Staying comfortable on a plane, temperature-wise is always a bit of a struggle. International flights can get *chilly* when you're up at those super-high altitudes.
I love folding up a great wrap and tossing it in my bag. I can put it on in the middle of the flight and take it off when we get back to normal temperatures. I recently splurged on two J McLaughlin wraps that I cannot live without. Amazon also offers some great cashmere options. |
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For the airplane and the hotel room, I always pack some inexpensive anti-bacterial wipes. On the plane, I wipe off the tray table- I feel like they're so dirty lately - and the arm rests quickly when I sit down. In the hotel, I usually only do the TV remote and the nightstands, but if you want to do more, you'll have the tools!
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We received a pack of tiles as a Christmas gift and ever since, I've loved keeping track of our possessions with them while traveling. It's so comforting to be able to check the app and know that all your stuff is somewhere over Greenland, along with you! Just slip the little tile into/onto whatever items you want to track, download and enable the app, and relax with peace of mind!
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Most long-haul planes, and international hotels, in an effort to overcome the wide range of international plug sizes, have USB holes to plug in your phone/other items, so you'll want to be sure to have a USB cord. Before buying a new cord, check the plug you're currently using - if you gently pull the cord from the plug portion, you likely will find that you already have a USB end. You'll probably also want converters for the country/region you're visiting, just to be safe and to plug in other items.
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To watch movies on the plane, you'll need to either bring your "old school" corded headphones, or get them from the attendants on your trip.
The newest addition to this list is noise-cancelling headphones. Best part - good pairs can do bluetooth AND come with a cord, which you can plug into the in-flight entertainment. |
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I also always bring my airpods to connect to my phone. They're more comfortable on the plane if you're trying to sleep without cords/big headphones all over the place, and, most importantly, they can function as pseudo-ear plugs in the hotel.
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While they're making strides to improve, air travel, on the whole is hard on the environment. Add on the disposable items used on any flight, particularly long haul flights, and the toll mounts. So why not try to do your part and bring a reusable cup?
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Alas, there's no way around it. There are time on a plane when you might need a plastic bag. Let's pretend it's going to be for bits of trash.
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Finding the right suitcase for a trip to Europe can be difficult. You'll want good carry-on and checked baggage (if you're bringing both) that are easy to carry and the right fit for small, European hotel rooms.
Check out the full post on suitcases for Europe for all of my thoughts. |
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When you're going on a long trip, not only is fitting all of your items in your bags sometimes an issue, but keeping everything organized once you arrived can be a struggle! This is why I love these packing cubes - lightweight, inexpensive, and sturdy, you can use them to keep your suitcase under control throughout your trip, and to keep your drawers organized when you're abroad! Additionally, they're small enough that at the end of your trip, you can just zip them into each other and jam them into your suitcase without having to make everything fit back neatly.
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No matter how carefully you pack, being folded up will take its toll on your freshly cleaned clothes! I bring a clothes steamer to give some of my better items a quick brush-up! This version is small, light-weight, and surprisingly effective. Be sure to pull lightly on the bottom of the clothes as you steam - and, after you're almost done, lie them flat on the ground and press flat to get the final wrinkles out.
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One of the hardest parts of a trip to Europe is staying organized in a tiny hotel room. My husband recently bought us a matching set of valet trays - and these are collapsible. They lie flat while you travel, and then when you get there, snap up their corners and pop this fun little tool onto the dresser and you've got a handy little holder for your coins, phone, cufflinks, whatever!
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As well-stocked as I have generally found many bathrooms in Europe, in major tourist destinations, the staff often can't keep up with running the place and stocking the restrooms. Particularly in small restaurants, train stations, & outdoor/pop-up restroom facilities, you may find yourself facing an empty toilet tissue dispenser. Come prepared and share the international love with other (less-well-prepared!) ladies!
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It's hard to stay comfortable when traveling, while also looking crisp and avoiding wrinkles. I couldn't be happier with the easiest pants I've ever purchased, from Eileen Fisher. Comfortable, stretchy, and with only a waistband (no zipper or buttons), they could not be more convenient for travel, especially if you over-indulge while sampling some local cuisine. And - the best part? They don't wrinkle after 9 hours of sitting on an airplane!
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I always pack my Blondo waterproof boots. They're surprisingly comfortable, and a lot more stylish for big city travels than rain boots. One thing to keep in mind - they are slightly less breathable than leather boots, so your feet may get a bit toastier than you're expecting. Totally worth it to me, though, if they're dry! And if you're heading to London, you'll need these - read up on: What to Wear in London.
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There's no perfect way to evade pickpockets, unfortunately, especially in highly-trafficked areas. But, you don't need to help them snag your possessions. Be thoughtful before relying on backpacks to carry your possessions - they can be a pickpocket's dream, especially if it's so big that you can't feel someone rummaging around in there.
Get a purse that *closes* firmly - preferably one that zips. This is more of an issue in certain cities than in others, but be mindful. |
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