Nothing makes a trip to Greece faster than hauling too much luggage. It can even ruin your trip if you toss that over-packed luggage that tosses you over your back and sends you to find a Greek chiropractor upon arrival. But fear not. Here’s how to lighten your heart with lightweight luggage, have everything you’ll really need for your trip, and still look great in almost any situation.
Difficulty: easy
Time required: 60 minutes
That is how
- Choose a suitable soft-sided bag to carry. Some airlines are sticky about rolling luggage with removable handles if the flight is full; a soft bag will almost always be put on board with you. The newest wheeled duffel bags are the best of both worlds and my current favorite. If you must carry a standard bag, make sure it is a “spinner” with wheels that allow it to move in any direction.
- Decide what you will wear to travel. Deduct those items from the list below, suitable for spring-summer-autumn travel in Greece.
- 1 naturally wrinkled, wrinkled fabric maxi skirt with top OR a simple maxi dress
- 1 pair of light colored heavy pants, jeans type, but preferably not blue as it still has a ‘hippie’ association from the 1960s which may not be positive in all contexts. (Ignore this if you attend the Matala Hippie Reunion Festival in June.)
- 1 light sweater
- 1-2 pairs of shorts
- 1 long sleeve top; 1 sleeveless top.
- 1 – 2 swimsuits. Take two if you know you are going to change places a lot; Depending on the heat and humidity, they may not dry overnight (the same goes for underwear!). Add a ventilated bag that you can tie to the outside of your luggage to help dry and prevent moisture in the rest of your luggage.
- 3-5 pairs of underwear, 1-2 bras and 3-5 pairs of socks, depending on how often you expect to be able to wash and dry the items before departure time.
- 1 oversized t-shirt (for sleeping, to cover up the beach, etc.)
- 2 pairs of shoes: 1 pair of good walking shoes, already packed, and a ‘nice’ pair (but still very comfortable and well soled!) To enjoy the nightlife. Tuck socks into shoes to save space.
- 2 pairs of sandals. One should be a rubber bottom “swim” type, on a leash, to avoid sea anemones and jellyfish when strolling along the shore. I like the cheapest possible go-aheads or other packable, lightweight flat sandals with me on the plane, so I can take off my big shoes but not be barefoot.
- 1 windbreaker or other lightweight waterproof jacket; hooded is preferable.
- 1 large scarf or square sarong, which can be tied, suitable as an emergency skirt for visiting the monastery and church. A day backpack or fanny pack.
- Do not forget the necessary medicines in original bottles; pocket notebook for receipts, brochures, etc., a camera with additional digital media (much cheaper outside of Greece).
Advice
- Bring a washcloth. Most hotels and lodgings do not provide them. That aforementioned mesh tie bag also comes in handy for letting this, and other items, dry in transit.
- Wear your bulkier shoes and jacket as part of your travel outfit.
- What? Are your bulky shoes not comfortable enough for airport walks? This tells you that the pair shouldn’t go at all.
- Tempted to fill any extra rooms? Don’t – leave it for memories on the return trip.
- Bring small-sized makeup and toiletries (lodgings often don’t provide things like shampoo) – pack in Ziploc bags.
- Trying to do it all with carry-on luggage (considering European regional airlines have more stringent requirements?) Consider a travel vest with large pockets.
What do you need
- Lightweight bag with wheels or canvas with wheels.
- A small backpack
- Ziploc bags
- Optional: a travel vest
- Notebook
- Digital camera or cell phone with good photography skills.
