Island hopping packing tips
 

I am starting to think about what to pack for our 2 week island hopping trip. What do you veterans pack and what do you pack it in? We will be hopping from Crete to Santorini to Milos to Sifnos to Athens. Certainly comfortable walking shoes and bathing suits, but what do you wear when you're not on the beach? And do you use back packs or duffles or rolling luggage?

Halve the gear and double the money.

Hi Hazardnc

When are you going? Greece is a casual place. As Gaspard said, pack half of what you originally think. Lugging all that stuff around isn't fun. When I was younger I always packed a backpack, now I use a rolling bag. A small one that can fit in the overhead on an airplane. Then I pack a daypack with my books, etc. It's nice to have that to take on hikes, to the beach, etc.

Sandals, comfortable shoes, shorts, lightweight shirts and at least one sweater/jacket for the cool nights you can sometimes get depending on when you're going.

"Halve the gear and double the money."

Well now you made me think of another question. Are ATM's readily available on the smaller islands? I usually don't buy too many Euros before I go.
And please God, let the exchange rate improve for us before we go!

We will be there mid to late June. I have rolling luggage (the carry-on approved size) but I can't imagine even dealing with that, but I am not sure I can fit everything I need into a back pack

Two nights (at least) at each stop. Otherwise, you are island skipping.

We are staying 3-4 nights on each island

Get a roll-on which has hide-away back straps and a daypack that zips onto it. Make sure it has sturdy protectors on the front side to protect it when dragging it up stairs. Eagle Creek is one brand that makes luggage like this.

Take a hat (or buy a cheap one as soon as you get there.)

ATMs now exist on all but the smallest and most out-of-the way island. I'd recommend bringing all your ATM cards if you have more than one; often I'd had one mysteriously fail in a Greek ATM and had to try another one.

I would not rely on ATMs alone in Greece. I have been there when machines have been broken, run out of money, the banks have been on strike, or a machine has suddenly been moved. I would take some euros or travellers' cheques for when you can't use ATMs and use the ATMs whenever they are available. You should be ok but I wouldn't rely on it.

Carolena

I too will be in Greece mid-June. Going to Santorini, Crete and a week in Peloponnese. Curious about the mosquito situation, if any. Anyone been bothered a lot by this? During the day or just evenings? I like to be prepared as I'm one of those who they seem to love and I don't want a trip ruined because of lots of bites. I plan on bringing repellent regardless, just wondering if it's really a nuisance or not?

Various points to answer here:

It's always a good idea to have a backup source of funds, although I have relied on ATMs exclusively for a number of years. The islands in hazardnc's itinerary will all have several ATMs from which to choose.

Shorts, t-shirts, etc are fine for the day, but something long-sleeved is best for evenings, both in case of cool temperatures, and to ward off mosquitos. Comfortable walking shoes are good, but sandals cooler.

Mosquitos are only a problem in the evening and at night. As well as long sleeved clothing, mosquito repellant is a good idea. One of my first purchases on the islands is always a can of fly spray, which I use in the room just before going out each evening. When I return later that night, the fumes have dispersed, and the room is mossie free.

With respect to clothing we realized we were hauling way too much stuff when we left our huge back packs at out hotel in Athens and went to Samos for a week with just day packs. Were we ever surprised to find out we didn't even use all the stuff we took in the day packs. My faithful rule now is three of everything, one that you are wearing, one for tomorrow and one hanging on the balcony drying.
Subsequently we have vacationed for a full month in Greece and took nothing more than our day packs which are easily in cabin size.
As for ATM's we realized that there are two ATM systems in Greece and the banks take two type of cards. If your card doesn't work in one bank it will work in another one. We have only used ATM's exclusively for the past 5 years.
With respect to Mosquitoes I have had two of the worst nights I ever spent in my whole life with killer mosquitoes buzzing us all night long.Both times we made the cardinal sin of leaving our windows open at night and turning the lights on. Ever since then we open the windows after the lights are out or just use the air conditioner and keep the windows shut. We have never had any problem ever when dining outdoors at a taverna.

We are going to Greece in May and we are taking rucksacks. Like many others here we did this whilst in our early twenties but can't think that rolling cases would be a substitute.
Last year we travelled Japan by rail and after much thought took rucksacks then.I use a rolling case on a daily basis for work and find that lifting it when necessary is hard.
I carried 9.5 kilos- my husband a little more. We were practically the only people our age with rucksacks but it worked really well -especially on the stairs in the stations.Because of that and also our experience in Greece years ago we have now opted for doing the same again.

I always travel with one small rolling suitcase (hate backpacks) or duffle bag if you don't mind humping it instead of rolling.

Wear lightweight clothes like decent shorts, capri, or slacks, skirts or sundresses option for the ladies. Solid color t-shirts, polo shirt, cotton blouse (whatever your normal style). Sandals, sneakers, flip flops. Hat for the sun.

We travel with small rolling suitcases the carry on size and avoid checking in our luggage. We did this last summer when we went to the Greek Isles. Use packing cubes they are great to keep things orgainized and you will be amazed how much you can fit in the suitcase. WSe even have a teenage daughter who does the same and that is a feat in itself! We have done this for 3 week trips with one laundry drop off.

How are you going from island to island, and how close are they to eachother?

Air-conditioning will drive flies and mosquitoes out of the room. Use a hotel-supplied, electric mosquito-repellant device, or buy one locally (they are cheap). For outdoors, try skin patches available at pharmacies.

That said, the mosquitoes aren't really a problem in most areas in my native Milos and the nearby islands because the climate is dry.

Andreas

www.milosisforlovers.com

Rolling luggage will most likely get damaged or get severe wear and tear on the cobblestone paths or dirt roads in most greek islands. Backpacks are preferable.

Bermuda shorts and t-shirts are the norm during the day and in the evening. You may want to bring along a light sweatshirt and/or a jacket for those occasional cool/windy evenings.

Andreas

www.milosisforlovers.com

A word on rolling suitcases vs. other stuff. On 2 of my trips I took a large LL Bean bag w shoulder straps & got shoulder ache! Since then have used a rolling bag plus soft-side Sportsac.

Rolling bags work IF you pay for QUALITY ones. In 1997 I popped for $200 for a Travelpro (the original). I am STILL using it and nothing has ever broken on it. The ones you buy at K-mart will fall apart pretty fast.

I'd second TravelerJan's advice as my experience is largely the same. I am still using my 9-year old TravelPro.

Two cheaper ones I bought earlier fell apart the very first day of use, and the manufacturer's warranty stipulated they demanded a $15 fee to accompany each suitcase returned for service!

Andreas