layovers.
2 Pack VINTAR European Travel Plug Adapter
Power banks are a necessity
Best Cell Phone Portable Power Banks
Best deal thus far. Airtag your bags. Your wallet. My friend put a tag in the sole of each of her kiddo's shoes.
Apple AirTag (4 Pack)
Camera Nerds like me
Why this one? Price range is affordable ($1200-1500), fast autofocus, MIRRORLESS, FULL FRAME. Files are smaller than the a7IV and therefore won't slow you down. Sony is known for vibrant colors. Smaller and thinner than the iv, longer battery life. I...
Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless 4K Video Camera (Body Only) Black ILCE7M3/B
OK If I had all the money in the world, this would be my thing. FULL FAME, luxury compact, 60MP senor, 43mm lens. It's one of the top point and shoots for travel.
Leica Q3 43 Compact Digital Camera, Black - Adorama
I'm going to cry. This is compact, RETRO-CHIC, with a fixed 23mm lens and a 40MP sensor. Please oh please.
FUJIFILM X100VI Digital Camera (Silver)
This was voted best overall compact travel camera. The lens ranges from 24-200mm zoom, fast autofocus, and video. Charges with USB-C as well.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII Digital Camera