Going to Italy, Switzerland, Paris & London. Need packing advice.

Thanks!

That is a time of year when the weather is changing and to go from Italy to England! My daughter and I went to England, Belgium, & Netherlands in March a couple of years ago. I overpacked. My daughter just layered and that worked best. Take long sleeved shirts and sweaters and layer as needed for that day. I even took the lining out of my all-weather trench coat. My daughter just took her hip length leather jacket and wore a shirt and, if needed, a sweater. We wore jeans most days, never used the thermal underwear I brought. Always carry something for rain, especially in England. We had mostly overcast days, cool but not the really bitter cold. Italy will be warmer, but the locals require conservative dress at most tourist sites. Women are often required to wear dresses. You must cover your knees and head to enter a church and sometimes they will not allow pants. And you will be visiting churches every day in Italy. IMPORTANT! Wear comfortable but well supported shoes. Those "walking shoes" they sell at the store won't cut it. Seems like all of Europe is paved, concrete, or cobble stones, and they are all very hard on the feet. But the most important thing to remember, when your feet & legs hurt, and you're tired, wet, and cold, is that it does not matter because your in (____) fill in blank with your present location. And when you get the chance to climb to the top of a dome or tower, do it no matter how tired you are or how much pain you are in. If you don't you will regret it, and if you do the view is always worth it. I'm "in training" for my trip in July! Enjoy!!![/b]

Texasjaz, Where did you see a Church that required a dress?

It has been my experience that as long as a woman has her knees and shoulders covered it is not a problem.No tank tops or sleeveless tops,mini skirts or shorts are allowed in churches in Italy. In other countries I have seen people in Churches in just about everything..No clothes police in any of the other countries.Just bring a shirt or sweater to throw over your shoulders in Italy..Jeans and slacks are fine everywhere. You do not need a dress anywhere I have been and I have been to Europe many times.

ChiChi,which tour are you taking?

St Peter's in Rome requires appropriate attire.

St Peters requires that arms,shoulders and knees be covered.If you are wearing a tank top you must put a shirt on top.

I have heard that venders sell paper shirts and pants outside of St Peters. When we were there, we didn't see any of the paper clothes venders but that was probably due to the fact that it was raining at the time.