Layers, layers, layers. I take silk long underwear(takes up no room, drys in a flash if you have to wash it, weighs next to nothing). Layer that with a silk turtleneck, a longsleeved shirt of somekind and a lightweight snugfitting fleece under a lightweight water repellent jacket. You’re pretty much ready for anything. My only real consession to winter is to take a skiband and gloves. I’m in the northern rockies right now and having no trouble with dealing with the low 20’s in the AM and 70’s in the PM.

Gloves, a fleece cap, and an anorak made me a lot less miserable in the dead of winter in Europe last year. That said, I think winter is the best time to travel. I recall northern Italy being lovely that time of year.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I was in Verona (northern, near Milan) in mid January and it wasn’t too bad. I probably could have survived without a coat, but I needed it for other places. I wouldn’t suggest taking a fleece like I did, very bulky! Oh yeah, and I didn’t encounter any snow either.

Maybe winter will not come this year. It is sunny and 17 degrees celsius in Copenhagen.

Socks – it rains a lot in the winter in the north. If you are outside you will want socks that keep you warm and which dry quickly. Otherwise the idea of layering is a good one.

Good call on the socks. Socks take forever to dry!