Dana's Travel Must-Haves

I know, I know...it's so early in our trip; how can we know what the most critical Italy-in-the-summer travel items are? We've used it all; that's how!

Since we have blog guests from our fabulous "Discover Italy" Facebook Group," I hope this will help those planning their upcoming trips.

NOTE: While this may look like a lot, we did carry on for a month! A small roller and backpack.

We are seeing tons of tourists, including babies and children, who are baking.

My faves for the sun:

• Wide-brimmed hats, men and women (golf caps don't shade, and they say, "tourist" right away.

• SPF travel umbrella (especially if you don't have a hat)

• Sunglasses with neck strap

• Sunscreen (applied often, even with a hat)

• Sunscreen brush-on mineral powder for touch-ups

• Sunscreen hand gloves to prevent those dark spots!

• Cooling towel for around the neck

• SPF scarf to protect shoulders and cover the arms when entering a church

• While we're on church visits, pack a lightweight pull-on skirt to cover legs in addition to arms (by the scarf). General rule: men and women want to keep covered inside churches, with no bare knees or shoulders.

My faves for technology:

• Your phone (I'm paying the $10/day for international use)

• A small computer with a detachable keyboard (Mine is a Surface GO, and I love it!)

• A mouse if you write on the road

• Phone charger(s)

• Outlet adapter with USB and electric plug-ins

• USB hub if you have a lot to charge

• Earbuds

• Old school: Small notepad to capture restaurants and things you want to remember. Thank you for this one, Randy Lane!

• Baby fan, rechargeable

Other things to consider:

• Get a lot of single Euro coins. Currency Exchange places won't give change, so we're buying postcards, mints, and asking for singles. Great for the toilets, laundry machines, and tips (even though they are not required).

• Shopping bags that fold up. (groceries, laundry) I have this one.

• Carabiners to hang items on your backpack

• Tiny hand sanitizer, lip balm

• Hand wipes

• Tissues for toilet paper and other uses

• Snacks at all times (I get hangry)

• Travel toothbrushes/picks. Love these!

• KN95 masks with neck holders

• Trash bags for laundry or trash

• Christina and Brian send me this fabulous magnetic hat clip for my birthday! These are on Amazon, too.

• Our liquids fit in one little bag. We can buy anything we need here, such as laundry detergent, lotions, etc.

• Medicine & Vitamins - put them in marked baggies or individual daily bags, so you avoid carrying bottles.

• Laundry detergent sheets for washing clothes in sinks or machines.

Okay, back out to the streets of Florence!

Tomorrow morning we climb the Duomo and see David in the Accademia.

The following day is Cinque Terre from 8 am until late.