What to pack for The Greek Islands in December

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.

Water reflects light even on overcast December days.

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

Remote islands mean hours from medical care.

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

Nine hours of daylight drains devices faster than you'd expect.

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

Dark by 6:00pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Ten rain days means you pack layers, not a heavy coat.

Day trips to nearby islands need a separate small bag.

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.

Wind hits 28 km/h across open water and exposed paths.

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

Tap water is safe, so a bottle cuts plastic waste.

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.

Ferry terminals and crowded sites attract pickpockets.

Bag transfers between boats happen fast and bags get lost.

Damp salt air wrinkles clothes unless they stay compressed.

Humidity at 71 percent makes laundry dry slowly indoors.

Boat engines run all night on multi-island routes.

Coastal swimming is safe in December without stinger season.

Rain days flood ferries and daily excursions get wet.

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

UV index of 2.8 still burns lips during long daylight hours.

Guesthouses share surfaces with many travelers.

One outlet per room means cables matter more than at home.

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

Island-hopping requires your passport at each ferry.

Hostel lockers vary by guesthouse and quality.

Shower steam fogs mirrors and soaks everything on the counter.

Ferry cabins are loud and uncomfortable without support.