Ortlieb Bags and wet gear
The ortlieb rackpacks that myself (Gearpac) and Les (Travel-dri) sell are waterproof, so any damp gear etc that goes in will stay damp which is why I usually reccomend a medium or small exped or ortlieb dry bag to put the tent in side first so you can then pop the whole package into rackpack without getting other gear wet. Though to remember to air a tent as soon as you can to dry it off. The add bonus of the ortlieb roll bags is if you have a totally saturated tent and have to put it inside they keep the water in and being light proof it tends to takes weeks for mould/mildew etc to form.
With regards too sleeping mats, I certainly agree, you got exped, ortlieb and thermarest and vango amoungst others to choose from. Exped do thicker ones, in both foam filled and down filled. The foam are cheaper, just as compact and if your not heading to the artic then still pretty good.
The downs are a bit lighter and slightly smaller when rolled up, but not much.
Might sound like a luxury but a chair converter kit for an exped mattress or therma rest for me has become a must for longer trips. Sitting on cold TT panniers night after night does nothing for your back..
Tent wise, depends on how much you wish to spend and how many times you are going to use it. The likes of millets and blacks tents are pretty good these days for summer and occasional uses. Though get some better stronger pegs. If your looking to do a lot, then get a good all weather tent. The first major storm you find your self sitting it out in, will soon emphasise that you made the correct choice.
Sleeping bags.. well I really only recommend two makes. Snugpak.. used them for years and so have the british military, and Vaude. I sell the later to order. Snugpak can be bought direct from their UK site, they are UK made too.
. Vuade I find tend to be a bit more comfy for the large gentle man depending on the bag. As for season rating. I use a three season bag and have a seperate fleece liner to take it up a season if the weather is really cold. BUT do not skimp on a good mat and sleeping bag. A big trip can be easily ruined and made a right chore if you cannot get a reasonable nights sleep. Oh and a tip, if you have to camp on a slope, make sure your head is up hill, or you will liklely wake with a headache..lol..
Stoves.. well takes your pick on prices, styles, fuels and types. Europe tends to be well supplied for gas cansisters so no worries about that or methelated spirits.. lots of camping shops about on the whole. Petrol stoves tend to cost more, but burn at lower temperatures, so not a major problem for you really in italy.
ITALY : When in the pyrenees in 2006 I heard the first hand report from fellow campers of stuff going missing on italian campsites and have heard the same from customers and clients a few times since. It seem's if you leave any item out, or visible under the edge of your tent fly its may go walkies, but none of the people actually had any thing go missing from inside their tents, so make sure you pop all your gear out of site well inside a porch for in side the inner tent and you shouldnt have any problems. In the UK I have occasionally left my cooker out and once in france and come back to find some nice person tucked it back under the tent fly. So please don't be put off.
Edit: Torch.. oops nearly forgot.. take a small compact head torch as well, like the Tikka's from Petzl. It can get quite dark when your wandering back from the pub at times..
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/webpoint/webpoint.cfm?brand=1288&fuseaction=brand_intro) what's the best way to transport the tent, mat & sleeping bag on my 1200?
sample the local food - it's cheap and fun - you're on your holidays after all 
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