I almost didn’t write this. Usually, it seems like when I take a trip I discover something that is totally wonderful and changes my packing game, and who wouldn’t want to read about that??? But this time, nope, it was pretty straightforward, no magic.
But then I remembered how much I love reading everyone else’s packing reports, so I thought I’d write up and contribute my straightforward experience.
This was a 2-week trip to Greece in June/July. 2 nights Santorini, 5 nights Naxos, 3 nights Nafplio, 2 nights Athens.
The islands were bearable – 80s and a breeze, very dry air – but the mainland was HOT, 90s and humid. We stayed in apartments/houses and had washing machines everywhere except Santorini, the first 2 nights.
We flew AIrFrance, which has a 12 kilo carryon limit (suitcase + personal item), so I packed accordingly. My suitcase ended up weighing 17 lbs and my carryon bag 8 lbs. I was also able to carry on my suitcase on our Aegean flight to Santorini (8 kilo limit, suitcase only).
My suitcase is an RS rolling backpack. I love this bag – it’s pretty light, sturdy, small, fits under most airplane seats in a pinch, and holds what I need for any length of trip. I use eBags packing cubes to organize everything inside the suitcase.
My personal item is a TomBihn Maker’s Bag, nicknamed “Mom’s magic blue bag” because it holds everything, no mater what we need it to hold. You can stuff anything in this bag and it just magically keeps expanding. Everything in the bag is packed into organizer pouches (mostly TomBihn), and everything important is leashed to the O-rings inside the bag.
Here’s what I brought:
Clothes
-- 4 sun dresses (Columbia and TitleNine)
-- 1 skort (T9)
-- 1 pr tech fabric hiking shorts (REI)
-- 1 short sleeved shirt (Old Navy)
-- 2 sleeveless shirts (T9)
-- 1 long sleeve cotton crinkle gauze shirt (Gap)
-- bathing suit
-- PJs (lightweight cotton pants, cotton t-shirt)
-- 1 capri-length leggings to wear under a dress in case it got chilly at night (what was I thinking???? It never got below 70!) (Duluth Trading)
-- 5 sets undies
-- 4 pr smartwool no-cushion running socks
-- rain jacket (Kuhl Jetstream trench – love this rain jacket! Absolutely did not need it on this trip, but I always pack it in case)
Wore on the plane:
-- linen pants (Athleta)
-- short sleeved shirt (Gap)
-- lightweight tech fabric sweatshirt (T9)
Shoes:
-- Jambu maryjanes (packed)
-- Aetrex flip flops (packed; these go on EVERY trip in warm weather; I can walk miles in them)
-- Keen Newport H2 sandals (wore on the plane)
My suitcase also held my toiletries kit (Osprey Ultralight Zip Organizer), a pack of WashEze Unscented laundry sheets, umbrella for shade (G4free, only 4 oz!), extra Ziploc bags, laundry bag, tiny packing cube with instant decaf coffee packs and tea bags, ziploc containing copies of family’s passport.
My personal item held:
-- medications (TomBihn 3D organizer pouch)
-- electronics kit (TB Handy Little Thing organizer pouch)
-- lightweight plastic binder with paper tickets, backup copies, etc. for the trip
-- day bag (Kipling Arto Crossbody)
-- small wallet bag (Travelon Metro convertible, I replaced the shoulder strap with a lighter one that I had; wasn’t worried about theft, just liked the organization of the bag). The wallet bag nested inside the Kipling day bag and held what I needed every time I went out – cash, credit cards, passport, chapstick, meds for the day, phone, sunglasses etc. So, for longer day trips, I’d carry the wallet bag inside the Kipling bag, shorter trips I’d carry just the wallet bag.)
-- snacks
-- water bottle (a tiny 3-oz one I keep on hand always for taking pills, and then I usually collect a bigger disposable water bottle along the way and keep refilling it)
-- inflatable neck pillow for the plane
-- first aid kit (in a tiny Lewis n Clark packing cube)
-- tiny Moleskine notebook for journaling