londonfire Loc: NY to NC

FZ1000, only. You won't regret it.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

I have been to Italy several times and the first time I went overboard on taking camera equipment (didn't want to miss a thing) second time I scaled way back as I found carrying all of that stuff around was a chore third time all I took was my D7200 and my 18 140mm lens and guess what that was more than enough. There is an old saying and it is the KISS principle, less is more. Oh if you insist on a tripod think about a travel monopod. The last thing have a wonderful time and safe travels.

dreamon

It seems as though you really want the support that a tripod gives (for bigger prints, maybe?), but you're seeing a near-universal 'don't do it!' from others here. They do make sense.

If you still feel that itch for some kind of support, perhaps you should look into a good monopod that's also designed to be a walking stick. If you do a lot of walking, the thing could be a good addition to your gear. It might also improve the final output of your photos. You can google it and find many choices.

Just a thought.

dreamon

kmocabee

If you don't want to take a full tripod, maybe the Joby Gorilla would work. Small and lightweight, and not a full-sized tripod, but would work in a pinch if you needed some stability.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I to have spent 20 days in Italy two year ago. Best vacation of ours so far. The major consideration for travel, I think, is first to enjoy the sites. Further, if your head will be too far into photography you will miss the experience of travel to Italy. For me, sightseeing comes first and my photography came as a compliment to my traveling. If your head is in a camera you may not really see the sights. I had a full FX Nikon kit with six FX lenses which I am glad I didn't take. I took a Canon SX50 bridge camera, without a tripod, that worked out well. Do not risk the reality of someone asking you how were the sites in Italy and you saying I didn't see much but got some great shots.

If you insist on taking a tripod I would suggest the Induro CLT104 Classic 1 stealth travel tripod that you will last you many year of travel and at home. Have a great trip.

taxman Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

I also had my Canon 7D and the Tamron 18-270 lens. Don't think I missed a shot that I wanted. MeFoto makes a nice line of travel tripods to consider.

Keep the gear to a minimum - you don't want to carry a lot and, perhaps more importantly, you don't want to be a target for thieves.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

HallowedHill Loc: Chattanooga, TN

My wife and I took a trip to the same cities this time last year. I took my Nikon 55-300 and 17 -55 lens. I used the 17-55 more than 90% of the time. If you have it, take a very fast wide angle prime as most of the museums and churches will let you shoot, but not with a flash. If I was doing it again I would take the 17-55 and a wide angle prime with a f/1.2-1.8 range for the low light situations and leave the longer zoom at home. Hope this helps and have fun.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

Italy is magical, and the things you will see are amazing. I am of the opposite mind about traveling with equipment--I want all my lenses with me most of the time (even as heavy as they are, now that I succumbed to a bad GAS attack early this month). My trips to Rome were mostly before I had digital equipment (I only got a full-frame in 2012). If you are traveling with a group in set excursions, you will need to be quick with your photography (swapping lenses, composing, etc.) because those tend to move along. In any case, you definitely need as much speed and width in your lenses as you can get and carry. Many of the things you will see will be inside where flash is rarely permitted (a lot of the time, even monopods will not be allowed). You also need some reach--some of the things you will want to take will require, or at least improve with, a reasonable telephoto length.

My suggestion is more about your tripod plan. Have you considered a monopod? Obviously, one of them is much lighter than any tripod, and you can add a QR clamp to it so you can mount your camera quickly. I don't know if it is workable for you, but it is a much easier touring and group travel option.

Have a wonderful trip!

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

Wow. I did not expect such a big response to my post. Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. I appreciate it very much. Gives me a lot to think about. Right or wrong I still may take a small tripod only for taking some early morning and twilight or night shots.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are lots of small tabletop tripods that could come in handy.

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=table+top+triods

BET55

I went to Italy in September several years ago, and carried both a digital travel zoom and my 35mm with a 4 lens kit. Just took a carry on bag and went for 9 days. Now, after paring down my kit on successive trips in US and abroad over the years, I am now at the point that I will carry only a Canon S95 and my wife will have her P&S. I'm a bit apprehensive about this, but I have made a point of walk-arounds with just a P&S, and the trip is more fun and the equipment doesn't hold me back.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Here's a tripod to consider: Sunpak PRO523PX.
I did a Craigslist search for "carbon fiber" and up came this one for $75, and it's new! It's also headless, but I have heads.
Turns out the seller is a staff writer for imaging-resource.com and he was selling it without the head. Shows no signs of wear at all, so it may have been a test item for the website. When I got it home, I discovered it's a real gem! Sturdy, light, and solid build with adjustable cam locks on the legs, and a stubby spare center column. I always wanted a carbon fiber pod, but wouldn't spend $300 or more.