Holidays are super relaxing; that is once you actually get on them. The planning and the saving money and at the last minute the packing are enough to send you over the edge. You’ve got the obvious things on your list like passport, plane tickets and camera. But what else will make your trip a breeze? If you have an overseas trip planned then these are the 7 essentials to bring along so you can enjoy your holiday start to finish.
Holidays are super relaxing; that is once you actually get on them. The planning and the saving money and at the last minute the packing are enough to send you over the edge. You’ve got the obvious things on your list like passport, plane tickets and camera. But what else will make your trip a breeze? If you have an overseas trip planned then these are the 7 essentials to bring along so you can enjoy your holiday start to finish.
1. A portable phone charger
Travel days can be long and full of phone usage. From maps to photos and social media updates so everyone knows you’re #livingthedream, it’s hard to get through a whole day without a battery boost. Portable charging bricks are cheap and small these days and you can get them in sizes ranging from one to four full charges. You’ll never miss a sunset photo again with this little beauty in your pocket.
2. Compression bags
Let’s be honest, a lot of us plan to partake in some retail therapy when we head overseas. A perfect solution for shopaholics with a small case are compression bags. They’ll save you heaps of space by vacuum sealing all your extra clothing. Also fantastic for compressing large, soft items in your bag like ski clothes and puffer jackets if you’re headed over for winter. They’ll save you heaps of space but remember to keep an eye on weight restrictions. Option 3 is sealing up any dirty laundry you don’t plan on washing on the trip but want to keep separate from the clean stuff.
3. Your own pillowcase
Hostels are an amazing way to travel cheaply. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe or enjoying a few weeks snowboarding in Canada you can do it on a budget with the right accommodation. But there’s no shot you can take to protect against shared living. If putting your faith in the cleanliness of the hostel and those before you is keeping you up at night then take the matter into your own hands. All you have to do is pack pillowcases from a quality sheet set and you’ll know you’re the first head to hit that pillow. Depending on the length of your trip 1-2 should suffice and they fold or roll easily into your suitcase or backpack.
4. A good book
Downtime is likely even if it’s unexpected. You could be faced with flight delays, long bus trips as part of a day tour or even just an afternoon lounging on the beach. Nothing beats a good paperback to pass the time so make sure to pack at least 1 book in your hand luggage. Paperback options of classic novels like Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Frankenstein are my favourites for bringing on the road; small yet satisfying reads.
5. Adaptors & plugs
It’s an easy thing to forget or something some people don’t even know; powerpoints around the world are different. They have different shapes and holes and even run on different voltages. Make sure you’ve packed a power adaptor for the country you’ll be visiting or your chargers won’t be much use at all. I like to bring along a power board as well since this way you’ll only need one powerpoint and adaptor to charge multiple devices. Be sure to check for any difference in voltage so you don’t overload the board.
6. A separate day bag
A lot of people assume they’ll save space by using their carry on luggage for a travel bag day to day. This is usually a mistake. Your carry on is for all your devices, snacks, water, toiletries and possibly a spare outfit for the plane. But after arriving at your destination you can pare it back to just the main things; wallet, sunglasses, water bottle etc. Make the most of your plane luggage allowance with a large carry on that can fit an extra, smaller day bag inside, like a backpack or cross-body clutch.
7. Tips for family travel
The most important item for travelling with kids would have to be a foldable pram or stroller. It saves your kids tired feet which keeps the whole family on track for sightseeing and can often provide extra storage for incidentals like water bottles, jackets and hats.
At the end of the day most things you forget you can buy on the road. But if you follow this list all your essentials will already be covered. Enjoy your trip!
Author Bio:
Julia Hammond is a seasoned world traveller who loves ticking new countries off her bucket list. She’s visited Canada, Thailand, Japan, Italy and Hawaii (and that’s just the last 5 years!) Currently working in content marketing for Mydeal.com.au, she strives to bring entertaining and informative content to readers of the MyDeal blog and everywhere else her articles are published.
