Traveling in the winter necessitates packing sweaters. Thin knit sweaters such as merino wool, cashmere, or a silk blend work best.
V-neck and wrap styles are universally flattering.
Cotton sweaters should be thin knit otherwise they will be too bulky. If you always wear a layer under your sweater there shouldn’t be a pressing need to wash or (in the case of merino, cashmere, and silk) dry clean your sweaters. You can just air them out and depill them if you feel they need it.
Research the average temperature for the dates of your trip to determine what weight sweater will keep you warmest. You may decide you need a thicker sweater, which is fine but you may have to wear this item on travel days (days you will be on airplanes, trains, ferries, etc.) because it will take up precious room in your luggage.
A lightweight cardigan for spring and summer travel is an easy to peel off layer that can add classic elegance to your outfits.
You can easily tie it around your shoulders or waist if you get too hot. If you are entering churches in Italy you should always have a cardigan handy because some of them require you to have covered shoulders (ie. no sleeveless tops). Cardigans come in a variety of styles ranging from trendy (think crocheted bolero) to traditional (twinset), choose what suits your personal style and preference.