Recommended Travel Essentials

You’ll never catch me traveling without ANY of the following items…

• International Power Adapter: DO NOT TRAVEL ABROAD WITHOUT THIS! This should be the first thing you pack. This particular adapter lets you plug in your electronics in most countries around the world (but not all, so double check if you need a different special adapter for a country not on the list). While you’ll usually be fine plugging in smaller electronics like phones and cameras, this is NOT a voltage adapter so you’ll need a separate attachment if you want to plug in something more powerful, like a hair dryer.
• Quick Dry Travel Towel: This ALWAYS comes in handy! Whether you use it as a bath towel, beach towel, or to keep you cool on a hot day, this lightweight microfiber towel dries super quickly and folds up small so you can easily take it with you when you’re on the move.
• Apple AirTag: Stick this tiny tracker in your checked baggage and keep tabs on your luggage throughout your travel journey. After having an airline lose (and never recover) one of my checked bags, I never travel without one of these.
• Sarong/Pashmina Shawl: Sarongs are great travel companions because they are SO versatile! Use it as a cover up at the beach, picnic blanket, beach towel, to cover your head, legs or shoulders in a holy place, as a blanket on a flight or train, and so much more. They take up virtually no room and are useful for everything. 10/10 would recommend.
• These Sturdy Walking Sandals: From the sands of the Egyptian pyramids to the dusty streets of Vietnam to an African safari in Botswana and South Africa, the Eurosoft Women’s Gianetta Footbed Sandals have never let me down. I randomly found them at DSW several years ago and they were comfortable right out of the box with no chafing, hotspots, or break-in period, and I’ve never looked back. They’re sturdy, super comfortable, and versatile enough to wear for long days of trekking through rugged landscapes as well as walking through city streets. Plus they’re stylish enough to wear out to dinner and on nights out, too, and they’re inexpensive enough to replace after a few big trips of heavy wearing. Note that they are NOT waterproof, so choose something else if you need more of a water shoe.
• Basic White Sneakers: For colder-weather destinations, a simple pair of basic white sneakers are the perfect shoes to wear with every outfit. These specific ones are super cheap so you don’t have to worry about trashing them if they end up getting dirty or if you put lots of miles on them during a trip. I wear these all the time at home and while traveling, and they’re the answer to packing less pairs of shoes when you’re starting to run out of suitcase space. Note that this particular pair runs a little narrow in the toes. 
• Portable Power Bank: This external battery is great to keep in your purse or daypack when you’re out and about – it can charge your phone up to 10 times on a single charge, plus you can plug in multiple devices at once (even more if you have a multi-charging cable). If you have this external battery on you, you won’t have to worry about your electronics dying while you’re out and about.
• Waterproof Dry Bag Fanny Pack: This item is awesome for keeping your valuables on you – dry and secure – when you’re traveling alone at the beach, going in the water, or during an adventure activity where you might get wet.
• TSA Approved Combination Lock: Great if you’re staying in hostels and you want to keep your valuables in a locker during the day. Beyond hostels, you may have an experience where you could benefit from locking up your belongings. I never travel without one.
• Trip Journal: Even if you think you won’t use it, bring a trip journal. Something along your journey may inspire you and you’ll want to write it down.
• Electrolyte Packets: These are great to bring with you wherever you go. Pour one of these packets into a glass of water for instant hydration. This is key for food poisoning, hangovers, and really hot days. It’s especially great if you’re headed somewhere remote that may not have Gatorade or sports drinks, or if you’re too hungover to leave the hotel!
• Hanging Toiletry Bag: Honestly I don’t know why it took me so long to add a case like this to my travel packing list, but it’s a total game changer and I’m never going back to whatever I was doing before. I recently bought this in the medium size and it has SO much capacity for all my toiletries, travel medications, first aid and emergency items, and more. It has a ton of different compartments so I can stay super organized and bring everything I need for wherever I’m headed. Plus there’s a hook on the top so you can hang it on a towel rack or doorknob in the bathroom for even easier and more convenient access.
• International Voltage Converter: This voltage converter will work WITH your international power adapter if you’re planning to plug in larger electronics like laptops or hair dryers. Note that voltage adapters are notoriously faulty and don’t always work. So try it, but maybe don’t risk it if your American electronics are something you can’t live without. I’ve never had a problem plugging in a laptop abroad without a voltage converter, but you’ll want to check the specifics of your computer to see what you’ll need before you go.
• Travel-Size Toiletries: These are a must, for all the obvious reasons. They take up way less space, you can fly with them, and simply replace them for a few bucks if you run out.
• Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow: I was never a believer, until I was. Travel neck pillows make ALL the difference! If you’re heading out on a long flight overseas, just trust me, it’ll be the best sleep on the plane you’ve ever had. If you don’t think you’ll have enough space to stash a travel neck pillow, this is the one for you. You blow it up yourself (I recommend not blowing it up fully so it doesn’t get too hard), and deflate it once you’re done with it. It comes in a tiny carrying case that you can stick into a crevice of your carry-on.
• Dual Voltage Hair Dryer Brush: It’s not a bad idea to invest in one of these (it’s like 50 bucks) to travel with internationally. It works nearly anywhere outside the U.S. and it comes with a European plug adapter so you don’t have to worry about breaking your favorite blow dryer while you’re traveling internationally. You may also consider investing in a dual voltage curling iron and straightener for the same purpose, and those even come in mini sizes for easier packing, too.
• Travel First Aid Kit: It’s always good to have a few of these things with you – bandaids and Neosporin at the very minimum.
• *Hard Copies of All Documents (Passport, Travel Insurance, Tour and Hotel Reservations, etc.)
• *Over the Counter Medications (Don’t forget the basics like DayQuil, Ibuprofen, Tums, Dramamine, activated charcoal for an upset stomach, and extras of all your prescriptions, just in case!)