Rhodes in June, MOTB seeks minimal wardrobe tips

[YourWinter]

Away for a week for DD’s wedding in Lindos, all staying in 4* AI hotel, plus young grandchildren (I’m the only single). I’m an inexperienced traveller, never been anywhere hot, and I’m a camping type unused to hotels. I haven’t planned my outfit but hope to take only cabin luggage, flight is with Tui and I need a travel case.

Worrying about the heat but realistically for a AI holiday what needs to go on my shopping list? I won’t be swimming and if it’s up in the 30s I’ll stay in my room!

Loose, floaty dresses are your best bet. I was on holiday in Rhodes last year and it was a consistent 30+C every day for the week. The temperature only dropped about a few degrees at night. Air conditioning is your best friend. The hear is dry heat with very little humidity and natural fabrics rather than poly cotton are better.

I wore shorts and a linen t-shirt and a couple of loose dresses. Sun hat, shades and SPF are non-negotiable.

Loose cotton clothes, a good sunhat, sunglasses, sun cream and one of those hand held fans. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Oh, lots of nice cool drinks!

I'd struggle to go away for a week with cabin luggage but I appreciate everyone is different.

if I was going away for a week, for a wedding, and was trying to streamline things as much as possible, my minimums would be:
7 knickers
Couple of bras
Wedding outfit (maybe specific underwear for that, too?)
Couple pairs of shoes; comfies and wedding shoes
A few other outfits for through the week; e.g. floaty dress, loose trousers, 2 t-shirts, 2 shorts
Toiletries
Beach towel - you said no swimming but what about just sitting by the pool?

I'd struggle to get all that in a cabin bag but I realise someone people have really mastered the art of streamlining their luggage and/or packing it in some Tetris-like way

I’m going last week of May op

im taking a few pairs of shorts and loose linen type floaty tops, bikinis x2,a couple of playsuits ,some sturdy shoes that il fly in and a pair of croc sandals that are sturdy but cool.
il also wear a cardi type thing on the flight which will double up for evenings if its still chilly.
this week currently they have rain and thunder but from next week its looking early twenties.

I'd really struggle to do cabin luggage only for a week, particularly if you need a wedding outfit too. Does your flight not include a hold bag?

Check if you hotel provides beach/pool towels? even if you don't intend to swim you'll need one for a sun lounger or you might want to get in the pool just to cool off.

My packing list would be:
wedding outfit & shoes, handbag etc

underwear
PJ's / nightie (short and light)

toiletries / make up
medication

swimwear
sarong / cover-up type thing
flipflops
beach / pool towel
big pegs to clip towel to sun lounger (they're a few quid on Amazon)
sunglasses (pack them in your handbag for when you get off the plane)
sunhat
suncream
aftersun
a bag you can use to take towel, book etc down to the pool (could double up as your small item of hand luggage)

book or kindle to read by the pool / on the flight
pack of playing cards or something like Uno
crossword / puzzle book if you're into that sort of thing
ipad with something downloaded to watch on the flight and headphones
chargers for anything electronic
plug adaptor
check your mobile phone data roaming charges so you don't get stung!

a couple of dresses for the evenings or cropped trousers and a top type outfit
a couple of cardigans or sweatshirt / hoodie as it can get cool in the evenings
sandals for evenings

shorts and t-shirts / vest tops for going to breakfast in the hotel, sightseeing etc
a pair of trainers / pumps for sightseeing - wear these on the plane to travel in

a small over the shoulder or cross body bag to put your passport etc in at the airport and use in the hotel at meal times so you don't have to leave valuables on the table when you go to the buffet. Make sure it fits in your hand luggage baggage allowance though if you use it as an extra item around the airport.

Thank you, I thought I could swish some clothes in the shower and not have to take outfits for every day, and can the hotel towel be taken out of the room? I do have a thin sports towel otherwise. Handheld fan is a great idea, I wear baseball caps and beanies so choosing a sunhat will be as hilarious as trying to find a cool (as in temperature) pretty dress and shoes! Might just wear Birkenstocks and hope nobody looks at my feet.

Oh wow, I’m going to print this list, thank you so much.

I didn’t book hold luggage but it includes a small case for the overhead locker plus an under seat bag, I have a little cross-body bag big enough for phone, passport, paracetamol, tissue and lipsalve.

The wedding outfit just has to roll up small!

also check the expiry date on your passport as you need longer on them now that we're not in the EU.
I have a credit card that doesn't charge me to use abroad - although you're going AI you might still have some additional charges such as drinks or ice creams so check what your bank charges for card use abroad. I would take a small amount of Euros for tips or if you get the bus out anywhere.
Any liquids or gels in your hand luggage need to be 100ml or less and no more than 1litre in total. Take moisturiser and lipbalm in your hand luggage.
You can take an empty water bottle through security and there's usually water fountains at the airport once you get airside. Take water and snacks for the flight as they cost £££££ onboard!
Birkenstocks would be fine for evenings.
Buy a guidebook if you don't want to be stuck in the resort all week. Lonely Planet are good.

My passport expires March 2028, I only renewed it because a job application required one, though I never expected to go abroad again. I have just got a GHIC card and will do travel insurance too.

How much should I take in Euros? 100, or more? There are three DGS under 8 staying in the same hotel. I use Apple Pay here, I’d better take a credit card as well but I don’t think I’ll need to buy much. How do the taxis prefer to be paid?

you need travel insurance NOW not the day before you go. If you've already booked and fell ill or had an accident or something else happened that meant you couldn't travel, you'd have no insurance to fall back on!

its worth noting that most AI hotels are outside of Lindos village and you will likely want to go in. Id budget plenty for taxis if the hotel doesn’t provide a shuttle bus. maybe someone in the wedding party can pack your outfit? But I’d be cautious as you still can’t take liquids in hand luggage over 100 mls - worth having a think about what you are taking

The hotel is in Kiatori (?), I really hate heat and it may be in the mid-30s, so I don’t plan on going out and about, and apart from a taxi to the 5pm ceremony and evening party in Lindos it’s quite possible I won’t leave the hotel. I know I’m being grouchy, all the other guests are sun-worshippers who love summer holidays, but it’s all way outside my comfort zone!

what would you normally do on holiday? It might not be as hot as you fear and it's a drier heat in places like that rather than the humid heat we get at home when the temperatures rise. I'd make the most of it while you're there, you sound very negative about it all and you've already decided you're going to hate it! Get out early in the morning or later in the day as the sun sets and explore what's around if you don't like lying on a sunbed all day.

The best way to deal with heat is to get in the pool. Why are you so determined not to swim?

And I will reiterate that you need to take out travel insurance NOW

This would be my day:

Morning shower - hair in a pony tail
Apply all your sunscreen then get dressed:
Bikini, cover-up, flip-flops, sunglasses.
You also need a day bag for your book and your sunscreen for top ups and a baseball cap for reading. And phone/ AirPods. I take a chilli’s bottle and pour bottles mineral water and ice into it to keep it cool.

Go to breakfast

Lie out on a sun lounger for the day. Stay in the same outfit for lunch.

6:00pm come back to your room. Get showered and wash your hair.
Get made up and put on a sundress and some flat sandals to go down for dinner. You’ll also want a clutch for your phone.
You’ll likely want strapless bras under your sundresses.
An alternative to a sundress for the evening is a strappy/ cami/ sleeveless top and linen trousers.

I have four bikinis and I bring a little bottle of Persil to wash them out.
I have enough cover ups to have a fresh one every day

I travel in t-shirt, lightweight joggers/ yoga leggings, denim jacket and a cashmere wrap/scarf (which you can use when you’re away if it gets chilly) and white trainers.

^ having said all of this, this presumes you’ll have nice weather. Check the forecast and see if you need to bring some warmer items.

Have a super holiday!

PS you don’t need to be in the sun - lie under the shade of a parasol.
Also I find it a bit cooler on the beach than by the pool as you sometimes get a bit of a breeze.
Dip in the water to cool off

Linen dresses for evening. Day time you need a couple of sundresses, bikini. Flip flops underwear. I only ever take cabin luggage. It's fine. Nice floaty dress for the wedding with nice flat shoes (you can wear on the beach if that's where the wedding is being held

Are the parents of the grandchildren going to expect you to lend a hand (or more) with the children?

Bring sundresses in cotton, a cotton pool cover up (a long, loose peasant shirt style), and sandals. You might feel your bedroom is a bit on the cool side if the resort has AC - a long sleeved pajamas might be comfortable. For indoors dining, a very light cardigan might be comfortable too.

I recommend a light polyester or rayon dress for the wedding itself. It won't need ironing or steaming, and sweat dries quickly out of synthetics.

Sunglasses are a must, as is a sun hat, and of course your makeup will need to be sunscreen friendly and account for the stronger light.

Was on Rhodes last week. I only used euros in a local shop and to tip. Cards accepted everywhere....even on the beach at Lindos where a lounger with umbrella was 20 euros.

I too don't cope with heat but getting into water helps so much. If you don't want to burn or expose a lot of flesh, I wear a rash guard top in the water. Don't miss out on fun with the DGC!

I would do an online order for boots to collect after security at the airport- no way would the tiny plastic bag hold enough suncream for me for a week!

Thanks for all the helpful ideas, loads that I would never have thought of.

I’m travelling with my other DD and family, they will have space in their hold luggage and she said anything I can’t fit in mine can go in their cases!