What to pack for a warm weather city break.

We took a quick flit to Havana, Cuba late last year and I was amazed at how easy it was to get to there as well as what a delightful climate it had, making it a place you could essentially head to for a weekend break. Added to that, the fact that there are direct flights these days, it makes it a no-brainer to add to your city break hit list before it loses its charm to the invasion of all the vagaries of modern life.

The vibe in Havana old town is warm and welcoming with the streets abuzz with music day and night. The tourism industry is thriving, so there are tons of spots to stop and while away your time while watching the world go by.

Old Havana is, as the name suggests – pretty old so don’t feel the need to pack your poshest togs. Instead, go for practical cotton separates and a warm layer or two for the evenings. Of course, flats or sneakers are the go-to shoe choice as most city breaks are all about the site seeing. When we were there the temps, hit around 28c which was great sightseeing weather, but it can get hotter so don’t forget to pack your swimmers as your hotel may well boast a pool, and you will definitely feel like a dip after a long day exploring the dusty streets.

I personally found the food fairly uninspiring – think classic meats and fish with rice in most places, but there are a few cute new restaurants popping up so perhaps the gastro finds will start to appear.

What to pack for your warm weather city break.

J.Crew striped pants (similar here and here), Massimo Dutti silk top (similar here), Adidas Gazelles, Dior sunnies.

Just when I think I’ve honed my packing skills and got it down to a comfortable art, I spy a new must-have-can’t-go-on-vacation-without item which has to be shoved into my bag at the very last minute. Invariably I end up never wearing or using said item, so for this packing list; I’m going to be sticking to a few classic basics which will get you through a long weekend in a warmer climate.

An easy packing trick I always use is to stick to a simple colourway and gather all the items you think you’ll need before editing out the pieces that don’t conform to your theme. Navy and white have been my go-to colourway over the past few seasons and to be honest, it’s a bit of a winner – think jaunty Breton tops, easy white linen pants or skirts and sneakers or espadrilles to finish off your look.

Here’s an edit of the pieces we love in the stores right now which would be perfect for a warm weather city break – click the images to shop.