Croatia & Slovenia Packing List

Suggested Packing List for Croatia & Slovenia Tours

Since we will be moving almost every day you will want to travel light.  I suggest bringing one carry on bag and a backpack, so no luggage you need to check.  You will not need more than that. You will be carrying your bags in and out of the van and into hotels so be able to move/carry them yourselves.

Any additional luggage for any other travel can be left in a separate duffle bag in the van (so please bring an extra duffle/bag for this purpose if you need it).

It is “OK” to wear the same clothes more than once!  Just pack more socks and underwear. (I travel full time and I have experimented with this extensively, and amazingly jeans and shorts and socks did not catch fire or explode or disintegrate when I wore them more than once, or even twice…)   Check out this cool clothing line and the video about a guy that started the company who wears the same Merino wool shirt for over 40+ days –  www.unboundmerino.com

I have daypacks for walks and excursions for everyone, water bottles and trekking poles (really not necessary on this trip).  I also have plenty of warm jackets if it is chilly, and extra rain jackets. Most of the walks are less than three hours so no need to carry much.

Tip – when you get to Europe give the hotel the clothes you wore on the flight over to wash so you have another set of clean clothes for the C & S tour.  Since you will not need to check any luggage you will have all extra clothes with you, but I usually pack an extra t.shirt, socks and underwear in my backpack, and bring an additional layer or two if it is cooler on the flight over.

Tip – yoga type outfits that are popular these days are great for women to wear during this trip.

Tip – Shorts are reasonable attire during the day, but not so much in the evenings in Europe.

So, with that being one set of clothing (on the flight), you really only need two other sets of clothing.  I suggest practice packing the weekend before you leave and then think about it during the week so you have time to take things off the pile, or add to it, or go shopping for anything missing – OR – why not just pack less and buy anything you might need along the way, or a cool (and inexpensive) T-shirt from Croatia for gosh sake…and it’s a wearable souvenir.

Most people pack too much when they pack at the last minute and do not have time to really “think” about what they will really need.  That is why I suggest laying it all out ahead of time. I have extra’s of most things, so no need to pack something “just in case”… Another idea is as things get dirty and unwearable leave them behind for the room cleaners.  I know people who travel with older clothing and just leave items behind as they go…kinda cool!

For those that say, “I have to travel with more luggage”… think about it, you do not really “have to” – you just think you do…
Think of packing this way:
• Something to wear on the flight over (and an extra layer if it gets cold.
• Something to wear in the car each day and being ready to hike, bike, explore or whatever, with a warmer layer (same one you had for the flight) handy if you need it.
• Something to sleep in (or not).
• Something to wear if you want to swim (or not, they big into naturalism in Croatia!)
• Something for more athletic activities, like shorts and t.shirts, yoga/gym type wear.
• Something casual/nicer to wear out at night, with maybe one even “nicer” outfit.

So, separate from your clothes you will travel in to Europe, you should pack:

For men:
1 – additional long pants
1 – 2 shorts
4 – 6 pairs of underwear
1 – swimsuit (and maybe a pair of flip flops or water shoes if you think you would use them).
3-4 Polo type/short sleeve shirts (a collar in the evenings with long pants is our suggestion)
3 – 4 T. shirts
A warmer layer or two like a long sleeve t.shirt, fleece jacket, and/or puffy down jacket or vest.
4-6 pairs of socks, some for walking during the day and some for evening wear for in the towns.
Comfortable walking/athletic shoes (you DO NOT need hiking boots on this trip).
A nicer pair of comfortable shoes to wear in the evenings (same ones you wore on the flight).
Baseball or sun hat, and sunglasses
Lightweight rain jacket
PJ’s

For women:
1 – additional long pants
1 – 2 shorts or yoga pants
1 – long sleeve wicking shirt for hiking (and protection from the sun)
4 – 6 pairs of underwear
1 – swimsuit and one pair of flip flops (I travel with an old pair and leave them behind)
1 -2 nice outfits for dinners and evenings out

A warmer layer or two like a long sleeve t.shirt, fleece jacket, and/or puffy down jacket or vest.
4-6 pairs of socks, some for walking during the day and some for evening wear for in the towns.
Comfortable walking/athletic shoes (you DO NOT need hiking boots on this trip).
A nicer pair of comfortable shoes to wear in the evenings (same ones you wore on the flight).
Baseball or sun hat, and sunglasses
Lightweight rain jacket
PJ’s

Additional items for everyone:
Travel adaptor (for Europe, you can buy at the airport when you depart)
Mobile phone (with an international calling and data plan so we can stay in contact during the trip via texts or WhatsApp).  (For everyone’s enjoyment and to be more “in the moment” – we kindly ask that you do not use your phone during group meal breaks – unless it is to show photos from our trip).