Travel Essentials for Spring Break and Beyond

It’s the time of year when lots of people are heading out for spring breaks or even eagerly awaiting the end of the school year for their summer vacations.  With that in mind, I though I would share a few of my travel essentials – items that I pack that make a trip either more enjoyable or easier.

Travalo Fragrance Atomizer

I received this nifty fragrance atomizer as a stocking stuffer from my sister-in-law a couple of years ago and now don’t know how I ever lived without it!  Natty Guy bought one for his cologne as well.  It’s super easy to fill, is TSA approved and won’t break in your luggage like a regular perfume bottle might.  With a 50 spray capacity, this petite piece can see you through a multi-week vacation.  A number of different styles and colors are available with prices ranging from about $7 up to $35 for fancier models.

 

Travel Power Strip

Hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins are notorious for not having enough outlets!  With all the tech gadgets we travel with today, I always pack a small power strip so that we can easily charge up our various phones, cameras, kindles, tablets, etc.  The model shown here has 3 AC and 3 USB ports for $15.99.

Sarong or Wrap

Sarongs are my go-to for warm weather travel.  On the plane or in the evening, they can serve as a light wrap.  By day, wear them as your swim cover-up or pair one with a tee for a cute/casual skirt outfit.  They’ll act as a head wrap if you visit a religious site and you can turn one into tote bag by tying the ends together.  So many uses for this lightweight piece!

In cooler climates, I prefer to carry a slightly more insulating but still lightweight wool/cashmere wrap.  This one by White & Warren has been a best seller for over 20 years.

Other Things to Remember….

A pen in your carry-on or handbag!  Can’t tell you how many times people have nothing with them for filling out entry documents on international flights.

Wipes – TSA friendly and can be used for both hands and surfaces.

Stuff envelope – For travel documents, receipts and small souvenirs.  I always add our entry to tickets to our scrapbooks after a trip.  Really like these poly ones for their durability!

Plastic zip bags – Use for wet clothes, snacks and more.  In fact, you could even use one in lieu of the slightly stiffer “stuff envelope” above.  I always throw a couple spares of varying sizes into my bag.

An emergency kit – With safety pins, a nail file, mini roll of duct tape, small nail clippers, etc.  I keep mine in one of those mini snack size zip bags in my toiletry bag.  You’d be surprised at how much you can MacGyver out of these few supplies.

Door alarm – I’ve personally never used one of these but if I were traveling alone to a country known to be precarious to women or if I was alone with small children, I most certainly would.

Tech Travel Essentials

Kindle – You can store a whole library in less space than a normal paperback!  Load up your travel guides, magazines and more.

Noise cancelling headphones – OK, I personally don’t travel with these, just earplugs because the best brands tend to be a bulky.  However, many travel experts swear by these and their ability to make a long flight more tolerable.  NOTE: Remember to bring the cord – Bluetooth doesn’t work with in-flight entertainment!  This smaller earbud version gets great reviews and may be worth a try if you want to eliminate some mass!

Headphone splitter – This comes in handy if you and your traveling companion want to share a cell phone walking tour so that you can hear it at the same pace.  It’s also great for saving device battery life if you are watching the same movie.

International mobile hotspot – Traveling somewhere remote?  These gadgets can come in handy.  Lots of options here depending on the speed, number of devices, etc. you are trying to cover.  Do research to best meet your specific needs.

What items have you come across that make a difference in your travels?  I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

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