Going on a vacation soon? Ahhh lucky you! There are a lot of packing lists out there and a lot of tips (e.g., pack the same color tones so that you can mix and match outfits), but I wanted to share some of the items that I always pack that help make my trip easier or more enjoyable, or both! Here are my Top 10 items that you may not think of to add to your packing list—
1. Packing cubes! This makes traveling WAY easier, particularly when you are taking multiple airplanes on a trip and/or switching between hotels a lot. I keep clothes for one part of the trip in one cube, clothes for a different part in another, etc. That way I don’t have to unpack my giant suitcase everywhere I go. And I bring an extra cube or two for laundry! Easy peasy. Doesn’t have to be fancy—I use these!
2. Luggage weigh-er! Planning on doing some great shopping when you travel? I always buy many, many gifts for my loved ones and my suitcases get heavy (ha). I bring this scale so that I can weigh my suitcases and distribute weight before flying home, to avoid having to re-pack in the airport.
3. Craft cocktail kit for the airplanes! You know it’s time for vacation when you pack a craft cocktail kit to enjoy on the plane. My favorite is the champagne cocktail (surprises no one), which comes with elderflower syrup, a jigger, a linen coaster and a mini spoon to stir—just add bubbly on the plane!
4. Extra prescription drugs. Also not as exciting, but very practical—it can be hard to get prescription drugs when traveling and you want to pack MORE than you need in case of any emergency.
5. Portable speaker! My husband and I always travel with our Sonos Roam. He’s passionate about music quality, and I’m passionate about waking up to Madeleine Peyroux radio on Pandora. 😉
6. Pain reliever, Band-Aids, and blister pads. I walk a lot when I travel and who knows, maybe I will buy a new pair of shoes to break in. 😉
7. Printed itinerary and tickets. I always print these items, in case phone is out of batteries when I’m out and about! It’s also fun for me on the plane to read my printouts (which are often like mini books) and get excited about what is ahead.
8. Cash in local currency. Even on arrival you may find taxi drivers who only accept cash. You also may need them for small artisan markets. Bring some cash just in case!
9. Yeti wine tumblers and large rambler for a bottle. I don’t ever go on a vacation without these! The Yeti brand is better than the others I have tried. They keep wines cold on the beach for hours and they keep my chai tea hot for hours—a win win! The rambler that you’d want to hold a bottle of wine and keep it at the right temperature is the 26 ounce one.
10. Silky sleep mask. You want to get a great night’s sleep to then live fully on your travels! I have two favorite sleep masks—the Asutra mask that is filled with lavender and flax seeds and the Slip pure silk mask.
Enjoy your beauty rest and have the BEST time on your vacation!
