6 Items to Double-Check You Packed

There are a lot of things that you can buy when you get where you're going, but sometimes that isn't convenient or economically feasible. I've, unfortunately, forgotten some necessary things when I've traveled, and I've remembered to never do that again, but sometimes you just miss something. 

I always suggest having a standard packing list for your trips that have all the essentials on it and can be changed up for everything else. Here are 6 things you don't want to forget or pack in your checked bag, if you have to do that:

Medication

Whether you have prescription meds that you need to take or you plan to bring along regular over the counter items, like aspirin and bandages. These things should go in your carry-on. While we all know what a pain it is to have to run up to the grocery store or drug store for something for a headache, but it can be almost impossible to figure out how to get a few days of your prescription meds when you're on a trip, especially when you're out of the country. 

OTC meds and necessities like pain relievers aren't always easy to find everywhere in the world and can even be quite a bit more than they are at home. I keep a small stock of ibuprofen, antacids, sleep aids, bandages, antibacterial gel, and several other things in my bag at all times and replace as needed. 

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Menstrual Products

If you are a person who menstruates, then you know how inconvenient it can be when you aren't expecting to start your period. After starting right in the middle of a vacation (twice!) and not having any product with me, I make sure to keep a small supply of items with me, just in case. If nothing else, it'll help tide you over until you can get to a store. If nothing else, some overnight pads and either a cup or enough tampons for several days should be in your bag, whether you expect to start or not. As a perimenopausal woman, you may not have a period for months and then all of a sudden get it and it lasts way longer than you expect.

Photo by De an Sun on Unsplash

Charging Cord(s)

I've forgotten a charging cord for my ipod before when they weren't available everywhere for, like, $7. I went to a bunch of electronics stores in Quito, Ecuador and nobody had one. One of the guys who worked at our hotel was nice enough to lend us one for a few days, which was very nice, but also not optimal. I have a cord bag that has a travel cord for my laptop, charging cords for our phones and other electronics, and USB wall and car adapters. It's always in my bag, so I know I always have what I need for everything we bring.

Photo by Rocio Ramirez on Unsplash

Passport/ID and Travel Info

You're not going to get very far if you don't have your passport or your ID, unless you aren't flying. Also, make sure your identification is still in good standing. While the airport may not care if your driver license is still valid, they will care if you're trying to rent a car or if your passport is expired. 

Sometimes your phone dies or you don't have a signal. Make sure you have a back-up version of your travel documents, so you know where you're going and how to contact places if you need to. It's also important to have copies of things securely in the cloud, in case something bad happens and you lose your passport or you get robbed. 

Contact Solution

This never seemed like an issue when I traveled until we went from Disneyland Paris to actual Paris and forgot all of our liquids in our hotel and no way to retrieve them. While I freaked out about not having most of my makeup, we had to go purchase toothpaste and shampoo, we also had to buy contact solution. Oddly, this was not available in any store we went to and were told we would need to go to an optometrist to buy it. They were all closed until the next day, and when we finally went to one the next morning, a tiny bottle was $8. 

This may have changed by now, but I just like to make sure I have everything I need with me all the time. We both also check every drawer and shelf before we leave an accommodation now. I was lucky that I had the bare minimum of makeup, including what could be used as moisturizer, to get me through the week we had left of our trip. (On the last day I saw a Sephora in the neighborhood of our rental, but by then I just ordered replacement items from my home Sephora. Now I only take small containers with what I need.)

Photo by Rocio Ramirez on Unsplash

Emergency Cash/Card

Things happen and sometimes travel can be unexpected, so just in case things don't go as planned, make sure to have an emergency credit card and some cash that can get you through a few days or a long travel delay. You don't need me to tell you why this is important. Also make sure you have a physical credit card. Not everyone takes Apple Pay or Venmo and only having tap-to-pay on your phone is not a great option.

Now that you know what you need to be a successful traveler and be ready for curveballs, go pack your bag and worry about fewer things. Have you ever forgotten something important/necessary on a trip?

6 Tips for Acing Carry-On Travel

While you may be seeing some cheaper airfares right now, if you don't jump on them right away, you might be out of luck. With a lot of Americans taking a "wait and see" approach to travel this summer, due to so much uncertainty happening right now, airlines are noticing more and more people waiting until closer to travel time before they purchase. This also means that airlines are cutting routes, so there are fewer to choose from. 

A lot of things are up in the air and being able to go with one bag that you put in the overhead (and that all-important personal item under your seat) can save you a lot of money and hassle. My personal travel goal this year is to pack super light on my trip to Europe and take just a 16" roller bag and a backpack for each of us. I know most people aren't willing to do this, and you don't have to, but packing a full-size carry-on per person is absolutely doable.

1 - make a packing list

This is so important. When you start making a list, you can see how many things you actually want to take and it can make it a lot easier to take things off your list and streamline your travel wardrobe. You always want to make sure you mix and match your items, so all the tops go with all the bottoms you take, giving you a much larger selection when you get there. If you have 4 tops and 3 bottoms, you have 12 outfits instead of only 3 or 4. 

Instead of bringing a really fancy going out outfit, bring something that is still pretty, but can work for other things, like a plainer black dress that can be worn for sightseeing, but can also go to dinner with the addition of some accessories, like a belt and jewelry. Bring only shoes that you can walk in all day and leave your high heels at home. Opt instead for some pretty sandals or cushiony wedges.

2 - choose the right bag(s)

When I travel, I choose a different bag for different kinds of trips, but if you're a one and done sort of person, make sure you invest some actual money in a good bag. That doesn't mean it needs to be $300 or more, but you want to make sure the quality is there, so you're actually getting your money's worth out of it. A bag that lasts you for a decade is a better investment than a pretty one that is poorly constructed and ends up with a broken wheel and janky handle during your second trip. 

Read reviews, go see them in person and drag them around the store. Even if you find a better deal online, it's always good to know what you're getting and to be able to open it and see just how big all the compartments are and if it's laid out in a way that works for you.

Samantha Brown convertible roller bag

Delsey Helium wheeled bag

Mixi 20" hardside

3 - use packing cubes

People will tell you that you don't need cubes, and they're right, but they are a tremendous help to light travelers, because you can get the compression cubes that allow you to pack more in less space. They also help you organize and can go straight from your bag to a dresser drawer when you arrive. If you travel as a couple or a family, you can get everyone their own color, making it easier to spot who's stuff is inside without having to open it and dig around.

4 - roll your clothing

This can be controversial, but I swear by rolling. You can save 1/3 of the space you would have if you didn't roll. Of course, if you're using compression packing cubes, you may not have this problem. You just need to make sure you fold your clothes into the shape of the cube in order to maximize all the space inside. I generally roll everything and then fold my pajamas on top.

5 - optimize your travel outfit

Don't forget that what you wear on the plane should also be able to work for your trip. You also want to wear your bulkiest items on the plane. For example, I always layer: tank or tee with a sweatshirt or cardigan and a wrap/scarf. You can always take layers off when you get going and that sweater/sweatshirt/cardigan can be an emergency layer if you need it at your destination. I also wear jeans, if I'm taking them, and my sneakers. 

6 - don't forget your personal item

You get a personal-sized item for your flight, so use it wisely. Whether you're a tote, duffle, or backpack person, choose one that is going to be comfortable for you, that will carry everything you need. I usually bring a backpack with me, because I bring my laptop with me on all my trips. I also use my personal item for my toiletry bag, all my electronics cords, and snacks. That way I have room in my carry-on for just clothing and my second pair of shoes. 

You can pack your purchases in it on your way home, just in case you are forced to gate-check your carry-on, but if there are two of you, I almost always pack a bag that packs flat for those extra items on the way back, because often we have souvenirs or a bunch of international snacks we're bringing home. On our last trip to Disneyland Paris, I really wanted to bring home a cute Mickey bucket, but it was too large to fit in the limited space we had. If I had a back-up bag (we went with an expanding carry-on that did not have enough space for such a large purchase and another small carry-on that was completely full), I could have come home with it. 

Bagsmart Tote Bag

Travelon Anti-theft Urban Backpack

Baggallini Large Day Duffel

Now, you just need to learn to pare down your toiletries by decanting what you can into smaller tubes, buttles, and pots and you're ready to be a carry-on traveler!

Nomatic toiletry bag

Gravel Max toiletry bag

Wet/Dry toiletry bag

What is your biggest struggle when it comes to packing light?

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Great Destinations for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Happy Pride! As an ally and someone who loves to learn history of all kinds, I am continuously looking for ways my vacation destinations are uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and historical spots within. This year I'll be looking for those little nuggets in Normandy, like how designer Christian Dior was never officially out due to the attitude of the time, and how many queer movies were filmed in the region.

So, why would you visit destinations that aren't inclusive or accepting? Anytime I travel and see overwhelming support, resources, representation, I feel like I made a good choice in where to visit. This is an atmosphere I want to immerse myself in. Palm Springs was a great location for many reasons, but especially for their year-round Pride vibes. We have purposely postponed a trip to Florida indefinitely, due to their many new laws restricting freedom of speech, women's rights, history, drag queens, and queer students (or even students with queer parents). 

It's not just my family and a lot of my friends who are avoiding the Sunshine State. Advocacy groups have added a laundry list of warnings against Florida for travelers. The NAACP put out a statement regarding those thinking about making the trip: “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” 

Instead of Florida, we headed to Paris to visit Disneyland there (and saved money doing so) and we'll be visiting Disneyland Paris again this year. 

If you aren't looking to visit a Disney park or Florida, how about one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities around the world? These cities ranked highest on the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Barcelona, Spain
• Brighton, England
• Brussells, Belgium
• Gothenburg, Sweden
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Montreal, Canada
• Oslo, Norway
• San Francisco, California
• Valletta, Malta

Spend your travel dollars with travel brands that support the community. You can make new friends while traveling with an inclusive group trip from Contiki, that will take you to awesome destinations, make you feel safe, and help you bond with other queer travelers. Other travel companies to utilize are Out Adventures, Toto Tours, Detours Gay Travel, and Brand G Vacations. Find tour guides, events, travel guides, accommodations and more on IGLTA, a nonprofit organization that wants to advance LGBTQ+ travel, allowing people to know where the safest and most inclusive places and companies are. 

Don't forget your gear! This baker's dozen of queer people are bringing clothes, bags, accessories, and sunscreen for your travels. REI, Patagonia, Columbia, and Prana are some of my favorite outdoor brands that make clothing and support the queer community. These 10 amazing brands are queer-owned. I also love Juvia's Place for makeup that's all-inclusive. They have bright colors to help you express yourself and foundations, powders, and concealers for everyone, from the palest skin tone to the deepest brown. It's a Black woman-owned business that thinks makeup is for everyone and their prices are super affordable. Mother Monster herself, Lady Gaga, has an amazing makeup brand, Haus Labs, that is for and used by all people, including many men who are makeup influencers that I follow.

I also enjoy following queer travelers on social media, because not only are they fun, but I learn about great new places to visit and which cities/countries are inclusive and rainbow-friendly. Nobody wants to feel unsafe or unwelcome when they are on vacation. As a woman, who sometimes travels alone, these places are usually great for solo ladies, too. Here are some of my favorites:

• @27travels are two lesbians from NYC who got married on a trip after traveling the world for several years. They are fun and their account is a mix of their favorite things and the best inclusive places they've traveled to.
• @raviaroundtheworld is a proud gay man who connects with his community wherever he goes. It can be risqué, but his posts always make me happy.
• @coupleofmen is a gay couple who have traveled the world and help other LGBTQ+ travelers find better accommodations, destinations, and activities.
• @asianmapleleaf is a Canadian-born gay traveler who takes his followers along on his adventures, while he indulges in his love of photography and cuisine. You can find him traveling with his sweetie @teraj08, a gay Black traveler, singer, and music producer.
• @thegaytraveler is a personal friend of mine I met years ago at the Travel Goods Show. He highlights travels with friends, as well as LGBTQ-friendly destinations and events in his hometown of Washington, DC.
• @amis_adventures is a Black trans solo traveler that shows what life is like for him in different destinations.
• @thequeernomads these beautiful Black women are married travel advocates and queer activists. 

There are many more queer travel influencers for you to follow. 

I hope this gives you a little push to plan your vacation as a queer budget traveler. Even if you're not a part of the queer community, but an ally and curious traveler, always look for history of the marginalized peoples wherever you go.