overbuget

Hello All,
My husband and I are going to Greece for 2 weeks in late April to early May. We will be staying on Mykonos and Santorini for 3 night each; staying in Athens for a few nights; and a 4 night Classical Greece and Meteora tour. I always over pack. What do I really need for this trip of some relaxation, city strolling and ruins walking? Thank you Greek travelers.

stanbr

You are doing a fair amount of moving around and if you ovepack you will likely regret it. After all who is ikely to see you in the same outfit since you are moving around to different places.
After our first two trips to Greece we realized we were only using half of the stuff we brought with us so we decided to use the rule of threes. Bring one outfit to wear today one that you wore yesterday and is in the wash and one for tomorrow. You will be surprised how well that works. Unless you are going first class and dining in fancy restaurants you do not need anything but informal clothes, and good sturdy walking shoes. One thing we do before out trip is to lay out all the clothes we want to take and then get rid of at least half of them. Now you will be close to an efficient packing job. Remember you are hopping from one island to the next and you have to haul all that extra stuff that you will never use on taxis, buses ferrys and up stairs into hotels.
( all the hotels are up stairs in Greece) We are now so lean that we go to Greece for a month with two carry on bags and that is it. The kindles really help since I don't have to take 5 books with me now.
Just my opinion of course but with aging knees and bad backs it is better to travel light, than to look good.

crckwc1

There are lots of "packing light" threads on fodors. Check them out. Here's essentially what I pack for a month in a 20-inch case. You really don't "need" any more than this:

2 pr. microfiber (washable/dripdryable)slacks (dark colors work best)
2 pr. nylon convertible hiking pants
1 skirt (crinkle-type, non-wrinkle fabric) - optional
6-8 poly, nylon, or other dripdryable tops
1 lightweight jacket or sweater to dress up slacks/skirt
swimsuit and coverup (maybe)
1 pr. sandals or flats
1 pr. walking shoes plus sox (wear on the plane)
1 pr. flipflops (use at pool and for houseshoes)
cardigan sweater
rain jacket (never can tell)
umbrella (ditto)
gown, robe (or use swimsuit coverup), 4 undies, etc.
A few scarves, necklaces, etc. - no expensive jewelry
Make sure everything coordinates with everything else.
1 wear-on-the-plane outfit and wear your heaviest shoes.

We took a similar trip a few years ago and it was wonderful. Have a great trip!

Heimdall

I agree with light packing but...

Weather in late Apr - early May can be anything from cold to balmy and warm. You should pack shorts, t-shirts and swim suits, but will also need warm sweaters, long trousers and jackets for the evenings, and for your trip to Meteora and the higher altitudes of some parts of the mainland (Greece is one of the most moutainous countries in Europe).

Don't overdo the packing, because you can always buy more clothes in Greece if you need them.

BeachGirl247

We went to a few Greek Islands at the end of May/first of June last year (Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini). The weather was sunny and warmer than we expected - 80's and warm in the sunshine.

Echoing packing light suggestions. As mentioned you are lugging that heavy suitcase over cobblestones, up ramps to the ferry that have slats to prevent slippage, from ferry docks to your lodging location and of course up the many, many set of steps you will encounter on your visit.

I like your rule of thirds, stanbr. I found that we wore the same things over and over. This year when we go back in May I will be in a carry on only!

Heimdall

There is a big difference in Greek weather between the end of April and the end of May. Late April weather is fickle — sometimes cool and rainy, sometimes warm and sunny. By the beginning of June weather begins to settle, and that is when the season really begins on the islands. You can see actual weather stats on Wunderground Trip Planner. Here is one for Mykonos in the last week of April (averages at the top, and further down actual historical records over the last 12 years: http://tinyurl.com/7jdb6aw.

Trip Planner didn't have records for Meteora, so I used Kozani, which is about 50 mi north, for the first week of May: http://tinyurl.com/7oe2o4n.

You can see current weather at http://www.meteo.gr/. Most pages have an English version.

Heimdall

BTW, in Wunderground you can toggle between ºC and ºF in the button at the top right of the page. ;-)

Roadster

Hey Overbuget! Guess who is responding to your forum-Hula Girl! We are going to Greece May 9 thru May 23rd. Are you around then?

overbuget

Thank you for all your responses. Hula Girl you should try to go April 20. If not, look for souvenirs left in your way

tasta

Hello, overbudget! My husband and I are also coming to mainland Greece 25 April - 4 of May , starting with 3 days in Meteora. Maybe we'll cross roads ? Last year we were on Santorini in April and it was very cold and rainy, so I had to buy extra sweaters and jacket, but year before (same time) on Crete we were shorts-short sleeves. So I'm most certainly packing all kinds of clothes, and most important - hiking shoes for Meteora and Vikos gorge.