A suggested packing guide for a winter break in Southern Europe!

3 x merino or thermal underlayer (camisoles are good but long sleeved are fine if you feel the cold) NO COTTON NEXT TO YOUR SKIN – it provides no warmth and takes ages to dry
6 x long sleeved shirts (tees, blouses, tunics, light jumpers – whatever you prefer for daytime wear)
1 or 2 x tops for evening/restaurants (nice, light merino is good but doesn’t have to be so warm as you will be inside)
2 x light fleece tops (to layer over the daytime shirts or just over the camisoles – colours are nice but stick with a colour scheme)
1 x heavier fleece and/or puffy jacket or vest (it’s best if the puffy jacket is largely down but synthetic works too – depends on your budget)
1 x rain jacket (make sure this covers your thighs and has a hood – light or heavy material is up to you but fairly waterproof will make you more comfortable and a breathable fabric like Goretex is nicer if you can afford it)
2 x pairs of jeans
1 x pair of heavier leggings
1 x heavy hiking style pants (from an outdoor store – these will dry quickly if it’s raining and you can wear thermal leggings underneath if you get cold)
1 x pair thermal leggings (optional – only if you really feel the cold as the jeans won’t keep you particularly warm and take ages to dry if they get wet)
Flannel pyjamas or 2 tee shirts and a pair of tracksuit pants (for hanging out in hotel rooms)
6 pairs of socks (include at least 2 that are thicker and made of wool or similar)
6-7 pairs of undies (your call – you can take fewer and wash them out – pick a microfiber type – or take more and wash less frequently – always take a spare pair on the plane)
2-3 bras (a mix of fancy and tee shirt styles)
Light, fleece or leather gloves
A couple of scarves
Fleecy hat or at least one that will cover your ears
Hiking boots or waterproof walking boots with good grip
Dressy boots for evening (heel height is up to you – I prefer ones I can walk easily on cobblestones)
Ballet flats (for on the plane or around the hotel – slipper substitutes)
Toiletries – as you need (make sure you take small samples (less than 100mL and no aerosols) in a Ziploc bag for the plane, including toothbrush and toothpaste)
Hairbrush
Makeup – if you like to wear it
Moisturiser, hand cream, lip balm
A torch (I like one just in case)
Chargers for cameras, phones and batteries
Neck pillow (and eye mask and ear plugs if you so desire)
Earphones (for your music)
A book, Kindle, tablet or whatever loaded with books and music and to use for the Internet when you have wifi
Medications (take a copy of your prescription if you have special medications)
Photocopies of your passports, credit cards and travel itineraries (also a good idea to email digital copies of these to yourself or use a program like Dropbox)

*This list was for one month taking in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux and Paris, travelling in trains and a hire car and staying in mid-range hotels
*I like to use packing cells – easily available at luggage or outdoor stores – they make life very easy
*Take important things in your carry on – valuables, cameras, chargers, spare set of clothes, pashmina – in case your luggage is lost or delayed
*My wheeled duffle bag (we were going on a lot of trains) weighed 13.4kg for the month with all this inside – there was also room for shopping (travel light if you can)
*My onboard wheelie backpack – weighed 6.4kg, including my iPad, DSLR and one lens

A downloadable copy of the list is below:
Packing list for Italy France Winter