Tell Rick Steves you need more than 3 pairs of underwear on a trip!

I love Rick Steves and take his books with me when I travel to Italy.   But I have to tell Rick that you NEED more than 3 pairs of underwear on a trip longer than a week!   

I packed carefully for my most recent trip Home To Italy this October.   Everything coordinated and everything could be used with 3 or more items.   The trip was for 4+ weeks in Italy and a return to the USA by ship for 14 days.  

So Off I go!

Well even in October in a heat wave in Rome, quick dry underwear washed out every night does NOT dry overnight!   The heat is not turned on in Italy until November.   However I had planned a week at an apartment in Spoleto (Umbria) that had heat and a washing machine.  But until I arrived there on week 2.5 I had to manage.  So off to the local markets to buy throw away clothing.   I usually bring worn out clothes from home and as I progress on the trip, I toss away items I don't want any longer.  At the end of some trips I leave items at the charity box found in most cities.       Socks were easy to find and I had a contest with my friend in Florence, how little I could pay for sweaters in the local markets.  Florence was cold without the heat turned on.  I was staying at a wonderful convent hotel but only had a quilt in the room!    3 Euros was the best price I found!   

Later I found suitable warm clothing for 10E, 8 E and 12 E!

Once I arrived in Venice the convent hotel had heat!  They were surprised when I called and asked if the heat was turned on, the staff member just said,  this is VENICE!.

So I plan to take more than 3 pairs of underwear when I travel.   Maybe I can get away with only 5.......