City break packing

I love city breaks but packing for them is worse than packing for any other kind of holiday.

I am going to Barcelona tomorrow and so I have been trying to pack this weekend.

It is stressing me out and these are my top 5 issues.....

1. Trying not to take too much stuff. Jet2's 10 kilo carry on allowance is just no good for a girl like me! So i am always happy to pay for and check in an extra case. But even the hand luggage is a nightmare as there is no way I would risk putting some of my shoes in the hold - so filling a handbag this size with all my stuff and a couple of pairs of designer shoes is always a challenge!

2. Estimating the weather and packing appropriately. 

Easy when going to Prague in January! You know it is likely to be below zero and likely to snow. So it's coats (yes plural, I am that bad), hats, gloves, scarves, big jumpers and warm boots........

Wrapping up in Prague

Also easy when going to Rome in the summer. It's going to be hot hot hot. So pack floaty dresses or skirts and try to pack strapless tops (don't forget a shawl if you want to visit a church - which can also double up as a picnic blanket, if you want to sit in a park)

Keeping cool in Rome

Not so easy for other city breaks when you can't anticipate the weather!

3. Appropriate footwear:

For the day, when running around a city this means flats (but not too flat) I took gold gladiator sandals to Rome. They were the only pair of flats I packed and I thought I was being so clever as they matched all my outfits. They were not cushioned at all and really not appropriate for hard core sight seeing 5 days in a row in the summer heat! Lesson learned - I now try to take a mix of flat sandals, ballet flats with some cushioning and even wedge heels.

For the night, I just want to be in my high heels. So I just make sure I book a hotel in the heart of the action so bars and restaurants are a totter away. When in cities like Paris and Berlin that have more than one "centre" this theory can not work, so you have to be prepared to tackle transport systems in sky high heels! 

Heels versus flats in Paris

4. Remembering the smaller details:

Belts and statement jewellery can make an outfit (but they can also be heavy to pack) and you also need to think about a coat or jacket that will go with everything.

Accessorising in Berlin

5. And don't even mention "What colour nail polish should I wear?"

See you all soon and no prizes for guessing what/ where my next post will be about.

Thank you for reading x

PS - despite the packing nightmares - I love city breaks!