A GREAT OPTION FOR STORING YOUR LUGGAGE WHILE TRAVELING IN ITALY

No matter how hard I try to pack lightly for a 10-day trip, I still manage to show up at the airport with a large suitcase, a carry-on bag, and a third bag I use as a personal item that could easily double as another carry-on. One of my last trips to Italy was in April/May – the time of year when temperatures fluctuate from 45 degrees Fahrenheit one day to 75 degrees Fahrenheit the next day. All attempts to pack lightly were thrown out of the window, as I needed to make sure that I prepared for this unpredictable spring weather. Packed in between bulky winter sweaters were sneakers, open-toed slides, and short-sleeved shirts.

For this particular trip, my itinerary took me from Rome to Florence, then to Perugia, back to Florence, and finally back to Rome. While I was a bit more reasonable with the amount of luggage I had on this trip, the thought of transporting all my bags on the train from Florence to Perugia and then back to Florence was exhausting (not to mention I heard that Perugia was quite hilly). Babysitting my luggage every step of the way was not an activity I had time for, nor was I remotely interested. Thankfully, I found Stow Your Bags, a company that offers automatic storage lockers in several locations throughout major cities in Italy and Spain, Budapest, and Malta-Valetta.

The thought of leaving my luggage anywhere when traveling, let alone an unserviced location, was one that I would have never entertained years ago. I remember the first time I had the option to leave my bags at the hotel front desk because my room wasn’t ready or because check-out time was several hours before my train/flight departed – I was a bit concerned that my luggage would be broken into, or even worse – stolen. But I eventually warmed up to the idea, especially after I realized I could be exploring the city like this…

without having to struggle like this…

As this was the first time using a luggage storage facility, I made it a point to visit both locations to see which I preferred. If there’s more than one Stow Your Bags location in your city, I would suggest you do the same before deciding on where you’ll make your reservation.  

The logistics of reserving a locker with Stow Your Bags is pretty straightforward. Each site offers one or two sizes for lockers (standard and maxi), is centrally located, and you can make reservations online or on-site for a minimum of 1 hour to a maximum of 30 days. If you’re unsure what size locker to reserve, the illustrations on their website provide a visual for luggage dimensions and placement. Be prepared – the company randomly assigns a locker at the location of your choice. Of course, the one they gave me was on a higher level, which I didn’t realize until I arrived on site.

I must admit it was quite a sight – me trying to lift my suitcase overhead and shifting it around to fit into the standard size locker while wearing a crossbody travel tote. After a few minutes of struggling, some helping hands came to my rescue, and I was able to adjust my suitcase to fit just right.  I closed the door, I heard the lock engage, and I was on my merry way – one suitcase lighter!  

When I arrived in Perugia, I was beyond relieved at my decision to stow my bags in Florence for the few days I would be away.  Old Town Perugia, where I was staying, is magnificent, but I couldn’t imagine climbing up the steps and navigating through the cobblestone streets with the weight of all my luggage.

A storage locker with Stow Your Bags was the solution I needed during this early spring trip in Italy.   Their service made it possible for me to visit regions in the country without transporting every piece of luggage from one destination to the next.  Overall, I had a more convenient travel experience, had peace of mind knowing that my luggage was stored somewhere secure while I was away from Florence for three days, and it only cost me me 21 Euros w/credit card fee*.

*Price as of the date of this post is approximately 28 Euros.