The most comfortable but still stylish walking shoe I have found for my 30,000 step days is these Dansko Mary Jane’s.  I just love how comfortable they are and that they are not sneakers!  I still wear sneakers on the travel days when I’m on train platforms and escalators, etc. but for heading out for a aperitivo or walking the cobblestone streets, these shoes are literally the best!

We prefer to stay in apartments so we always look for places with a washing machine. Dryers are very hard to find in Italy so we need a few extra items to make the “wash days” a bit easier. This small, very packable travel clothesline is a must.

My very favorite travel sling.  Full disclosure, I am a big Baggalini girl.  Safe, comfortable and with plenty of space.

I am a side-sleeper so this is an absolute must for when I’m away.  This travel inflatable body pillow is so compact for travel and comes with a carry bag for packing.  Once inflated, it’s plenty long enough for me (it’s 48″ long) and I carry a pillowcase for it so it feels like my normal body pillow from home.  Since a good night sleep is important for when you’re travelling, this is a must for me!

Bringing along a small compact sewing kit is essential should you need to fix anything up without needing to go to the store.  We had a small bag rip and I was able to close up the hole very easily.

Along the same lines as the sewing kit, we bring a small multitool along as well.  This has come in handy many times, when something is loose in the apartment or a clasp breaks on my bag.  Reminder: This will have to go in your checked luggage because it has a knife option.

One thing that VRBOs do not tend to have is a nice kitchen knife.  I do cook a lot in the apartment and I find using a dull knife to be frustrating and actually a bit more dangerous.  Since we do often travel for a long enough time that I check my luggage, I found this great multi-use kitchen knife with a sheath to pack along with me.  Again, don’t try to bring this in your carry on bag!

I don’t want to carry my good knives in case I leave it or am not allowed to carry it with me, so I purchased this very nice OXO Outdoor Santoku with a locking sheath.