Packing for Greece

I know - it's too early. But this is exciting...

Being inspired by Mike & Rae's trip to Europe for a month with only carry-on luggage, we spent some time talking about the possibility of doing that for Greece. After all, we'll only be gone for two weeks. We went back and forth and a couple of days ago I flip-flopped and said it can't be done, but we both agreed to try. So we ran around looking at bags that NO ONE would question as carry-on size. Jim's boss told us to get hard shell bags because people often over-stuff cloth types that end up "bulging" and have to be checked. So only hard shell bags on our list. 

Not as easy as we thought. First store had none (only cloth). Second store only had one and we needed two. Third store was ridiculously expensive - bye! Fourth store had two (but only two). So here it is:

Yes, I was disappointed not to get a pretty color, but not enough to risk ordering something the wrong size on-line. We found that many companies don't include the wheels in their external dimensions. British Airway's website says the accepted size has to include wheels and handles. Ugh! The external dimensions are 21 x 14 x 9, so slightly smaller in every direction inside. 

Thanks to JoAnn we bought spinners. Yes, we're both to the point that dragging around heavy luggage hurts our elbows, shoulders, neck and back, so opted for the multidirectional glide of a spinner - never have to tilt and drag! 

I promptly told Jim to make sure he kept the receipt. Sadly I was prepared to have to return them...

I already knew what I wanted to take, so I pulled out everything, including makeup and jewelry. Everything except toiletries. Amazingly, IT ALL FIT!!! Ahem - with room to spare. 

Then I thought - let me try these plastic bags that are supposed to shrink your clothes down even further. I easily fit 3 skirts and 3 blouses in the medium-sized bag and then I had even more room! At that point Jim is impressed and wants to use them too! So we can both take more than we originally planned - if we want to. And I'll be able to fit a couple of items that I thought I was going to have to stuff in my purse! 

Obviously what helps is that we're going in the summer. Jim is taking one pair of shoes for the whole trip and I limited myself to two (wear one/pack one). Jim is wearing a sports jacket and will use that, if needed, for the whole trip. And we'll both take our tablets instead of books/notepads. 

But regardless, we were both super excited that our trial run was such a huge success and looking forward to how much easier it will make our trip! Plus, it's in line with what the travel agency and the Branch told us - only take what you yourself can comfortably lug around.