Travelling in Switzerland and Italy. Which would be better, backpack or small carry-on size piece of luggage?

I will be travelling to Italy this week and do not have hotel reservations yet. I usually just wait until I get there and then decide where to stay. It seems like in the past that if you inquire about rooms at a hotel wearing a backpack, they immediately tell you they are sold out for the evening. I have begun to think that it is because of the backpack, so now I have been considering dragging a piece of luggage. What do you think?

Backpack. Leaves you hands free, people can't rip it out of your hands. It can be used as a pillow on a bench, holds a lot more.

Besides it makes you look like a cool world traveller and chicks/guys dig that lol.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I have a suggestion but don't be mad. Amnswer is - take less! You can always buy some extra soap or socks over there. Ditch anything big or heavy like hairdryers (get a wash and go hairdo), books (I razor out the travel pages I want and put them in a small fabric binder); and go easy on things like shoes, why taker anything other than one pair of dark leather walking shoes adn maybe some featherweight shower thongs, if that?? I take a tapestry barrel purse and a large shoulder bag slung over my shoulder and I never get the bad backpack looks. Do you need a sleeping bag/tent? Is that the problem? Write to me if you like, I've done the trip you're talking about a zillion times. Go to E-Bags and look at the Baggallini Doctors bag sized large - the thing is huge but you can probably get it cheaper in ebay. Have a good time!!!!

You must be staying at a different class of hotel than I do! I would say a small backpack- - I wouldnt like to two a rolling bag on Italy's cobblestones.
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