I recently traveled to France and Switzerland with my daughter. I initially intended to take a hiking backpack instead of a suitcase, thinking it would be much easier getting on and off trains without having to roll and lift a suitcase in a hurry. I ended up taking a small carry-on bag and a Longchamp tote instead (a story for another time), but because I thought my space would be extremely limited, I had everything whittled down to only essentials.
Here are ten helpful items that allowed me to travel efficiently. I even had room to bring home a pair of new shoes, a big sweatshirt, and several souvenirs, which will be featured in another post.
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- Lo and Sons Pearl bag.
- Lo and Sons Pearl bag.
I was gifted this bag (which I am carrying in the header image of me on Gold Beach in Normandy) and took it to Europe with me two summers in a row. I am not someone who leaves the passports in the hotel safe, so I need a bag that can contain 4 of them. In this bag I fit: 4 passports, a card carrier with my driver’s license, insurance card, two credit cards, and a few folded bills, a mini hairbrush, a package of wet ones wet wipes, a bottle of eye drops, sunscreen lip balm, a map, a pair of sunglasses.
What I like the most about it is that the inner compartments really deter theft. You’d have to have a lot of time to get to some of the inner zipper compartments, so I felt like our valuables were really secure.
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- Heliocare Skin Protectant Supplements
You should first note that I am not a medical doctor and, before using this or any other supplement, you should talk to your own M.D. That said, I was recommended this by my dermatologist over 10 years ago and am never without it when I travel. It isn’t always easy to reapply sunscreen when you are on the go and this gives me a boost of protection.
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- Sample packets of eye cream and shampoo. I prefer to use my own skin care, but don’t usually want to haul around the extra weight. I always save the free samples that come in the mail or from stores and use them for travel. One little packet will last for several days and then there is no bottle or jar to take back and forth. If I am going to be gone for more than three days, I do make use of this next set, however.
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- Refillable silicone travel bottles.
I like these because they are pliable and easy to fill. The multitude of colors is helpful so I know which bottle has my facial cleanser, which has my conditioner, etc.
5.)Souvenir tote bag. I usually buy one of these thin cotton bags while traveling and then take it everywhere with me daily so I can carry whatever we buy without having to pay for a shopping bag. They can be machine washed and fold up pretty small.
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/british-museum-tote-bag.html
6.) Mini eyeshadow palette. I don’t wear a lot of makeup. Under eye concealer is a daily necessity and then otherwise I just take a tubing mascara (I have serious dry eye and this is so easy to remove and doesn’t bother my eyes), sunscreen and sunscreen lip balm and chapstick. I have had a mini 3-color eyeshadow palette from Bobbi Brown for about 20 years and take it when I travel. It’s the size of a silver dollar and does what I need. I know the Cosmetics Company Outlet store sells them and, if you’re a makeup minimalist like me, I suggest picking up one. I don’t take blush with me because my cheeks are naturally pink. Jane Iredale and Viseart also make really versatile slim palettes.
7.) Chambray denim shirt. I am partial to collared shirts and they are what I feel best in. I travel with one of these from J. Crew and find it SO versatile. Buttoned up ir can be dressed up, half-buttoned with a tank or t-shirt beneath allows for layering if you can’t predict the weather, and it even has helped our daughter to stay warm when she left the hotel or air bnb with a tank top on in chilly weather. I’ve used it as a bathing suit cover up and at the beach. It’s thin enough to dry overnight and irons quickly, but looks fine if it isn’t perfectly pressed.
8.) SmartWool no show socks.
I LOVE these socks for days I am wearing tennis shoes for travel. The padding helps when you are walking as much as I do (frequently 20,000 steps a day on vacation). They wash well, hold up perfectly and don’t slide down. They don’t fit with loafers, but are the best thing for tennis shoes.
9.) Eagle Creek packing cubes and folders
I am a big believer in these and we have been using them for years. They hold up and wash well and truly do allow for saved space. I have since now picked up a few compression bags and found those to be a miracle worker.
10.) I bought this exact bag in purple when pregnant with my oldest child. I used it as a diaper bag for both kids, as a carry on bag, as a purse, as a shopping bag, to carry groceries, and as a beach bag for 18 years. I only just recently replaced it, but probably could have held onto it for another year. These are worth the money because they hold up so well, are easy to clean, and look a bit better than many alternatives. I also love that they fold up for storage.
*As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission from the sales of some of these items. I can, however, attest to their functionality as I have been using and preferring all of the above products for many years now.