18 Travel Must-Haves
Okay, so you're all packed for your trip. You have your clothes, your passport, your travel-sized everything, but are you sure you haven't forgotten anything? Today's post is about the things you should bring on your trip that you may not have thought about before. Some of these things are common sense, but others I had to figure out I needed the hard way. Here is a list of things you shouldn't forget. (If you haven't noticed, I love making lists. If you love making lists too you should check out this article on Buzz Feed and we can bond about list-making together.)
1. Sensible shoes. I can't emphasize this enough. Nothing makes me crazier than seeing people out sight-seeing in flip flops and sandals. How do you get any arch support? What do you do about your inevitable blisters? I recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes that you wear often enough to know they won't give you blisters or aching feet. Don't miss out on seeing everything because your dogs are barking.
2. A second pair of sensible shoes. What if your first pair gets wet? Walking around in damp sneakers can put a damper on any trip.
3. Sunglasses, hat, sunblock and a sweater. If you're going to a warmer locale, pack sunblock, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect you from the sun, especially if the sun is going to be stronger than you're used to. Remember, no matter how hot it is during the day, temperatures could still drop at night, so pack a sweater or light jacket just in case.
4. Scarf, gloves and a jacket. If you're traveling during the winter or to a cooler location, pack the appropriate outerwear. You may not have too many opportunities to warm up when you're out, so bundle up.
5. Umbrella. The smallest but sturdiest one you can find, especially if you plan to visit London. I've been there three times and it has rained every time.
6. Stain remover. This is practical to have in any situation, don't look like a slob with food stains all over you.
7. Practical bag. For women who are fans of the handheld purse, I don't recommend bringing it with you while you're traveling. Instead get something with better weight distribution that will leave both hands free such as a backpack or cross-body bag. Preferably something with a zipper that you can put a lock on.
8. A watch. For someone who travels a lot, a watch with the ability to show you multiple time zones is ideal. It also helps to know what time you're texting or calling friends and family back home.
9. Functional alarm clock. Don't sleep through your whole trip! Getting to places early is the best way to beat crowds, so have a reliable alarm clock that won't let you sleep in.
10. Ear plugs, sleep mask, neck pillow. If you have a hard time falling asleep on long plane or train rides or falling asleep in a new place, these can be lifesavers.
11. Water bottle. I support using reusable water bottles instead of bottled water, so if you are in a place where it is safe to drink the water, bring a reusable water bottle to fill up as you go. However, not everywhere you go will have safe drinking water so disposable is the only way to go. It is important to stay hydrated, especially if you're spending more time on your feet than you usually do, so apologize to the environment and get that water bottle, just remember to recycle it.
12. Snacks. If you're like me or my roommate and travel buddy Becky, you get hangry (hungry-angry) when your blood sugar gets too low. To keep the beast at bay, carry healthy and energy-packed snacks that will keep you going between meals. On our trip to Europe last year we ended up skipping lunch most days and I found myself feeling dizzy by the end of the day, having better snacks could have helped me avoid this. I recommend something small that you can throw in your bag like granola or protein bars. Avoid chocolate which could melt!
13. First aid kit. Whether you need a band-aid for your blister, pain killers for a headache, or neosporin for a cut, it is important to have a first aid kit handy. Look for a first aid kit with bug spray or anti-itch cream too, bugs are brutal everywhere.
14. Wipes and anti-bacterial gel. Keep your hands, face and anywhere else clean on the go.
15. Map, guidebook, phrase book or combination of the three. Travel apps can be helpful too, but you won't always have access to Wi-Fi so having a backup is best. A map of the city you are visiting is essential, even if you are lost, a local will be able to help you more if you both have a visual reference. You'll also need a phrasebook to ask, "Where am I?" A book that includes a map, helpful phrases and can't-miss attractions is your best bet.
16. Something to occupy your time. Whether that's a book, MP3 player or crocheting needles, bring something to keep you busy while you wait in line, on the train or anywhere else you need something to do.
17. Something to write in. Again, a Smartphone is good for taking quick notes, but what if your phone dies while you're out and you really want to remember the name of the restaurant you're eating in? Grab a business card and store it in your journal where you can also write down what you ate, what the atmosphere was like and how much fun you had. Bring some pens with you too.
18. Take breaks. This isn't something you can bring with you, but it is important to do. Don't push yourself to cover every corner of a city, if you start to feel dizzy or under the weather, take a break on a bench, in a restaurant, or head back to your hotel if need be. Take care of yourself so you can keep going instead of making it worse.
Let me know if there is anything I missed! And here is your fun fact for the day: I learned during my trip to Greece that the trunks of eucalyptus trees on the island of Santorini are painted white for two very practical reasons: 1) The white paint acts as a bug repellent and 2) The reflective quality of the paint helps drivers on the winding roads at night.
That's it for today! Check out the Pinterest board for this post for more essential items!
Also, I have a whole list of ideas for new posts, but if there is anything you want to know, leave a comment below and I will do my best to cover it!
Thanks everyone, come back next time!
Sam
1. Sensible shoes. I can't emphasize this enough. Nothing makes me crazier than seeing people out sight-seeing in flip flops and sandals. How do you get any arch support? What do you do about your inevitable blisters? I recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes that you wear often enough to know they won't give you blisters or aching feet. Don't miss out on seeing everything because your dogs are barking.
2. A second pair of sensible shoes. What if your first pair gets wet? Walking around in damp sneakers can put a damper on any trip.
3. Sunglasses, hat, sunblock and a sweater. If you're going to a warmer locale, pack sunblock, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect you from the sun, especially if the sun is going to be stronger than you're used to. Remember, no matter how hot it is during the day, temperatures could still drop at night, so pack a sweater or light jacket just in case.
4. Scarf, gloves and a jacket. If you're traveling during the winter or to a cooler location, pack the appropriate outerwear. You may not have too many opportunities to warm up when you're out, so bundle up.
5. Umbrella. The smallest but sturdiest one you can find, especially if you plan to visit London. I've been there three times and it has rained every time.
6. Stain remover. This is practical to have in any situation, don't look like a slob with food stains all over you.
7. Practical bag. For women who are fans of the handheld purse, I don't recommend bringing it with you while you're traveling. Instead get something with better weight distribution that will leave both hands free such as a backpack or cross-body bag. Preferably something with a zipper that you can put a lock on.
8. A watch. For someone who travels a lot, a watch with the ability to show you multiple time zones is ideal. It also helps to know what time you're texting or calling friends and family back home.
9. Functional alarm clock. Don't sleep through your whole trip! Getting to places early is the best way to beat crowds, so have a reliable alarm clock that won't let you sleep in.
10. Ear plugs, sleep mask, neck pillow. If you have a hard time falling asleep on long plane or train rides or falling asleep in a new place, these can be lifesavers.
11. Water bottle. I support using reusable water bottles instead of bottled water, so if you are in a place where it is safe to drink the water, bring a reusable water bottle to fill up as you go. However, not everywhere you go will have safe drinking water so disposable is the only way to go. It is important to stay hydrated, especially if you're spending more time on your feet than you usually do, so apologize to the environment and get that water bottle, just remember to recycle it.
12. Snacks. If you're like me or my roommate and travel buddy Becky, you get hangry (hungry-angry) when your blood sugar gets too low. To keep the beast at bay, carry healthy and energy-packed snacks that will keep you going between meals. On our trip to Europe last year we ended up skipping lunch most days and I found myself feeling dizzy by the end of the day, having better snacks could have helped me avoid this. I recommend something small that you can throw in your bag like granola or protein bars. Avoid chocolate which could melt!
13. First aid kit. Whether you need a band-aid for your blister, pain killers for a headache, or neosporin for a cut, it is important to have a first aid kit handy. Look for a first aid kit with bug spray or anti-itch cream too, bugs are brutal everywhere.
14. Wipes and anti-bacterial gel. Keep your hands, face and anywhere else clean on the go.
15. Map, guidebook, phrase book or combination of the three. Travel apps can be helpful too, but you won't always have access to Wi-Fi so having a backup is best. A map of the city you are visiting is essential, even if you are lost, a local will be able to help you more if you both have a visual reference. You'll also need a phrasebook to ask, "Where am I?" A book that includes a map, helpful phrases and can't-miss attractions is your best bet.
16. Something to occupy your time. Whether that's a book, MP3 player or crocheting needles, bring something to keep you busy while you wait in line, on the train or anywhere else you need something to do.
17. Something to write in. Again, a Smartphone is good for taking quick notes, but what if your phone dies while you're out and you really want to remember the name of the restaurant you're eating in? Grab a business card and store it in your journal where you can also write down what you ate, what the atmosphere was like and how much fun you had. Bring some pens with you too.
18. Take breaks. This isn't something you can bring with you, but it is important to do. Don't push yourself to cover every corner of a city, if you start to feel dizzy or under the weather, take a break on a bench, in a restaurant, or head back to your hotel if need be. Take care of yourself so you can keep going instead of making it worse.
Let me know if there is anything I missed! And here is your fun fact for the day: I learned during my trip to Greece that the trunks of eucalyptus trees on the island of Santorini are painted white for two very practical reasons: 1) The white paint acts as a bug repellent and 2) The reflective quality of the paint helps drivers on the winding roads at night.
That's it for today! Check out the Pinterest board for this post for more essential items!
Also, I have a whole list of ideas for new posts, but if there is anything you want to know, leave a comment below and I will do my best to cover it!
Thanks everyone, come back next time!
Sam
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