10 Must-Have Travel Items

Since travel is off the table right now, it's the perfect time to stock your travel bag for when you get out there again. I travel mostly the same way every time I go anywhere, no matter where I go. I have perfected my packing list and having a packing plan that works for me makes life so much easier. Part of my plan is taking the same things every trip, because it's familiar and it works. Here are the things I'm always packing, wherever I go.

Ziploc bags

You  never know when you'll need to separate something from something else, but also when you want to take a bag of cookies with you or keep your wet bathing suit from getting your rental car seats soggy or have an emergency diaper situation. I bring a handful of zipper bags with me anywhere I go. I've used them for snacks, for dirty clothes, for leftovers and for receipts and brochures. They are multipurpose and take up almost no room in your bag.

Back-up bag

Usually when you go on a trip, you buy stuff. That means you may not have room to pack it on your way home. Well, I try not to overpack my carry-on, but it's still just a carry-on. Because of that, I bring along a back-up bag to use for all my overage. I have this one and this one and they are both awesome. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend, but also how much you're restricting yourself on souvenirs when you travel. Sometimes I know I will be buying gifts, so I bring a bigger bag than normal.

Mesh pop-up hamper (laundry detergent)

Whether or not I'm on a long trip, I don't like living out of my suitcase and I don't like mixing my clean and dirty clothes. I have a great pop-up hamper that also works as a laundry bag that I put in the corner of my room to throw all my dirties. Then, before I go home, I can schlep it to the laundry room (or just drag it to the washing machine). I always have a small bag of dry detergent and a stash of quarters, so I'm ready for whatever the situation calls for. I have this one, which has really sturdy handles and four pockets, so you can even take along a book or game to pass the time. It's served me well for at least a decade so far.

Reusable grocery bag

I am a grocery shopper. I don't go out for every meal if I can help it. I generally show up at my destination and take a trip to the store on the first day to shop for breakfast foods, because that's the easiest meal to make and the least exciting to me to eat out. If you want to skip the back-up bag above, you can definitely use your grocery bag to bring back items from you trip. You can also use it as a laundry bag if you don't have that much. I've used it for both of these things before, since they usually have sturdy handles and nice flat bottoms.

Packable rain jacket

One time I didn't pack my rain jacket and it was a mistake. I've since learned that I should never leave it at home, even if I'm going to Vegas or Orlando. In fact, when it rains in places where it rarely rains, it often pours harder than you're used to, which sucks hard. I know lots of people like to bring umbrellas, but I don't, because a rain jacket is multipurpose. It doesn't take up as much room as an umbrella, but you can pack it down into your day bag and also use it if you happen to get chilly. You never know when a cold snap will present itself, even when it comes in the form of really insistent air conditioning. This is also why I always bring a scarf or wrap with me on the plane.

Sunglasses

The sun can really wreak havoc on your eyes. Even when it's not super sunny, you need protection from its rays. While you probably don't forget the sunscreen, but make sure you don't leave your sunglasses at home, because you don't want to have to pay 3 times as much as usual by purchasing them at your destination, or looking squinty in all your pics.

Snacks

Do you get hangry? I know I do! I always have snacks in my bag, because sometimes things don't go as planned and you aren't always in a place where you can get into a restaurant to sate your hunger. Toss a couple of granola bars or a piece of fruit or a bag of trail mix into your bag, just in case. You'll be happy if you have need it and sad if you do and didn't pack it. I also suggest a reusable water bottle, which I also count as a snack. We use this one.

Compression socks

Walking is hard on your feet, not to mention your ankles and legs. Most of us walk a lot more on vacation than we do at home, which can make our ankles swell and really hurt us at the end of each day. I pack a really good pair of compression socks in my bag that I can either wear under pants during the day or put on the second I get back to the room. I've been known to sleep in them when I've had sad, swollen ankles, and they help immensely. I swear by these Zensah socks.

Tablet

I don't always bring my laptop, and when I do, I only use it in my room. I always bring along my iPad Mini though, because I can read on it, take notes, listen to music and podcasts, play games and even check and answer emails. It's perfect for finding directions for your sightseeing before you leave the hotel and great for watching Netflix when there's nothing good on TV and you need to just unwind.

Back-up battery

Nothing sucks worse than when your phone battery dies as you're trying to call the hotel or get an Uber or take a picture of something awesome. You need a back-up battery. I have this one that will recharge my phone 2 1/2 times before it needs to be recharged. We actually have two, and we each carry one. This way Eric can play games on his phone all day and I can take all the pics I want and text with my mom. Because I can use any cord with this one, I can also use it to charge my camera or share with someone else to charge both our devices at once.

There you have it. The 10 things I don't leave on vacation without. I keep a lot of these things in my carry-on all the time, so my bag is halfway packed with all the things I know I'll always need. 

What do you never leave home without on your trips?

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10 Cheap + 5 Free Things To Do In Venice

While we aren't traveling, we're trying to keep our wanderlust at bay by doing our own destination staycation date nights.  We're very adamant about being responsible travelers, and right now that means not traveling at all. We still want to travel though, so we've gotten creative. 

This gives us a great chance to start looking at things we want to do when it's safe to get out in the world again (and we're not bound by travel restrictions). Since we "went" to Venice last date night, I decided to pull together a budget traveler list for the city for your next trip. You'll probably spend a lot of money going on a gondola ride and eating decadent pasta and seafood dishes, so figure out what else to do to balance out your budget.

10 Cheap Things to See/Do

1. St. Marks Basilica - There are a lot of churches to visit in Venice, many are free (donations encouraged), so why not visit the most famous? It's usually very busy and you will not have much time to see it all. You will pay a small fee to see the museums, which are highly recommended. You will have more time to visit these parts. Make sure not to miss the Pala d'Oro. 
2. Pala d'Oro - Don't miss seeing this golden, bejeweled casket of St. Mark, located in the middle of the Basilica. Price for viewing is just 2 euros.
3. Vaporetto Tour - This ferry boat is one of the best ways to see the city and other places. Rates are only €7.50 each way, but if you want to do more with it, purchase a day pass or a multi-day pass. 1-day passes are €20, 2-day passes are €30, and 3-day passes are €40, or a 7-day pass will run you €60. which saves you quite a bit. Below are some of the great areas you can visit that are included in your Vaporetto pass.
1. Lido - Enjoy the beach while in Venice. This is an 11-km-long barrier island. Of course the beach is not the only thing there. More than 22,000 people live there, so check out these top activities.
2. Burano - Spend a half or whole day on this sweet little island that's full of gorgeous photo ops. This is also where to eat better than anywhere else, because it's a fisherman's island. Check out what to this island has in store for you.
3. Murano - If you've heard of Murano glass, then you already know some of what you're going to see. This island is more quiet and laid back, so you don't need to spend an entire day here, but it's still worth the visit. 
4. Ca' d'Oro - Also known as Palazzo Santa Sofia, this palace on the Grand Canal is called the Golden House. The house has been turned into a museum, and you can tour the house and balconies, which give awesome views of the Canal. Admission is €6. 
5. Scala Contarini - The snail staircase attached to the palace of Gioielli Nascosti di Venezia is free to see from the outside, but if you'd like to walk up them and also visit the exhibits, you'll have to pay an admission. It's just €7.
6. Sample a bunch of gelato - There's no better way to cool off on a warm day than ice cream, but substitute gelato, which has a higher sugar content, and you'll enjoy a chill pick-me-up. Pair it with an espresso and pour over for an affogato. 
7. Have coffee at Correr Cafe - Instead of sitting in an overpriced cafe in St. Mark's Square, have a coffee and snack at the cafe in the Correr Museum for quite a bit less, and still be able to people watch if you grab a window seat.
8. Fenice Opera House tour - Tickets to the opera can be really spendy. If you aren't interested in going to one (I wouldn't blame you, because I'm not a fan of opera), or can't afford a show, for just €11, you can take a tour of this stunning building that dates back to 1792.
9. Basilica Santa Maria della Salute - This church is special, as it was built by Plague survivers for the Virgin Mary, and has graced the skyline for over 300 years. The central dome inside is astonishing and covers six side chapels. Don't forget to take time to look down as well, because the floors are equally gorgeous. Admission fees are just €4. 
10. Burano Lace Museum - Located in (surprise!) Burano, the lace museum has over 100 pieces of lace to showcase the amazing handcrafted patterns done by artisans. Learn all about the history of lace-making. The museum is located within the lace school, which has revived this age-old tradition that was on its way to becoming lost. While not for everyone, I still feel like €5 for admission is a pretty good deal.

5 Free Things to See/Do

1. Rialto Bridge + Market - Though these two aren't right next to each other, I think they go pretty well together. The Rialto Bridge is the most iconic bridge in Venice, which amazing views of the Canal and the gondolas. Less than 1/4 mile away is the indoor market, where you can browse some of the local fresh foods and maybe pick up food for a picnic or to have in your room, to help you save a bit on going out.
2. Museo della Musica - This deconsecrated church is now a museum of musical instruments and Baroque music.
3. Walking tour - Like many cities, Venice also has free walking tours of the city for tourists. Make sure you tip well if you enjoyed your tour though, because these guides work for tips, plus it's just polite. It'll still be much cheaper than a traditional city tour.
4. Orsoni Colour Library - If you are interested in Venetian glass, the Colour Library has the only glass oven still operating in all of Venice, while visits are free, you do have make reservations in advance, so make sure you plan ahead, because they are only open certain days. You'll also need to catch a boat to get there.
5. Libreria Acqua Alta - This library has used, out-of-print, and antique books, plus furniture made out of books. Because it has suffered constant flooding, it has resorted to using creative shelving, like gondolas and canoes and bathtubs, to hold their selection of second-hand tomes.

Bonus tip for a budget visit: Instead of spending a small fortune on a regular gondola ride, take a traghetto instead. That is basically a water taxi that crosses the Grand Canal, but in a larger gondola to hold more people. This will only cost 2 euros per person. 

I hope everyone is keeping safe and happy and trying to channel their travel dreams in other ways. Don't forget that if you're still working, this is the perfect time to save for your next big trip, whenever that may be. A lot of people are planning overseas trips for the beginning of the year, but I wouldn't look any sooner than July or August. For more pandemic and staycation ideas, you can scroll through the blog archive (on the right sidebar) or check out my Coronavirus Travel board on Pinterest.

Where will your next dream vacation take you?

It Might Be A While Away, But That Means More Time To Plan Your Next Trip

Due to the pandemic, it might be a while before you feel like it is safe to travel again. We know that this isn’t ideal, but it does mean that you have more time to plan! The good thing about this is that you know when you do get back out there and start seeing new places again, you’re going to have the most amazing time imaginable. So, in this post we’re going to be looking at some of the things that you should consider when it comes to your next trip! Keep reading if you want to find out more.

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Sort Out Your Budget

The first thing that you should always do is plan your budget for the aforementioned trip. You need to know how much you have in total to spend on the holiday, how much you are willing to spend on the hotel, how much you’re going to be looking at in flights and then a reasonable amount of money to take with you while you’re there. When it comes to budgeting, it can be easy to overlook certain details, but that’s why you’ve got to be extra vigilant. As soon as you know how much money you’re going to have left after the hotel and travel, you should split the remainder between the days that you are there. Try to include some kind of luggage storage options in your budget as well, at least for the last day when you want to carry on exploring before your flight!

It’s important to understand that just because you have this amount of money, doesn’t mean you actually have to spend it all. It’s okay if there is a little bit leftover at the end of the trip, you can always convert it back.

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Who Is Going With You?

Who is coming with on your next trip? Are you going alone? Are you going with your friends? Does your family want to come? Is it a romantic trip between you and your partner? You’ve got to figure this out, so you know who is going to be traveling with you. It might not seem important now, but imagine if you’re going to book the trip in a couple of months time, you’re excited for what you’ve planned and then someone decides to add themselves at the last minute. This could be a nightmare for you.

Finally, you’ve got to choose a destination. If you’re not sure where to go, a good idea is to get a globe, close your eyes and then spin the globe. See where your finger lands, and that’s where your destination should be. If you’ve been there recently then just do it again until you get to a place where you haven’t been before, or you haven’t been in a while. It is an adventure to do it this way, as you never know where you’re going to end up!

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know how you can plan your next trip, even if it’s not on the horizon yet. You’ll get to go soon, don’t worry!

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