Nothing brings down a trip to Greece faster than hauling around too much luggage. Here's how to lighten your heart with light luggage, and still look great in almost any situation.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 60 minutes
Here's How:
- Choose a soft-sided bag suitable for carry-on. Some airlines are sticky about wheeled luggage with pull-out handles if the flight is crowded; a soft bag will almost always get on board with you. Newer wheeled duffle bags are the best of both worlds.
- Decide what you will wear to travel in. Deduct those items from the list below, suitable for spring-summer-fall travel in Greece.
- 1 long skirt of scrunchy, naturally wrinkly fabric OR one simple long dress
- 1 pair light-colored heavyweight pants, jeans type but preferably not blue as this still has a 60s "hippie" association which may not be positive in all contexts.
- 1 light sweater
- 1-2 pairs shorts
- 1 long-sleeved top; 1 sleeveless top.
- 1 - 2 bathing suits. Take two if you know you will be changing locations a lot; depending on the heat and humidity, they may not dry overnight (ditto underwear!).
- 3-5 pairs underwear, 1-2 bras, and 3-5 pairs socks, depending on how often you expect to be able to wash items and have them dry by your departure time.
- 1 oversized T-shirt (for sleeping, beach cover up, etc.)
- 2 pairs shoes - 1 pair good walking shoes, already broken in, and one 'nice' (but still very comfortable and well-soled!) pair for enjoying the nightlife. Tuck socks into the shoes to save space.
- 2 pair sandals. One should be a rubber-bottomed, strap-on, 'swimmable' type to avoid sea anemones and jellyfish when wading along the shore.
- 1 windbreaker or other light, waterproof jacket.
- 1 big scarf or square, tie-able sarong - suitable as emergency skirt for monastery and church sightseeing. A day pack or fanny pack.
- Don't forget necessary medications in original bottles; notebook with pocket for receipts, booklets, etc; camera, extra rolls of film (much cheaper outside of Greece).
Tips:
- Bring a washcloth. Most hotels and lodgings don't provide them. A tie-on mesh bag is also handy for letting this - and other items - dry in transit.
- Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket as part of your travel outfit.
- What - your bulky shoes aren't comfortable enough for airport treks? This tells you that pair shouldn't go at all.
- Tempted to fill up any extra room? Don't! - leave it for souvenirs on the trip back.
- Take small-size toiletries and makeup (often, lodgings don't provide things like shampoo) - pack in Ziploc baggies.
