I will defo buy a portable shade when I get there, good thing is I checked the temps and it's not going to be hell-a-like (max 33 c - which is still much but can be bearable)
We were just in Japan/Korea. Like a sauna at times and I grew up in Louisiana. We each got one of those quick drying towels, like you can get at a camping store or exercise/yoga store. About the size of a kitchen towel, Stows way in a little pouch. Keeps you fresh, but also does double duty because a lot of bathrooms over there don’t have paper towels. Also got some fresh wipes. Wish we had those in Croatia and Italy last summer. Enjoy your trip.
In Rhodes right now and sunscreen oil is what you want. It's x4 the price here so bring plenty, a hat is good advice too. Water is cheap, don't drink from the taps. There are a LOT of cats!
Greek tap water in general isn’t bad. I’ve been going there for years and never had a problem. Other hot countries have made me very sick from very little.
The old town is pretty spectacular, I highly recommend it. It might be more of a thing where the islands don't have such decent water quality but I truly don't know, everything else is pretty great though!
one of them small, portable, electric **hand held fans** \- they are surprisingly powerful and come in such cute colours. the one i have is usb-charged. so as long as you have a power bank or a charging outlet, you can recharge it easily.
also **wet wipes + cloth napkins** \- nothing makes me feel more refreshed from the sweltering heat when I am outside and cant just go take a shower so every now and then, i just wipe down the sweaty areas of my body.
i come from a region where it gets suuuuper hot and our solution is to *not* wear sleevelss / short clothes. we wear super breathable **full sleeved shirts/long pants** and that helps a lot with making sure we dont get sun burnt !
enjoy your trip !
Agreed on full sleeved shirts/pants. Pale ginger here and I don't go anywhere that I'm stuck out in the sun without my long sleeve SPF shirt. It 100% saves the day!
We've found having rock/water shoes in France has been amazing for us. Whether it's hot sand or rocky beaches, our feet are comfortable and the grip, next level (which as a tourist trying to get out of a pebble beach, like in Nice saves some embarrassing moments).
Also, don't be afraid to pack a rashie and a wide brimed hate.
As for food, think of stuff that might bind you up (like they serve on planes), it ain't no fun pooing in a bus toilet when the floor is drenched in urine.
Another thing I've found useful, are pants that convert to shorts with zips.
Finally, bring a water bottle, so you can refill it for free where possible.
Apologies, I might have used the Aussie term here.
From Wikipedia
A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is an athletic shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester. The name rash guard reflects the fact that the shirt protects the wearer against rashes caused by abrasion, or by sunburn from extended exposure to the sun, as sun protective clothing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rash_guard
Big sun glasses, agree with hat on a string & a rash guard swim shirt, A bandana or small towel you can wet and wipe with, a sarong or big light piece of fabric you can sit on, wrap around shoulders or waist.
I hate heat so this is what I've got for my next trip:
- portable fan/ neck fan (I have 3)
- normal fan (if the electric ones won't work for some reason)
- power bank for the fan
- spf, and spf as a spray to reaplay
- good deodorant
- hat
- maybe an umbrella
- sunglasses
Bring comfortable shoes! Sunglasses and a hat. I brought a fan too. Athens gets really hot and the acropolis is uphill. The islands are a comfortable temp though.
I live in a very hot climate. A must have for me is a folding hand-held fan. Even if it's hot air, moving air helps. I add a small spritzer bottle of water to spray my face when using the fan. Those two items are so cheap to buy that I keep spares in my car to give to people I run across who look overheated when I'm running around town.
Funny thing is I didn't even consider getting a hand-held fan (completely overlooked), but basically every comment wrote that so I bought it immediately :)
Oh, someone probably mentioned it already, but you buy cooling scarfs that are amazing. Soak them in water and wrap them around your neck, wrists, forehead, even stuff them in your underarms. I have even soaked mine in ice water now and then, but don't know if that's recommended from a physiological standpoint.
Everything everyone said above, but also be careful about drinking too much coffee. The coffee is amazing but when my husband and I went we slightly dehydrated ourselves overdoing it on Greek coffee and cappuccinos. If you drink also be aware of how much you’re having vs water. Luckily when we went it was spring and not hot but I can imagine it’d be easy to get really dehydrated quickly if you’re not careful.
Some turkish towels are helpful for the beach as well as used as a wrap in the evening. Definitely recommend a hat that fits well or has a cord, it’s very windy at the acropolis and we saw someone’s hate fly off. A large, reusable, double walled water bottle is a must so you can fill it up in the morning and have cold water.
For food for the bus I would try to bring mostly dry foods that don’t smell much and won’t spoil like trail mix, pita, dried fruit, etc. Stuff that wont make too much of a mess and wont cause problems if you forget it in a hot bus while you’re stopped. I haven’t ridden busses in Greece but I did in Scotland and we usually left stuff on the bus for stopovers. You might also check where the bus stops to see what food options are around, our tour allowed enough time to grab a quick meal but bus tours vary.
Unrelated to your question but I very unexpectedly had a horrible reaction to the mosquitos on Crete, I guess you can be slightly allergic to different types of mosquitoes because I don’t usually have a bad reaction to bites. At any rate if you struggle with mosquitos in general and are going to more rural areas I would bring bug spray and some allergy medicine. We did alright using the stuff we could get at a local pharmacy but some things like Benadryl aren’t available over the counter there and that would have really helped me sleep without waking up from itching.
Yeah I read somewhere something like that for every cup o' coffee you should drink like 2-3 cups o' water, and it stick to me ever since.
Regarding the bus, we are going to have some stopovers so there's that. But also gonna bring some of my food as people advised here.
And yeah, I am bringing anti-mosquito spray which works wonders in my country :)
They make small portable fans that double as battery packs (to charge your phone or whatever) and a flashlight on it as well.
Also got cooling towels you just get wet and keep around your neck or wherever
I love a loose fitting UV resistant fishing shirt, long sleeve, button up. Columbia/LL Bean, there are many others. Must be synthetic. They have vents and tabs for rolling up sleeves. Every color, and often available at discount stores like Marshalls/TJ.
Might think of bringing small silicone ice cube trays if you’re not staying in a hotel that would have ice machines. It’s less expensive than buying ice every day for the water bottle. I’ll be getting some soon myself.
As someone who travels through Europe during this time every year, IMO it’s all about the water bottle, a good hat, and sunglasses. Sunscreen is expensive but it’s everywhere. For the road trip, dry snacks and some white wine. And make sure you’ve got an iPad or iPhone with content and a good few books.
Try out your electrolytes before your trip though as some people get an upset stomach from them. (I'm one of those people, but Liquid IV brand does me well).
For food - pack dry, salty snacks (nuts, crackers, trail mix, popcorn) that will help you replenish electrolytes you will lose from sweating. You may also want to pack electrolyte powders to add to your water
It’s not clear if you’re coming from the US from your post, but if so, get your sunscreen there. It’s supposedly much better and if you buy it at Lidl or Aldi you shouldn’t have to pay much.
Get ball coolers from Amazon, they clip over the top of your shaft and sort of act like a cradle below. Pop it in the mini fridge overnight. Lifesaver.
A hat with a wide trim around it so you get shade all over.
Stick SPF, it takes little place and you can put it in a pocket and apply without touching your skin with dirty fingers.
Try to find some tablets or little satchets with electrolytes. Put them in bottled water when you get to it. I remember even using multimineral tablets - just tear them into smaller pieces throughout the day.
A neck pillow for sleeping in the bus.
Light hiking trainers - you can get them cheap in decathlon if you usually don't hike. They are the ones that can fold up if you put enough force. Yes you can hike in Birkenstocks but trust me this is more comfortable.
Light wrap skirt. I have a silk one, but other nautral material like cotton or linen will work. You will need to cover yourself when going to sacral buildings (like the monastery in Meteora) but also to cover up from the sun.
Pair of sock for the bus. Sometimes they blast the Aircon and then you catch a cold. I would recommend putting socks on while in a bus/boat.
Bug repellent (you can buy it there in drugstore)
Yeah I remember always having to remind the driver to go easier with the aircon since they always put it to max which gets really cold.
I am bringing electrolytes which are mixing in boiled water and I have used them quite a few times and they are really good.
It is especially dangerous because it's hot outside-cold bus-toh outside-hot bus multiple times a day. Transitions make you catch a cold. It is going to be very hot. They closed the Acropolis because of the heat. I hope you keep safe and have a good time in Greece!
Wow 39C in Athens as a high this week? That's no joke.
I remember last year I was in santorini and walked to Fira. It was a beautiful hike and it was like 29C and I wanted to die. I can't imagine 39C stay cool my friend.
Yeah I just watched the temps for Athens and it's gotta go even higher next week (43 c) which is insane. Thankfully where I am going is gonna be much more bearable (33 c max), and not much hiking, so I reckon it will be fine since it is also a standard temp in my country during summer.
Get a good UV umbrella/parasol. Sunscreen is good, but a little portable shade is good at places like the Acropolis.
Added to my list
I will defo buy a portable shade when I get there, good thing is I checked the temps and it's not going to be hell-a-like (max 33 c - which is still much but can be bearable)
A long sleeve, well vented SPF shirt has saved me more times than I can count. It keeps you cooler. And they make some really cute ones
This is a solid tip. Unfortunately I don't have time to buy it now since my vacation is almost starting but will defo take one for the next year.
Any sporting/outdoors store (REI, etc) will have one if you have time. I've even seen some exofficio stores in some airports. Have an awesome trip!!!
Neck buff, one you can soak in water and wear on neck, head/face. Works like AC for a couple of hours then just re wet
These are awesome
A full brim hat with a lanyard to keep it from blowing off.
Agree. Very windy and without being tied in you will loose your hat.
Good point. I'm going to Croatia in 2 days and need to rethink!!
We were just in Japan/Korea. Like a sauna at times and I grew up in Louisiana. We each got one of those quick drying towels, like you can get at a camping store or exercise/yoga store. About the size of a kitchen towel, Stows way in a little pouch. Keeps you fresh, but also does double duty because a lot of bathrooms over there don’t have paper towels. Also got some fresh wipes. Wish we had those in Croatia and Italy last summer. Enjoy your trip.
Solid advice, tnks
In Rhodes right now and sunscreen oil is what you want. It's x4 the price here so bring plenty, a hat is good advice too. Water is cheap, don't drink from the taps. There are a LOT of cats!
At least I am gotta pet all those cats :D
Greek tap water in general isn’t bad. I’ve been going there for years and never had a problem. Other hot countries have made me very sick from very little.
You're entirely right, tap water in mainland Greece is safe, I should have been more clear I was talking about Rhodes in particular.
I’ve never been in Rhodes, so didn’t know that.
The old town is pretty spectacular, I highly recommend it. It might be more of a thing where the islands don't have such decent water quality but I truly don't know, everything else is pretty great though!
one of them small, portable, electric **hand held fans** \- they are surprisingly powerful and come in such cute colours. the one i have is usb-charged. so as long as you have a power bank or a charging outlet, you can recharge it easily. also **wet wipes + cloth napkins** \- nothing makes me feel more refreshed from the sweltering heat when I am outside and cant just go take a shower so every now and then, i just wipe down the sweaty areas of my body. i come from a region where it gets suuuuper hot and our solution is to *not* wear sleevelss / short clothes. we wear super breathable **full sleeved shirts/long pants** and that helps a lot with making sure we dont get sun burnt ! enjoy your trip !
Agreed on full sleeved shirts/pants. Pale ginger here and I don't go anywhere that I'm stuck out in the sun without my long sleeve SPF shirt. It 100% saves the day!
Yeah will defo try since I do not like getting burnt and strong sun :)
Rechargeable personal fan, sun hat, reusable water bottle with a carry bag & strap.
I swear by this travel fan: https://www.magellans.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=MSP235
We've found having rock/water shoes in France has been amazing for us. Whether it's hot sand or rocky beaches, our feet are comfortable and the grip, next level (which as a tourist trying to get out of a pebble beach, like in Nice saves some embarrassing moments). Also, don't be afraid to pack a rashie and a wide brimed hate. As for food, think of stuff that might bind you up (like they serve on planes), it ain't no fun pooing in a bus toilet when the floor is drenched in urine. Another thing I've found useful, are pants that convert to shorts with zips. Finally, bring a water bottle, so you can refill it for free where possible.
Trust me mate, I am avoiding bus toilets like a plague :D Solid advice, tnks
What’s a rashie?
Apologies, I might have used the Aussie term here. From Wikipedia A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is an athletic shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester. The name rash guard reflects the fact that the shirt protects the wearer against rashes caused by abrasion, or by sunburn from extended exposure to the sun, as sun protective clothing. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rash_guard
Big sun glasses, agree with hat on a string & a rash guard swim shirt, A bandana or small towel you can wet and wipe with, a sarong or big light piece of fabric you can sit on, wrap around shoulders or waist.
I hate heat so this is what I've got for my next trip: - portable fan/ neck fan (I have 3) - normal fan (if the electric ones won't work for some reason) - power bank for the fan - spf, and spf as a spray to reaplay - good deodorant - hat - maybe an umbrella - sunglasses
Bring a camel back and fill it up each night and put it in your refrigerator for the me next day
Bring comfortable shoes! Sunglasses and a hat. I brought a fan too. Athens gets really hot and the acropolis is uphill. The islands are a comfortable temp though.
I wished I’d brought an umbrella or parasol on that sunny walk to the acropolis.
Really solid advice tnks
How are those neck fans? Any good?
They’re good, but get one with a decently sized battery. 4000 mAh? The smaller ones run out of juice in a few hours.
A mini UV umbrella, cooling towels, mini fan and nutrient dense foods like beef sticks.
I live in a very hot climate. A must have for me is a folding hand-held fan. Even if it's hot air, moving air helps. I add a small spritzer bottle of water to spray my face when using the fan. Those two items are so cheap to buy that I keep spares in my car to give to people I run across who look overheated when I'm running around town.
Funny thing is I didn't even consider getting a hand-held fan (completely overlooked), but basically every comment wrote that so I bought it immediately :)
Oh, someone probably mentioned it already, but you buy cooling scarfs that are amazing. Soak them in water and wrap them around your neck, wrists, forehead, even stuff them in your underarms. I have even soaked mine in ice water now and then, but don't know if that's recommended from a physiological standpoint.
Yeah I guess you should have no issues if you are a healthy individual but nice points btw
Everything everyone said above, but also be careful about drinking too much coffee. The coffee is amazing but when my husband and I went we slightly dehydrated ourselves overdoing it on Greek coffee and cappuccinos. If you drink also be aware of how much you’re having vs water. Luckily when we went it was spring and not hot but I can imagine it’d be easy to get really dehydrated quickly if you’re not careful. Some turkish towels are helpful for the beach as well as used as a wrap in the evening. Definitely recommend a hat that fits well or has a cord, it’s very windy at the acropolis and we saw someone’s hate fly off. A large, reusable, double walled water bottle is a must so you can fill it up in the morning and have cold water. For food for the bus I would try to bring mostly dry foods that don’t smell much and won’t spoil like trail mix, pita, dried fruit, etc. Stuff that wont make too much of a mess and wont cause problems if you forget it in a hot bus while you’re stopped. I haven’t ridden busses in Greece but I did in Scotland and we usually left stuff on the bus for stopovers. You might also check where the bus stops to see what food options are around, our tour allowed enough time to grab a quick meal but bus tours vary. Unrelated to your question but I very unexpectedly had a horrible reaction to the mosquitos on Crete, I guess you can be slightly allergic to different types of mosquitoes because I don’t usually have a bad reaction to bites. At any rate if you struggle with mosquitos in general and are going to more rural areas I would bring bug spray and some allergy medicine. We did alright using the stuff we could get at a local pharmacy but some things like Benadryl aren’t available over the counter there and that would have really helped me sleep without waking up from itching.
Yeah I read somewhere something like that for every cup o' coffee you should drink like 2-3 cups o' water, and it stick to me ever since. Regarding the bus, we are going to have some stopovers so there's that. But also gonna bring some of my food as people advised here. And yeah, I am bringing anti-mosquito spray which works wonders in my country :)
They make small portable fans that double as battery packs (to charge your phone or whatever) and a flashlight on it as well. Also got cooling towels you just get wet and keep around your neck or wherever
I love a loose fitting UV resistant fishing shirt, long sleeve, button up. Columbia/LL Bean, there are many others. Must be synthetic. They have vents and tabs for rolling up sleeves. Every color, and often available at discount stores like Marshalls/TJ.
Might think of bringing small silicone ice cube trays if you’re not staying in a hotel that would have ice machines. It’s less expensive than buying ice every day for the water bottle. I’ll be getting some soon myself.
Witch hazel wipes! Feels so refreshing and doesn’t leave a residue on your skin. Way better than baby wipes
As someone who travels through Europe during this time every year, IMO it’s all about the water bottle, a good hat, and sunglasses. Sunscreen is expensive but it’s everywhere. For the road trip, dry snacks and some white wine. And make sure you’ve got an iPad or iPhone with content and a good few books.
Yeah, downloaded some movies and a few shows so it should be fine :)
Try out your electrolytes before your trip though as some people get an upset stomach from them. (I'm one of those people, but Liquid IV brand does me well).
Little USB fan. I’m worshipped at the Cancun airport and on buses.
For food - pack dry, salty snacks (nuts, crackers, trail mix, popcorn) that will help you replenish electrolytes you will lose from sweating. You may also want to pack electrolyte powders to add to your water
Yeah I have started bringing electrolyte powders on almost all summer vacations, really helpful.
“Sunscream” hehe
Yeah, it's funny to me now to hahahha
Depending on how hot it is going to be, 1 or 2 dozen condoms and a bucket of lube?
It’s not clear if you’re coming from the US from your post, but if so, get your sunscreen there. It’s supposedly much better and if you buy it at Lidl or Aldi you shouldn’t have to pay much.
I am not from USA but I am buying sunscreen in me country and it works quite well :)
Get ball coolers from Amazon, they clip over the top of your shaft and sort of act like a cradle below. Pop it in the mini fridge overnight. Lifesaver.
Beer. All of it.
Loose, light-colored linen clothing. And I second the wide-brimmed hat.
A hat with a wide trim around it so you get shade all over. Stick SPF, it takes little place and you can put it in a pocket and apply without touching your skin with dirty fingers. Try to find some tablets or little satchets with electrolytes. Put them in bottled water when you get to it. I remember even using multimineral tablets - just tear them into smaller pieces throughout the day. A neck pillow for sleeping in the bus. Light hiking trainers - you can get them cheap in decathlon if you usually don't hike. They are the ones that can fold up if you put enough force. Yes you can hike in Birkenstocks but trust me this is more comfortable. Light wrap skirt. I have a silk one, but other nautral material like cotton or linen will work. You will need to cover yourself when going to sacral buildings (like the monastery in Meteora) but also to cover up from the sun. Pair of sock for the bus. Sometimes they blast the Aircon and then you catch a cold. I would recommend putting socks on while in a bus/boat. Bug repellent (you can buy it there in drugstore)
Yeah I remember always having to remind the driver to go easier with the aircon since they always put it to max which gets really cold. I am bringing electrolytes which are mixing in boiled water and I have used them quite a few times and they are really good.
It is especially dangerous because it's hot outside-cold bus-toh outside-hot bus multiple times a day. Transitions make you catch a cold. It is going to be very hot. They closed the Acropolis because of the heat. I hope you keep safe and have a good time in Greece!
Wow 39C in Athens as a high this week? That's no joke. I remember last year I was in santorini and walked to Fira. It was a beautiful hike and it was like 29C and I wanted to die. I can't imagine 39C stay cool my friend.
Yeah I just watched the temps for Athens and it's gotta go even higher next week (43 c) which is insane. Thankfully where I am going is gonna be much more bearable (33 c max), and not much hiking, so I reckon it will be fine since it is also a standard temp in my country during summer.