Planning a vacation can be exciting, but packing can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Whether you’re heading to buzzy Paris, the sunny Mediterranean, or an island hopping adventure in Greece, this Blue Walk packing guide will help you pack efficiently and ensure you have everything you need for a perfect 1-2 week getaway.
When it comes to packing, we strongly advise a less-is-more approach. Having a lighter bag will make traveling easier, and managing fewer items means less time spent organizing and deciding what to wear. If you bring less “stuff” you have more time to be present and enjoy being on vacation.
Please note: Porterage is not included on Blue Walk tours. You will be responsible for handling your own luggage. We strongly recommend/require limiting your luggage to one rolling bag and one carry-on sized backpack as your personal item. On most tours will be traveling on and off of ferries or trains and transferring between hotels*. This is difficult to do with two rolling bags, regardless of size. Also for this reason, we recommend a backpack as your personal item rather than a tote bag as it allows for “hands-free” movement.
* With the exception of our Amsterdam, Portugal and France tours that remain in one hotel all week
Essentials
Let’s start with the basics. These are the items you simply can’t leave home without:
- Travel Documents: Passport, emergency travel insurance, hotel name and address, flight tickets, contact information for The Blue Walk. We recommend having these items accessible via your smart phone as well as hard copy.
- Money: At least one credit and one debit card, some local currency in small denominations (e.g.; €20×5), and a secure wallet.
- Electronics: Phone, portable power bank, and any other gadgets you can’t live without. (We love using noise-cancelling headphones/earbuds on planes, trains, and ferries. By filtering out the noise we arrive feeling less tired from the travel.) Charging cables, plug adapter, and anything else you will need to keep your devices powered up and running smoothly.
Clothing
Pack smart and versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. Consider the weather and activities planned. Build a travel wardrobe around good quality, lightweight clothing in a simple color palette such as black/grey or navy with a neutral color such as white or tan. This makes it easier to dress outfits up or down and mix and match pieces to create multiple combinations.
- Casual Wear: T-shirts, shorts or capris, jeans (no more than 1 pair), and casual dresses/skirts if you would like. While there is down time, this will be an active vacation. Wear what you feel comfortable moving, walking, and perspiring in.
- Formal Wear: The dress for our vacations is casual. You may want to bring a nice outfit for an evening out, but it’s not required nor part of the program.
- Swimwear: Maybe a bathing suit for the beaches or poolside. Not required.
- Outerwear: A lightweight packable jacket is always a good idea, especially for cool evenings and ferry transfers. A light to midweight vest is good to keep the core warm or provide extra pockets on a warm day. Depending upon the forecast you might want to bring a lightweight rain/wind layer.
- Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Make sure you have well-broken-in shoes with rubberized soles, ideal for slippery marble streets and stairs. You might consider a pair of sandals or flipflops to cool your feet post-walk. High heels are not needed or recommended. The cobblestones will destroy them.
- Undergarments: Enough for each day, plus a couple of extras. Or, if you will do a sink wash, pack a few, wash them nightly, and rotate their use.
- Accessories: Sunhat, sunglasses, belts, scarves. A sarong or large lightweight scarf can be a useful multipurpose item serving as a scarf, wrap, bedsheet, beach blanket, etc.
Layering: Be prepared for cool evenings as well as warm days. Dressing in layers is always a good idea. If you are sensitive to the sun, a breathable, long sleeve shirt and a hat will act as a sunblock and keep you cooler. Merino wool clothing offers exceptional benefits such as being breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor-resistant, making it ideal for both warm and cool weather.
Toiletries
Keep it simple and only bring the essentials:
- Basic Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and any personal hygiene products you use daily.
- Skincare: Sunscreen, moisturizer, face cleanser and any other skincare products you rely on.
- First Aid: A small kit with band-aids, pain relievers, and any prescription medications.
Miscellaneous
Don’t forget these useful items that can make your trip more comfortable:
- Daypack: A small backpack for day trips and excursions. (The Blue Walk will provide a small, lightweight, cinch backpack upon your arrival.)
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste.
- Guidebooks/Maps: Even if you prefer digital maps, having a physical backup can be useful.
- Snacks: Pack some healthy snacks for long journeys or in case you can’t find suitable food options. (The Blue Walk will provide some snack food in your gift backpack upon your arrival.)
Packing Tips
- Roll Your Clothes: Rolling rather than folding can save space and reduce wrinkles.
- Packing Cubes: Use them to keep your belongings organized and make packing/unpacking a breeze.
- Hairdryers: All of our hotels have hair dryers. They might not be as strong as you are used to but they are provided. If you bring your own you will need a converter.
- Less is More!
About Your Luggage
We recommend luggage with four spinner wheels rather than two because they are much easier to navigate. Make sure luggage wheels are in good condition. Cobblestones can easily dislodge a damaged wheel, and no one wants to travel with a flat.
Have you ever had an overstuffed suitcase that kept tipping over? It is both annoying and akward. To prevent that from happening, place heavy items at the bottom and handle-side of your suitcase. This will keep the center-of-gravity over the wheels and more stable.
Take into consideration how much shopping you may do. It is better to bring a larger piece of luggage with room to spare than to accumulate multiple smaller bags along the way to accommodate your purchases. In any case, only pack what you can manage easily.
Staying Organized While Traveling
Organization is critical to smooth travels. Few things are more maddening than digging through a backpack stuffed with clothes, cables, and snacks just to find a metro pass. Or frantically searching the room for your phone when you’re already running late. I’ll admit—organization isn’t exactly my strong suit. But when you’re traveling for months at a time like we do, it becomes an absolute necessity.
Over time, I’ve developed a few routines and techniques that really help me stay organized while on the move. The key is keeping things neatly compartmentalized, each item with its own designated place.
Take my electronics and vitamins, for example—odd pairing, I know, but hear me out. I use a small, transparent travel bag just for those two categories. Twist ties keep each cable neatly coiled, and when I unpack, the bag goes straight onto the bedside table. That way, adapters and cables are ready to plug in, and my vitamins are right there for me to take when I wake up and before bed.
For daily outings, I always carry a power bank and charging cable in my backpack. They go into the same pocket every time (which took some discipline!), so I always know where to find them. To keep them together and easy to grab, I store them in a smaller pouch that fits just the essentials.
At the end of the day, devices get recharged on the nightstand, and in the morning, they go back into the backpack. When it’s time to check out, everything returns to the electronics bag, which then goes into my suitcase—simple and efficient.
These routines help me avoid leaving things behind or wasting time hunting for them. With a little mindfulness and experimentation, you’ll likely find systems that make your own travels smoother and more carefree.
Conclusion
Packing for a 1-2 week walking vacation or art workshop in Europe doesn’t have to be stressful. By sticking to the essentials, choosing versatile clothing, using smart packing techniques, and staying organized, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Remember, less is more – focus on what you’ll truly need and leave room for souvenirs and new experiences!