How I Packed for a 3 Week Trip with Just a Carry-on

1. Decide on Luggage and What Other Bags

First, Plan Your Luggage: Begin by considering the items you’ll need for your trip. Ensure that your luggage adheres to the carry-on requirements set by your airline(s). For my Greece trip, I opted for a London Fog carry-on suitcase and a Lululemon personal backpack. Keep these 2 pieces streamlined for easy of movement. The personal  backpack has a horizontal back strap that can conveniently fed into the handle of your carry-on.

Handsfree Daytime Crossbody Belt Bag.  For travelling and day trips or just exploring I love having my phone and wallet readily accessible but also safe and secure as it stays in on my front. Personally, I love using my Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag or similarly this belt bag from Amazon for this purpose.

Evening Essentials: In addition to the essentials, I packed a small, super lightweight crossbody black purse for evenings. It’s perfect for carrying just what you need without weighing you down. I’ve used this Kate Spade one several trips.

Beach Ready: Don’t forget about beach days! I included a lightweight zippered beach bag in my carry-on. It’s essential for stashing towels, sunscreen, and other beach necessities.

The Final Tally: In summary, I brought a total of five bags:

1. The carry-on that met all the various airline flight guidelines.

2. A light backpack for day-to-day use.

3. A convenient crossbody belt bag.

4. A chic small black purse for evenings.

5. A beach bag for seaside adventures.

Traveling with just a carry-on can be liberating, and thoughtful packing ensures you have everything you need without excess baggage. 

2. Travel Organization

Now that you have your carry-on picked, you have to keep it organized. You don’t want to be rummaging for things and making it look like a messy drawer.  The best way to stay organized is by using packing cubes.  These from Amazon are similar to the ones I took, packing cubes. Not all packing cubes are made the same way.  They need to be light and not take up space. They are best when they have some structure to the sides and stay somewhat upright rather than completely flop.  You also may want to buy more than 1 set.  Not only do packing cubes keep your luggage organized, it very easy to ‘unpack’ with packing cubes.  Simply take for example the t-shirt cube in place it in a drawer and there you have it, unpacked in the hotel room.   I like to take 5 cubes of various sizes. 

1. Small cube:  Lingerie type items; underwear, bras, socks, nighty.

2. Medium cube:  T-shirts.

3. Medium cube:  Shorts, skorts and day dresses.

4. Large cube:  Evening clothing. Think what will you wear in the evenings, dresses, linen pants, a light sweater. Of course you can wear anytime and not just evenings.

5. Small cube: Bathing suits (2) and cover up.  Tip, use a cover up that can function as robe or dress for those morning breakfasts when you step out of your villa to be with your group for coffee.  Also pack only 1 bathing suit.  I needed 2 because 1 was going to get stained by the sulphur waters when we explored the volcano in Santorini.

Roll it.  Pack each cube by rolling tightly the items of clothing where possible.  Not only does this method compress everything it also helps your clothing from wrinkling.

3. Clothes

Some random thoughts about clothing. At some point you’ll have piles of clothes ready to pack into your packing cubes. Chances are you have too much and you need to pair it down. Bring practical clothing that is realistic and comfortable for you.  Don’t pack for the Instgram look. Think about your itinerary step by step. Example you arrive at 3pm, you’ll take a little rest, and get ready for dinner. What will you wear this first night.  Next day you’ll be exploring a town in the hot Greek sun, what will you wear for this day. Evening dinner reservations by the ocean, what do want to wear and maybe you should bring a sweater.  Next is beach day, what will you wear.  At some point you have a travel day maybe on a ferry, or a plane, what will you wear. As much as possible your clothing should be made of light material that packs well and doesn’t wrinkle. Bring a neutral palatte of clothing so it’s easy to mix and match, such as white linen pants goes with pretty much every shirt you brought. A black or white cardigan will go with everything.  Remember the lighter the clothing the better for carrying, washing and drying. Pack light dresses.  I love wearing dresses as much as possible since they keep you cool, are stylish and by just slipping it on, you are dressed. So simple and easy.  When it comes to workout clothing, just bring just 1 pair of fitness shorts, a couple of light tanks. Even if you worked out everyday, you could easily wash these items in your hotel/bnb.

 Let’s dive into some practical tips for thinking about clothing when you’re planning a trip. Whether you’re jetting off to a sunny beach destination or exploring a charming European town, having the right wardrobe can make your travel experience more enjoyable. Here are some thoughts to consider:

1. Pack Light and Smart:

• Edit Your Selection: It’s true—many of us tend to overpack. Before you start filling those packing cubes, lay out all your potential outfits. Then, be ruthless. Pare down your choices to the essentials. Remember, you can always do laundry during your trip.

• Realistic and Comfortable: Bring clothing that suits your style but is also practical. Comfort is key—especially if you’ll be walking a lot. Think about the weather and activities you have planned.

• Avoid the Instagram Trap: While it’s tempting to pack outfits for every photo opportunity, focus on what you’ll actually wear. Instagram-worthy looks are great, but they shouldn’t dominate your suitcase.

2. Plan by Itinerary:

• Hour by Hour: Imagine your first day: You arrive at 3 pm. What will you wear for that evening? Consider your dinner plans. Then think about the next day’s activities. Will you be exploring in the sun? Going to the beach? Having dinner by the ocean? Plan accordingly.

• Layering: Bring versatile pieces that can be layered. A lightweight sweater or cardigan can transform an outfit and keep you warm during cooler evenings.

3. Choose the Right Fabrics:

• Light and Wrinkle-Resistant: Opt for fabrics that pack well and don’t wrinkle easily. Linen, cotton blends, and lightweight synthetics are great choices.

• Neutral Palette: Stick to a neutral color scheme. White linen pants, for instance, can be paired with almost any top. A black or white cardigan is a versatile addition.

• Lightweight Dresses: Dresses are fantastic for travel—they’re effortless and keep you cool. Plus, just one piece, and you’re dressed! Pack a couple of lightweight dresses that can transition from day to night. Some of my favourites are Columbia dresses, they lightweight and versatile for day and night and come in plenty of patterns and styles. Satin dresses for evenings are also light and easy to pack. The people I travel with are amazed at the variety of dresses I bring! Don’t forget about skirts. My 3 must skirts are a white sporty skort, a flowy long skirt and a satiny long skirt for dressier evenings. And finally a white dress is a must for the Mediterranean. For a 3 week Greece trip with just a carry-on, I packed 8 dresses and skirts!

4. Workout Gear:

• Minimalist Approach: For workout clothing, keep it minimal. One pair of fitness shorts and a couple of light tanks should suffice. You can wash these easily in your hotel or Airbnb.

• Quick-Drying Materials: Look for moisture-wicking fabrics that dry quickly. This way, you can wash your workout gear and have it ready for the next day.

4. Accessories

Keep accessories on the light side.  You’ll need 1 scarf for those cooler nights and for fashion. A pashmina scarf is perfect.  1 or 2 pairs of sunglasses.  Don’t bring anymore jewellery than can fit is small bag the size of your palm.  1 set of gold tone earrings, necklace and bracelet and 1 set of silver toned.

Hair, don’t forget the hair ties, hair clips, brushes and a few Velcro rollers if that’s your thing!

5. Toiletries

The toiletries bag is the first thing I start to get ready a couple of weeks before travel.  I do this for a several reasons. It helps me figure out if I have small enough travel bottles or if I need to go buy some, it helps me ensure that I am not going over the maximum carry-on liquids limits, which is 100 milliliters in total and once the toiletries are packed I just mentally start to feel better about packing for the trip.

Tip, I usually keep old little jars and bottles from sample I have received and use them for packing.

Your carry-on liquids need to packed in clear plastic case for easy removal at airport security.   All the other non liquid toiletries are placed in a hanging toiletries bag and can easily be hung up in the hotel bathroom.

6. Shoes

You only need 3 pairs of shoes:

For Ladies:

1. Walking/Running Shoes: Choose an all-white pair that looks good with dresses but is also comfortable and practical for long walks, hikes, or runs. No need to bring separate walking and running shoes. These are my favourite sneakers. They are super lightweight, comfortable and easy to clean after a hike. They are not exactly hiking shoes, but when you are limited on space they do the job perfectly.

2. Flip Flops or Flats: Easy and comfortable flip flop to slip on, perfect for the beach.

3. Sandals with a Back Strap: Ideal for walking during the day in the heat and can also be dressed up for dinner. Love these sandals! or anything similar to these would be perfect. I’ve worn them through several trips and still in great shape. No, they are not fancy, but if you’ve ever travelled to Mediterranean countries or islands, the cobblestone streets make it impossible for anything else. High heels or even wedges will be inappropriate.

For Men:

1. Walking/Running Shoes: Similar to the ladies, an all-white pair that is versatile and comfortable.

2. Flip Flops or Slip-On Deck Shoes: Easy to wear for the beach or casual outings.

3. Sandals or Light Slip-On Deck Shoes: Great for both day and evening wear.

Tip: Wear your walking/running shoes on the plane as they are likely your heaviest pair.

7. All The Other Things

Now for all the extras that add up but are necessary for me and many other people.

a. Beach Towel: Yes, pack a beach towel. If you’re not staying at a large resort, your hotel or Airbnb might only provide bathroom towels. Keep those for your showers and bring a separate towel for the beach or day trips. My favorite is from WACI—it’s super compact, light, big enough for the beach, dries fast, and is sand-free.

b. European Plug Adapters: You’ll need these to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, extra batteries, or any other electronics. Link to the ones I use, European Plug Adapters if your electronic item is already dual voltage. I typically need 3 of these plugs.

c. USB Cords and Apple Watch Chargers: Don’t forget to pack these essentials. Link to the ones I use, USB Cord for iPhone 15 and above, Apple Watch Charger.

d.  Mini Curling or Flat Iron or Hairdryer: If you bring a curling iron or flat iron, invest in a mini size. I have both but usually only bring one or the other. Most places you stay will have a hairdryer. It’s a good idea to check if this is important to you, but if you must bring one, this is a perfect hairdryer and flat iron for home and travel.

e.  Selfie Stick: I love taking lots of pictures. While I sometimes ask someone else to take a photo of me and my husband, I mostly use a selfie stick. I like this one because it can convert into a tripod and has a wireless remote, selfie stick.

f.  Battery Charger: My iPhone battery drains much faster when I’m in Europe, so I always bring a battery charger. My favorite battery charger can provide at least two full charges for my iPhone, has a power level indicator light, and is simple and sleek battery charger.

g. Mini USB Fans: These mini USB fans have been a life saver so many times and I’m constantly asked where did I get them. Whether it was Greece, Spain, Italy and at home or even on the airplane before the air conditioning is turned on. When the hot summer months are unbearable and you need something to fan yourself with, these mini USB fans are absolutely perfect. They are tiny and simply plug into the battery charger listed above and barely any any noticeable charge is lost on the battery charger after hours of running these fans. Warning - NEVER plug these fans or ANY other fans directly into your mobile phone or laptop. Only use with battery charger.

8. Laundry Tips for Travel

a.      Plan to do laundry at least once a week. Most laundromats offer detergent for purchase, but you can also bring your own solid detergent—laundry sheets work great. A small bottle of liquid detergent is useful for quick washes of socks and underwear in your hotel or Airbnb sink using laundry sink packets, or you can simply use the hand soap provided. Remember to pack any liquid soaps in plastic baggies in case of leaks.

b.     I also like to add 4 or 5 dryer sheets throughout my carry-on. They keep your bag smelling fresh and can be used as dryer sheets when needed.

9. Practice Makes Perfect

 Finally start practicing your packing.  Don’t leave this until the day before you leave. Do trial runs the week before.