I’m Georgia, Social Media Manager at Kooshy Kids, and after months of scrolling TikTok, saving Instagram reels, and reading countless Europe travel blogs, I had officially entered my Euro Summer Girl Era. I wanted this trip to be fun and memorable, but also practical and well-prepared. With safety tools, comfortable outfits, and a smart packing strategy, I set off on a five-week adventure with my two best friends.

Now that I am back home, I can reflect not only on the incredible memories we made but also on the travel lessons I learned along the way. Here is a full recap of where we went, the highlights, and what I will be doing differently next time.

Where We Travelled

Over five weeks, we covered eight countries and experienced an incredible mix of cities, coastlines, and islands. From adjusting to new time zones, to long ferry rides, to spontaneous nights out, the trip had everything. Each stop brought something unique, and together they created an itinerary I will never forget.

• London: A few days of exploring markets, walking the city, and easing into the rhythm of travel.  

• Croatia (Split and Dubrovnik): Stunning beaches, warm evenings, and old towns full of charm and history.

• Greece (Ios, Mykonos, Milos): From laid-back beach days in Ios, to the high energy of Mykonos, and the peaceful coastlines of Milos, each island offered something different.

• Spain (Ibiza and Mallorca) : A party-filled stop centred around concerts to then a slower pace with local exploring, coastal walks, and a boat day.

• Paris: The perfect ending to the trip, with time spent enjoying food, sights, and soaking in the atmosphere before heading home.

Highlights and Core Memories

Looking back, there were so many standout moments that made this trip unforgettable. Each destination offered experiences that shaped the memories I will carry with me.

• Celebrating our friend’s 24th birthday at Nammos Beach Club brought an energy that was unmatched. Between long lunches, loud music, and dancing on tables, it was the kind of high-energy day that turned into one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The mix of glamour and chaos created an atmosphere we will never forget.

• Boat days in both Milos and Mallorca were among my favourite experiences. They gave us the chance to slow down, swim in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy the coastlines from a completely different perspective. If you are planning something similar, I highly recommend doing your research before you leave and booking one with plenty of positive reviews.

• Greek food was another standout highlight of the trip. From late-night yiros and fresh Greek salads to finding small local restaurants off the main strips, the food was always simple, fresh, and full of flavour. Eating like the locals became one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey, and it gave us a deeper sense of place wherever we went.

• Hiring a car in Mallorca turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. The island’s beaches are spread out, and having a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace and discover spots we would not have reached otherwise. It was not only convenient but essential, and I would highly recommend renting a car here if you want to experience everything Mallorca has to offer.

What Worked

There were a few things I packed that I would recommend to anyone planning a similar trip. These items made my day-to-day easier, kept me organised, and gave me peace of mind while travelling.

• Compression packing cubes kept my suitcase neat and compact, making it much easier to live out of a bag for five weeks.

• A crossbody purse bag was something I wore everywhere. It made me feel secure and less at risk of pickpockets since it stayed in front of me and was difficult to grab.

• A portable charger proved to be essential. Long sightseeing days and flight delays meant I was often away from power sources, and having one on hand kept my phone ready for directions, tickets, and photos.

• Laundry detergent sheets were convenient, space-saving, and perfect for quick washes in hotel sinks or Airbnbs.

• Rolling my clothes instead of folding saved space in my suitcase and kept everything from wrinkling as easily.

• An Orange Travel eSIM worked amazingly well and saved me a lot of stress with connectivity. I purchased a promotional deal for $70 AUD which included 100 GB of data, and it worked seamlessly across countries without needing to swap SIM cards.
• Safety was a priority, and two things worked particularly well. We set up Life360 so our families could track us in real time and always know where we were.  I also researched the safety of each area we booked accommodation in before confirming, which meant we felt confident and comfortable everywhere we stayed.

What I Did Not Need

On the other hand, there were things I brought that took up space and were barely touched. These were the items I would leave behind next time to keep my packing light and efficient.

• A beach towel, as every hotel or Airbnb provided one.

• A hair dryer, which was bulky and unnecessary when most places had one available.

• Extra handbags, since one reliable crossbody bag was all I really needed.

• Excessive amounts of jewellery, i wore the same 2/3 pieces the whole trip.

• Heels, which stayed at the bottom of my bag for the entire trip.
  

Lessons Learned

This trip taught me that preparation is important, but flexibility and practicality matter most when travelling. No matter how much planning you do, you will always learn something new once you are on the road.

• You will re-wear the same outfits more than you expect. I ended up rotating my linen shorts and pants for most of the trip, proving that you do not need endless options.

• Comfort outweighs style every time. Good shoes and breathable clothing made the long days of walking and sightseeing enjoyable, while uncomfortable pieces never left my suitcase.

• Less is more when it comes to packing. Many of the items I brought “just in case” took up space and were never used. Next time, I will focus on practical, versatile clothing and leave the rest behind.

Final Reflections

This Euro Summer was everything I hoped it would be. It was filled with unforgettable nights, breathtaking coastlines, and the kind of time with friends that you never forget. It also reminded me that overpacking does not make a trip smoother. Instead, keeping things simple and focusing on comfort creates more freedom to enjoy the journey.

For anyone planning their own Euro Summer alone or with families and friends, my advice is straightforward. Pack light, choose comfort over appearance, and focus on the memories you are making rather than the suitcase you are carrying. The best moments come when you are comfortable, present, and ready to embrace every experience as it comes.