What to Pack for Sweden

Dreaming of endless daylight, sparkling lakes, and quaint cobblestone streets? Summer in Sweden offers all that and more. With its long days, lush landscapes, and vibrant cities, Sweden in the summer is an absolute dream. It’s the perfect season for outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. But the country’s northern charm comes with changeable weather, so smart packing is essential.

We hosted our first Atlas Adventures trip to experience Midsummer in Sweden. We’ll be spending the first half of the trip in Stockholm and will be doing plenty of walking while exploring the city. We’ll be taking a boat to Smådalarö for a few days of relaxation at our hotel’s spa, and enjoy all the Midsummer activities for the second half of the trip. Here’s what we recommended our attendees pack.

What to pack for Sweden

Sweden in summer typically sees temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the high 70s°F. Expect warm afternoons, plenty of sunshine for outdoor tours, and cooler, breezier moments during evenings or in air-conditioned transit spaces. If you’re taking an archipelago boat cruise, be extra prepared for a potentially breezy trip!

Sweden’s summer weather can range from cool and breezy to warm and sunny, all in the same day. Pack versatile clothing that you can layer throughout the day. Think base layers like blouses and tees layered under lightweight sweaters or cardigans you can drape over your shoulders as the day heats up. Easy, lightweight pieces like linen pants, shorts, and dresses are great for those warmer days. Even in summer, rain showers are common, especially along the west coast and in Stockholm. Be sure to pack a compact umbrella and/or waterproof jacket.

As is typical for European cities, we will be doing lots of walking during our trip, including some longer walking tours around the city and through the gardens. Comfortable and supportive shoes are always a must for these types of trips. Swedish summer days are long, sometimes with up to 18 hours of daylight. Protect your skin and eyes with UV-protection sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. Since we’ll have a few days enjoying the spa and cold plunges in the stunning Swedish waters, I’m packing a swimsuit and cover-up.

Sweden in summer is relaxed, scenic, and easy to enjoy with the right wardrobe. Pack light but smart, focus on layering, and don't forget your sense of adventure. Whether you're kayaking the Stockholm archipelago, hiking in the north, or chasing the midnight sun, you’ll be ready for whatever Sweden throws your way.

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Glad sommar! (Happy summer!)

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What to Pack for Turkey

We recently hosted our first Atlas Adventures trip to Turkey! We spent six stunning days in Istanbul and Cappadocia partaking in walking tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, sunrise hot air balloon rides, and visiting all the amazing souks. Packing for a trip in early spring can sometimes prove challenging, but our trip leader Lucy had excellent suggestions to make sure everyone was prepared.

Temperatures in Turkey vary significantly in April, so layering is key to staying comfortable. Be sure to check the weather beforehand—Istanbul typically sees temperatures between 48-62°F, while Cappadocia ranges from 34-68°F (with the coldest temperatures occurring at night and early morning). We lucked out with plenty of sunshine during our trip, making versatile layers essential when temperatures rose throughout the day.

When it comes to planning what to pack for Turkey, remember that the country can be more conservative, but that doesn’t mean you have to cover up. Istanbul, in particular, has a mix of cultures, with one foot in Europe. You'll notice how modern it feels. As we were traveling in early spring with cooler weather, we didn’t need to worry too much about skirt length or covering our shoulders. If you plan to visit a mosque during your visit, they will provide a head covering and a skirt, if needed. However, for these visits, we always recommend wearing full-length pants or a long skirt for ease.

For Turkey in April, we recommended packing lightweight sweaters and jackets. Early mornings in Cappadocia can be very fresh and a little cool! Especially if your trip includes a hot air balloon at sunrise (highly recommend!). You might find by the end of that experience that you’re hot and the sun is very warm, so again, layers will be important. 

A must for any packing list for Turkey is to always bring shoes that are broken in, and you can do a lot of walking in them. Be prepared for them to get wet, dirty, or dusty due to the landscape! The terrain around Istanbul's old town and all over Cappadocia can be uneven and dusty, especially in the rain. Our trip included lots of walking (especially during our food tour), so having the proper footwear is key to remaining comfortable all day. Comfortable shoes were also a necessity during our horseback riding excursion.

Sweaters & Blouses

Pants, Skirts & Dresses

Jackets & outerwear

If you’re considering a trip to Turkey, reach out for a consultation with our team to help plan your trip itinerary! We have expertise all over the world and can get you VIP perks and upgrades when you book with us. 

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What to Pack for a Winter Trip

With winter in full force, many people are headed out for a winter getaway. Whether you’re headed to the slopes to ski, see the Northern Lights, or just going somewhere to experience winter beauty; you’ll want to take extra care with your packing list. From base layers to outerwear, packing weather-appropriate clothes will keep you nice and warm on the slopes or around town.

I had planned a winter trip to Lapland, Finland with my friend Caitlin. We were scheduled to scout for clients as well as for potential Atlas Adventures trips. At the last minute, I ended up having to cancel due to health issues. This is your friendly reminder to ALWAYS purchase trip insurance! While I wasn’t able to attend, this is what I planned on packing. Caitlin was still able to go on our winter adventure and all of these lovely photos are hers from the trip!

Base Layers

When planning what to pack for a winter trip, base layers should be the first thing on your packing list. They should fit tight to your body and wick away moisture. You’ll likely want to pack at least two base layer tops and bottoms as these don’t take up much room in your suitcase. I also love to pack turtlenecks as they provide warmth around your neck and are great for layering. You will absolutely want wool socks (double up in sub-zero temperatures) and if you’re skiing, you’ll want to pack ski-specific socks that are high-rise, padded, and keep your feet warm and dry. 

Outerwear

If you’re skiing or participating in other outdoor activities, you’ll want to pack a ski jacket and pants that are insulated and/or have a waterproof shell. Some people prefer ski bibs so you don’t get snow in between your pants and jacket. Since I wasn’t going to be skiing this trip, I opted for a jacket and pants. If you’re mostly exploring around town and the temperatures are milder, you should be fine with either a longer parka or a warm wool coat, depending on the weather. 

For winter accessories, you might want to pack a neck warmer or balaclava, and an ear warmer that fits under your helmet if you’re skiing. For our trip, I packed a warm hat to keep my head covered at all times when outside. You’ll also want to pack insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens. Mittens will keep your hands warmer while gloves allow for dexterity. It all comes down to personal preference. I picked up a pair of merino wool gloves for this trip. Make sure to pack a warm scarf as well!

Apres-Ski & Exploring

For days exploring around town or if you’re participating in any apres-ski activities, you’ll want to pack a few easy, comfortable outfits. A pair of jeans and cozy sweaters are all you need for walking around or dining out. Add your boots (make sure they have great traction), outerwear, and accessories; and you’ll be set. If there’s a hot tub or spa where you’re staying, you may want to pack a swimsuit. In Lapland, it’s very common to go from a sauna into an ice hole. Some people spend hours going back and forth between the two!

Lapland-Specific Winter Packing List

In Lapland, we were going to spend lots of time outside during both the day and night; exploring the landscape and seeing the Northern Lights. In addition to the above items, these are more specific things you’ll want to consider packing for this type of winter trip. 

Crampons are an absolute must or you cannot walk around on ice. A headlamp comes in handy if you’re on a hike at night looking for the Northern Lights. If you’re planning on photographing the Northern Lights, you’ll want a tripod for long-exposure photos. A portable charger is a must on any trip but your phone and devices lose their charge quicker in extreme cold. Make sure you’ve got a backup at all times!

For your skin, you’ll want a very heavy cream to protect the skin barrier in sub-artic temperatures as well as a quality lip balm. To protect your other extremities, warmers for your feet and hands will be extremely important. They last all day and keep your fingers and toes warm. With sub-artic temperatures outside, you may want a hot water bottle if you need to warm up quickly. Caitlin used hers to warm up her bed on the nights she was sleeping in an igloo.

You’ll want a thermal, reusable water bottle as there aren’t many convenient stores to buy water. Some people suggest that Lapland has some of the most pure drinking water in the world. You can also use this to keep tea or coffee warm the entire day! Be sure to pack a lightweight day bag to store your valuables, water bottle, and other daily necessities. As you transition from outdoors to indoors, you’ll want to be able to easily store layers so you’re not juggling everything.

Hopefully, this post helps you better plan what to pack for a winter trip. Planning a trip to experience all the joys of winter is always a good idea! It can be easy to experience the winter blues from all the gray days. Immersing yourself in all the wonders of winter is such a mood booster! We’d love to help you plan your ideal winter trip! Schedule a consult with us today to help plan your next winter adventure.

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