After my recent travels in Europe I want to share the things I couldn’t have made the month long trip without, and even some of the things I took, but didn’t end up needing.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products listed below and recommend them because they are companies and products that I have found helpful and trustworthy. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything listed below!
1. Phone + Pop Socket
This one may seem obvious but the pop socket is the key. When you are taking photos having that pop socket lets you get the shot you want without completely risking your phone.
I was able to get amazing photos off the top of the Duomo in Florence, and all over the city of Venice with no fear of dropping my phone in the canals while also keeping tourists, cars, or vaparetos (also known as water buses), out of the frame.
2. Power Bank
This is kind of a no brainer, but it was definitely used on the heavy walking days where I would take photos or be using google maps to navigate different cities. Having a portable charger is a life saver for getting that perfect shot of the sunset, but also gives you the security to not get lost, and call for help if you should need, and stay in communication with your travel mates while not together.
3. Ear Pods/Headphones are a MUST.
If you are like me, I listen to music while getting ready for the day, and to wind down at night. Your travel buddies may not agree with having music on or may dislike the style of music you’re listening to.
Pro Tip: Create a playlist before you go and along your travels. This allows you to reminisce your experiences with a simple song years later.
4. Travel Adapter/Converter
Technology has come a long way. Long gone are the days of carrying around 1 plug with a whole bag of adapters. Check out this multi-plug adapter and this converter adapter I took with me all over Europe!
Pro Tip: Get the converter for all hair styling tools, basically voltage per plug changes country to country. Save yourself from frying your hairdryer as soon as you turn it on by using a voltage converter.
5. Carry a Water Bottle With You
Large or small, I don’t care, I highly recommend you take a reusable water bottle, bonus points if it has a filter. You’ll need to hydrate to get through long travel days and stay cool on those super hot days. This is the one I took on my last trip and take with me everyday to work.
Pro Tip: Get a “filtered” water bottle. In some countries the water is safe to drink out of the tap, others… not so much.
I super picky about my water and how it tastes. So, I tested this Brita bottle’s filter strength by using my personal Zero Water TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) reader. The Brita Bottle took my house tap water from 121 ppm to 29 ppm. While I was in Florence the tap water was a bit orange and believe it or not, this bottle filtered out the color completely.
(Check out ZeroWater.com if you want to learn more or get a household filter that removes 99% of particles).
6. Headband and Hair Gel
I am not your go to morning person. But, I knew I’d want to be up early and out seeing the sights and experience the cities we were in. So, I decided to test out some heatless curl tricks before I flew out. A simple 2″ thick elastic headband and a spray bottle of light hair gel gave me amazing curls with just 10 min before bed. (Tutorial to come soon) Check out these sleep in curls I rocked all month long!
7. Under Eye Masks
Not only are these perfect for the last 30 min before your flight lands and you are waking up trying to shift time zones, but these are also great for those days that you have early morning starts and know you’re going to be snapping photos, or just need to minimize that puffy feeling you get from your eyes being super tired.
These are my favorites, I buy them once every few months!
8. Packing Cubes
I was always curious if these were actually helpful or just a packing gimmick.
Pro Tip: They’re HELPFUL!
This saved me so much time each day before catch the train to a new destination. Plus, it helps you find what you’re looking for in a hurry (most of the time LOL). Find these at any super store, travel store, Amazon, or local TJ Maxx.
9. SIM Card
This one depends on where you are going, but I purchased a SIM card solely for the ability to access maps and know where I was and how to get where I wanted to go. This was also great for saving on overage fees when trying to connect with my travel mates when we split up to do our own things. I ordered mine through amazon and popped in my phone at the airport and was good to go.
Pro Tip: Try and find a card that activates right away and you don’t have to wait 24 hours for an activation code
10. Selfie Stick
Having a selfie stick gives you the range of extra height or length for the perfect shot. Also, you can fit all of your friends in the frame, or capturing a pic of you at your new favorite spot when no one else is around.
This is last on my list, but certainly NOT LEAST. I’ve traveled with women who hate photos of themselves, but I’ll tell you this, even if you don’t love how you look, take a damn selfie every now and then. You are off having an amazing trip, you’ll want to remember it!
There were a few things I thought I needed that I never actually touched – even though I carried them around Europe for an entire month. So subscribe and follow to get more travel tips, mindset hacks, and how to run your biz from anywhere!
I hope these help you in planning your next trip! Would love to hear where you are going, so share in the comments below!
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