Recommended Equipment
The following lists are indicative; The items mentioned are suggested or necessary depending on weather conditions and one’s basic needs, experiences and priorities.
< For ‘Body-Mind Exercise’ activities, WITHOUT ‘water’ (tour in archaeological sites or wineries, strolling, hiking, ski resorts, cycling, caving etc)
water in a water bottle or flask or thermos, with a capacity of at least 1000 ml, for the stroll/hiking (always depending on one’s hydration needs). Water is NOT always available. No matter where we are, everybody MUST have enough water even for 8 hours ahead. For example, if for 3-hour hiking we take our time to enjoy the landscape taking pictures and resting, it might take us up to 6 hours to return to base. Furthermore, should anything come up (e.g. somebody twists their ankle) we’ll need another 2 hours. And so on…
hat
sunglasses
face/lip/body sunscreen
camera (waterproof camera is also suggested when rain, swimming, river trekking or canyoning is involved)
thermos, in case you are interested in having something cold in summer (water, juice, wine) or hot in the winter (tea, coffee, Sake, etc)
food, such as sandwiches, homemade pies, dry nuts, fruits (fresh or dry)
lunch box or thermos lunch box, in which you can also store what’s left from breakfast to consume later
smart and ecological ideas for a picnic such as Boc'n'Roll
backpack (30-60 litres, always depending on one’s needs). The bigger the weight to be transported, it is important for the straps around the waist to be larger so as to balance the weight over the hips and not burden the neck and shoulders
large waist pack for basic things (water, sandwich, raincoat, camera, sunscreen, etc.) for the stroll/hike
waterproof jacket/membrane and trousers, ideally made of breathable fabric (there is always a chance for rainfall all year long!)
isothermal top and trousers or whatever one has for extra warmth when needed
a change of clothes after hiking, especially if no raincoat is available
gloves and head cap (all year long, especially if we’ll stay on a mountain)
rainproof hiking boots or trekking shoes. One reason is to keep the feet dry, another is to prevent an ankle twist (especially while going down a mountain), which is against the group’s best interest (results in a significant delay of the group or deprives it of one of its escorts). Regarding waterproofing specifications, manufacturers always mention them in details so that everybody is aware and can choose the one for one’s needs. Regarding avoiding a twist if one does not have hiking boots, we consider it essential for one to use some elastic bandages to help stabilize the ankles when wearing a standard sport shoe
hiking gaiters, to warm and protect legs and trousers from snow, rain or cold, mud, thorns
your own medicine (Greekly’s specialized First Aid Kit is always available but not sufficient for each one’s personal needs. Please bring whatever you would bring while on vacation)
blister plasters
at least 2 pairs of hiking or wool socks to avoid foot rubbing and help absorb sweat. Do NOT use cotton socks, as they do not offer previously mentioned features
2 telescopic trekking poles, especially going down a hill, to support knees and back
head torch with extra batteries
Bike only
cycling waist shorts or bib shorts
helmet
adhesive patches
inner tubes
tyre lever
pump
allen key/multi-tool
Snow only (ski, snowboard, snow sled)
Special equipment depending on the activity, that can be rented or bought. To indicate some:
skis
snowboard
snow sled
< For ‘Body-Mind Exercise’ IN water (sea, thermal baths, lakes, river trekking, natural pools, waterfalls)
water in a water bottle or flaks or thermos, with capacity of at least 1000 ml, for the stroll/hiking (always depending on one’s hydration needs). Water is NOT always available! No matter where we are, everybody MUST have water even for 8 hours ahead. For example, if for a 3 hour hiking we take our time to enjoy the landscape taking pictures and resting, it might take us up to 6 hours to return to base. Furthermore, should anything come up (e.g. somebody twists their ankle) we’ll need another 2 hours. And so on…
hat
sunglasses
face/lip/body sunblock
thermos, in case you are interested in having something cold in summer (water, juice, wine) or hot in the winter (tea, coffee, sake, etc)
food, such as sandwiches, dry nuts, fruit (fresh or dry) stored in watertight containers or bags should we need to swim our way through at some point
lunch box or thermos lunch box, in which you can also store what’s left from breakfast to consume later
smart and ecological ideas for a picnic such as Boc'n'Roll
swimming suit (optional)
mask or swimming goggles (sea or lake)
towel or bathrobe (to immediately cover ourselves after a swim/bath/hammam)
flip flops (e.g. for thermal baths where they are not always available or to avoid the single-use ones)
shoes for such activities (e.g. river trekking, natural pools, waterfalls), like Five-Ten’s canyoneer shoes, or similar or shoes which you don’t mind getting wet
waterproof camera only, unless the excursion structure allows other
empty bag to store the wet clothes after a swim/bath (e.g. swimming suit)
member card for the thermal baths, if any (e.g. for Loutraki Thermal Spa)
< For ‘Body-Mind Exercise’ activities where you get dirty (e.g. Flour smudging in Galaxidi)
clothes, shoes and anything else you don’t mind getting dirty beyond return
nose mask
mask or goggles for the eyes
head cap for the hair (e.g. swimming cap)
wet wipes to clean yourself up after the event.
If you do not wish to destroy any of your old clothes, you can buy a single use outfit. However, we do believe using old clothes is a much more ecological solution and we therefore strongly recommend it.
< For Mushroom Hunting
Jack Knife
wicker basket (no plastic bags!)
brush (to clean off the dirt). For the gadget lovers, there are special mushroom knives with built-in brush such as this
water in a water bottle or flask or thermos, with a capacity of at least 1000 ml, for mushroom hunting (always depending on one’s hydration needs). Water is NOT always available, so everybody MUST have enough no matter where we are
hat
sunglasses
face/lip/body sunscreen
camera (waterproof camera is also suggested when rain, swimming, river trekking or canyoning is involved…)
thermos, in case you are interested in having something cold in summer (water, juice, wine) or hot in the winter (tea, coffee, Sake, etc)
food, such as sandwiches, dry nuts, fruit (fresh or dry)
lunch box or thermos lunch box, in which you can also store what’s left from breakfast to consume later
smart and ecological ideas for a picnic such as Boc'n'Roll
backpack (20-30 litres, always depending on one’s needs)
large waist pack with the basics (water, sandwich, raincoat, camera, sunscreen, etc) for the stroll/hike
waterproof jacket/membrane and trousers, ideally made of breathable fabric (there is always a chance for rainfall all year long)
isothermal top and trousers or whatever one has for extra warmth when needed
gloves and head cap
rainproof hiking boots or trekking shoes. One reason is to keep the feet dry, another is to prevent an ankle twist (especially while going down a mountain) which is against the group’s best interest (results in a significant delay of the group or deprives it of one of its escorts). Regarding waterproofing specifications, manufacturers always mention them in details so that everybody is aware and can choose the one for one’s needs
hiking gaiters, to warm and protect legs and trousers from snow, rain or cold, mud, thorns
your own medicine (Greekly’s specialized First Aid Kit is always available but not sufficient for each one’s personal needs. Please bring whatever you would bring while on vacation)
blister plasters
an extra pair of hiking or wool socks to avoid foot rubbing and help absorb sweat. Do NOT use cotton socks, as they do not offer previously mentioned features
head torch with extra batteries
< For ‘Body-Mind Healing’ courses (yoga, pilates, feldenkrais, experiential anatomy, shiatsu, thai massage etc.)
comfortable and warm clothes (without belts, buckles or tight elastic waistbands), depending on the season and room temperature [in order to keep the body warm we dress like “onions”, using many light clothes in layers, which one may take off or wear based on the course progress and their body type (for example a woman’s body needs more warmth than a man’s). Avoid thick clothes. In some courses when we work in couples, light clothing assists in touching specific body parts over the clothes, whereas thick clothes don’t
sleeping bag or fleece blanket for postcourse, depending on season, room temperature and body type (for example a woman’s body needs more warmth than a man’s)
1 pair of socks, preferably with anti-slip surface (the courses usually are effected without shoes and they may also require bare feet)
1 yoga mat (alternatively any other mat used in gymnastics – if you bring an extra mat you will make a forgetful person very happy!)
silk scarf or other fabric, when course involves face touch (e.g. face shiatsu)
water (sometimes the instructor suggests not to drink during the lesson)
hair band (if needed)
something to lay over the mat (if you wish) for hygienic reasons. Face or body towel, sarong/pareo and so on
something to put under the mat (if you wish), such as a bedsheet or a fleece blanket or a big towel or pareo. During cold seasons where courses take place indoors, there is not always an (ideal) wooden floor, so the floor could be with cold tiles or marble, even if the room has been warmed. So using the above you could lay your hands on something warm. During warm seasons, we usually choose the courses to be effected outdoors, so the ground could have dirt, small stones or thorns. In both cases, if you put something under the mat you also help maintain its good condition
something to keep you warm during post-course relaxation, like a cardigan, scarf, fleece blanket or sleeping bag, depending on the season
notebook (if you wish to note down anything you would like to remember and take home with you)
your glasses’ case, if you wear any (you may need to take them off)
open mind
Info: all the above is based on our experience and co-operation with various instructors and venues. However, some teachers need specific material in their courses (e.g. 2 tennis balls), which is always mentioned in the official text of the trip, at a specific paragraph (e.g. yoga lesson)
< For overnight stay (for use in tent, bivouac or/and refugee or/and hostel)
tent, suitable to the season (if you prefer to enjoy nature)
sleeping mat/pad/mattress, so that the cold and moist of the ground does not reach your body. We recommend NOT to use a yoga/pilates mat. You can find useful tips and ideas here, here and here.
sleeping bag, depending on the temperature at the camping site; if there are blankets at the site, you can bring a couple of bed sheets and avoid the sleeping bag weight/space. Alternatively, there is a ‘pocket-sized bed sheet’ in sleeping bag form (can be found in stores with camping/outdoor activities’ accessories), which is ideal for hosted occasions. You can find useful tips and ideas here and here.
pillow or similar (unless it is available where we will be hosted)
pillowcase
personal hygiene accessories (towel, toothbrush/toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, contact lens fluid, etc)
flip flops (in some shelters the well-known military plastic ones can be found)
earplugs. There is always the possibility of people snoring or kids waking up early and playing not in the most discrete way!
sleep mask (1. after staying up late, 2. if there is full moon)
anti-mosquito spray
pots and camping gas to prepare a hot beverage or food
2-3 garbage bags (one for organic waste and one for recycling)
Tip: For one to set their tent right and put their stuff in, it takes an average of 30 minutes. Worst case scenario, 60 minutes. If you are a newbie, you might want to try it at home before the actual time comes so that you feel more comfortable with it. If it takes more than an hour, just repeat! :)
The right equipment for outdoor activities is definitely pricey, but the experiences it allows you to enjoy are priceless. Moreover, the technical outdoor wear can last much longer than other clothes, making it economical in the long term. Should one decide to buy any of the above-mentioned items, it would be good to ask others with more experience in outdoor activities, as they could suggest something that will be of a better use and maybe also can be used in other activities as well, or they may suggest the same or similar product at a better price.