Nothing brings down a trip faster than hauling around too much luggage. It's expensive to tip taxi drivers to handle it, even more expensive to pay overweight luggage fees. Here's how to lighten your heart with light luggage, and still look great in almost any situation.

Difficulty Level: Easy      Time Required: 60

1. Choose a soft-sided bag suitable for carry-on. Pull-out handle luggage with wheels is refused as carryon by some airlines now, regardless of whether it makes the size requirements.
2. Decide what you will wear to travel in. Deduct those items from the list below, suitable for spring-summer-fall travel in Greece.
3. 1 long skirt of scrunchy, naturally wrinkly fabric OR one simple long dress
4. 1 pair light-colored heavyweight pants, jeans type but preferably not blue
5. 1 light sweater
6. 1-2 pairs shorts
7. 1 long-sleeved blouse
8. 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).
9. 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.
10. 1 oversized T-shirt (for sleeping, beach cover up, etc.)
11. 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.
12. 1-2 pair sandals, one should be rubber-bottomed, strap-on, "swimmable" type to avoid sea anemones when wading along the shore.
13. 1 windbreaker or other light, waterproof jacket
14. 1 big scarf or square, tieable sarong - suitable as emergency skirt for monastery and church sightseeing.
15. Small-size toiletries and makeup (often, lodgings don't provide things like shampoo) - pack in ziploc baggies; necessary medications in original bottles; notebook with pocket for receipts, booklets, etc; camera, extra rolls of film (much cheaper outside of Greece).

    
    

1. Can't give up your wheeled luggage? Take a folding luggage cart instead.
2. 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.
3. Tempted to fill up any extra room? Don't! - leave it for souvenirs on the trip back.
   

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