What A Carry On! Packing For A Fortnight In Greece

Kalispera!! 

We're off to Greece very soon and staying on an island we've not been to before (exciting!) Although we've got a whopping 22kg check-in luggage allowance included in our trip, we won't be bothering with that. You know us, it's carry-on only! 

Why? Even with a walking stick I can easily wheel my little cabin bag behind me when we walk to the station to catch the train to the airport and we'll avoid the scrum at the baggage drop once we get there, passing straight through security and enjoying a pre-flight beer in Spoons whilst our fellow passengers are still queueing. Back in the days when we used to take check-in luggage there were several occasions when the airline mislaid our luggage, reuniting us with it several days later. When you carry everything you're taking there's no danger of that happening!

Travelling light doesn't mean having to compromise on style. With critical thinking and some advance planning you really can fit all you need for a fortnight into a cabin bag. Here's the final cut which I'm sure you'll probably recognise from past holidays. 

I bought the recycled sari silk dress from a tiny boutique at Leros harbour when I was waiting for the ferry to Kalymnos last year. 

My strapless Star Mela maxi (Vinted, 2023)

Tie-dyed pure silk Red Haute maxi dress (Vinted, 2025)

1970s India Imports of Rhode Island maxi dress (eBay, 2018)

Haris Cotton co-ord (Vinted, 2023)

Uninhibited 1970s gingham maxi dress (charity shop, 2011)

I've packed two bikinis but as they're both reversible, I'm taking four. Both were bought new and unworn with the tags still attached from Vinted. The tropical print/black one was originally Accessorize (£7) and the block print from Fatface (£4).

Accessories - two cotton head scarves, two bags, three pairs of Tevas (I usually make do with two but it seemed a shame not to take my new ones and they only weigh 340g) and a straw fedora. I spotted the sarong for £3 on Vinted, it's from Accessorize and matches my bikini with the £22 price tag still attached. 

Jewellery! 

I'll put my rings on once I'm though security. 

During the day I wear two sets of turquoise studs swapping to bigger earrings by night. I'm taking two pairs..my sterling silver fish tails and these chunky turquoise & silver beauties. 

Rather than my usual silver bangles I'm taking this magentic bracelet and these leather wraps which are absolutely brilliant when you're travelling light, you can wear them around your neck, your wrists, around the top of your arm, around the ankle, as a headband or even as a belt.

I'm taking my prescription sunnies, my tinted readers and these groovy sunglasses I bought in Kefalonia in 2024.

Beauty..mascara, eyeliners x 2, eyebrow mascara, a tube of bronze eyeshadow, creme blush, lipliner, lipstick, tweezers, a sharpener and a magnifying mirror.

Hair...lots of clear bands to secure my braids, a comb, a hair band and a hair fork.

Toiletries. 

Calypso once a day sun screen decanted into 100ml containers, Once a day facial sun cream, after-sun facial moisturing bar, Lush shampoo and conditioner bars, cotton buds, facial cleansing wipes, soap & loofah soap rest (brilliant for scrubbing your feet!), Lush Karma solid parfum, bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste and interdentals, painkillers and plasters (only the bare minimum, we can buy them there if we need to), nail scissors, nail clippers and nail file, Jon's blades and shaving gel, my razor, Tresemme hair serum, Swim Cap, facial oil, lip balm and bite gel. 

What else? I bought Jon a posh Aegean cotton hamman towel for his birthday last year and he was so impressed he bought me one (link HERE) so this replaces my usual sports towel. There's also a water bottle (like many Greek Islands, the tap water at our destination is safe to drink), my phone, my Kobo (loaded with 22 books), swimming goggles and my walking stick (the chargers are in Jon's bag). The packet contains our Pestects natural mosquito repellent bracelets and do believe the hype, they really work!  Whenever I share my packing I'm asked about knickers and as usual, it's two pairs and always Sloggi Zero Feel nude hipsters - invisible under white clothes.

I'm travelling in my bulkiest dress along with my Granny Square Tevas and carrying my beach bag which will contain my tinted readers, Kobo, my empty water bottle and my jewellery (which I'll put on when I get through security). 

Total weight: 8kg 

Yassas, see you in July!