A Few of My Favorite [Travel] Things

Through my family’s travels, I’ve learned to pack light. Many times we need to transport our luggage around between checking out of a hotel and checking into our next destination, or flying home. We try to get as much sightseeing in as we can, so sometimes the bags come with us. Our family has gone on trips for two weeks at a time, so making sure everything can fit into a small carry-on is essential. For us, carry-ons equal flexibility and speed. When packing light, items need to be well thought out for versatility and necessity. I want to share with you some of my favorite items that come with me when we travel. Here are my top “Favorite Travel Things:”

1. A Great Carry-On Rolling Suitcase

I purchased my carry-on suitcase several years ago. It would be hard to count how many trips it’s gone on with me. Whether it’s a short road trip to the Twin Cities or a week-long vacation overseas, my bag gives me a lot of bang for my buck. The wheels spin a full 360 degrees, it has a padded sleeve for my laptop, nice internal separator pouches, sturdy zippers, plenty of room for my folded clothes, and looks as nice as when I bought it.

The updated version of my model: Protege 18" Business Rolling Carry-On, Item #555619069 at www.walmart.com, Under $50

2. Comfortable Walking Shoes

When you’re traveling and taking in all the sites, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Even when you’re on a group tour, there will be points when you’ll hop off the bus and check out a few locations. One thing I do before any of our trips is to make sure that everyone in our family has a comfortable pair of walking shoes. It’s something that ensures we all have an enjoyable time. I purchased my sandals before a two-week trip to Europe from Scheels All Sports. Countless miles have been walked in them, and my feet have never been sore.

Women's Taos Escape Sandals, Retail around $100

3. Your Favorite Products in Travel Size

You don’t have to use subpar products when you travel just to get them in travel size. I really like the beauty products I use. I have sensitive skin, and it wouldn’t be fun to have a reaction on vacation from using a new product. Whatever products I haven’t been able to buy locally, I’ll look for online. Most of the time, I can find them on Amazon.com, or by ordering directly from the manufacturer’s webpage.

Native Deodorant, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Bed Head Hard Head hairspray, Aquaphor moisturizer, Moroccan Oil hair treatment, Almay oil-free eye makeup remover pads

4. A Warm Compactable Coat

I’ve made the mistake of thinking that I could layer enough pieces of clothing during trips to stay warm on cooler days. Then I ended up at the top of the Eiffel Tower buying an expensive poncho just to try to stay warm. When you’re traveling, you just never know when circumstances will arise that are cooler than you’d expected. That’s why we pack puffer coats. They really condense down for packing, are lightweight, and give quite a bit of warmth.

My coat: www.eddiebauer.com, Item: Downlight Stormdown Jacket, Sells for: $138-270

5. Pashmina Scarf

My daughter and I learned in Europe to love a good scarf. Not only does it dress up an outfit, it provides another layer for warmth. If it’s cool in the morning, but the day is expected to warm up, wear it around your shoulders. As the day goes on, let it hang loosely around your neck to cool off. I like the pashmina sizing as they open up to be quite large, but are still lightweight. Also, they’re a fun souvenir to pick up during your travels. Every time you wear them afterwards, you’ll be reminded of your trip. They make really wonderful gifts to bring home as well, as you can find them for really reasonable pricing and they won’t weigh down your suitcase.

My scarf: purchased from a street vendor in Germany for $18

6. Foldable Travel Bag

As a family, we’ve utilized my travel bag on many vacations. It’s great for packing a few items to bring to the pool, or carrying back things we purchased along the way. I highly recommend throwing one in your suitcase before a trip, and you’d be surprised how handy it is.

A simple Google search for "foldable travel bags" will give you a bunch of options. Prices range from about $5-20.

I hope this list helps you to pack light, save time, and have flexibility in your future travel adventures. Bon voyage!