Finally, I could squeeze in a short summer city adventure in Budapest. This trip holds a special surprise as it's my first visit to this charming city. The excitement is real! I'm more of a minimalist when it comes to a wardrobe and color. Black, whites, and neutrals are my go-to staples, which I elevate with some bold lipstick or accessories. With four days (and three nights) ahead of me, here's a glimpse into what I'm putting in my suitcase. Can't wait to explore!

Clothing

While I like to look and feel good in my clothes, I also want to be relaxed while exploring the city and not feel pressured to sacrifice the appearance for comfort. The weather report is good; it's going to be quite hot, so I will definitely prioritize comfortable and lightweight clothing and footwear.

Since I don't like sunscreen on my skin, I've chosen two lightweight dresses or tunics that cover my shoulders. The white dress is linen, while the black one is made of viscose, which is also a natural and breathable material. I'll probably spend most of the time in the comfortable and airy white linen tunic. The black dress is for dinners and nighttime strolls around the city.

As backup, I've added a light-colored skort, two simple white cotton t-shirts, and a white silk top that I got from a vintage store. It's elegant yet so lightweight it feels like wearing nothing. In such occasions I pay special attention to comfort, so I choose only cotton underwear and sports bras, black and skin coloured.

For swimming in the thermal baths will be too hot these days. Perhaps, however, on one of the hot days, I'll try the hotel pool for a few laps to relax my tired muscles from walking and visit the sauna. For this purpose, I'm bringing simple minimalist black one-piece swimsuit.

Shoes

I'll likely spend most of my time in my gray Teva sandals, but just in case, I'll also pack black Nike sneakers and four pairs of low socks that I know won't give me blisters. For a more elegant look when going out to dinner, I'll pack minimalist white leather slides. Style and comfort, that's the goal!

Accessories

Packed my favorite polarized sunglasses to keep my eyes protected.

Can't go without a sunhat. For sun protection, I'm bringing a cotton hat in earthy brown color with wide brims. I bought this hat in a hurry at a market many years ago, and I never knew it would become so practical and my favorite sun protection. I like it because it's soft, lightweight, and can be shaped nicely. And when I don't need it, I simply roll it up and keep it in my bag. If I find one in a lighter shade, it's coming with me.

To elevate my look, I'm bringing lightweight silver earrings with Swarovski crystals. They were a gift ten years ago and I first wore them at my wedding. They're versatile, elegant, not too heavy and they go well with any outfit.

For a chilly evenings or to shield from strong sun I'll take along an interesting, long, lightweight scarf with bird motifs. I spotted the scarf in a vintage store I frequently visit. It had to be mine.

Bags

I'm still on a hunt for the perfect summer walking bag. At the moment my best is a simple black zipper bag with an additional exterior compartment for quick access to my phone for photos. I like the shape of this bag, but I wish to find a similar one in a lighter shade. Maybe in silver or woven straw, which are trendy this year? Maybe that's a good excuse to stroll down Váci utca, Budapest's most fashionable street to find a perfect souvenir from the trip that's also practical? I still love crossbody bags that are both stylish and practical for carrying my essentials around the city. Comfortable strap is important. Bag shouldn't be too big, yet spacious enough for my wallet, glasses, phone, reusable foldable bag, lip balm, some daily liners, and tissues.

Toiletries and Personal Care

Packed a trusty SPF 50 sunscreen to keep my skin safe from the sunny days. I usually apply it on my face, arms, neck, and lower legs, as these areas are most exposed. That's why I prefer clothes that cover my shoulders.

I won't go heavy on makeup. After applying sunscreen, I'll just add a thin layer of tinted face cream and lipstick or lip gloss for a little shine. I won't be using mascara either. Especially in the summer, my eyes tend to get irritated, and I end up touching them, smudging the mascara, and walking around with red eyes and dark circles.

Since my clothes will be monochromatic (white, beige, and black), I'll use a slightly bolder shade of fuchsia lipstick for my lips. I find it adds some vibrancy and playfulness to an otherwise simple minimalist look. I'll use a similar shade for my toenails while leaving my fingernails unpainted. In my experience, nail polish on fingers chips much faster. I hate that and don't wanna waste my time and energy for that. I'll simply trim my nails and leave them natural.

Another thing that works well for me during hot days is a small water spray. I occasionally spritz it on myself in the extreme heat to cool down a bit. It helps lower the body temperature and reduces the need for sweating. I got this idea from observing competitive cyclists. When they're handed a water bottle, they take a small sip and then spray the rest to cool down. The spray dispensers in the city and some establishments have a similar purpose. Such a simple thing can offer great refreshment and a relief in extreme heat.

I'm beyond excited to explore the beautiful streets of Budapest, visiting caffes and museums, people watch and indulge in some delicious Hungarian cuisine. This packing list should have me covered for all the adventures and Instagram-worthy moments coming my way! Stay tuned for updates and travel stories on my INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK pages and share your toughts and tips on packing. Cheers to making unforgettable memories in this stunning city!

Bojana