In light of the luggage meltdown, what to...

[Anonymous]

pack for a ten-day trip to Greece this fall? Two days in Athens and the remaining eight split between two islands. Any way I can get all that into a carry-on without raising eyebrows come day 5? DH insisting we not check bags.

[Anonymous]

I think strategically packing a carry-on so you can manage for a few days is smart, but I just don’t think it’s realistic to plan on a ten-day trip without checking a bag.

[Anonymous]

It can be done and has been discussed many times on this forum. Also google is useful. We recently did it for the first time on a 2+ week trip and it worked great. Packing cubes were helpful to stay organized. And stick to a few clothing items that can be worn over and over, make sure you have a place to do laundry.
Due to various reasons we moved cities several times during our trip and it would have been a huge hassle with huge suitcases.

[Anonymous]

It will be hot. Plan on doing laundry somewhere.

[Anonymous]

I e done it. I’d bring 2 bathing suits and a rash guard. 2 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of flowy pants. 2 light dresses, a few tee shirts or tanks. I’d wear long pants with a tank and cardigan that would work with the dresses on plane with comfy sneakers, and pack sandals that would work for walking or dresses. 10 pairs of underwear and several bras. Swim coverup and a couple of books and a small cross body purse You can fit that all in a carryon definitely. Then my personal bag would be a tote that I could fit some more stuff in. The worst of it is not being able to bring toiletries other than what fits in the 311 bag. Last week tsa took my conditioner which was 6 ounces even though it fit nicely inside the quart ziplock bag. Most of my lotions don’t come in 3 ounce containers—they are 4 ounces or 4.5. So irritating.

[Anonymous]

When we are on Greek islands I am typically pack 8-10 bathing suits and pack a couple linen pants/shorts, tank tops, light shirts, light dresses for evenings.

Don’t require much space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I e done it. I’d bring 2 bathing suits and a rash guard. 2 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of flowy pants. 2 light dresses, a few tee shirts or tanks. I’d wear long pants with a tank and cardigan that would work with the dresses on plane with comfy sneakers, and pack sandals that would work for walking or dresses. 10 pairs of underwear and several bras. Swim coverup and a couple of books and a small cross body purse You can fit that all in a carryon definitely. Then my personal bag would be a tote that I could fit some more stuff in. The worst of it is not being able to bring toiletries other than what fits in the 311 bag. Last week tsa took my conditioner which was 6 ounces even though it fit nicely inside the quart ziplock bag. Most of my lotions don’t come in 3 ounce containers—they are 4 ounces or 4.5. So irritating.

Flew home from Croatia and they took my 150 ml tube of expensive lotion even though it was VERY CLEAR that there was not even 100 mls left in it. First time ever that anyone even messed with that tube. Ever!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we are on Greek islands I am typically pack 8-10 bathing suits and pack a couple linen pants/shorts, tank tops, light shirts, light dresses for evenings.

Don’t require much space.

Good reminder on linen. Will be slightly less hot but good move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I e done it. I’d bring 2 bathing suits and a rash guard. 2 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of flowy pants. 2 light dresses, a few tee shirts or tanks. I’d wear long pants with a tank and cardigan that would work with the dresses on plane with comfy sneakers, and pack sandals that would work for walking or dresses. 10 pairs of underwear and several bras. Swim coverup and a couple of books and a small cross body purse You can fit that all in a carryon definitely. Then my personal bag would be a tote that I could fit some more stuff in. The worst of it is not being able to bring toiletries other than what fits in the 311 bag. Last week tsa took my conditioner which was 6 ounces even though it fit nicely inside the quart ziplock bag. Most of my lotions don’t come in 3 ounce containers—they are 4 ounces or 4.5. So irritating.

Flew home from Croatia and they took my 150 ml tube of expensive lotion even though it was VERY CLEAR that there was not even 100 mls left in it. First time ever that anyone even messed with that tube. Ever!

So you're mad that the rules applied to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think strategically packing a carry-on so you can manage for a few days is smart, but I just don’t think it’s realistic to plan on a ten-day trip without checking a bag.

+1 Have you thought about packing a box and mailing it to your hotel, OP? Be sure to research which long distance carrier is the preferred carrier in the recipient country.

[Anonymous]

A carry on per person is enough for 10 days, OP. I swear DCUM is full of snail people used to bringing their entire house with them.

A few years ago I packed hiking backpacks, just at the limit of the carry-on weight and size, for 6 weeks to France. One per person.

[Anonymous]

Eh I just got back from Europe and our bags were fine and arrived on time both ways.

[Anonymous]

So split the baby and do one checked bag (with half yours and half DH's) and 1-2 carry ons with the remainder.

[Anonymous]

This is my new favorite carry on:

https://www.awaytravel.com/suitcases/bigger-carry-on?color=lavender&usb_charger=not_included I got it in lavender.

I just took it for a ten day trip to Chicago and I still had clothes that I never wore. It's very easy to organize and it's much easier to pack lightly in warm weather. I plan to take it as my only bag for a month-long trip to Italy in September. I pack mostly light dresses and light hiking clothes. A couple of linen or gauzy pants and tops. Bathing suit. Enough underwear for a week and do laundry.

OP you can easily take a bag like this one for a ten day trip to Greece. Light clothing is key. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Roll the cloths instead of folding them