Travel Addict – Hand Hints & Travel Tips…
Everyone packs differently, has their own style, timescale, process even. I am an absolute nightmare when it comes to packing, my main issue is I get over excited at the idea that I’m packing for a holiday and get carried away. I always pack way in advance, just to get the excitement going. A recent trip to Athens for our anniversary was I think the most extreme so far, even for me, when I was packed and ready to go a full month before we were due to fly. I know…please don’t judge!! 😉
I am a lover of lists, I live by them so it probably won’t come as a surprise that I have a packing list that comes out with every trip 🙂 . This has the obvious items you will need every time you travel, whether it be for a long weekend or a two week get away, with space to then write the specifics whether it be a summer or a winter holiday.
I always seem to forget something so this is not fool proof by any means, but please feel free to print and use for any of your own trips 🙂 x
Travel hand bag – it’s a great idea to have a softer hand bag that you aren’t necessarily attached to that can pack flat in your main luggage to use once you arrive. I have one that comes everywhere with me that I only use on holiday.
Tip: it’s also a great idea to maybe invest in a more secure back pack style bag, not all countries you will visit are as secure as the one you may live in. I bought mine from eBay for less than £10. Again, it only comes out for certain trips and has a zip that is flush to your back once you are wearing it. Just helps with feeling more secure if you know you’re in a built up busy area known for pick pockets maybe. This is more common than you may think in city centres!
Travel Wallet – my sister bought mine not long ago and it’s been a great tool on our recent trips. Some may think a travel wallet is an older person idea, I remember my Mum had one when I was a kid and thinking ‘really Mum’! 🙂 But in actual fact I find it so useful, especially at the airport. It means that a) you have your passport(s) in one place with your phone ready for when you need those and your boarding passes, b) it’s easy to separate out your two currencies, c) any airport parking tickets, hotel parking tickets are in one place for when you collect your car and you don’t have to pack a separate purse for the other end, you have a purse ready to use! I love mine and would recommend it to anyone!!
Tip: treat yourself to one big enough to fit your largest every day essentials in i.e. your phone! If you use this as a purse the other end you’ll be grateful of being able to fit your phone in for added security.
Vanity Mirror (for the ladies mainly I guess) – I don’t know about anyone else out there but every hotel I think I’ve ever stayed in I have had a small gripe with the lighting when it comes to putting make up on. A gripe that was obviously starting to annoy my husband slightly because for Christmas he bought me a travel light up vanity mirror. This has changed my life, I kid you not!! Such a simple idea that is now an absolute must when I’m packing. These are not an expensive purchase and come in different sizes so whatever works for you go with it, mine is just the right size to fit in my make up bag. I can’t recommend this enough!!
Tip: If you can, try and purchase one with a stand, it just gives extra flexibility as to how and where you are able to apply your make up, every hotel room set up is slightly different!
Invest in an Amazon Kindle – personally I am a massive Apple fan and all my devices are Apple (sorry Android fans), however one thing Apple can be guilty of is being restrictive, especially abroad. So, I recently bought an Amazon Kindle Fire (£50 normally but often on sale for less). This little tablet is great. It’s small, light and compact which is ideal for travelling. Not only do you have the ability to take all your favourite books with you wherever you go, but this is not as restricted by IP (or so we have found in the countries we’ve used it in so far) which means indulging in your favourite Netflix series or catching up on TV from back home of an evening is something that is possible should you wish with the Amazon Kindle Fire.
Note: IP apps may be required in some destinations, we can only comment for the countries we have visited so far. Some restrictions may still apply.
Thank you for reading my handy hints and travel tips for packing for your next trip. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog and have found the ideas and suggestions useful.
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Thanks again,
Claire x
Travel Addict 