The list below is tailored to this kayaking trip and describes the minimum we recommend you bring. You may want to bring more if you will be traveling to a cooler climate before or after this trip, or if you'll be spending time in a fashionable city, like Paris.  

If you will be traveling on budget airlines, and trains, pack lightly. Many train stations have stairways to negotiate, and budget airlines have strict size and weight limits. You may need to carry your bags up to the second deck of the ferry. If you are taking the train you will be carrying your luggage up and down flights of stairs, and hoisting it into and out of trains. If you will be staying in a hotel (before or after our trip) with no elevator you will need to carry your bags up and down stairs. You may need to carry your bags to a bus, or to a cab stand. For the past few years I've been traveling with two small bags. One backpack, and one 24" rolling suitcase.

Check out onebag.com for tips on how to travel light. Rick Steves' website is full of great ideas on packing light.

If you plan to shop for gifts, leave room in your luggage. If you forget to bring something, almost anything you need can be purchased on Elba. Sometimes I pack counting on buying something. For example, I wont' bring a scarf, because I know I can buy a very pretty scarf one on Elba. 

Be sure to take your prescription medicines with you on the plane, and bring any pharmaceuticals you may need, as they can be more expensive in Italy than the US. 

Life on Elba and in Marciana Marina is very casual. Most tourists, including Italian tourists, wear shorts, khakis, summer outfits, T-shirts and bathing suits. Casual wear is also fine for the evenings at restaurants. However, if you want to dress up a bit for dinners you certainly may.

Clothing:

Most clothing will dry overnight if washed by hand and hung. Laundry service is also available. In 2011 there was no self-service laundromat in Marciana Marina.

* Two pair of quick dry (non-cotton) shorts to wear kayaking and hiking 

* Fast drying long pants. Light cotton or synthetic. 

* Bathing suit(s) for swimming and wearing under kayaking clothes 

* Underwear for four days  (I recently discovered Wintersilks.com silk briefs.  They're light, and dry very quickly.)

* 2  cotton or wicking T-shirts 

* 1 long-sleeved shirt to wear for sun protection while kayaking. (Should be lightweight and stretchy, preferably not cotton.) 

* Sun cover shirt for hiking 

* A sarong is great for women and men to use as a cover-up while changing clothes on the beach, as a picnic blanket, or beach towel. 

* Light hiking shoes for day hikes. 

* Hiking socks 

* Lightweight wind and rain parka 

* Sweater or light jacket for cool nights and to layer under parka. 

* Sun hat with tie (to stay on in wind) 

I've been using a skirt for hiking and for discreet changing at the beach. See The Discreet Beachgoer.

Sundries: 

* Travel flashlight 

* Spare batteries 

* Pocket knife for picnic lunch. Pack in checked luggage.

* Prescription medications 

* Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, dental floss, comb, etc. Women, bring tampons as they are expensive in Italy.) 

Paddling gear: (SKI provides a jacket, PFD, paddle, dry bag, and wetsuit for cool days. Wetsuits are rarely used.)

* Water shoes or sandals for kayaking 

        (Lycra socks - found in many surf and dive shops keep out sand.

* Sunscreen, lip balm 

* Nose plugs (if you want to practice rolling)  

* Paddling gloves if you think you'll blister, and for sun protection.

Optional: 

* Camera and memory cards 

* Waterproof camera 

* Art supplies 

* Journal 

* Binoculars 

* Swim goggles, or a snorkel mask and snorkel 

*       Umbrella. I've used my travel umbrella to protect me from sun and rain. 

Because I like to snorkel, I bring a short spring wetsuit so I can stay in the water. But wetsuits are not required for kayaking.

Internet services are available in Marciana Marina. Hotel Yacht Club has free WIFI.