We are preparing to go on a long overdue trip. In 2019 we signed up for (and paid for) a sailing trip with my college girlfriends and their husbands in Greece. The unexpected pandemic happened and we postponed twice due to Covid and closed borders. Don and I thought for sure that our money was long gone. We could not imagine that the charter company would stay in business without being able to operate. Lucky for us, we were wrong! Our trip is a go in 2022!
Today we head off for two weeks in Italy and one week in Greece. If you have been reading this website you know I am a travel nut job. I love everything about traveling… the planning, packing, and most importantly the adventuring. I love visiting new places and seeing how other people live. I am obsessed with the architecture, the design styles, the home furnishings, the food, and the street style fashion in other countries. Everywhere I go, I want to live!
Today I will be returning for my fourth visit to Venice. It is a city I love dearly and know well. We originally planned our return to Venice so we could bring our son who lives in Europe. In the meantime he got a fabulous new job and ironically needs to be on a business trip in New York City. We are just missing each other at JFK by a few hours.
This will be Don’s second trip to Venice and I am so excited to show him some special new spots I found last time I was there with Brooke. We will then travel to Lucca, a place dear to my heart. We will meet up with our friends from Oregon for a yoga retreat at a villa in the hills. I was there a few years ago and the whole time I wished Don could see this special spot. I am delighted he will join this amazing adventure this year.
Our third week we will head off to Corfu where we will meet up with more friends. Although I grew up sailing very regularly with my father, I have never been on a sailing charter nor an International sailing trip. I am very excited for this last leg of the trip.
For the past few weeks I have been considering what I might need. Twice we have been on International trips with other travelers who lost their suitcases. They had to make due with what they could find on the way. I now prefer to travel with a carryon and not deal with that potential. I also am a big believer in not carrying around dirty laundry. I would rather have laundry done here and there along the way. On one trip I washed my clothes in a shower in a French Chateau, only to find out the heat didn’t work and the clothes took 4 days to dry in the cold bathroom! I have tucked away a bar of laundry soap from the The Laundress just in case! Luckily it will be hot and drying will not be an issue.
This is what I packed for one week in Venice, one in Tuscany at a yoga retreat, and one week of sailing the greek islands.
Suitcase for Europe summer 2022
Packed in larger Away carryon with front pocket
3 cotton pants -khaki, army green, black
3 short sleeve blouses - white
3 dressy blouses- two white, one black Tuxedo shirt, Escalade ruffle, and linen tunic
4 T shirts - two white, one black and one pink
9 underpants
I tank top
1 slip
3 regular bras
1 sports bra
3 pairs of socks
2 very light cardigans - cream and black
1 light jacket- cream
1 kaftan
1 parro - Julia Amory
2 shorts. - khaki and army green
3 dresses - white shift, two maxi
3 pair of leggings
2 bathing suits
2 pairs of sandals
1 sun hat
2 plastic fun necklaces
Baby pillow (I go everywhere with my pillow, always in a patterned pillow case so it doesn’t get left behind)
I foldable shopping bag
Plane attire
stretchy jeans
White blouse
White cashmere sweater
Sneakers
Personal item back - T. Anthony tote from The Real Real
Passport
wallet
cross body bag - Parker Thatch Mimi bag
glasses/contacts (lots of all)
tech bag with charger
Baggy of minimal toiletries
Make up
Inhalers
Needlepoint
Journal and favorite pen
1 paperback on Italian culture
iPad
Phone
Needlepoint and tiny scissors
