Italia

October 2026

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Italia 2026 Chapter vi of vii
vi

Pre-Departure

Prima della Partenza
vi. Pre-Departure

Prima della Partenza

Hotels & the packing list

Italian October is mild by day and crisp at night — pack like you'd dress for a Hong Kong cold front, plus a real coat for evenings in the Langhe and Val d'Orcia.

Most cities you'll walk a lot — comfortable shoes you can dress up are the most-used item in the suitcase. ZTL fines arrive by mail months later; park outside the historic walls and walk in.

Restaurants book up weeks ahead in October — confirm reservations the day before by phone or email.

Print-friendly
·
Tick as you pack

Clothing

№ 01 — What to Wear
01
  • Layerable tops · 6–8Long-sleeve T-shirts, light merino, a few nicer pieces for dinner.Must
  • Sweater / cardigan · 2Evenings in the Langhe & Val d'Orcia are cold — bring real warmth.Must
  • Trench / mid-weight coatItalians dress up for dinner — a presentable jacket goes a long way.Must
  • Jeans / chinos · 2One for daytime, one for evening.Must
  • One nicer outfitFor Piazza Duomo / Cammillo / Hotel VIU dinners.Rec.
  • Light scarfUseful in churches, draughty restaurants, and on the high-speed train.Rec.
  • Walking shoes you can dress upYou'll walk 15–20k steps most days. Sneakers if they're stylish; otherwise loafers.Critical
  • Compact rain shellOctober rain is light but persistent. Doubles as a wind layer.Rec.

Documents

№ 02 — Travel Papers
02
  • Passport · 6mo validityCheck before you fly — most important thing in the bag.Critical
  • International Driving PermitHK license alone is not enough for the rental car. Apply via TD HK in advance.Critical
  • Rental car voucher · Sixt / KlookKlook requires the printed voucher at the desk. Open the PDF and print it, plus a physical credit card in Wai Yin's name for the deposit hold.Must
  • Hotel confirmations · printed or PDFUseful at borders, on tax-free forms, and when GPS misroutes.Rec.
  • Restaurant & winery booking emailsSave them offline; cell signal is patchy in the Langhe.Rec.

Electronics

№ 03 — Devices
03
  • Phone + chargerSet up Apple/Google Maps offline regions before you leave.Must
  • EU plug adapter · Type L / FItaly uses Type L primarily; Type F (Schuko) also works in newer outlets.Must
  • Power bankCarry-on only — checked bags can't have it.Must
  • CameraOptional — Val d'Orcia and Piazzale Michelangelo deserve it.Opt.
  • eSIM or roaming planItaly data is cheap on eSIM — set up before you fly.Rec.

Health

№ 04 — Medicine
04
  • Personal prescriptionsBring enough for 12+ days; pharmacies require a local script.Must
  • Antacid / PeptoBig lunches + tasting flights — you'll thank yourself.Rec.
  • Headache + ibuprofenEasier from home than translating at a pharmacy.Rec.
  • Blister plastersCobblestones are unkind.Rec.

Money

№ 05 — Wallet
05
  • Euro cash · ~€200 to startTrattoria Sostanza is CASH ONLY. Small bars and toilets often need coins.Must
  • Two credit cards · Visa & MastercardAmex is patchy in trattorias; keep one backup card separate.Must
  • Notify banks of travel datesPre-empts the inevitable "fraud" lock at the worst moment.Note

Wine Logistics

№ 06 — Bringing it Home
06
  • Wine sleeves / Wine Wings · 6+Inflatable protectors are the easiest way to get bottles home in checked luggage.Must
  • Soft folded duffelPack it empty — fill it with bottles & oil for the flight back.Rec.
  • HK customs allowanceHK has no wine duty — bring as much as you can carry.Note
  • Producer shipping optionSome Barolo / Brunello estates ship to HK direct — ask at tastings.Opt.
Where we stay

Hotels & Addresses

All confirmed bookings below, with breakfast noted on each card. Hotel VIU Milan redeemed with Bonvoy points.

01
16 – 17 / 10 · 1 night · 2 rooms

B&B Terres D'Aventure Suites

Turin, Italy

2 rooms

BreakfastIncluded

Google Maps
02
17 – 19 / 10 · 2 nights · 4 pax

La Giolitta

Via C. Battisti 13, Barolo · in the pedestrian area, park at Piazza Cabutto, Colbert or Enotria

BreakfastAngel cooks · self catered

Google Maps
03
19 – 20 / 10 · 1 night · 4 pax

Casa Boffa

Barbaresco village · walking distance to Antiné & Enoteca Regionale

Family-run B&B

BreakfastIncluded

Google Maps
04
20 – 21 / 10 · 1 night · 4 pax

Agriturismo Borgo delle Vigne

Zola Predosa, 15 min from central Bologna

On-site winery & restaurant · trimmed from 2 nights to 1

BreakfastNot confirmed · ask the property

Google Maps
05
21 – 23 / 10 · 2 nights · 4 pax

Wine Relais ColleMassari

Cinigiano, Grosseto, Tuscany

On-estate dining

BreakfastIncluded

Google Maps
06
23 – 25 / 10 · 2 nights · 4 pax

Guya Apartment by Mamo Florence

Florence · central

4 pax both nights (Wesley now stays through 25/10) · free cancel — occupancy to be amended with property

BreakfastNot included · gelato instead

Google Maps
07
25 – 26 / 10 · 1 night ♡

Hotel VIU Milan

Porta Volta, Milano · near Brera

Bonvoy points redeemed · rooftop pool

BreakfastNot confirmed · points stay, check with hotel

Google Maps
Chapter v

ZTL Drive Map

Zone a Traffico Limitato
Chapter vii

The Damage

Il Conto
TOC