Travel Prep

Ah, the airplane bag. If there’s a favorite part of packing, then this is it. This is my wheelhouse. I remember loading up my bright blue Eddie Bauer backpack when I was little, making sure I had something to do during every hour of my flight.

Nowadays, it’s more about making sure I have all of the essentials, outside of my clothes, that can fit nicely in one bag. With my trip to Spain and Portugal fast approaching, I put together a list of some of my travel essentials. Some of these, obviously, can go into your suitcase, but I find that I like having access during my flight.

My Travel Essentials

1. Travel bag

I bought this for Thailand and Cambodia and have pretty much used it on every domestic trip thereafter too. It doubled as my airplane bag and my purse until I found a smaller one that I liked at the night market while in Southeast Asia. I bought it in turquoise because it was different than the normal black I go with. I’ve received quite a few compliments. It has a secret compartment for my important documents (#13) as well as an iPad holder in the front. I got this on eBags.com. I lurrrrve them. Seriously. You can often find sweet deals on travel-related items.

2. Purse or Day Bag

After painstakingly going through many options, I chose the PacSafe Metrosafe 200 GII Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag to use during the day while in Spain and Portugal. When we went to Thailand and Cambodia, we used this Patagonia lightweight, easily collapsable backpack in black and loved it. Mostly because the hubster was the one who carried it and I was left hands-free without a purse. But, since he won’t be coming with me to Spain and Portugal, I needed something safer than a backpack, especially for when I’m off on my own. This offers RFID protection in its front pocket. Basically, that means people can’t steal my shit. I realize everyone wants to be me and this prevents assholes from stealing my identity through my credit cards or my passport. It also has Slash-proof straps so no one can cut my straps and run. Plus, this is big enough to carry my DSLR without it looking like a camera bag. Bonus! This will be my first time using it, so I’m excited to see how it pans out. No, it’s not as pretty as my fashionable purses. But again, function over form, people. I also got this on eBags.

 

3. DSLR Camera

Yup. I'm bringing this bad boy. Which means I'll need to protect it, without carrying around a separate bag for it. Do you see the functionality theme? I found out about the camera cover thanks to tips from Be My Travel Muse. She uses it, so I bought it because she’s a pretty rad traveler. We'll see how it works. The camera I have is a Canon Rebel T3.

4. Point and Shoot Camera

For times when I don't want to bring around the bad boy (see above). I'll have my Canon Powershot SX260 HS to put in my purse. It's been a great camera so far. I highly recommend it. The only thing I would change is where the flash that pops up. It's in a weird location, so very often, people have their finger over that area. It has led to many entertaining moments, with people wondering what just pushed on their finger.

5. iPad

Ain't nobody got time to be carrying around a laptop, unless you're, you know, on a business trip or are traveling for more than a few weeks. I use my iPad to Facetime (when wireless is available), research cities with the TripAdvisor app and check my email mostly.  My iPad also doubles as a Kindle with the Kindle app so I can read self-improvement books along the way. No, I’m not joking. What’s fiction?

6. Wireless keyboard

I want to write while I'm traveling. This allows me to blog (lucky you) while still on the road without lugging around my MacBook Pro. You can see it here when I was blogging on our anniversary.

7. Surge Protector

I love this multi-outlet surge protector. I can easily charge everything at night without worrying about things blowing a fuse. Plus, it has handy-dandy USB ports for even more charging opportunities.

 

8. Chargers and Gear Ties

Obviously, you’ll need to charge your electronics, so bring your chargers. I learned about these ties from one of my favorite travel bloggers: The Planet D. These have been a lifesaver for a type-A personality like me. It keeps all my wires wrapped up tightly and in place. It may seem silly, but anything I can do to minimize hassle, including unwrapping wires, I find very valuable. They come in fun colors too. You can do green for your Apple gear (get it) and orange for your camera gear and maybe black for your external hard drive… I’m just saying that’s something you could do, not that I do that… I again, got them on Amazon.

 

9. Converters and/or Adaptors

I think I'll only need an adaptor for this trip. Most of my electronics convert or step up/down on their own. If I desperately need a converter while there, I can easily buy one. I bought these adaptors from Amazon. Can you tell we love our Amazon Prime membership?

10. Compression Socks

“If you're lucky, I'll wear these for you tonight. Me-ow.” The hubster doesn’t find me entertaining 100% of the time.

My body usually does fine on long-haul flights. But the last time we traveled, my ankles swelled even though I made sure to get up every so often. The red wine proooooobably didn’t help. Mind you, this was after one 14 hour flight and another 8 hour flight. So I think I held up pretty well if my ankles only swelled a bit. Anyway, I want to hit the ground running (pun intended ) when I get to Barcelona, so I'll be putting these on prior to my flight just to make sure.

11. Ear Plugs

Much to the hubster's chagrin, I'm a light sleeper. Sleep is sort of necessary, so I bring this puppies. Always.

12. RFID Sleeves

Many banks are now passing these out when you get a new debit card. It protects your information from assholes who can just simply STAND NEXT TO YOU and use a device to read your card. Who thinks about this shit? Jerks, that’s who. RFID sleeves ensure your stuff is jerk-proof.

13. My Documents Folder

As specified here, these are all the essentials I'll need in case something happens and I can't access it online.

There are other items not pictured here, like a change wallet. You tend to get a lot of change while in Europe. Find a cute change purse at Target to remedy this. It will be tough, but you can handle it. I just gave you an excuse to go to Target! You’re welcome.

Other miscellaneous items include: Band-Aids, trashy magazines, a couple granola bars and water. Bring water. Hopefully out of your own reusable bottle (just don’t have it filled when you’re going through security).

Those are my go-to items. Obviously, adjust for your needs. I hope you found this helpful and if you did, pass it on or let me know!

Did I miss anything? What are your travel essentials?

I’m leaving for Spain and Portugal next week! I’m leaving for Spain and Portugal next week! Did you hear? I’m leaving for Spain and Portugal next week!

So, now is the time I usually start gathering all of my important paperwork, so to speak. Copies of passports, itineraries, confirmation numbers, etc.  Basically, I'm making sure I have my shit together. I'm not one for surprises because I've lacked in planning. I'll probably spend more time being mad at myself than fixing the issue at hand because I planned poorly. Did I mention I have mad problems?

Moving on.

Below is a list of what I organize prior to leaving for an international trip. Some people just like having an email trail with correspondence they can access and some people like carrying a binder of their entire trip, day-by-day. These are what work for me and I think would be useful for anyone, regardless of how you decide to organize. Obviously if you're traveling for business, much of this won't apply.

This upcoming trip to Spain and Portugal is straight-forward; I know where I'm staying the whole time. When we went to Southeast Asia we decided on accommodations and cities where were going to next, on the fly. We sometimes didn't even know where we were staying until the day before. (We live on the edge. It was actually a blast to travel like that.) So basically, what I'm saying is, adjust as necessary for your needs.

Spreadsheet of Hotels and Flights

The hubster actually created this puppy for our trip to Thailand and Cambodia. It was inspired by a friend who had traveled there and put together a similar spreadsheet. Travelers like helping travelers. We’re good people. It was extra handy to have.  You could simply add a column in the spreadsheet for costs, like we did, and this could double as your budget sheet as well.

I’m sure you could really get detailed and include seat numbers, rooms requested, people you talked to etc. But this works for me.

Print-outs of City Information or Tour Correspondence

If you’re like me, you’ve investigated some areas you’d like to see along the way.  I usually print some things out, including email correspondences I’ve possibly had with arranged tours. I like having stuff to leaf through on the flight or in the evening while winding down to make sure I haven’t “missed” anything. I mainly use my iPad now to explore cities. I personally love the Trip Advisor app.

Fun Fact: Did you know I’m in the top 10% of reviewers in Fort Lauderdale on Trip Advisor? It’s true. And no, no one has paid me to say that. Sadly.

But having a few print-outs from websites never hurt. Plus, the emails can serve as proof you’ve booked tours if you ever need it.

Passport, Drivers License, Credit Cards and Insurance Cards

Get all of these bad boys out and in one place. Only take credit cards on the trip that you know you’ll use. For instance, I’m not bringing any cards that have a foreign transaction fee. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Plus, if something happens and you lose your cards, you at the very least have some at home if you don’t bring. every. single. one. with. you. Make sure you call each credit card company and let them know you’re traveling internationally so they don’t put a hold on your account for what they may think are fraudulent international charges, when all you want is a freakin’ frozen chocolate banana from 7-11 in Bangkok. What? I was hungry!

Insurance cards. Why would you need your insurance card? Because you could also get hurt abroad. In fact, I take the extra precaution and buy travel insurance (Not trip insurance, there’s a difference.) because my medical insurance, and most in fact, don’t cover medical expenses abroad. I usually use World Nomads. And again, I sadly was not paid for saying that. They’re easy to use and you can quickly extend insurance as you need it if you’re staying longer than anticipated. This is a nominal fee for the major expense it would be if I twisted my ankle or got a sinus infection or, you know, couldn’t recover from bad oysters and the Immodium AD just wasn’t working.  Also, Travel Insurance protects you (essentially) from political unrest if you need to be evacuated out of the country. Do I think this will happen in Spain and Portugal? No. Not if my Flamenco dancing skills have anything to say about it. It can create world peace, man.

You can also gather your hotel and airline membership cards, if you so desire. I don’t feel like these are totally necessary. If I ever need to prove my status with an airline, I can show my boarding pass, which has what level elite I am.  Same with a hotel, it’s usually already in your reservation.

Once you've gathered all of the above, follow these steps:

1. Make 2 copies of everything. I like to put all of my ID's, credit cards and passport on one individual page, space permitting. Copy the FRONT and BACK. The important phone #’s are on the back.
2. Give the additional copies of everything to someone who is sadly staying at home. Not a stranger, someone you can count on in a pinch and who won't freak out. So, probably not your mom. Also, make sure they won’t head to Macy’s and buy new heels with your credit cards info. Not that this has crossed my mind.
3. Scan all paper copies and email everything to yourself in one email, including any digital docs. For instance, if your itinerary spreadsheet is in Excel.
4. Take your set of copies and bring them with you on the trip.

I like to keep the copies I have of everything in an obscure manilla folder with “Don't steal my shit” written on the tab. Make sure all the printed copies you take are kept in a safe in your room or secured in a bag with a lock.

If you're ever in a crappy situation where you need to cancel a credit card, prove citizenship, access funds immediately or clarify reservations, you now have 3 options to choose from:

• Call a lifeline (your pal at home with the paperwork)
• Pull up your email
• Grab your folder with all your copies

All of these steps are precautions and give me peace at mind, even if the only thing I pull out of the manilla folder is my confirmation number for a flight. It's better safe than sorry. Some say it's anal. But I like anal. Wait. That didn't come out right.

Happy travels!

Did I forget anything? How do you organize for a big trip?