Isn’t it funny how the things you think you will use the most become the things you hardly use, and the things you don’t think much of, become the best things you pack?
This was definitely the case for me—so here’s my top five travel items!
1. Quality walking shoes
Benefit: a great walking experience and no sore feet!
Now, this one was an investment—but one that I deem has proven its worth.
Prior to traveling, I knew I wanted a good pair of shoes. I wanted a walking shoe and a sneaker in one. I was so glad when I found the perfect pair—a good-quality shoe with high-quality comfort and design.
If you’re traveling for a few weeks and walking every day, it’s worth investing in a pair of walking shoes with inbuilt good comfort and support, a leather outside even. These were the only pair of shoes I used in three weeks of travel—including rain and being in the snow! By the end of the trip, they still looked brand new.
2. Portable air purifier
Benefit: good sleep and great white noise for light sleepers.
Now, this might seem unnecessary, but if you’re a light sleeper and concerned that noise in hotels might keep you up at night, why not consider a mini air purifier? I didn’t buy it for its air-purifying properties, though they are a very welcomed bonus—I bought it for its noise!
The small air purifier I bought was around $60AUD, and when on its highest setting, it makes an air conditioner-like sound. It was the perfect white noise I needed each night to cover any other noise and help me get off to sleep. It’s about the height of a standard water bottle, slightly wider than a standard water bottle and square in shape.
3. Essential oils
Benefit: great for wellness!
Before you get ahead of yourself—no, I’m not an essential oil rep about to sell you oils. I’m just someone who loves to use them.
I bought an “on-guard” oil, which I mix with fractioned coconut oil and fill into an oil roller. I applied this to my wrists and neck to help keep me on guard from germs and bugs. I also applied some to the soles of my feet each night and often rolled some onto the front of my jumper to smell and inhale while traveling on planes.
I also bought a small amount of peppermint oil to inhale when experiencing a headache or feeling unwell.
4. Band-Aids
Benefit: save on a trip to the pharmacy!
I didn’t think much about this item when I packed it, but these came in sooo handy! I got a couple of scratches while lugging my suitcase around, and I was thankful I packed these. Let’s be honest… no one wants to find a pharmacy or store to buy band-aids from when you’ve just got a minor cut or graze—you want those things on hand, and you want them now!
Be generous when you pack ban-aids. Even if you only need 1 for a small scratch or graze, you’ll likely end up applying a new band-aid the following days, so it’s a good idea to pack more than you expect. You’ll be glad you did.
5. Spare suitcase lock
Benefit: no unnecessary trips to the store to replace items!
Perhaps right before your trip, you realised you needed a new travel lock. Maybe that new lock you bought came in a pair. You might have thought, “I only need one—do I really need to pack the spare lock too?”
Well, it’s a small thing to pack and won’t add much weight, so something I deem a great thing to have on hand. If you’re traveling with someone else and if it doesn’t come in handy for you, it might be useful for them.
While repacking my suitcase one night, one of my locks broke. I was traveling again the next day, and I didn’t want to buy a new lock. Thankfully, I had a spare lock on hand! It’s often the little things you don’t think about that come in so handy!
The Editing Eagle 