What to Pack for Spain in Summer

I recently spent a few days in Spain scouting for clients and future Atlas trips. As I was coming directly from an Atlas Adventures trip in France, I knew I had to be smart about packing. As Europe was in the middle of a heat wave, I made sure to look ahead to the forecast to ensure I had the right wardrobe for both climates.

Packing for Spain in the summer is all about staying cool, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish under the Mediterranean sun. With temperatures often soaring, lightweight and breathable clothing is key. Breezy dresses should be at the top of your list—think flowy midi or maxi styles that offer coverage while still feeling light. They're perfect for strolling through cobblestone streets, sitting at a café, or visiting historic sites without overheating.

Linen separates and sets are another summer packing staple. Whether it's a pair of high-waisted linen shorts with a matching button-up top, or a wide-leg linen pant paired with a sleeveless blouse, these natural-fiber outfits are as chic as they are breathable. The versatility of mix-and-match sets also makes them ideal for creating multiple outfits without overpacking. 

Don't forget accessories that offer both style and practicality. I packed flat sandals for site visits during the day and my favorite Soludos wedge for evenings. A woven market bag adds a touch of local flair while being functional enough to carry your daily essentials. For pool days, I picked up a new swimsuit by Hunza G and a pair of palazzo pants as a cover-up that pulls the whole outfit togther. A wide-brimmed hat not only adds to your aesthetic but is crucial for sun protection, and no summer suitcase is complete without a high-SPF sunscreen. The Spanish sun is strong, and staying protected will keep you feeling good throughout your trip.

If you’d like help planning your ultimate vacation to Spain, reach out to schedule a consultation with our travel planning team! Prefer to join us on an Atlas Adventures trip? Be sure to head over to that website to be the first to find out about future trips to Spain!

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My Carry-On Essentials

As a luxury travel advisor, I am always traveling somewhere, and today I’m sharing how I’ve mastered the art of a long-haul flight with my carry-on essentials. Preparation begins well before takeoff. Hydration is key, so I start increasing my water intake at least 24 hours in advance and adding electrolytes to ensure I board the plane feeling replenished. For carry-on essentials, my bag is always stocked with a few travel luxuries that make all the difference. I always bring under-eye patches, a rich moisturizer, and a nourishing lip balm to combat dry cabin air.

For sleeping, I bring my silk sleep mask, earplugs, and noise-cancelling headphones to create a cocoon of calm, no matter the seat assignment. I always wear an outfit comfortable enough to sleep in, like silk trousers or a cashmere cardigan.

Once I board, I settle in immediately, sanitizing my space, popping on my compression socks, and ensuring my water bottle is within reach. I follow the one litre per four-hour rule to maintain hydration and always opt for peppermint tea over caffeine to help fight jet lag. I also pre-order a low-sodium or light meal to avoid unnecessary bloating and discomfort. Airplane food is notoriously heavy on salt, which also amplifies dehydration at altitude. After dinner, I reapply my skincare, get myself comfortable, and try to get as much sleep as possible. Depending on the length of the flight, I’ll often take a sleep aid. My personal preference is magnesium because it helps with relaxation without leaving me feeling groggy. 

Just before landing, I try to give myself a bit of a refresh and chug as much water as possible. Arriving at my destination, I do my best to prioritize movement, natural light, and continued hydration to signal to my body that it’s time to adjust to the new time zone. 

Favorite Carry-On Essentials

For organization, I love these Away Packing Cubes, especially when a trip has multiple stops. I'll organize for what I need a few days at a time so I don't have to dig around or completely unpack my entire suitcase.  I love this jumbo case for toiletries and this Jetset case (which is TSA approved for a liquids bag) to keep my toiletries (both checked and carry-on) organized. I'm taking more supplements these days and have been committing to keeping that routine on the road. I have two of these organizers (one for AM and one for PM) and love that they're high quality, sleek, and functional. 

For entertainment, my Kindle is a no-brainer. I love that I can have an entire library with minimal space, and I love this new color, too! To keep hydrated, I pack my Memobottle. I love that these water bottles are flask-shaped: flat and easier to slide into your travel bag. They come in different sizes, but the A6 is a great small size that can fit into a cross-body purse. I pair that with Cure Hydration Electrolytes, especially this watermelon flavor. I drink these just about every day in the summer (sometimes 2x a day around days I'm flying). Clean ingredients, low cal, and great taste. 

Even if I'm flying in the summer, I love to have a cashmere wrap on hand in my carry-on (airplane cabins and any indoor area with aircon can be cold, and this is an easy item to wrap up in anytime you need it).  I LOVE this silk sleep mask. It keeps light out for any sleep environment and has raised areas around the eyes so they don’t squish your lashes. I curl up with my wrap and slip on the mask when I’m ready to get some shut-eye.

For skincare, I pack the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask as I tend to be a bit dehydrated when traveling, and this makes all the difference on my dry lips. I love these hydrating under-eye patches. I'm prone to dark circles, which get worse with travel (lack of sleep and dehydration). I pop them on about 30 minutes before landing. I am late to the game on this, but I have noticed such a difference in facial puffiness when I use a gua sha to aid in lymphatic drainage. Flying, lack of sleep, and indulging in food/beverages can make my face feel puffy, and this simple tool is easy to pack and can help reduce that. 

Flying long-haul doesn’t have to leave you feeling depleted. You should feel like an extension of the journey, not an obstacle. Try these tips for packing your carry-on essentials and thank me later!

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Packing for France in Summer

We just wrapped up the loveliest week in France with a group of ladies on an Atlas Adventures trip. It was the perfect combination of time spent enjoying Paris, exploring quaint towns, winery tours, cooking classes, and relaxing with yoga and meditation.

Paris, Limoges, and Bordeaux in early July typically experience summers with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s°F (around 18–28°C). You can expect warm afternoons, plenty of sunshine for outdoor tours, and cooler, breezier moments during evening events or in air-conditioned transit spaces. You also always have to plan for the chance of rain! As this trip was a bit different than our other trips spent mostly in Paris, here’s what we recommended our attendees pack.

What to Pack for France in Summer

We always recommend packing one or two nicer outfits if you’re going to a nicer dinner or performance, like the theater or opera. With that said, make sure everything you pack is something you'll feel comfortable in! You’ll want a lightweight cardigan, jacket, or scarf - ideal for cooler moments during train journeys or for that extra layer if the evening gets breezy. Especially if you partake in an evening boat cruise down the Seine like we did.

Whether you’re exploring the cobbled lanes of old Limoges town or strolling Bordeaux’s elegant streets, we suggest lightweight pants, linen shorts, or skirts that are comfortable, breathable, and can easily be layered up as needed. Pair with an easy blouse and you’re set. With our relaxed mornings offering yoga or meditation sessions, and leisurely afternoons at retreat venues, a couple of comfortable activewear sets fit the bill.

There was a pool at our country retreat and at our last hotel in Bordeaux, so packing swimwear and a light cover-up or sarong was a must. French summer hopefully means glorious sunshine— be sure to protect your eyes with quality sunglasses and shield your skin (and add some style) with a lightweight hat and sunscreen. A tote bag that can double as a pool bag and for storing all your treasures from the local markets is a good idea, as well as a zippered crossbody bag.

As is typical for European cities, we did lots of walking, including some longer city walking tours, and during a full-day winery excursion. Be sure to pack comfortable, broken-in, and supportive shoes. I personally love having a slightly dressier flat pair of sandals and flats that are easy to walk to dinner spots, but can look dressy enough, too. If you prefer a heel, I love wedge espadrilles.

Don’t forget to bring along a reusable water bottle on daytrips or walking tours. If you think you might want to pop a few bottles of wine in your suitcase, then I highly recommend bringing some wine bottle travel protector sleeves like these. France uses Type E plugs with a 220V supply. Pack a universal converter to charge your devices, do your hair, etc. You may want to consider an external charger for extra juice on longer transit days.

Our trip leader, Marigold, loves to read a book set in or by an author from the destination she’s traveling to. Here is her reading list for this trip to France.

• Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah. Journalist Ann Mah moves to Paris when her diplomat husband is given a three-year assignment there. She's overjoyed at the opportunity until he's reassigned to Iraq for a year-long solo stint and must figure out life in Paris on her own. And so she does, one pain au chocolat and boeuf Bourguignon at a time. Both funny and intelligent, this is a story about love of food, family, and France.

• Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution by Allison Pataki and Owen Pataki: Pataki has a reputation for writing excellent historical fiction. In her newest, she tackles the French Revolution with the help of her brother Owen Pataki. Tracing the effects of the Revolution and Terror on the lives of two linked Frenchmen, Pataki explores courage, democracy, and love, while emphasizing why the Revolution's lessons remain important today.

• A Year at the French Farmhouse by Gillian Harvey: Escape to France for the perfect uplifting, feel-good book. A story about being made redundant and second chances in life, the central character, Lily, takes on renovating a French country house by herself. 

• The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick: Eleanor of Aquitaine is a 12th-century icon who has fascinated readers for 800 years, sometimes known as the “rebel queen of the Middle Ages”. But the real Eleanor remains elusive. She was the Duchess of Aquitaine (the region in which Bordeaux sits) and married first the French King and later the British King Henry the Second, and is credited with bringing wine to the UK. This stunning novel introduces an Eleanor that all other writers have missed. Based on the most up-to-date research, it is the first novel to show Eleanor beginning her married life at 13.

We’d love to help you plan your own dreamy summer trip to Paris, Limoges, and Bordeaux! Learn more about our travel planning services and reach out today to schedule a consultation with our team.

This post contains affiliate links that I may earn a small commission from, at no cost to you.