Italy — GF Gone Global

What to Pack for Italy

Late Spring (May)

GF Snacks & Essentials

Nuts & crunchy snacks Protein-dense and shelf-stable for long museum queues and the Florence–Rome Frecciarossa train, when a sit-down meal isn't practical.
Texas pecans Pistachios Edamame Crunchy corn
Bars & crackers Easy to toss in a daypack for museum visits, ferry rides, or long walks between meals.
KIND protein bars Simple Mills cheddar crackers
Condiment packets Many traditional soy sauces contain wheat, so I carry tamari packets rather than relying on every restaurant having a GF option. PB packets turn any bread or fruit into a real snack.
Tamari packets PB packets
Backup GF meals Just-add-hot-water options for hotel or hostel kitchens on nights when GF dining falls through.
Instant GF noodles GF mac & cheese
Hydration & energy Electrolytes for long travel days, plus a caffeine boost for early departures.
Electrolytes Energy sticks
Celiac dining card (Italian) A printed card explaining celiac disease in Italian. Awareness is strong nationwide thanks to AIC certification, but it still helps at smaller, family-run trattorias.
AIC Mobile app The Associazione Italiana Celiachia's app lists thousands of certified GF restaurants, pizzerias, and hotels nationwide — worth downloading before the trip, not just for Florence and Rome.

Travel Essentials

Documents & money Passport, ID, and any visa or entry paperwork Italy requires, plus cards and some cash. Photograph everything on your phone and leave a copy with someone at home, along with emergency contact details.
RFID card wallet Passport holder & organizer
Clothing basics Underwear, everyday socks, sleepwear, and a couple of casual outfits for evenings out, plus a sweater or sweatshirt as a mid-layer option beyond the technical pieces below. For shoes that aren't hiking boots or a rain shoe, something like this works well for everyday wear. My Pick: everyday shoes
Reusable water bottle Free public drinking fountains (nasoni) are common throughout Florence, Rome, and most historic Italian city centers — refilling on the go is easy. My Pick
Toiletries Travel-size essentials for hotel bathrooms and shared showers — one less thing to shop for once you land. Round it out with any skincare, makeup, or period products you use daily.
Electric travel toothbrush Travel toothpaste (4-pack) Detangler hairbrush Shampoo & conditioner Body wash Lotion Sunscreen Contact solution Razor Toilet spray Hair ties Claw clip Hand sanitizer Deodorant Floss Lip balm Face wash Travel tissues Wet wipes
Travel medicine cabinet Small over-the-counter basics so a headache, allergy flare-up, or rough transit day doesn't derail the trip. Pack any prescriptions in their original bottles with a few extra days' buffer, plus bandages or blister treatment for the walking-heavy days.
Travel Advil Benadryl Dramamine
Bags & packing organization Keeps everything corralled and easy to pull out at airport security — or find in a shared hotel drawer, and a personal item daybag covers the long walking days between sites. A plastic bag works fine for separating dirty laundry, no need to buy anything special there.
Makeup brush holder Hanging makeup bag Compression packing cubes Hardside carry-on 60L travel backpack 50L travel backpack Personal item daybag Luggage tags TSA-approved lock
Technology A portable charger for long days of walking and photography between sites — maps running in the background drains a phone battery fast. Round out the tech bag with a charging cable, a wall charger for the hotel room, and an AirTag if you want to track your luggage.
Portable charger Multi-device charging cable Wall charger block AirTag
Hair styling tools Universal voltage on both, so they're safe to plug in anywhere — no separate converter needed.
Universal-voltage hair straightener Universal-voltage travel hair dryer

Optional
Travel laundry detergent Sink packets for handwashing essentials if the trip runs long enough to need a rewear. A stain remover pen and a travel-size fabric refresher cover the rest.
Detergent sheets Stain remover pen Febreze fabric refresher

Optional

Italy-Wide Essentials

EU power adapter (Type C/F/L) Italy uses Type C, F, and L plugs depending on the outlet — a universal EU adapter covers all three. My Pick
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes Cobblestone streets are standard in Italy's historic centers, in Florence and Rome alike — cushioned soles make a real difference by day two. My Pick
Compact umbrella Spring showers are common in both Florence and Rome in May. My Pick
Light layers Florence runs warm in May (24–26°C) but cools by the river in the evening, and Rome swings wider (18–26°C) with cool mornings and warm afternoons. My Pick
Sun hat, sunglasses & sunscreen Strong Mediterranean sun at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, and little shade at the Roman Forum and Colosseum — a wide-brim sun hat rounds out the sunglasses below. My Pick: sunglasses
Shoulder cover Required for entry to the Vatican and most Roman churches — a light scarf works as well as a dedicated cover-up. My Pick

Flight Essentials

Only relevant if you're flying into Italy — skip this section if you're already local or connecting overland.

Sleep & comfort A proper neck pillow, a sleep mask that doubles as headphones, and real noise cancellation make a long flight actually restful.
Trtl neck pillow Sleep mask with headphones Bose noise-cancelling headphones

Optional
Compression socks Helps with circulation and swelling on longer flights, especially if you're connecting through a second airport to get here. My Pick
Optional
In-flight wellness Cabin air is dry and germy — small things that make arriving feel less rough.
Nasal spray Warm eye compress Antimicrobial face spray Hydrating face mask

Optional

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a car in Italy?

No — Florence and Rome are connected by a high-speed Frecciarossa train (about 1.5 hours), and both cities are compact and walkable once you're there. I didn't rent a car for this trip; between the train and walking, a car would have meant paying for parking and dealing with historic-center traffic restrictions without saving any real time.

Is Italy safe for celiacs?

Yes — Italy scores 9/10 for GF friendliness, one of the highest scores on this site. Celiac disease is a government-recognized medical condition there, with national screening for children and a monthly food stipend for diagnosed patients, which translates into unusually strong awareness among restaurant staff. The AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia) certifies thousands of restaurants, pizzerias, and hotels nationwide, and both Florence and Rome scored 9/10 individually with multiple dedicated GF kitchens.

What's the best time to visit Italy?

I visited Florence and Rome in May, and it worked well — warm enough for full days of walking without the peak-summer heat and crowds that hit central Italy in July and August. Spring showers are possible, so a compact umbrella is worth packing, but overall the shoulder season is a comfortable trade-off between weather and crowd levels.

GF Friendliness

What to Pack for Italy

Frequently Asked Questions