Greek Evening and Swimsuit reminder

We are all scheduled to have an awesome time at the "Greek Evening" farewell dinner. Irene, our tour guide tells me that it is customary to wear light blue and white shirts?? I almost giggled out loud when I read this as I can't remember the last time I owned one or where to go buy this. I am thinking a white tank and blue shirt pulled over, unbuttoned is the way to go? Maybe not...anyway, in case you wanted to have an excuse to shop before the trip. Also, don't forget your swimsuits.

Hodgepodge... Time change/weather/cell phones

Greece is 8 hours ahead of us. So when we leave here on the 12th, we'll arrive in the evening of the 13th, for losing 8 hours on the time change. Not to worry, we gain it back on the last day there. We leave on the 21st, but arrive back in Houston after allll those hours of travel, on the 21st.

So when it's 8am here, it's 4pm there. Best time to call your family back home is in the evening after you've settled back in to your room at night. Even if it's late there, it will only be mid-day here.

The weather is projected to be a high of 91 and a low of 72. We will be getting a breeze off of the ocean near the hotels. This is a good thing!

**** note..be prepared to sleep in light clothing and/or to have to pay a small euro fee at night to have A/C at the hotels. We can run in to any sort of possibilities to no A/C (though these two hotels look like they have them..I will ask now) to paying 5 euros a night to have AC's that only cool your room to "just cool" to sleeping with the windows open (very common in Europe and a good way to get the best breeze/temp in your room. This is where your ear plugs come in handy.)

Phones in Europe in general: The best plan is an upgrade to your own cell service. If your phone or your cell phone company doesn't offer this, then you should look in to purchasing or renting a cheapie international phone that you can pay to have minutes on while you are there and then no charges when you return. EF tours offers this but you might be able to get better service elsewhere. Just be SURE that your phone works in Greece, Athens and the islands areas.

What do I wear?

The same thing you would wear here, EXCEPT when going into religious monuments, you have to have your shoulders covered and knees. In the summer time, they are less worried about tasteful shorts than they are about exposed shoulders/low cut shirts. Ladies, pack a pashmina (or buy one there??!!) to just throw in your bag and wrap around yourself when needed. We will only spend about 10% of our touring in religious monuments/churches.

Remember to pack light. Count the number of days and decide if there are shorts or shirts you can repeat. It's hot, so that may not be possible so think about lighter weight fabrics and shoes so your luggage isn't bogged down. 

Two pairs of comfy walking shoes (remember that the streets are uneaven/cobbled/old and we will be doing tons of walking) and a pair of flip flops (ones that can get wet would be best.) 

Try to be creative about how you could dress up a walking around outfit so that we can slide in to a little bit nicer eating place in the evening (akin to some place like the Olive Garden, etc...not too fancy but not fast food, either.)

Don't forget your sunglasses and some sunscreen! We will need both, each day. 

Packing Packing Packing, Rawwwhide!

** For any questions not answered here, please go to www.lufthansa.com for the absolutely correct information. 

Here's what you can have in summation: 1 checked bag, 1 carry on, 1 personal bag (regular size back pack or purse type bag)

You may check ONE bag that cannot exceed 50lbs. You must have wheels on your bag. This will make sense as we travel and I can't imagine anyone not having wheels, but worth mentioning, just in case. If you don't have a luggage scale, simply get on the scales and weigh yourself. Then pick up your packed luggage and weigh yourself. If it's more than a 50lb difference, you need to unpack some stuff. 

You may carry on one duffle size bag type "carry on" (NOT a second piece of rolling luggage that is classified "carry on." This is an EF tours regulation due to bus baggage limitations) and one personal bag like a purse. 

Here's how the pro's do this...(remember that you always come back with more than you take) take two pairs of your most comfy shoes. Don't go buy new ones, take the ones that area already your faves and broken in. Then include a pair of flip flops..again, broken in. Comfy. If one of these three pairs of shoes are near the end of their life, great...plan to toss them when packing to return here. When going over, pack a thin duffle, backpack or your personal type carry on, in to your checked bag. This would mean you are checking ONE bag, carryon on ONE bag. Then you have a third bag you can carry on when you are returning. Plan for all of your souvenirs to fit into this bag. 

Carry On- what do you need for on the plane? Not a lot. Lufthansa will have newspapers, magazine, movies, radio, etc. Suggestions:

1. earphones- for movies, etc. on the plane

2. neck pillow (inflatable kind are great space savers)

3. ear plugs for silence (these are great in the hotel room too)

4. a good book

5. gum, protein bar or two

6. one of those disposable toothbrush packets (usually 3 in a package..GREAT after flying so many hours)

7. deodorant (same reason as above)

8. pair of socks if wearing flip flops (recommended for off and on shoe, less storage space under your seat, etc.)

9. refresher make up ladies.

10. small brush

Reminder about your liquids that need to go in a plastic bag, per Lufthansa:

Liquid and gel-based products such as healthcare products and cosmetics may be carried in hand luggage as long as they comply with the following regulations:

• Containers with liquids and similar products may contain up to 100 millilitres (the printed maximum quantity applies)
• All containers must be carried in a transparent resealable plastic bag (e.g. a so-called "zip-lock") with a maximum capacity of one litre
• One bag per person
• The bag must be presented separately at the security check

Remember that your luggage locks (recommended so you can also lock up your bags while left behind in the rooms) must be TSA approved. Just read the package.