Our 14 day tour in Italy begins on the weekend. I have repacked our suitcases and carry-on bags twice. We are each allowed 2 suitcases at 50 lbs each on the airline and 11 pounds in our carry-on each.

We are taking only 1 suitcase each at 40 lbs and our carry-ons are at 10 pounds. So we are under the 66 lb limit for the tour.

I have many items that will not come home like soap and toiletries,and such, and I have packed two additional carry-on size bags that can be used as our second piece of luggage coming home which I will stuff with clothes as the bags are not quite as sturdy as a regular suitcase. So we will have room for souvenirs.

Is 40 lbs per suitcase too much? I know it is under the limit. But will it be too much to lug around?

Can you lift it yourself or manage it if it is wheels? The only time you have to handle your own luggage is - when you arrive at the departure airport until you check in - when you have landed at your destination - you pick up you own luggage and get it to the Insight pick-up point in the airport - and then each day of the tour it is delivered to your room and you just have to carry / wheel it into your room - and in the morning carry / wheel it to your hotel room door. At the end of the trip, Insight drops you off at the airport and then you handle your own luggage until you get home.So most of the time someone else is handling it - but for the few times that you handle it -you have to be able to lift it or wheel it on your own. And regardless of how many cosmetics or toiletries you throw out at the end of your trip - your luggage will weigh more at the end of the trip because of all the wonderful things you have purchased along the way! Have a great trip !

Patricia 5, are you using "squeeze bags"? They don't reduce weight of course, but they do make room for all this precious purchases that you know you are going to make! Have a great trip, off in 4 days myself to USA and Canada.
Cheers
JJA

Grandma of 3..... yes I can lift it, I couldn't carry it too far, but it does have wheels, so that's not a problem. My husband will help me lift it on and off of things.

JJA...... I have packed everything but the pants and tops in plastic zip bags which have air in them for cushioning just now as the suitcase does have some room left in it. The clothes (pants and shirts) are pressed and compactly packed, but I have some squeeze bags packed for compressing the dirty clothes.

I expect to wash out a few things, but I'd really rather spend my time doing something other than laundry if I can help it.

Enjoy your trip JJA..... I'm guilty of not having seen a lot of Canada, but Ontario is beautiful and I'm very happy living here.

Hi Patricia,

quote:

We are taking only 1 suitcase each at 40 lbs and our carry-ons are at 10 pounds. So we are under the 66 lb limit for the tour.

The Insight 66lb limit for First Class tours is a "porterage" limit. It doesn't include the weight of your carry-on bags. The only limitation on your carry-ons is the very limited space on the coach: the overhead shelf will only just accommodate an Insight bag (although these don't seem to be provided anymore). There is some space on the floor but not a huge amount. For a larger carry-on, it may be possible to transport it yourself to and from the coach each day and have it stored in the luggage compartment but it may not then be accessible during the day.

My wife and I have usually taken a small backpack each with water, cameras, maps, etc., in one which comes on the coach with us and the other goes underneath the coach.

phil

Phil..... Our carry on bags were given to us by our Travel Agent, they are 16 x 10 x 8. Hopefully that's not too big.

Right now they have cameras, a 9" computer for communcating with family on the internet, electrical converter, medications, and a few necessities incase our suitcases get lost. Many of the items will go into our suitcases once we arrive, and we will put in our jackets, and things that we may need during the day. I don't expect to have that much in them then and they are collapsible.

We also have small over-the-shoulder tote bags that hang in front for security, that also fit into our carry-on during the flight that we can carry our cameras and water, etc. while touring.

I think I have everything covered. And.... it seems like a lot, but I can't convince myself that I can remove anything else.

I guess I would just feel better about what I have packed if other travels told me the weight seemed reasonable. The few clothes I could remove really don't weigh much. Sorry....... I just keep second-guessing myself.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Patricia 5,

It's hard isn't it? I second guessed myself a lot. I was REALLY worried I wouldn't have room for all the souvineers I wanted to buy over a month in many different countries.
I left with 13 kg (28lb) in my suitcase for 1 month! Was very proud of that effort! And you know.. I still didn't wear or use everything I took!

My biggest regret is that I was so worried about weight, I came home with only 17.5 kilos (38lb)! I could have brought those plates in Tuscany I wanted!

But that won't be a problem for you since you can take extra luggage home.
Like others have said.. so long as you can lift and control it yourself.. along with your carry bags... for before and after the tour.

Have a wonderful time!!

We found on our last trip that airlines were actually weighing our carry-on bags so I have just bought some travel luggage scales to help me keep tabs on the weight.

Thanks Laj. I'm still worrying about it. We leave day after tomorrow. I have one last chance to cut back, but I keep thinking of something else I might need. I keep adding instead of subtracting.

I know I won't need everything I've packed, but my problem is if I do need something I want to have it with me. It certainly is a struggle. But, I can't worry about it too much longer. Two sleeps to go. I did pack a hand scale so I'll know exactly how much I can stuff in my bags coming home.

Thanks again.

margaretc..... just read your post. The little hand scale I'm taking is going to work well. I can't imagine trying to guess how much all my souvenirs weigh, on top of my stuff. I'm such a worrier. I'd be panicing until I checked in on the way home.