Must-Have Travel Essentials
10 Must-Have Travel Essentials for Your Next Adventure
Traveling can be exciting, but it can also be stressful if you're not prepared. We learned this by doing. When I was 18 I just booked a plane ticket and that was it. But everything changed when we got kids. We never stopped traveling, but we started traveling in a more responsible way. To make our trip as smooth as possible, we found out it is not necessary to take all your belongings with you, but it's important to pack the right essentials. From practical items to keep you comfortable to gadgets that will make your journey more enjoyable, here are 10 travel essentials we never want to leave behind!
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Passport
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Universal travel adapter
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A reliable and durabla suitcase of backpack
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Packing Cubes
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Powerbank
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Travel pillow/Blanket
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Water bottle
Passport
A passport is one of the most essential travel documents that anyone can possess. It allows an individual to travel to different countries without any legal barriers, helping them to explore new cultures, meet new people, and expand their horizons. We managed one time to leave without a passport for a trip to Morroco. It gave us so much trouble, but we did the trip anyway with some official papers we got at customs. Since we've been traveling with the four of us I use a case to keep everything organized and to be sure not to loose one of the passports.
Universal travel adapter
A travel adapter is a must-have for any international trip. Different countries have different types of electrical outlets, and without a travel adapter, you won't be able to charge your devices or use any electrical appliances. Look for a universal travel adapter that can be used in multiple countries, and make sure it has the correct voltage for the country you're visiting. It's also a good idea to bring multiple adapters in case you need to charge multiple devices at once.
A reliable and durable suitcase or backpack
One of the most important travel essentials is a reliable and durable suitcase or backpack. You want something that can withstand the wear and tear of travel, while also being easy to maneuver and carry. Look for suitcases or backpacks with sturdy wheels, strong zippers, and plenty of compartments for organization. Consider the size and weight restrictions of your airline to ensure your luggage meets their requirements. A good suitcase or backpack can make all the difference in a smooth and stress-free travel experience. Our favorite suitcases are these ones, they tick off all the boxes: Eastpack trolleys, North Face travel bags, the Deuter backpacks (for the kids and the big ones) and Vaude backpacks (the small ones and the big ones!). Travel gear is an investment, buy good stuff once and it will make traveling easier and cheaper in the long term.
Packing cubes
If you're someone who loves to travel, you know the value of efficient packing. Packing cubes have become popular among travelers in recent years as they allow for better organization and more space-efficient packing. They became reel travel essentials and we are fans too!
Packing cubes are small, rectangular storage containers that are designed to fit inside your suitcase or backpack. They come in different sizes, so you can choose the ones that work best for your needs.
One of the main benefits of using packing cubes is that they allow you to compartmentalize your luggage and they can help you save space. Since they are designed to fit snugly inside your luggage, you can use the cube's shape to your advantage. For example, you can roll up your clothes tightly and place them inside a cube, which takes up less space than if you were to fold them and stack them on top of each other. Packing cubes also make unpacking and repacking a breeze. Instead of having to rummage through your entire suitcase to find a specific item, you can grab the cube that contains what you need and quickly access it. When it comes time to pack up and move to your next destination, simply place the cubes back in your luggage in the order that works best for you.
Cubes need to be of good quality because of the frequency you open and close them! Our favorite packing cube brand is Sunflake. They have regular cubes and the compression ones.
Powerbank
If you're traveling, having a reliable powerbank is a must-have travel essential for your mobile devices. Powerbanks are portable devices that can store and supply power to your gadgets when you need them the most. They come in various shapes, sizes, and capacities to suit your needs and lifestyles.
A good powerbank should have a high-capacity battery that can provide enough power to your devices for an entire day or more. It should also be durable, compact, and lightweight so that you can carry it around with ease.
When shopping for a powerbank, you should consider the type of device you want to charge, the battery capacity you need, and the price range you're comfortable with. Some popular brands of powerbanks include Anker, iMoshion, Aukey, and Xiaomi.
Travel pillow/blanket
Travel pillows are essential for long journeys, especially when you need to catch some much-needed rest. They come in many different types and sizes, and can be perfect for anyone who needs to travel frequently. Travel pillows are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and styles. My favorite travel pillow is a neck pillow. This is designed to support your neck and prevent any stiffness or pain that may occur from prolonged sitting or sleeping in a seated position. Travel pillows are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and styles. Choose the one that suits your needs the best, and enjoy a comfortable and restful journey!
Water bottle
Water bottles have become a popular everyday essential for people around the world. Not only are they a convenient way to stay hydrated on the go, but they also help to reduce waste by eliminating the need for single-use plastics.
Water bottles are not only a travel essential because they keep you hydrated, they are also money savers! You can refill for free in airports after the security check and on many other places! Our favorites are still the Dopper bottles: the original ones or the ones made of stainless steel.
Comfy clothing
My travel clothes do differ somewhat from my daily wardrobe. Since you never quite know what situations you will find yourself in anyway, I definitely choose neutral, easy clothes. And also important, I take clothes that are easy to wash and do not require delicate fabric washing programs!
Sunscreen/sunglasses
Sunglasses and sunscreen are two travel essential items needed in any summer wardrobe. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun, okay, and they also add a stylish touch to your outfit :). It is proven that all sunglasses protect even the very cheap ones from little markets in tourist area's. But my favorite brand is still Ray Ban, they can take a beating, essential when you travel!
Sunsceen is also essential to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun and prevents a lot of discomfort that you get from sunburn. My favorite ones: sunscreen for sensitive skin from biodermal, and sunscreen from NIU when we go swimming. When the kids where little I used Zwitsal creme for them.
Maps/GPS
The smartphone has completely eliminated the problem of navigation. But there are some snags. For example, you don't have equally good connectivity everywhere on the planet. Roaming charges can be very high. And data is not always up to date. Not to mention, a smartphone is used so often that the battery often runs out before you can recharge. The problem of roaming charges can be completely solved by purchasing an e-Sim if you cannot use your regular tariff to surf the Internet. The problem with a battery that runs out faster than you would like can be taken care of with a power bank. This has really become an indispensable item for every traveler. And data that is not always correct ... sometimes you just can't be prepared for everything, but when in doubt, talking to the locals is still what works best for me!
Hi! We are Bart, Kris, Lore and Ruben. We are a family of 5, yes, we also have a dog named Spike.
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Maybe we can inspire you to explore a bit more of all those beautiful corners of our planet? Go to our trips and find out!