Are you going away this weekend?
Last weekend, we spent a few days very spontaneously in Greece. It was gorgeous. Blue skies, delicious food and best of all, there wasn’t much luggage needed. We only needed a few outfits for during the day and different ones for the evening. As I was working there, I needed to bring my laptop and some documents.
I’ve had a reader asking me about tips for packing for these weekend trips and it was so timely. The beauty of weekend trips or other short trips is that you don’t need that much. There’s no reason to pack a full suitcase for yourself. But I really need this item, I hear you say. Do you really?
What do you need for a weekend away?
What’s your destination? A break laying on the beach in the Maldives requires different outfits than a hiking trip in the mountains or a city break in Continental Europe.
What are you going to do? Consider which activities you’ll pursue or might try out. Are you dreaming about peace and quiet, reading that latest novel of your favourite author while sunbathing? Will you be going on a photo safari of the city’s architecture? Are you exploring the country’s wild life reservoir?
What are you going to wear? Summer time is here (well, for the Northern hemisphere) and the climate can vary substantially. Just ask my mother who’s sick of the rain and the cool temperatures in her city.
Travelling to warmer temperatures, you may only need a cami top for during the day. These are so small, most don’t wrinkle, just fabulous! Check out the evening temperatures. Will you need something warmer like a scarf or a cardigan?
Travelling to a diver’s paradise last year, even the evenings were casual and I was so glad I didn’t bring my Dubai dresses. I’d have be completely overdressed.
Heading up for a weekend break in the city, you may be exploring places of worship. Have some respectful clothing in your suitcase or something to cover your shoulders, if you’re wearing sleeveless tops. This does not only apply in this region. Many years ago, we visited the Duomo, the Cathedral, in Milan and women (and men) were asked to temporarily cover up.
If you’re going to be sporty on your weekend trip, will you require any special equipment? Can you rent it there (like a road bike, for example) or will you bring it along (e.g. hiking boots)? Called beforehand to ensure they’ll have what you need.
Here’s a packing list for you to print out and use as a checklist for your next trip. Feel free to add to it or scratch items off as appropriate for your destination.
“Do I really need it?” When going away for just a weekend, there’s no need to haul the entire household. While we all know this, most of us have a tendency to overpack. “Just in case!” or “I might need it!” Ask yourself whether you really need to take it. Mix your outfits similar to a capsule wardrobe. Are there any items you can share with your spouse travelling with you? Think of toothpaste, sun lotion, charger, etc. I’m particular about my hair straightener but if travelling with girl-friends, we’ll just bring one hair dryer for all of us to use.
Leave some room for souvenirs. Depending on your location, you may want to bring a memory back. This could be shells from the beach (check whether you can take them out of the country!), some local magazines or, my personal favourite, food from the country. When coming back from Greece last week, the suitcase was full of local delicatessen!
My favourite tip for smart travelling for a weekend: Bring a light, foldable shopping bag! In case you find a great item or want to profit from duty free shopping, these shopping bags can be life savers. You don’t have to cramp everything into your suitcase and for last minute purchases at the airport, they are so much easier to carry than the plastic bags!
We’re hoping for another short weekend getaway trip later this summer. Packing in a smart way and having already identified what is needed will make the actual packing so much quicker and pain-free! I’m all for saving time packing. What is your favourite tip when packing for a weekend trip? I’m looking forward to reading your comment below!
Until next time,
Agni