What to pack for Greece: Carry-on
Exploring alleys in Kastro, Sifnos, Greece.
What to pack for Greece can make all the difference. Your trip can be stress-free and slow versus hectic and challenging just by packing a few important essentials.
Packing for a long trip with your family to Greece can feeling daunting. Not because of the weather but there are so many adventures and directions your day can take and you will be so far away from home!
I mean, sure there is an aspect of weather to this planning that needs to be addressed (hello Meltemi winds!) but the thing about Greece, especially if you are travelling in the summer is that you can start your day lazing about on the beach, then hike a mountain and finish the evening off by eating in a picturesque taverna. Your luggage should reflect the diversity of the landscape, and that is why it can feeling overwhelming - and that is why I am here to help!
Firstly, let’s address the long flight (assuming you are not coming from a neighbouring European country). Pack the biggest backpack or carry-on you can, seriously, no joke. This will be your emergency bag in case your decide to check your luggage and it gets lost. I personally love my Nobl bag - it has what feels like a thousand compartments. Their weekender bag is perfect for me, and my partner loves this one - that is durable, and waterproof leather with a shoe compartment. I make sure to pack all the essentials to make my life as easy as possible. A book, downloaded podcasts, noise cancelling wireless headphones and a battery pack - are first to keep my mind busy, and other’s noise out. Then I make sure I have something to keep me hydrated. Flying can be deeply dehydrating, and for someone with chronic health problems I NEED to stay hydrated. Honestly, they say that jet lag is mostly caused by this reason alone and I believe it. I use electrolytes like these Organika Electrolyes as they come in easy to pack individual servings so I can just drop them into any water bottle. I also make sure to bring a filtered water bottle because for the most part Greece does not have drinkable tap water. So make sure to fill up your bottle at the airport and throw in your electrolytes. And as a woman of a certain age I need to keep my skin hydrated as well - this mean bringing a small travel size toner to refresh my face like this one by Caudalie, it is a game changer that you will use all the time you are travelling, trust me. I also have no shame in wearing eye masks and face masks, even though my son finds it embarrassing, girl needs to keep looking young as possible, and I love these by Biodance for my face.
Along with my little pharmacy (I always have Advil, Gravel and Pepto, magnesium and melatonin on me), I also bring a little peppermint roller for headache relief and it honestly cancels out the other smells on the plane that can bother me. And I need to have a good face and hand wipe that I trust is clean and hand cream that isn’t too greasy. And I keep it all in this easy to pack case that I can just unpack and throw on any hotel shelf once I’m settled.
A couple other things I love to throw into my bag that may not have crossed your mind that are a serious bonus when travelling. a pack of disinfecting wipes that are non-toxic, playing cards, UNO, a sleep mask and honestly THE most important next to the electrolytes - compression socks. I cannot stress this enough. They will actually eliminate the tired swelling legs you get from log travel and being on your feet, you have to get these -if there is only one thing you remember to pack on your carryon if has to be this.
