Freshman Trip Packing List

The guiding principle is to pack light. We request that students limit themselves to one backpack or dufflebag that fits airline carry-on requirements (55 x 40 x 20cm), along with a smaller daypack. This is particularly important on our Athens->Naples flight, where checked baggage charges are applied - AND, to make matters trickier, you are not allowed a personal item on that flight, so your daypack has to fit in your larger suitcase/backpack.

Obviously, that limits what they can pack! Laundry services will be available, so students don't need to bring enough clothing to survive the trip. But, they should make careful choices about what to bring, paying particular attention to three factors. First, the weather - April can bring pleasant, mild days, but it can also bring cold and rain. In Rome, average April temperatures range from a high of 67 to a low of 45, with an average of 2.7" of rain. Athens and Naples have similar ranges, though we have better odds of sunshine in the former. The main point here - students should have something warm and something to keep them dry. Second, cultural sensitivity - long pants are a better idea in Italy and Greece than shorts. They're essential if you plan on entering St. Peter's or any other church/cathedral. Italians, by and large, dress well; if you aim for the scruffy look, you will clearly be out of place. Finally, be prepared for a lot of walking. Bring comfortable shoes.

Use the following as a rough set of guidelines. Remember - they do have stores in Italy and Greece. You can buy something if the need arises.

CLOTHES
-Five shirts (short/long sleeve), socks, underwear
-One warm pull-over (add a second, thin layer if you get cold easily)
-Two pairs of pants
-One pair shorts / skirt
-Hat
-Optional: Scarf, gloves, other assorted sources of warmth

GEAR/ACCESSORIES/ETC
-Good walking shoes
-Sandals or flipflops
-Umbrella (collapsible, easily carried)
-Mini flashlight / headlamp
-Digital camera (optional)
-Sunglasses
-Journal/Pen (we will supply a small journal)
-Toiletries (Travel size, in a plastic bag)
-A few energy bars
-Optional: Cell phone, European plug converter (if needed)
-Watch (or some other time-keeping device)

MOST IMPORTANT
-Money belt
-Passport
-Debit card or money
-Trip binder (we will supply)
-Your trip guide plans

Finally, why not read something kind of relevant? Here are a few options that come to mind:

• I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Considered the best work of historical fiction based in ancient Rome, Graves writes this as the autobiography of Emperor Claudius. It begins with Augustus and moves through the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Meticulously researched, it offers a great look into the early Roman Empire.
• Sprezzatura: 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped the World by d'Epiro and Pinkowish - 50 short chapters on important people and developments in Italian history. It starts in the ancient era, with pieces on the Roman calendar, Roman law, Julius Caesar, and more. But, it tracks Italian contributions from there all the way to the near-present, with chapters on St. Francis, Michelangelo, Garibaldi, and Ferrari. With sections ranging from 5-10 pages, it's an easy travel book, as you can read in short spurts without having to worry about losing the narrative flow.
• Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: The Building of St. Peter's by R.A. Scotti - A fascinating story of the building of the Vatican's basilica, in which many of the great figures of the Italian renaissance are featured. If you're interested in architecture, the renaissance, or the Church, this is a great, highly readable option.
• Excellent Cadavers by Alexander Stille - Easily the best book I've read on the Italian mafia. As much investigative reporting as it is historical non-fiction, this book is vividly written and the high drama Stille builds might actually get your heart beating.
  
• If you want to read something by an Italian writer, my favorite is Italo Calvino. Some of his works can be difficult to unpack, but The Non-Existent Knight and the Cloven Viscount are fun fantasy stories. Invisible Cities is brilliant, and certain to be unlike anything you've read.