What to pack for Sicily in May

UV index hits 10.6 in May, high enough to burn exposed skin in under 15 minutes.

Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.

Glare off the coast and 14 hours of daylight strain unprotected eyes.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Island travel means distance to a pharmacy if a minor cut or sting becomes infected.

This country runs on Type C, F or L. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Daylight stretches to 14 hours, so phones and cameras drain faster than at home.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins on regional flights to the island are small, so checked bags cost extra.

Day trips by boat or bus mean a pack for water, sunscreen, and a light jacket.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Heat and wind at 17 km/h dry sweat fast, so moisture-wicking fabric keeps skin from chafing.

UV hits 10.6 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.

Seven rain days means sun exposure on the rest, and a wide brim shields face and neck.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Crowded ferries and markets on an island draw pickpockets.

Rental car pickups and airport crowds make bags a target for theft.

Five days between laundry days means clothes need to be sorted and rolled tight.

Coastal wind and sea spray soak bags, so phones need a waterproof layer.

Seven rain days leave clothes damp, so detergent lets you wash in the sink and rotate.

Ferry engines and airport noise disrupt rest before dawn departures.

Coastal waters at 17 C are cold but snorkeling from the shore is the main draw.

Rain, sea spray, and boat transfers soak gear, so a dry bag protects electronics and clothes.

Doubles as a towel, a scarf, and a cover-up where one's expected.

Wind accelerates moisture loss from lips, which then crack and peel.

Tap water is safe, but hands touch money, railings, and rental equipment all day.

One outlet per room forces choices about what charges first.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

International travel requires the passport close at hand, not buried in luggage.

Shared guesthouses and airport baggage systems need locks to discourage casual theft.

Humidity at 64 percent means toiletries stay organized and dry in a hanging bag.

Long flights to the island and early ferries mean sleep on the move.