Great Travel Stuff & Tips For You
The world is opening up again and you should take advantage whenever possible!
After having been MIA for 5 years or so, a while back, I find myself frantic to do and go and accomplish. Can you tell? 😜 I have the crushing feeling that time is running out and I must get going! One of those things to get going on, is traveling. I plan to go until I “can’t go no more…”
Like I said in my last post, I have a great group of ladies that I travel with when possible. And when I can tag along, I travel with Chip. We go to some wonderful destinations, mostly domestic and sometimes Caribbean. With the ladies, my trips have been mainly to Europe. I know, how lucky right…?
You would think I’m a pro at the whole travel thing, but I learn something to do/not to do on every trip! I am starting to pack for my upcoming trip, which is a ladies’ trip to France, and so here’s my bag full of travel info for you!
I start seriously looking at the weather 3 weeks before I leave, especially if it’s an off season trip (going somewhere warm when it’s cold here). Then I start pulling clothes 7 days out. When the weather starts showing up on my phone, that’s when I can take the weather apps seriously and start putting it all in my suitcase(s).
Speaking of suitcases, the older I get, the less I want to drag a stuffed carry-on around with me. I check as much as possible and only carry on what I want to consume (books, screens, pen and paper, snacks), a turkish towel or wrap (for warmth or head rest), in a small carry on with underwear, meds and essential toiletries. And maybe a tote bag/purse.
I’m not a light packer, but I try to be smart about it. If I am not handling my luggage, then I take a large bag. If I have to pick it up, I take more, smaller bags.
If it’s a longish trip and I am moving locations, I try to pack by order of what I’m wearing. I also pack everything that might wrinkle in plastic dry cleaner bags. It really does help - I never have room for a steamer and who wants to iron?
I make a cheat sheet of what I’m going to where and when. It doesn’t always work out, but it keeps me from having no clean items that go together or running out of underwear by my last day.
Remember there is a difference in an adapter and a converter. If you are traveling overseas and taking something that has a motor or uses heat, you need both!
Below I have images of some of my favorite travel items and most used accessories.
Click images for links.
AWAY LUGGAGE
I can’t say enough about this luggage and the company. I have a navy set, the large (pictured), the medium and the carry-on sizes. I saved money by buying the set. It is not nearly as expensive as other really great brands.
It is has a polycarbonate shell, is VERY lightweight, very attractive and has 360º spinner wheels.
The Carry Ons have a USB battery in the top of the bag, but if you fly any of the larger carriers, you have to take it out of your bag before boarding.
Most of their bags are guaranteed for life, and will be repaired or replaced. No joke. I bought one for Chip that he uses non-stop. He travels weekly and his luggage takes a beating. It was punctured on one trip and I emailed the company. Within a week he had a brand new replacement and we sent the damaged one back in the box. (This has never happened to mine, and they have been to the west coast numerous times, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and to Europe five times.)
Truffle Clarity Jumbo Case.
I put my makeup in here. Yes - this is in addition to the toiletries bag. I can see what I have and don’t have to fish around to find things.
I had one like the one shown below and I hated it. It took up way less room, but I had to dump everything out in the sink to find anything.
PS - I know you can find hacks of these on Amazon for much less. I don’t know how they would hold up, but if you don’t mind supporting Amazon, you could check it out!
The Everywhere Bag
This is also from Away. My friend Kris got this for Christmas and I saw how great it was. This is the smallest size of three.
It has a wraparound zipper, has an outer pocket and a sleeve, so you just slip it over your bag handle and it stays put while you wheel your bags around. It has a sleeve inside for your laptop and has pockets inside to organize things. It has two handles and a shoulder strap. I really love it.
Canvas Cross Body Bag
This is Longchamp, and it’s a man’s bag. But it is great for day travel, it’s lightweight and comfortable, and it was less expensive than the fancier ladies’ bags that were very similar. I use it instead of a purse.
Truffle Clarity Jetset Case
I have this one too. This one is TSA approved as your clear, quart sized toiletry bag for your carry on.
I saved up for these cases and they are so nice. (Like I said, you can get cheaper copies on Amazon!)
Here’s what I do - I put as much as I can fit in this - things that I don’t want to be without if my luggage is late. The rest goes in the Tumi bag and the larger makeup bag.
I only use this for the airplane. I stow it during my trip and use the clear bag for makeup and the hanging bag for everything else.
Hanging Cosmetic Case
This one is from Tumi and you could probably find a less expensive one, but make sure it has all the goodness. This one opens up to three compartments and has a zip off one too. Lots of zippers and compartments. And it’s amazing how much you can get in it and still get it closed! 😬
I like it because I am sharing a room and I have TONS of products. I was taking up the whole counter with all my crap. With this bag, I can hang it out of the way.
Apple Translator App
This is my favorite one. If you get the version with speech, it will play the pronunciation.
I have had this forever and still love this for my smaller cords, air buds and I still have a zip drive in there. You never know when that might come in handy!
I also have a three page printable with Tips for Stress Free Travel, a Travel Essentials check list, and a 6 Month Countdown for Travel Abroad.