Stepping out of Residence Blanche in Paris, jet-lagged, slightly confused, and crazily overdressed, the air smelt like croissants and early morning rain. Our first morning in Europe was in Paris, and although Paris glowed in that melancholy, cinematic manner, I shimmered in sweat—because I had on a wool coat in April.
Looking at me, half-amused and half-melted in his too-thick flannel, my spouse “This,” he said, “is how we learn.”
And oh, did we acquire knowledge?
This was not a journey just. This was our trip around Europe. Paris to Saint-Tropez, then meandering across the lavender slopes of Gordes, catching the air in Corsica, and ending in the little-known beauty of Wangerooge, Germany. Every place, our bags grew smaller, our packing more sensible, and our respect of hotel laundry grew stronger.
Let me guide you through the hotels that rescued our travel spirits, what we should have brought, and what we did pack.
Paris: Not Luggage; Layers
Arriving to Residence Blanche, which was situated close to Montmartre, we surrounded ourselves by butter, sugar, and yeast smelling bakeries. Like someone converted Amélie into an Airbnb, the hotel felt old with a contemporary touch. More than we would want to confess, we utilised a Nespresso machine, creaking wood flooring, and a little wrought-iron balcony.
We discovered here never to rely entirely on the weather app. Said to be “13°C and sunny,” it really meant “layers or die.”
Parisian packing advise:
Everybody in Paris sports a scarf. Warm, fashionable, tiny in your luggage.
Paris does not do puffers; she wears a thin trench coat. Be trendy but cosy.
Comfortable apartments: cobblestones will finish you. Keep stiletto shoes at home.
For pastries, a satchel that collapses. Constant for pastry.
Saint-Tropez: Dress for Decadence (but you should make it breezy).
A picture come to life in Saint-Tropez was Villa Sant-Anna. The home had all warm ochre walls, terracotta tiles, and linen drapes dancing with the breeze, and the air smelt jasmine and salt.
Lunch was champagne; we watched yachts bob in the harbour and soon discovered we had under-packed linen and overpacked evening attire.
Saint-Tropez packing recommendations:
Everything—pants, shirts, dresses—is made of linen. You are looking for breezy, airy.
You’ll blend in with the spadrilles.
One lovely evening dress: only one. Most of the glitz is daytime casual.
Swimsuit with cover-up: The poolside calls for your finest.
Pro hotel tip: Villa Sant-Anna charges kilowatt-hour laundry. Utilise it. Fresh clothing in 30°C heat feels better than anything else.
Grades: Dusty, Romantic, and Rustic
Gordes felt like a dream. Our lodging was Lou Mas Li Pitchoun, a rustic Provençal refuge with stone walls that became golden at twilight and lavender fields. It sounded like solitude disturbed only by the buzz of bees; it smelt like wild plants and fresh air.
Practicity rules here: The ground is uneven; the weather might switch; every supper becomes a wine-soaked romance.
Advice on packing for the Gordes
Good walking sandals: toe protection, arch support, dust-proof.
A broad-brimmed hat: The sun is beautiful and unrelenting.
Neutral layers: You want to pack light yet seem easy.
Under the stars, on windy evenings, a shawl or light jacket is perfect.
Corsica: Pack for Slow Days or Adventure
We landed three points in Corsica: U Sant’Agnellu, Torremare, Residence Isola Hotel. Every location presented a unique taste of Corsican life: U Sant’Agnellu was the spirit of Corsica encased in ancient stone and olive trees; Torremare was sea-wild and windy, Isola seemed sleek and sophisticated.
Corsica tasted woodland and sea, honey and salt. In the morning you climb; by afternoon you lay on the beach.
Corsica packing advice:
You’ll find yourself needing hiking trainers more than you might imagine.
Beach hopping is true, and a bikini dries fast.
Small rain jacket: Mediterranean conditions are erratic.
Corsica has fantastic tap water for a reusable water bottle.
Breakfast was fresh fig jam produced by U Sant’ Agnellu’s owner presented with goat cheese. Bring stretchable pants.
Notable too was our stay before the boat, Maison d’hôtes Bastia close to the harbour. Comfortable mattresses, robust air conditioning, and a staff as gold to watch your bags.
Wangerooge: German Beach Vibes and Whispering Windy Notes
Our baggage were less, our hearts richer, and our tolerance of sandy shoes was better by the time we arrived in Germany.
Our city stop was the handy, contemporary hotel NH Frankfurt Messe near the train station. The foyer smelt freshly made coffee, and our room had clean white linens and blackout curtains to provide much-needed peace. We utilised it as a launching pad to get to Wangerooge, where we slept at Seehotel & Hotel Hanken and also peeped into Lange Anna.
Wangerooge was surprising: sea air, lighthouses, German beach loungers designed like time machines.
Packing advice for seaside German towns:
German seashore is brisk; the layer is either windcheater or waterproof.
Real: T-shirt, cardigan, jacket layered one after another. One whole day.
Trust me; snacks for the boat.
An additional outfit: Should you find yourself soaking (you will).
Breakfast buffet offered by Hotel Hanken featured pretzel rolls, eggs, and smoked salmon. You will want to pack them for later.
Earned with blisters and laundry bags, last packing wisdom
One for dirty clothing, one for each individual. Pack cubes.
Roll; do not fold.
Bring no more than three pairs of shoes.
Pack one luxury item—a silk scarf or a cashmere jumper: You will wear it more than predicted.
Band-aids, electrolyte pills, antihistamines—small pharmacy bag.
Leave a hair drier behind you. Hotels possess them.
Never forget to carry a swimsuit. even right here in Germany.
Travelling Europe with my hubby turned into a game of understanding what really counts. Clothes is less important than comfort; hotel rooms are chapters in your journey, not simply a place to stay. Some had sunshine balconies and cappuccino that soothed your soul, others lavender soap and goats in the garden.
Above all, though, they all served as a reminder to me that travel depends on your packing style.
Load less. Feel more. And before you fly, once again check the weather for heaven’s sake.